By TRICIA NEAL, CJ Staff Writer
The inauguration of President Barack Obama took place hundreds of miles from Somerset, Ky., but the effects of his leadership will be felt in this city. Somerset Mayor Eddie Girdler believes Obama’s proposed programs will directly impact Somerset and Pulaski County.
While Girdler foresees a brighter economic future under Obama’s administration, he also says restrictions may be tighter on some local industries.
Girdler says he reads several national news articles per day “to learn what the powers that be are going to do, and what we need to do to be ahead of the curve.”
“(Obama’s) programs hopefully will open up additional money here so that people will be able to apply to buy cars and get credit,” Girdler said, referring to Obama’s financial bailout program.
Obama’s stimulus package also includes tax credits for small businesses and families, Girdler said. If the new President’s plans come to fruition, the package will “increase the amount of money we have here (through our shops and restaurants),” Girdler said.
Transportation-related projects rank high on Obama’s list of things to do. Girdler says that should benefit the local area as well.
“Work on our northern bypass should start next year, and hopefully we’ll be able to do two or three other major roads soon,” Girdler said. The road construction will provide jobs locally in the coming year.
Girdler says he hopes to have funds for Somerset’s sewer and water plant construction projects included in Obama’s stimulus package. Those projects would provide a “great boost to the local economy and to jobs in our area,” Girdler said.
Obama’s administration is expected to be stricter on environmental regulations, Girdler noted.
“We think our natural gas system could be a great economic boost to our region because coal and coal-fired plants are going to be coming under scrutiny,” Girdler said.
“President Bush didn’t do a lot with pushing environmental regulations. ... I believe we will become less dependent on coal, and that it will be harder to market coal.”
Obama’s “green effort” will affect the Somerset area in other ways, Girdler believes.
“(Obama) promotes energy efficiency and conservation,” he said.
“I believe that every federal or state project will be facing stricter guidelines if state money is to be involved.”
For example, Girdler said, cities wishing to build new facilities will have to prove that the buildings will “implement energy conserving measures.”
“Lake Cumberland will no doubt be affected,” Girdler predicted, adding that Obama’s administration will continue to strongly enforce rules concerning discharges into the lake.
“It’s going to slow things down and be more costly, but we’ve got to be more careful and monitor things more closely,” Girdler said.
“In the end (the stricter guidelines) will be beneficial, but they will also restrict what people can and can’t do. ... (Somerset) is trying to be proactive, designing things that will meet the new, anticipated rules.”
