Stimulus contract is news to recipient
Posted by Scott "The Piper" St. Clair - January 26, 2010They keep getting it wrong at Recovery.gov, the federal government Web site that tracks stimulus
efforts. First it was phantom Congressional districts, then phantom Zip Codes, now it’s phantom stimulus contracts.
And they’re too easy to find since it only took one phone call to dig one up.
According to Recovery.gov, two contracts totaling $210,381 resulting in the creation of zero jobs were awarded in the Kirkland, Wash. Zip Code of 98034. Per the site, both were awarded to Lancs Industries, a manufacturer of protective clothing, containment devices and other safety products.
Wiest said that his company sells to firms doing work at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Those firms have used stimulus funds obtained through Department of Energy contracts to buy his company’s products. But Lancs itself does not have any contractual relationship with the U.S. government, he said.
“I am uncomfortable with the appearance that stimulus funds are coming to us directly,” he said. Yet the clear implication from the Web site is that is what’s happening.
Wiest wanted it understood that the implication is false. Lancs Industries has “no contract with any federal agency through which we receive federal stimulus funds,” he said.
When he was asked if it was possible that the $210,000 and change could have been reported as having been received by one or more of his customers he said the opportunity for double counting of the dollars is there.
“The only thing that’s clear is that it’s unclear,” Wiest said.
Thoughts? Add Comment -
Dan Kennedy said on Jan 26 2010 at 3:07pm
If they're counting things twice, can I use last years taxes to pay this years, or is it only in their favor?
John Bumler said on Jan 26 2010 at 4:32pm
So who has the money? That's the $210K question.
Trent said on Jan 26 2010 at 7:56pm
I fly home from Washington, D.C., tomorrow night. I'll try to bring back some money for everybody, if I can find where they're hiding it. Actually, it might just be IOUs backed by China at this point.
confused said on Jan 26 2010 at 10:57pm
Help me out here - this guy is receiving money from firms who received it from the federal gov't and he is complaining? If the feds did not contribute $$ to the Hanford cleanup, it is reasonable to assume that he would not have sold those protective clothing items. Seems like you're trying to make something out of nothing.
David Payne said on Jan 27 2010 at 10:43am
I think that Confused is drinking some Kool-aid as Mr Weist did not like the perception that he was receiving the funding directly. He is in the business of selling the protective gear and he may not have to hire any more people to fill the orders.
It is the FUZZY MATH that most people do not use. Unless you are the Secratary of the Treasury and use Turbo Tax.
clay barham said on Jan 27 2010 at 1:06pm
The American culture was fashioned almost 400 years ago when a small band of pilgrims settled in New England and each had no other choice but to do their own thing, watching out for not only their interests, but that of their families and close community. They formed local government close, within a day's horseback ride, as the county. They elected people to make proper laws, enforce them, judge and punish lawbreakers. They held town hall meetings to reshape it when needed, and even vigilantes if government became abusive. The Tea Party movement is just an extension of that. Obama wants to change America from that culture, saying community interests are more important than are individual interests, yet individual self-interest and pebble-dropping was what made America great and prosperous. See Save Pebble Droppers & Prosperity on calysamerica.com
Mary Kean said on Jan 28 2010 at 3:40pm
So, confused, if someone received business from someone that received business from someone that received business from a business that received a tax payout, their name should be on the list of "jobs saved?"
The list should only be who received money. There shouldn't be a list of so called "jobs created" or "jobs saved." Just tell us where the money went.