Area leaders take small, crucial wish list to Washington

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A delegation from Stanislaus County is headed to Washington, D.C., this week to make a case for federal help with four major projects. We would challenge anyone to call them frivolous. Here's what local officials are asking for:

$4.9 million for improved equipment so police, fire and other emergency responders can communicate with each other without interruption because of geography or radio frequency differences. This long-standing request is needed to serve county residents on an ongoing basis, but it would be critical if a Bay Area quake or levee break in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta sent thousands of people fleeing to our county.

$460,000 to continue designing flood control for Orestimba Creek. The creek has flooded 13 times in 50 years, causing damage in the Newman area.

$1.8 million to continue planning and environmental studies for Tuolumne River Regional Park, specifically 185 acres between Highway 99 and Carpenter Road.

$5.6 million over five years for gang prevention and intervention programs. Stanislaus has nearly 5,000 documented gang members who are wreaking havoc in several neighborhoods.

For many years, local officials didn't ask for much from the federal government -- and didn't get much. Elected and appointed officials have gotten more sophisticated in their lobbying, limiting their requests to a few high-merit items.

The three congressmen representing our region have adopted different philosophies on earmarks.

Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa, said he won't sponsor any requests this year because of the country's economic woes.

Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, no longer will submit requests on behalf of private organizations, but will continue to seek money on behalf of public agencies.

Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, established a practice of listing every earmark request, not just those that are funded. As we've said before, this openness is what the system needs to flush out wasteful and silly requests.

Earmarks are not inherently bad. It is reasonable for local government to seek federal help for important purposes, as Stanislaus leaders will do this week.