Dine for the Charleston

McDermott backs $250,000 federal earmark for Seattle’s elite Rainier Club

Among more than 100 local projects for which U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott recently sought funding earmarks in the coming federal budget are a new cancer-research program, municipal road projects and a law-enforcement initiative to combat gang violence.

Also included on the Seattle Democrat’s 2010 appropriations wish list is a relatively modest — but curious — appeal:

A $250,000 request to fund a "window repair and limestone sill replacement" at The Rainier Club — one of Seattle’s premier private clubs, whose members include some of the city’s most well-heeled and politically connected residents.

McDermott’s request on behalf of The Rainier Club would match the $250,000 raised by club members to cover renovations at the club’s 105-year-old brick building on Fourth Avenue in downtown Seattle.

The club — which provides wood-paneled dining halls, a health and fitness club, a library and private bedrooms where members can stay overnight — has about 1,200 members who pay $191 per month in membership dues, said Michael Troyer, the club’s chief operating officer.

A McDermott aide, who said Friday the congressman was on a flight to Seattle and unavailable for comment, called the private club’s request "a fair project to submit for funding" that had nothing to do with political back-scratching.

"They made the case that it’s a historic building in our home city, and they had tried to raise the money themselves but fell short," Mike DeCesare said. "It was a significant argument."

Representatives for the club said Friday the need for renovations is real and immediate. Limestone window sills are eroding, causing water seepage and damaging structural timbers for the part of the historic building that dates to 1904.

But after more than a year of fundraising, the club has gathered only half the $500,000 needed to cover repairs, Troyer said.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009366972_rainierclub22m.html

How can a private club use public monies for repairs?? I don’t care if it is a historic building! It is owned and use by a private group!

This is the kind of thing that really frosts my ass! The nerve and arrogance of these politicians is astounding.

One Response

1. zaza Says:
   November 2nd, 2009 at 4:14 pm

   How can a private club use public monies for repairs?? I don’t care if it is a historic building! It is owned and use by a private group!

   This is the kind of thing that really frosts my ass! The nerve and arrogance of these politicians is astounding.
   References :

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