Letter from Shelley
Friends and Colleagues,
As Congress broke for Presidents Day recess, this was a busy week back in West Virginia. I met with constituents and local leaders with a trip to Roane and Jackson counties. As this week wound down, I had the honor of announcing $1.5 million in affordable housing grants at an event in St. Albans this morning.
Roane and Jackson County Trip
In a visit to Spencer this week, I had the pleasure of touring the Roane County Committee on Aging, which is undergoing a striking refurbishing project thanks to the support of Charlie Koone and local high school students. Charlie and his team have made real progress and it was great to see first-hand how much they’ve accomplished.
I also had the opportunity to meet with Mayor Carolyn Rader and Deputy Fire Chief Chuck Hitt in a visit to the Ripley Volunteer Fire Department. My office announced last month that Ripley’s fire department would be the recipient of a $192,000 grant to support equipment upgrades and training. This support is very important to our local fire departments and I enjoyed being able to see the real impact this funding can have for our local fire fighters.
Affordable Housing Grants
This morning, West Virginia continued its push to provide affordable housing for those in need. I was joined by St. Albans Mayor Dick Callaway and other community leaders to announce $1.5 million in new grants for affordable housing projects in West Virginia.
Much of the new funding is targeted to support the homeless, the mentally disabled and victims of domestic violence. For many of these residents who already face severe stress in their lives, having a structured living environment is vitally important.
I’m thankful members of the community, and to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh for their work in making these grants possible.
Intelligence Laws
Unfortunately, this week also brought news that House Leadership has allowed the Protect America Act expire – severely jeopardizing the tools available to our intelligence community as they monitor terrorist communication.
I’ve called on the House to pass a compromise bill that recently passed the Senate – with the leadership of my colleague Senator Rockefeller – and I hope the House moves quickly to pass the Senate bill when we re-convene next week.
Sincerely,
Member of Congress
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Capito Visits Ripley Fire Department
RIPLEY, WV, February 20, 2008 – Rep. Capito meets with officials from the Ripley Volunteer Fire Department in Ripley. The Ripley VFD recently recieved a $192,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security for equipment upgrades and training.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...
Capito visits Ripley VFD: Representative helped to secure grant
Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Christina Bright
February 21, 2008
RIPLEY — U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., visited the Ripley Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department Tuesday after helping the department secure a grant from the Department of Homeland Security.
The announcement the Ripley Fire Department received the Assistance to Firefighters Grant in the amount of $192,935 was made last month.
“This grant will provide much needed support for Ripley’s volunteer fire department,” said Capito. “It’s incredibly important that local first responders are equipped to do their job, and it’s great to know that this funding will support local firefighters in Ripley.”
Grants awarded through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program seek to help enhance the preparedness capabilities of local fire departments and emergency medical service (EMS) organizations. Funding often supports equipment upgrades and training for first responders.
Chuck Hitt, deputy fire chief, noted the importance of the grant program and the support it provides to local fire fighters upon learning of the department’s successful grant application. “We’re excited about the grant,” said Hitt. “This is a good program that supports local fire departments like ours, and we’ll be able to update some of our equipment to better serve our community.”
Among the equipment purchased by the department with the grant funds are 30 complete sets of turn-out gear, enough for each volunteer, and 25 new air packs. A thermal imaging camera was also purchased. While not all the equipment purchased as been delivered yet, Capito spent time during her visit examining the new helmets, face pieces and boots, as well as the thermal imaging camera that have arrived and discussing their importance to the volunteers.
This was the first time the Ripley Fire Department received the Assistance to Firefighters Grant through the Department of Homeland Security.
To read the full text of this story, click here.
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