Department of Homeland Security officials are taking another look at why two Montana border crossings could be receiving millions of dollars in upgrades.
The little used crossings are near Scobey and Whitetail and the cost of the upgrades is $30 million. But, as few as two cars a day go through one of the crossings.
The money for the projects came from the stimulus bill and both of Montana's Senators pushed the upgrades. But even Montanans who live near the crossings question the huge expense.
"Well, when you are spending someone else's money, cost is no big deal right? If I am spending your money, what do I care as long as you have a big pocketbook. The accountability is what's missing here" said Scobey resident Mark Chabot. "The accountability and sensibility needs to apply here."
Montana's senators have defended the projects saying they would create jobs and shore up security on the Northern Border.
(from September 18, 2009)
U.S. Senator Jon Tester responded today to Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano's temporary suspension of some federal stimulus funds earmarked for border crossings in Montana.
Tester says he supports the 30-day re-evaluation period, but he wants a detailed breakdown of how more than $65 million dollars will be spent on upgrading five Montana ports.
Critics say crossings such as the Port of Whitetail don't see much border traffic.
But Tester says Whitetail in particular is riddled with asbestos, the well water for the facility is contaminated, and the port's border security capabilities are outdated.
Tester told KRTV, "The threat of terrorism is real and we're only as strong as our weakest link...and when you see a port with cones in the road, that's a pretty weak link...(this) meets the needs of the taxpayers of this country."
Three Montana Port projects already contracted, some employing contractors from Billings and Circle, will go forward as scheduled in Scobey, Morgan and Wild Horse.
(September 17, 2009)
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is halting any new border construction projects and plans to review how her department made past funding decisions. Napolitano's decision comes following criticism of her handling of federal stimulus money.
$77 million in stimulus money was slated for improvements and repairs at Montana border stations. That includes $15 million for a checkpoint at Whitetail, in Montana's northeast corner, that averages only three travelers a day (read related story).
Meanwhile, busy, higher-priority checkpoints were passed over for improvement projects.
North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan was highly critical of the decision by Homeland Security saying the agency treated the stimulus dollars like a bottomless pit of taxpayer money.
