Locals sound off on stimulus
By Katie Pizza
Argus Observer
Thursday, February 12, 2009 10:37 AM PST
Ontario — Some local residents interviewed in an informal survey in downtown Ontario Wednesday said they did not support President Barack Obama’s proposed $790 billion stimulus plan, while others felt, with the current faltering economy, the bailout package was worth pursuing.
“They gotta do something,” Yasu Teramura, Ontario, 86, said.
The $789 billion stimulus legislation appears to be on track for a final vote in both the United States House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate after lawmakers concluded a marathon round of talks to reach compromises on tax cuts and spending.
Mikell Docktor, 41, Ontario, also said doing nothing was not an adequate plan.
“He’s got to do something instead of standing around and waiting,” he said. “I think it’s a good idea.”
Docktor said Obama is attempting to fuel the economy, and it might benefit local economies as well through a trickle-down effect.
Other residents expressed support for the plan as well.
“We need it I guess,” Lynn Stockdale, Ontario, 62, said.
Roy Calderon, Ontario, 31, also said the stimulus plan was worth it.
“Anything that helps,” he said.
However, some residents said they did not know if the package would help give the economy a much-needed jolt.
“I’m undecided,” Sylvia Medina, Vale, 39, said.
Shirley Wollem, Ontario, 56, also said she was unsure about the package’s ability to revive the current economy. However, she remained optimistic.
“I hope it works,” she said.
As for whether or not the stimulus dollars, which are slated to be spent on infrastructure, subsidizing health instance, and tax cuts, would help the economy locally, she expressed a less optimistic opinion.
“You know it’s really hard to tell,” she said.
She said Eastern Oregon has a tendency to be overlooked.
Nikki Sinclair, 78, Ontario, expressed concern about the large amount of taxpayer dollars used to fund the effort. However, she said changes must be made to help the faltering economic situation.
“I guess they got to do something,” she said.
She also said she hoped the plan would help people locally.
Tony Burzota, Ontario, 42, said he was unsure if local stimulus cash would be a part of the future for many locally.
Susan Harris, Ontario, expressed concern about the amount of jobs that will be created through the plan.
“He’s putting money into things that are not going to create jobs,” she said.
According to the Associated Press, the stimulus package could create 3.5 million jobs by the end of 2010, a number that includes 305,000 in direct energy jobs and 166,000 in direct health care jobs. The total also factors in an estimated 230,000 jobs that would be produced indirectly.
Russ Heritage, Fruitland, also said he did not believe the package would help the economy because it focused too much on “non-stimulating” efforts. He also said he believed if the package did help the local economy, it would be indirectly.
Amand Collins, Ontario, 50, said he did not believe the package would probably not help the economy. He also said he did not support the package as a whole.
“It’s bunk,” he said.
The Associated PresS also contributed to this report.
Re takes money to make money wrote on Feb 23, 2009 4:14 PM:
You want to tell how horrible of a leader he was? Let me tell you buddy, DID HE KEEP YOU SAFE AFTER SEPTEMBER 11TH????????? Are you dead now? No, your not and I think you need a reality check..... if you think you could run this country then please be my guest, until then, SHUT UP! And be happy your alive! "