By VICKIE JAMBON

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – U.S. Senator David Vitter asked St. John the Baptist Parish Councilman Allen J. St. Pierre to provide him with specific parish initiatives so he could petition Congress for federal funding.

In a Jan. 27 letter addressed to St. Pierre, Vitter wrote, “To be as effective as possible, I need your help in identifying local and regional projects and initiatives that might merit federal funding. Your work to better our community brings you face-to-face with the most pressing problems standing between us and even better, safer and more prosperous Louisiana.”

Vitter informed St. Pierre that Congress annually enacts 13 appropriations bills to fund the federal government’s discretionary spending.

He said that while only a very small percentage of requests will be ultimately funded, St. Pierre’s assistance would help him match key projects to federal funding.

“This could mean vital federal funding for key initiatives such as road construction, defense, homeland security and economic development,” elaborated Vitter.

The senator conveyed that a thorough and substantive submission would greatly increase chances for projects or programs to receive funding.

“Be sure to include specific dollar amounts, precise plans for the use of the money and a convincing rationale for what federal objectives and long-term vision for Louisiana will be achieved.

Vitter attached a 2006 Appropriations Request form to the letter. The request deadline is Feb. 28.

The request asks five questions, which must all be answered to validate the petition for finances.

The questions are:

€ Provide the name and location of a potential grant recipient, along with the name, title, address and phone number of the organization’s contact person.

€ Describe the organization’s main activities and whether it is a public, private or non-profit entity.

€ Provide a brief description of the activity or project for which the funding is requested. (Specific information was requested here. The description must be written in 15-200 words.)

€ What is the total project cost? The amount you are requesting for FY 2006?

€ What is the minimum amount of funding the project could receive in 2006?

St. Pierre presented the letter to the parish council at its Feb. 10 meeting.

The council said it will make recommendations and that it would present its recommendations on Feb. 22.