By Donna Westfall – January 24, 2017 – President Trump has pledged to spend one trillion dollars on infrastructure improvements. We would have expected some of those dollars would be invested in improved roads and bridges in California and especially a bypass for Last Chance Grade. Unfortunately Congressman Huffman has put billions of dollars that would have gone to our district in jeopardy. How did he do that you ask? He decided to disrespect our new president by joining some other Democrats in boycotting the inauguration of President Trump. During the election Congressman Huffman supported Hillary Clinton for president as many Democrats did. I have no problem with that. It’s his right, however I do have a problem when his actions hurt the 2nd Congressional District. In a statement he said this; “I do accept the election results and support the peaceful transfer of power, but it is abundantly clear to me that with Donald Trump as our President, the United States is entering a dark and very dangerous political chapter. I will do everything I can to limit the damage and the duration of this chapter, and I believe we can get through it. But I will not sit passively and politely applaud as it begins.” To show his disdain for the president, he did not attend the inauguration. He said he would spend the day in his district “doing positive things.” So, how does this affect the funding of Last Chance Grade? Answer the question for yourself. How would you treat a person who deliberately disrespected you? President Trump will be able to determine which states and districts get funding for those infrastructure projects he determines are important. In effect, Congressman Huffman has said, “not my president.” We fully expect President Trump to say, “not my kind of congressman.” I expect Congressman Huffman’s action of boycotting the event, that only happens once every four years, will be fully supported in Marin and Sonoma Counties where they have lots of cash and little need for infrastructure improvement, but it could be a disaster for Mendocino, Trinity, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties where our roads are falling apart and without federal funds we could see a total infrastructure failure. I would hope that our congressman would find some way to show his support for President Trump so that Congressman Huffman can win the support of the president for our infrastructure needs.