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Show Model Cities people in action Model Cities Grant Cut Pete Grundfossen, Model Cities director. Word was received from the Department of Housing and Urban Development Tuesday, February 6, that the Salt Lake Model Cities grant for the third action year beginning May 1, 1 973 will be reduced to $1,100,000 from the original grant of $3 million. This represents more than a two thirds reduction because the third action year will be 14 months long, ending June 30, 1974. This action by HUD is the result of President Nixon's recommendation to Congress that Model Cities not be funded for the federal year 1 973-74- . Pete Grundfossen, Model Cities director, said in an interview Tuesday afternoon that this reduction will mean the discontinuation of many of its projects. Those not cut will originally thought," he said. The impact on the community will be widespread as Model projects employ over 500 people and provide services to approximately 28,000 residents. Grundfossen said that unless Congress refuses to take the President's recommendations or unless local and state government picks up the funding for these programs, many of the service projects will be discontinued and this will mean a great loss to the community. Grundfossen and his staff are Coordinating Council and the Joint Board to phase out operations but are hampered somewhat by the sketchy and partial information provided by HUD as to how they should proceed. will have to make that two recommendations a number of unanswered questions regarding the cut, he added, one of which i' the setting of priorities for much deeper and came much quicker . recommendations for the Commissioners There are The cut is working to develop experience serious reductions but will receive some funding, he said. He could not predict which projects would be cut as the residents and the Commissioners determination. Cities At the Joint Board of meeting Wednesday morning, the cut was discussed and Grundfossen made as to phasing out the program and deciding which projects to continue funding. Both suggestions involved residents from task forces or the Coordinating Council working continued funding. "The cut is much deeper and with the Commissioners came much quicker than making these decisions. Mayor in Jake Gam said that he had met with HUD representatives on Monday in Denver and had been advised that there was no possibility of increasing the $1,100,000, that in fact it was not certain that the Salt Lake program would receive that much. Local officials are waiting for a letter from HUD which supposedly will clarify some of the questions. The Joint Board will hold an Executive meeting next week to determine cut backs of the Model Cities Agency staff. There will not be a Joint Board meeting on Wednesday, February 14. " |