South Bay : FEDS GO HOME

You would think any city in economically depressed Southern California would jump at the chance to snare $2 million. But if the city is Torrance and the money is coming from the federal government, forget it.

This week, the City Council turned down a $2-million community development block grant because of fears that the federal government would require using some of the money for low-income housing.

City officials said the majority of the $2 million had been earmarked for such items as a new firetruck, repairs to senior citizens housing and a teen job-training program.

“This community has always taken pride in its local control,” said Councilman Don Lee. “If we see a need, we like to address it within the framework of our own resources. The citizens of Torrance can determine what their goals are, not somebody in Washington, D.C.”.