Infrastructure Improvements Should Be the Focus [OPINION]

The infrastructure of the cities and towns of America have been neglected for too long. Water, sewer, roads, and trains are real life for Americans.

I like my state and federal representatives to have a background in local government. I like someone who has been a selectman, city councilor, mayor or served on the school committee or the regional economic development board to advance to the state and federal level.

There are lots of people who do a good job without that experience, but there is nothing like a person who has participated in a road project or a new train station from the local level.

Donald J. Trump brought his abilities as a developer to the White House and it is time for him to deliver on infrastructure. He knows how to build, so let him build.

Every city and town in America should send a list of projects to the White House. They should include their members of Congress, too. Explain why they need the project and build support for the project among the decision makers. This is going to be a competitive selection process so local projects can't be a pie-in-the-sky wish list, but rather a well thought out improvement that is worth American tax dollars.

Improving the New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge is a serious project. Fixing the Middleboro-Lakeville rotary on Rte 18 is worth the dollars. Connecting the SouthCoast to the commuter rail system is another project worth putting in front of the president.

Massachusetts is in a prime position to benefit if an infrastructure bill is developed. Local officials shouldn't sleep on this opportunity. Make a list of projects worth doing, get it to the federal delegation and the White House, and follow the process and your project.

Chris McCarthy is the host of The Chris McCarthy Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Contact him at chris.mccarthy@townsquaremedia.com and follow him on Twitter @Chris_topher_Mc. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.