More than $4.5 million in 6th District projects are among the earmarks in the $410 billion omnibus spending bill signed by President Obama Wednesday.

The earmarks sponsored by Congressman Howard Coble do not include any projects directly affecting Moore County.

However, Coble said that he voted against the spending package when it passed the U.S. House.

"I would be in favor of continued earmark reform, but as long as earmarks remain a part of the legislative funding process, I would be doing a disservice to the citizens of the 6th District by not seeking funding for worthwhile projects," Coble said in a news release. "All of our requests were thoroughly vetted, examined and requested through the regular legislative process in the light of day for everyone to see. I also promised anyone who asked that our office would release any requests that were approved, and we are fulfilling that pledge today.

"I will take a backseat to no one when it comes to being a fiscal conservative, and I think my voting record will back that up. The name 'earmarks' has gotten a bad reputation because of the nefarious and unethical actions of a handful of elected officials and lobbyists -- some of whom are sitting in prisons today. I would wholeheartedly endorse further earmark reform to make the process even more transparent and explainable to the public. I will also continue to sponsor funding requests for worthy projects in the 6th District."

RAIL -- The largest of Coble's earmarks is $2,280,000 for the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor Initiative to double-track three rail sections from Charlotte to Greensboro.

Also included is $1,140,000 for the Greensboro Maintenance/ Operations/Administration Transit Facility, which is one of four projects co-sponsored with other members of the North Carolina congressional delegation.

Other projects affect airport improvements, emergency communications, street widening, math and literacy programs at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and the National Textile Center and the Textile/Clothing Technology Corporation Center in Raleigh.

DEMOCRATS -- The Moore County Democratic Party will hold its monthly executive committee meeting Monday at 7 p.m. at party headquarters, 104 N. McNeill St., Carthage.

This will be the last executive committee meeting prior to the county convention on April 18, according to party chairman Brian Deaton.

The committee will review results of the recent precinct meetings and will preview the county convention, including election of county party officers. Deaton says all registered Democrats and other interested individuals are invited to attend. Inquiries may be directed to Deaton at 295-9111.

SHERIFF -- At the request of Sheriff Lane Carter, the Moore County Board of Commissioners has adopted the Records Retention and Disposition Schedule for the disposition of sheriff's office records proposed by the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources.

The board approved the request at the March 2 meeting.

Carter told the commissioners that state law prohibits the destruction of public records unless an agency or local government has approval from the Department of Cultural Resources. Without that approval, the sheriff's office would be required to get permission every time it destroys any record, no matter how insignificant.

"The approval of this schedule will enable the sheriff's office to legally destroy records that do not and will not have further use or value for official business, research or reference purposes after the respective retention periods specified by this schedule have been met," Carter told the board.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at 947-4962 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.