The Johnstown area has been the recipient of billions of dollars in earmarks over the years, most widely attributed to the work of Rep. John Murtha.

Because of that, the city has recently been in the national spotlight.

Much federal money, grants and stimulus funs have been funneled into the Alleghenies, and as WJAC-TV previously reported, an $8 million radar tower at a local airport -- paid for by defense dollars -- has never been used.

Now, the question is if Johnstown has become the poster child for pork-barrel spending.

Mark Pasquerilla, a Johnstown business leader, said Murtha's method hasn't changed over the last 30 years: he said Murtha brings home the bacon to help turn around the local economy. Pasquerilla said Murtha has been receptive to the needs of the greater Johnstown community and hasn't been challenged -- until now.

Pasquerilla said that's in part due to the power struggle in Washington. He said President Barack Obama wants the appropriations power, and at the same time Obama is trying to cut the defense budget.

With Murtha's plumb spot as the top Democrat on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and a number of defense contractors now calling Johnstown home, that budget has become the bread and butter of the local economy.

But, Pasquerilla said he doesn't think the recent attention has given Johnstown a black eye, and other local people said they agree.

"He's also committed to created jobs in this district and no one is going to stop him from doing what he believes is his job for the voters and for our nation," Pasquerilla said.

Pasquerilla, who is also on the board at CTC, a defense contractor in Johnstown, said, in many cases, the earmarks have helped businesses like CTC get their feet under them. Then, he said they are able to be self-sustaining or seek grant money on their own.