New Jail: So many facts county legislators don’t have or don’t know
To the Editor:
One of the hotbed issues of the November election in Herkimer County is the new County Jail. This has been a long, slow and very expensive process. The problem is the Legislators don’t know if they are going to have sewers or a sewer plant or a septic system.
They don’t know the full size of the land to be used to build on because they are still negotiating its size with the owner, and the land is said to be all wetland. They plan to build a 130 bed jail. Why? They have never used that many beds before. There are so many facts they don’t have or don’t know about the new jail.
For instance, they can’t tell you the full cost of the new building and the cost to maintain it year after year.
My main concern is the taxpayers in District 15 and what they will be paying in taxes to build the new jail and maintain it. What kind of a burden will it be on the taxpayer year after year?
The Herkimer County Board of Legislators received a letter from the Oneida County Board of Legislators on August 2, 2011, regarding Herkimer County’s need for additional beds in their jail and inviting them to sit down with them to discuss the matter of sharing or consolidating jail services with Oneida County. To my knowledge, there has been no meeting so far. Why are they dragging their feet?
How will they know if an arrangement to share jail facilities with Oneida County is both possible and agreeable with both counties, if they don’t discuss it? Herkimer County is in serious danger with the poor economy.
With high unemployment and home foreclosures, we have to be very careful with spending and not overburden the taxpayer. If elected as your Legislator, I will keep you informed on all issues in the County and look out for You the People of District 15 and I will try to help you in every way possible. My platform is to serve the people, not in closed caucuses, but in open meetings.
I know we need a new jail, but is now the time? Do the Legislators of Herkimer County really want to put that burden on the shoulders of the taxpayers at this time? If so, maybe we should know all of the specifics for building and maintaining a new jail.
Jon Hansen, Thendara Independent candidate for Herkimer Cnty Legislator, Dist. 15
