Thursday, January 7, 2010
After much spirited debate, Sheriff Gregory got his jail addition Tuesday night.
http://jacksonville.com/news/georgia/2010-01-07/story/camden_commissioner_jail_expansion_unnecessary
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8 comments:
Jay you always seem as though your against excessive spending and I commend you for that. So I ask do you think this is the best option. I mean according to the mullet wraper there is a man in jail for a week on a public drunk charge. That is a 24 hr. and release on his own recognizance. The Sheriff is not running the jail effectively with this kind of poor judgement.
Firstly, you should know that the sheriff has no control whatsoever over the amounts of bail set by judges. If the judge says to the drunk you cite that he will stay in jail for 30 days or until he can post a $250.00 bond and neither the drunk nor anyone in his family is able or inclined to raise it, then there he will stay unless the judge intervenes. The sheriff has no say in the matter.
I saw the very detailed analysis of the alternative solutions which was prepared by the county staff - not the sheriff. It was glaringly clear that the best solution - far and away - was the one the sheriff was requesting.
I was there at the meeting Tuesday night. Interestingly, the only one dead set against it was Berry. Rainer said that he did not vote for it because he had promised the three mayors he wouldn't (what the hell?)but he agreed that it was the best solution and said he would have voted for it had it not been for his promise.
Quite to the comntrary, this does not show poor judgemnent on the sheriff's part but optimal stewardship of the public's money, especially when you consider the possible financial consequences of doing nothing.
Did you vote for Gregory or Smith?
I agree that a new facility needs to be built. I feel though that building it in its current location is not wise in the fact it leaves NO room for expansion. Members of Woodbine held many town hall meeting in which several citizens brought forth proposals on moving the jail to sites in which the county deemed appropriate for expansion. One site in particular is where Tommy said he wanted to move. They could have purchased the site, built the building (sans decor for camolauge), installed sewer and water all for the price of what the building in the courthouse square is going to cost. And on top of that, they would of had a begining point for future expansion and eventually the jail "super center" they will need. The vauge wording of SPLOST VI would certainly allow the use of the funds for this nature and we would have a path for the future.
That option was explored and costed out in the study I mentioned. You really should get a copy of it from the county administrator. If you have a truly open mind on the subject, you will be convinced that the expansion approved Tuesday was far and away the best way to go - and the least costly notwithstanding any of your comments.
I have the report prepared by the county with the email from Mr. Howard stating these are "fictitous" numbers. The Sheriff played his game well. But we should not believe that a 104 bed dormitory facility is not going to require more man power. My husband worked in a jail for years in South Carolina and a dorm facility required one officer per 15 inmates at a minimum. It should be interesting where our milage goes next year.
Really? Then I'm sure you will not mind forwarding me a copy of said e-mail from Mr. Howard sothatr I can share it wityh my readers.
jaymor@tds.net
Come now Jay, do you truely believe that any Judge orders a Public Drunk to jail for 30 days. Besides knowing the jail situation all the Sheriff has to do is pick up the phone and ask any of the Judges; City Court,Probate, Magistrate, or Superior for some relief on some of these minor misdemeanor cases and it will be granted. Trust me on this I have seen it first hand, I work there. But the Sheriff I voted for will not allow his hard headed pride to ask for help from anyone. I've known Tommy Gregory all his life and it is a family trait. I voted for him but, I thought he could make a change, However in 1 year he has made nothing but mistakes, and they are costly to you and I as taxpayers. But keep supporting him because you know no better. He has proven he is no better than what we voted out, maybe even worse.
I look forward to your running for sheriff in 2012. You are obviously superior to Tommy in every way.
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