Dear Editor,

As a member of the Citizens Study Committee working to develop a recommendat…

By Harvey Holden

Dear Editor,

As a member of the Citizens Study Committee working to develop a recommendation regarding the public safety, jail and communications facilities, I feel we must respond to some of the remarks made in Mike Roe’s July 22 Letter to the Editor.

The Committee, made up of nine men and women from Wellman, Kalona, Riverside, Ainsworth, Brighton, two from Washington, and two from the rural area of the County have worked well together and I certainly have not felt “shackled” or “led down a predetermined path by the administration, architect or both.” Quite the contrary, at no time has a course of action or a decision been prompted or suggested by the Board of Supervisors, sheriff’s department, architect or anyone else.

Mike attended some of the first meetings and entered into the discussion. He was personally invited to the April 26th meeting and was given unlimited time to present his proposal. After studying his proposal, considering what reconstruction would be involved to meet the several code requirements, the inability to get an accurate estimate of the cost of reconstruction or the suitability of the end product, the committee was not convinced the reconstruction of the old center could be adapted and incorporated into a partially new building that would meet fire, ventilation, accessibility and safety codes.

Mike has implied that architect Roddy Moore and Associates are not qualified to design this project. Mr. Moore is in the professional business of designing these special use buildings (Burlington and Oskaloosa among others). Mr. Moore has met with the committee, presenting ideas and answering questions, and provided a possible floor plan to insure the building space is adequate. Following these discussions, I am convinced he is qualified to design a project such as this, and feel is it appropriate to take the advice and estimates of a professional architect when designing a specialized use building being paid for by public tax money.

The goal of the Committee has been, and continues to be, to recommend a public safety facility that meets Federal and State rules and regulations, designed to be efficient as to personnel requirements and public accessibility, safe working conditions for the employees, adequate accommodations for prisoners, at a cost the public feels is reasonable. In support of that goal, recommendations are being made to:

1) Administration, communications and jail to remain in same building. It is felt this is the most efficient use of personnel and space for the 24-hour, 7-day-a-week operations for each of these activities.

2) Present site most desirable. 15,200 sq. ft. large enough, close to the courthouse, accessible to the public. Build in two phases to provide installation of new communication equipment with no interruption in service.

3) Communication equipment most urgent. Design requirements are known. Order and install as soon as practical and possible.

4) Funding- Committee believes, many in public seem to agree, that a one cent additional sales tax, solely for this project, for a period of six years is the preferred method of payment.

We have been alerted by the State Jail Inspector that progress must be made by the end of this year toward eliminating the deficiencies in our jail facility. Current jail standards would reduce our capacity to eight prisoners. This would require transporting prisoners to other jails wherever space could be found. Transporting and paying housing at $60 per day for prisoners would be very expensive and certainly not a desirable option.

It is hoped the work of the Committee has been thorough, reasonable, and supported by the public. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Harvey Holden