'It's nasty'

A good way to describe the current Vernon County jail is with the words used by one citizen, "It's nasty."

Perhaps this is as apt a description as one can express for the county jail that has been in its current location since the '60s. Back then, it was thought of as being a great building for the jail. Still, there are those who recognized that it has never been a good jail.

It is better than what the county had prior to the current location.

Another citizen commented that she hadn't known how bad the condition is at the jail. When asked if she had toured the jail, her reply was a strong no. She was referring to the pictures that were shown Friday at the Vernon County Law Enforcement information meeting held at Greenfield's. She has no desire to see the actual jail after seeing the pictures. Someone said that the pictures make it look better than it is.

Many hold the opinion that we do not need a fancy place for the ones in jail. When those steel doors go shut, it has to be intimidating, for most people, to be locked in. Even though it may not be desirable for some people, the prisoners have to be treated with humane and decent treatment.

There are a number of problems with the current building. The person that said it's nasty also said that it is almost impossible for the ambulance crew to get someone out of the "bull pen," where most of the prisoners are located. To move them out, a stretcher cannot be used. Instead, a board has to be used and placed straight up and down to get it around the corners, a maneuver requiring about 6 or 8 people to accomplish -- a dangerous situation.

The proposal that the voters in Vernon County will be voting on April 3, is for a 1/2-cent sales tax for law enforcement. After 20 years 1/2-cent will be eliminated or earlier if the jail is paid off. The remaining 1/2-cent will be used to provide additional funds for law enforcement.

The deputies deserve much more pay than they are now getting. Each day they go out they are putting their lives on the line. Additional pay will help in getting quality personnel and to prevent as much turnover. It is costly to constantly train new people.

A new jail will be much more efficient, provide better working conditions. The jail will be designed so that one jailer can operate the jail. It will be designed much like the Bates County Jail and designed to hold about 75 prisoners in 50 cells. The current jail is much too small for the number that is in the jail.

If approved by the tax payers the new out sourcing of prisoners -- the overflow from places such as Linn County, Kan., Cedar County, Mo., and other places -- could send prisoners and pay Vernon County for keeping them. Such outsourcing could help to pay off the cost of the jail.

No one wants to pay additional taxes. However, it will be more economical for the county to pass the proposed law enforcement tax which includes a new jail, rather than the current jail being forced to close and Vernon County have to send out the prisoners.

A few years ago there was a vote for a jail and justice center. There were a number of reasons that the vote failed. One of the reasons is that there were not any clear numbers for the cost of the property and was conceived as being too expensive.

The feature front page article in last Thursday's edition of the Daily Mail was, "Kemms donate five acres for proposed Vernon County jail." Russell and Joy Kemm have stepped up to the bat to be the first to announce their willingness to donate five acres of land for the new jail if the proposal is approved. The location is south of the Champion Diamonds Complex. This is a generous offer by this couple and demonstrates the type of things they are willing to do for this community. A great amount of thanks goes to Russell and Joy for their willingness to make this donation.

Infrastructure including roads, water, and sewer will need to be developed to the site. Efforts are already underway to find grants and other funding for this effort.

Kathi Wysong, chamber of commerce director, said that the idea of a frontage road is not a new idea, but was in a master plan developed in 2000. Such a road would be a connection for retail and recreation. It would be a length from the super site to the municipal golf course and little league fields. Included in the plans is a walking and bicycle path.

Timing is everything. According to Wysong there are good plans developing for a retail center east of the supercenter. Most towns soon have such a center shortly after a new Wal-Mart Supercenter is established. Good plans are developing on the east site. There is good cooperation among the property owners with good cooperating plans. The frontage road fits well into the plans developed several years ago.

Additional information will be available at the Vernon County Citizens for Law Enforcement information meeting to be held 12 to 2 p.m., Friday at Greenfield's.

Next Tuesday is also an important date for the voters of Nevada; it will be the primary election for the city council. There are good candidates running, willing to give of their time and energy for the city of Nevada. Perform your citizenship responsibility by voting.