SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
May 4, 2013
Sullivan’s
Salvos 5/7/13
In this edition:
*Justice Center
*Plant Sale –Part 1
*Plant Sale – Part 2
*Livable Community for Successful Aging
*Did You Know?
*Justice Center
Johnson County residents now have the opportunity to vote yes or
no on a new Justice Center. I support this measure. Here is some background:
The current jail was built in 1981 to house 46 residents, which
was inadequate from the start. It also was built with insufficient footings to
expand vertically. The surrounding land is a high priority for the UI, so it is
not available. Double bunking allowed the jail to house 92 inmates, but it does
so neither adequately nor comfortably. This move also cost the jail all
available space for treatment, exercise, small groups, visitations, worship,
and the like.
Fast forward to the present. The average daily population in 2011
exceeded 170. That means on an average day, 80-90 inmates get shipped to other
counties. That leads to $1.3 million in annual expenses. Other counties charge
between $45 and $70 per day to house each prisoner. Add in transportation
costs, and it runs roughly $65/day to house an inmate out of county.
Interestingly, it also costs roughly $65/day to house inmates in our own jail.
While exact figures are extremely difficult to nail down in either instance, it
is clear that the costs are very close.
Problems exist with the current arrangements, however. First,
transporting prisoners is a logistical nightmare. They need to appear in court
frequently, and also have a right to visitors, which is hard if they are in
another county. Secondly, there is not adequate room for exercise, study,
religious services, or classes. These are all part of a humane and
rehabilitative system for housing inmates. Finally, the current jail is also
less than ideal for the deputies that work there; they are more at risk than we
would like.
One of the clear messages from the failed 2000 referendum was that
the public expected alternatives to incarceration. This is an area where
Sheriff Pulkrabek and County Attorney Lyness and their staffs have excelled.
Most of the alternatives that could be used are already in place. The public
has gotten what they asked for, and the results have been very positive. There
are still a few more measures that can be taken, but not without more space in
which to work.
While positive, the results have not alleviated the overcrowding
to the extent we had hoped. Alternatives eliminate an average of several
inmates per day, but when the average daily population is still 150, that total
is not enough impact to change the big picture. The biggest obstacle to more
alternatives is, ironically, a lack of space.
The other related issue that must not be ignored is the
courthouse. The courthouse is just as crowded as the jail, and courthouse
overcrowding leads to inmates waiting for court dates, thereby spending more
days in jail. In addition, there are serious security issues at the current
courthouse. Obviously, the current facility is on the National Register of
Historic Places, so it should not be altered too dramatically. The architecture
severely limits the ability to utilize the existing building.
I view the jail situation as being similar to private home
ownership. If the cost of renting gets close to the cost of a mortgage, you probably
ought to consider buying. Consider the record-low borrowing costs, and I think
it is time to buy.
Opponents claim the new proposal is no different from the first.
That is simply untrue. The number one complaint we heard was the jail portion of
the project had too many beds. So we cut it by almost 50 beds. Plus, the last
proposal got over 56% of the vote in the second biggest turnout election in
Johnson County history. Why would we change things so dramatically as to lose
that strong support?
We are often reminded that the US leads the world in the
percentage of people incarcerated. But arrest rates locally are among the
lowest in the nation. To those who claim, “build it and they will fill it,” I
say – your argument is being proven false every day. We have nothing to fill
now – yet our jail population continues to rise. No officer on the scene of a
crime stops to think about jail bed availability. They don’t do it now, and
they won’t do it with a new facility.
For many folks, a no vote is a protest vote. They don’t like the
way the ICPD handles marijuana cases. They do not like the fact that the ICPD
disproportionately stops minorities. Guess what? I don’t like it, either. But
Iowa City doesn’t do what I ask. As a matter of fact, they pretty much do the
opposite of whatever I want. So why punish the County deputies for the sins of
the ICPD? It is like saying you don’t like Hawkeye football so you are
boycotting West High football. It doesn’t have any impact.
The bottom line is, most residents use neither the jail nor the
courthouse. For most residents of Johnson County, the jail and courthouse are
simply expenses. I hope these folks see that we are doing what we can to take
control of our costs.
We need the safety, security, and space that would come with a new
Justice Center. I am voting yes, and I hope you will do the same!
*Plant Sale – Part 1
Project
Green Plant Sale – Saturday, May 11, 9–11:30 am at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Here
are some of the
reasons to support and attend our sale: All funds raised from
the 2013
Garden Fair will be earmarked for a major contribution to the landscaping
at the new Terry Trueblood Recreation Area. There will be a display at the
Garden Fair with more information about this project, as well as Project
GREEN’s other projects - past, present and future.
Contrary
to popular rumors, there are plenty of plants available for the duration of the
sale. You do not need to be present when the doors open in order to have a good
selection of plants for purchase.
Refreshments!
We will
have refreshments available for purchase - coffee, muffins, sweet rolls, sweet
breads and the like; plus tables and chairs where you can take a break from
your shopping!
Expert
advice! Local experts will be available to answer your garden questions.
Experts from Master Gardeners, Iowa City recycling and composting, Department
of Natural Resources, and other wildlife experts, biologists, and foresters
will be on hand.
Plant
sitters! Plant sitting stations will be available where you can stow your boxes
of plant treasures while you talk to the experts, enjoy refreshments, or shop
for more.
*Plant Sale – Part 2
The annual Friends of Hickory Hill
Park Plant Sale will again be held at 1167 E. Jefferson Street on the following
weekends:
Friday, May 10th, 4 to 7 PM; Saturday, May 11th 10 AM to 4 PM;
Friday, May 17th 4 to 7 PM; and Saturday, May 18th 10 AM to 4 PM.
New plants will be added for the 2nd weekend.
*Livable Community for Successful Aging
Join
us Thursday, May 9 for Livable Community's Spring Annual Meeting. In
celebration of Older Americans Month, we invite you to join us for our annual report
to the community!
7:00am:
Registration & continental breakfast; 7:30am to 9:00am: Program. First
Presbyterian Church, 2701 Rochester Ave. Iowa City.
See
how our updated website can help you find services and stay connected to events
happening in the community. Find out how to get involved and volunteer in our
community. Fun opportunities to meet new friends and learn helpful information.
Please RSVP by replying to: johnsoncounty@livablecommunity.org.
*DID YOU KNOW?
Area Farmer’s Markets are open for the season!
Anyone
interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the
County website-
"Sullivan’s
Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a
brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.
These messages
come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the
whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise
mentioned.
If you do NOT
want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type
"unsubscribe" in the subject line.
If you know
anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail
me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.
As always,
feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to
serving you!
---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 10:46 AM
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