More proof of value of Work Ethic Camp

Be careful what you wish for ... you may get it. That would have been hard advice to take back when McCook was unfairly passed over for the new state prison four years ago.

But if anyone has doubts that the Work Ethic Camp is a better fit for our community, they should take note of the news from Tecumseh, which "won" the prison.

According to a story in Friday's Omaha World Herald, Johnson County is struggling to meet expenses associated with Tecumseh's prison.

The commissioners were forced to borrow $158,000 from the county's inheritance tax fund over the winter, then $161,000 more from banks this April and August to meet payroll and other bills, the World-Herald reported.

According to Terry Keebler of the Johnson County Board, the new state prison has added $40-50,000 in expenses to the county, for things like serving legal papers at the prison, a higher number of court cases, grand jury inquiries and autopsies when inmates die.

As home to the Work Ethic Camp, Red Willow County has some of the same expenses, but not enough to put any pressure on the budget, according to Sheriff Gene Mahon.

At the same time, Johnson County found that its proximity to Lincoln -- which some feel was the main reason for it being chosen for the prison -- was a double edged sword.

While most Work Ethic Camp employees live in or near McCook, and pay local property taxes, many of the employees of the Tecumseh prison commute from Lincoln.

Of course, many of Johnson County's budget problems have nothing to do with the prison, and Red Willow County won't escape them.

That includes the 2.5 percent state-mandated lid on budget increases, the methamphetamine problem, losses in state aid and increases in fuel prices, not to mention the possibility of a new jail for Red Willow County.

But as it stands, the Work Ethic Camp has done well by McCook, and, if it is used correctly, stands to do so for the rest of the state as well.