Study the issues
Dear Editor,
Between now and Tuesday, May 15, I encourage every citizen of Red Willow County to thoroughly study the facts concerning the construction of a jail building and, as a result of that study, decide whether or not the building of a jail is in the best interest of the county.
The Board of Commissioners of Red Willow County are strongly in favor of building the jail and, therefore, are campaigning diligently for the approval of bonds to help finance the construction costs.
A group of citizens, including myself, disagree. We believe the voters of Red Willow County should vote no on the approval of bonding power for jail construction.
Each of the opponents of jail construction have specific reasons for their disapproval. My reasons are as follows:
1. The cost for Red Willow County to build and operate a jail is excessive and places an unneeded burden on Red Willow County taxpayers. If a jail is built, Red Willow County's other obligations -- including road maintenance and county office operations -- will be unfairly forced to control costs and reduce services.
2. Red Willow County has fulfilled its jail obligation efficiently and economically during the past 30 years by contracting for jail space with our neighbors in Hitchcock and Frontier counties in Nebraska and Decatur County in Nebraska. The rental of jail space is an excellent example of regional cooperation with the rental fees from Red Willow County helping provide funding for the jail staffs and operational costs in neighboring counties.
3. As we look to the future, the citizens of Red Willow County and the City of McCook need to encourage city and county leaders to adopt a system of countywide law enforcement. The duplication of law enforcement services is costing the taxpayers of Red Willow County and the taxpayers of the City of McCook unnecessary dollars of support.
This has been illustrated by the unfortunate inability of the city and county to cooperate on jail matters, and threatens to cost more dollars if dispatch questions cannot be resolved efficiently and economically.
Thanks for your consideration of my viewpoints. But, more important, please study the issues for yourself. As citizens, we are obligated to see that our leaders represent us in a fair and reasonable manner.
Respectfully submitted,
Gene O. Morris,
McCook