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| John Brown |
Brown acknowledged yesterday that neither the state nor federal government has ordered that a new jail be built. He also admitted that no litigation has been filed by inmates concerning jail conditions. He also agreed that he could have asked the National Institute of Corrections to prepare a study at no cost to taxpayers.
The options considered greenfield sites compared to the existing facility. Brown denied that any specific location was considered, but the DLR report contradicts him.
One criterion used to evaluate each option is "community support." Two are color coded red, meaning community support is "fair." Four are color coded yellow, meaning community support is "better." The Easton site is color coded green, meaning community support is "best."
How could there be such different ratings for community support if no specific location is considered?
Brown said I'd have to look through the report to get an answer to that question, but there is no answer. Brown has simply refused to list the greenfield locations considered, and that's because one of them is Gracedale.
One county official told me that these locations are confidential, but there is nothing confidential about Gracedale, which is already publicly owned.
This report includes an inmate population profile and plans for different services like mental health treatment, but does so without seeking input from the biggest stakeholder of them all - the courts. They have a much better idea of what is needed than the Executive, Correction Director or a prison design firm from California. Amazingly, they were ignored in preparing this report, which renders it worthless in my view.
Brown claimed that he will save $6 million per year at the new jail, and can build it without a tax hike through the P3 "alternative bidding" he has used for bridges.
But as the Morning Call's Tom Shortell observes in his own compelling analysis, the savings is likely half that amount because it is premised on 254 corrections officers,not the 200 currently employed. It also fails to include the cost of demolishing the Civil War era jail as well as the expense of a new parking deck.
This is as nutty as the County spending $15 million for the DaVinci Center's giant fish tank in an Easton flood plain.
Brown supports that, too.
I think you mean $82 million to renovate the current prison.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, and I amended my story accordingly.
ReplyDeleteThis guy is so over his head. He has no idea what he is doing but it will cost taxpayers big-time. I seriously doun5 hat he has given up on a "greenfield" prison.
ReplyDeleteWe don’t need a new jail ... anywhere. And why ask the courts? They’re a bunch of pampered time thieves who don’t work full weeks. They have no sense of fiscal responsibility or accountability.
ReplyDeleteThe star of the not-ready-for-prime-time governing gang is the most suicidal candidate in the both counties history of the Home Rule Charter (perhaps only Jane Ervin's kami kazi run in 2005 after raising property taxes by a zillion dollars)!!!!
ReplyDeleteOn the eve of anyone's re-election a 185 million anything would be shocking. A Taj Mahal prison for Prisoners! Given this Prison boondoggle neither expands the tax base nor positions the County for growth (read organic taxables increase perhaps leading to holding the line on taxes or cutting them), and throws money at the equivalent of the toilet bowl in taxpayer priorities--this guy really does not have a clue; is determined to be defeated; and should never have won in the 1st place.
Congratulations Executive-Elect McClure. 185 MILLION DOLLARTAJ MAHAHL NEW PRISON IF U RE-ELECT BROWN! Sheesh can this be any easier of an election.
Now lets get the free estimate and see how much cheaper their estimate is.
ReplyDelete7:53. Yeah let’s waste more time
ReplyDeleteHome rule charter study? Anybody?
He jacked my taxes and wants to blow $183M on an unneeded prison. I could elect the first Democrat I trip over for that kind of taxing and spending. There really is very little difference between the county parties, despite the overamplified whining of county employees who will always vote for the D. Both candidates are disgraceful. What a terrible choice of two dishonest idiots.
ReplyDelete5:16, The courts have a better idea than anyone what they want to do to inmates. They are the major stakeholder. Any report that fails to consult them is worthless. This is compltely driven by an ambitious Director of Corrections.
ReplyDelete"7:53. Yeah let’s waste more time
ReplyDeleteHome rule charter study? Anybody?"
That's precisely what i would do. It is called good government, a concept that appears to be foreign to you. I would want an independent study and not something where Brown obviously dictated what he wanted after being pressured. I would want a study that actually consults the stakeholders, especially since it would come at no cost. And anyone who considers a HRC study a waste of time is doing precisely what Brown wants.
Lehigh County approved $70M plan to renovate a nursing home. Northampton County is considering a $185M plan to build a new prison. What does this say about priorities when an elected official is more interested in spending 2X+ on a new prison than his neighbors are spending on expanding and renovating a nursing home? It says Brown's priorities are backwards, especially when we look at the terrible ratings for Gracedale.
ReplyDelete$185 million??? Nice hack job Bernie. More fake news from a partisan hack. The number is $82 million. Perhaps your aspirations of landing a job with MSNBC are going to your head.
ReplyDeleteCan you read? The NEW Jail would cost 185 million. Renovating the OLD jail would cost 82 million. Fake news my ass!
DeleteGood luck trying to fill the 254 corrections officers you need. I am a former corrections officer and we had a hard time to keep and fill the 200 positions we had. Officers are constantly leaving there because of all the corruption going on there.
ReplyDeleteBernie, you trolled Peg's event last night. Since you consider yourself a newsman, what about the facts mentioned last night about Gracedale being profitable, self-insurance costs going down, a budget without any drawing on savings, the increase in County savings, Gracedale's rating rising. All his during the Brown administration and the Republican led County Council. I'm sure if any of those statements were false, they would be headlines here.
ReplyDelete11:49 maybe you can't read, see Bernie's comment above at 12:43. I believe he admits it was not the correct number
ReplyDeleteThe story was amended. I stand by what I said. Bernie, wanna be the tiebreaker?
ReplyDeleteSo, are you going to amend the story about the 185 million next week, you have now lost all credibility as a journalist. you should be ashamed.
ReplyDelete102.... let’s get one thing straight, O’Hare is not a journalist. Calling him a journalist is like calling a drug dealer a pharmacist.
ReplyDeleteThe amount is $185 million
ReplyDelete$82 million is for a simple fix on site. $185 million is for a jail replacement on site.
ReplyDeleteMost of Brown's so-called achievements are bullshit. For example his "balanced budget" is mandated by law and has happened every year. Next he will take credit for having 5en fingers.
ReplyDeleteIn fairness, it is a true balanced budget. In prior years, all budgets have been balanced by dipping into reserves. This has no deficit spending. But it relies on a $2.2 million IGT transfer. Historically these are not included in the budget. Without it, he is deficit spending.
ReplyDeleteSo McClure is in Atiyeh’s back pocket? Interesting.
ReplyDeleteLol. Brown cited this blog, and aren’t you calling it fake news?
ReplyDeleteBut has Brown introduced an ethics ordinance. He has vetoed a gov’t study that might have addressed that issue.
ReplyDeleteBernie, his entire budget, if studied by knowledgeable people, paints a very rosy revenue picture.
ReplyDeleteThe years of simply using duck tape to fix the crumbing structure has gone. Not only is it a waste of money but lacks foresight. No one wants to spend the money on this. However, smart government should address outdated infrastructure and plan accordingly. I applaud Mr. Brown and Keen for their initiative regarding a new Jail. Citizen's of this County will be better off with a new Jail. Better programming will be available to those individuals who need it as well as offer a safer place for those who work their which subsequently means less worker compensation claims. Not too mention a new Jail will run more efficiently hence saving the county unnecessary expense in the long run. Those of us who have had some they know incarcerated know what it can be like. Just remember, 98% of inmates return to our communities. don't you want them to become productive citizens.
ReplyDeleteCan we discuss raises.......
ReplyDelete7:29, so and old jail is contributing to inmates not becoming "productive citizens"? Ridiculous! Do you think most of those inmates lived in manicured split levels out in the 'burbs? For some of them, three hots and a cot are an upgrade in their standard of living. And most of them are there for only a few months. Why should they care how modern their surroundings are. It is a PENAL institution, not a bed and breakfast. The taxpayers are already footing the bill for inmate maintenance. Why should they be saddled with a $200 million debt to build a nicer facility for lawbreakers?
ReplyDelete8:06 PM, If one of your family members were there I'm sure you would feel differently about this. Sounds to me that you have not heart for those struggling through life and may need assistance. Sad to hear. Good luck with your cold hearted living.
ReplyDeleteWell, unlike the State the county does not have to foresight to build a new Jail. The state just completed a modern day Jail that will be utilized for decades. Also it will run more efficiently saving state taxpayers lots of unnecessary costs vs. running an older facility.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pennlive.com/news/2017/10/400m_prison_phoenix_graterford.html