Commissioners should pick another site for jail annex
In 2005 my 84-year-old mother and I were the first to move into The Gables at Kepley Farm. There were many ups and downs as the community developed, but now the area is a well-established community for more than 70 residents, mostly senior citizens.
We were greatly troubled to read recently that the county commissioners are considering a proposal to construct a jail on county-owned land within a block of the Gables and near several other residential developments. If this happens, we will be in a constant state of worry of breakouts, lockdowns and other turmoil that jails bring. One might think our concern is just another example of NIMBY ó the “not in my backyard” syndrome. Perhaps there is some NIMBY operating, but it’s more than that. Clearly, property values will decline, property that is owned by people with fixed incomes. And as the declines take place, so go tax receipts.
While the commissioners should be commended for considering using existing county land for a jail, putting it in a residential area just doesn’t make economic sense. A more prudent and sound business-like solution would to put the jail near the location of the existing prison on Airport Road.
ó Carole J. Ingram
Salisbury
Area is not ‘industrial’
In response to the article “Top Site for new ‘jail annex’ on Heilig Road”:
It looks like the Salisbury Post printed what it was told by the county manager, not what is factual. The article states that the Heilig Road tract being considered for the jail expansion “is in a primarily industrial area.” That’s news to those of us living in the area. The only industrial aspect is PGT tucked back in the woods. There are neighborhoods, houses and farms all around the proposed site. One industry does not make this an industrial area. Before the next article about putting the jail annex near my home, I hope someone from the Post will call me or my neighbors. We’ll be glad to show you around this “industrial area” with very little industry but lots of homes.
I also find the idea of a “courtesy meeting” by the Board of Commissioners very condescending. A courtesy meeting sounds like they have already made up their minds and are going to give us the opportunity for a little crying time before they start up the bulldozers. The National Guard Road site, with no houses on the road, looks like a much more suitable place for a prison. The county does not want to use that site in hopes that at some point some company may want to locate near the airport. What about those of us that are already here and paying taxes?
What we are talking about here is a jail full of criminals. Despite the best efforts of law enforcement, some are going to escape. Is it better for escaped criminals to be running around a neighborhood full of kids or hiding out in vacant lots? All of us that live in the community affected by this pending decision need to show up in force at the next County Commissioners meeting and let them know what we think.
ó Nathaniel Hammer
Salisbury