Townships: No jail here

A group representing the elected officials of Hamilton County's townships attacked today suggestions that a new $225 million, 1,800-bed jail be built in Colerain Township.

Here is their release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information: Tom Weidman, (513) 324-5555
June 16, 2006

Township Association Says “No” to Jail in Townships

(Cincinnati, OH) – Kathy Wagner, President of the Hamilton County Township Association, announced today the association’s opposition to a proposal made by David Pepper and Todd Portune that an area in Colerain Township may be a viable spot for the new jail.

“Entertaining the idea of putting the new jail in an area inaccessible to the current Justice Center and Courthouse is short-sighted and unworkable,” stated Wagner. “With the price of gas, it is ludicrous to transport criminals back and forth between the Court House in downtown Cincinnati to an area in the northern part of the county. What a terrible waste of time, energy and manpower!”

David Pepper proposed that the Educational Service Center, which Commissioners Heimlich and DeWine would like to sell to the Educational Service Center Board, be the site of the new jail.

Pepper’s proposal came in two separate press releases on June 2 and June 6 in which he suggested the sale of land owned by the commissioners be tabled. Todd Portune confirmed the location of the proposed jail site at a Commissioner’s meeting June 7.

“Our townships are the only areas of the county that are still growing. If we limit the growth by expanding jail facilities into the suburbs, Hamilton County’s problem will only be compounded,” Wagner stated. “Hamilton County needs a new, larger facility near the Court House. We need this facility to get the violent criminals off the streets. Cincinnati and Hamilton County used to be a safe place to shop, eat, and enjoy the beautiful attractions. When the streets are safe, people will come back and revitalize the county and city. This will only happen when the criminals are off the streets."

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UPDATE
Commission candidate David Pepper reacted angrily to the press release.
"It's a flat-out lie," Pepper said, adding that Tom Weidman is a supporter of Pepper's opponent, Commissioner Phil Heimlich.

"I'd never heard of the (Colerain Township) location in my life," Pepper said.

Pepper insists he never has said he would consider placing a jail in Colerain Township.
Pepper admits there was confusion over his June 2 press release (see link below) that advocated to "Initiate the location and engineering analysis for the added jail space, including tabling the decision made by Heimlich to sell county owned property that might be useful for the jail location."

After that, Commissioner Todd Portune said in a televised June 7 Hamilton County Commission meeting (see link to clip below) that one of the pieces of land being considered for sale that might be used for a jail is the Educational Services Center -- in Colerain Township.

"I'd never even heard of the location in my life," Pepper said, adding he has no specific site in mind for a new jail.

Weidman said that was the connection he -- and Heimlich's campaign -- made to Pepper pushing for a jail in Colerain Township.

Kathy Wagner told the Enquirer this afternoon she didn't feel misled by Weidman, her source for the information, saying "I trust those guys."

She stressed her point was the opposition to any proposed jail in any Hamilton County township.

• Pepper's press release (in .pdf format).
• Video of Hamilton County Commissioner's meeting (in .wmv format).