Baptist ministers: No jail tax
The Baptist Ministers Conference of Greater Cincinnati opposes Issue 12, the ballot initiative that would increase Hamilton County’s sales tax by a quarter-cent to pay for a new jail and property tax rollback.
The Baptist Ministers Conference, made up of about 100 ministers, the majority of whom are black, believe crime is an important issue that needs to be addressed, but insist creating programs to address addiction and lack of education are more important than building a jail.
Unless equal money is set aside for this programs and more is done for alternatives to jail, Issue 12 should be defeated. Already, Hamilton County is a national leader in providing alternatives to jail – drug court, electronic monitoring, etc. Issue 12 would fund a $230 million jail and $30 million property tax rollback.
10 Comments:
at 1:22 PM, November 06, 2006 
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at 2:25 PM, November 06, 2006 
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at 3:04 PM, November 06, 2006 
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at 5:26 PM, November 06, 2006 
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at 5:46 PM, November 06, 2006 
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at 8:55 PM, November 06, 2006 
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at 9:14 PM, November 06, 2006 
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at 11:15 PM, November 06, 2006 
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at 1:47 PM, November 07, 2006 
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at 12:23 AM, November 13, 2006 
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Post a Comment*They are right that at least equal money should go to programs to help them. Carl Weiser and the Enquirer approve of the dehumanizing and inhumane treatment in our prisons.
You failed to mention the 70% recidivism rate and what happens when the people who have been dehumanized get out of jail? And they do, but it would take a real reporter at a real paper to do a little investigation into questions like that.
There's big money in prisons, that's why we have over 2.2 million people locked up in the land of the free. None of them are crooks like Bengal Bob Bedinghaus though.
Why is it so many people on the right are such whip-cracking law and order types? Is it because they assume everyone is like them, and any breaking of the law is to be punished? Why is it when the lawbreaker happens to be one of their own, suddenly they find some compassion?
Remember, Congressman Foley was caught chasing after underage boys, which is I believe a felony in most places. He got rehab and demands for resignation from the Republicans, but not a peep about prosecution and imprisonment. A textbook example of that medical oddity, the two-face.
Note the recently revealed story about the Rev. Ted Haggard, who confessed to buying meth from a male prostitute. I believe buying meth is a felony in most places. Why aren't the conservatives yelping for the DEA to arrest this guy? Two-face!
Until I see that conservative-types actually live up to their exhorations and preachings, I agree with the ministers. Just locking people up is stupid, ignorant of reality and childishly vindictive to boot.
Regarding the view of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Cincinnati and Vicinity, I agree with their recommendation to vote No on Issue 12. The jail plan was poorly constructed and placed before the voters without the necessary level of public discussion and public consensus. I would urge you to vote No on Issue 12 and we should revisit the need in a more thoughtful way over the next year. There is a need to replace the temporary Queensgate facility but I am uncertain, given Prosecutor Deters's pandering and demogaugery for Commissioner Heimlich, that we as citizens are getting all of the necessary facts upon which to make an informed decision. Further, no public hearings were held beyond three despite the broad public interest in such an important question. The property tax rollback feature of the jail sales tax increase is absolutely irresponsible and warrants rejection. If you would like to discuss the issue please call me at 281-5474.
Amen, brothers! Amen!
(White woman voter in the burbs who agrees... It's a poor man tax and an irresponsible way to deal with crime in our county!)
The Dealer has announced its endorsements, including a YES on Issue 12. What do Baptist ministers know?
http://www.cincinnatidealer.com/content/view/583/27/
I belive it was an Enquirer article that profiled the Hamilton County jails most frequent tenants were there for crimes of homelessness, namely public urination and intoxication.
Anyone who believes it is the violent offenders being let out early is smoking something.
If there was more interest in "root causes" and less lack of interest - we would not need more jail space - we would spend funds appropriately - on traceable outcomes programs and initiatives which would prevent problems and then better serve the underserved - from becoming the victim of "root causes".
For the business community - it is good business.
For the rest of us - it is Justice - not the kind meted out in courtrooms - but the Justice of understanding that the inequaties in our community - and the lack of understanding and disregard - by those - who control so much of the decision making - have created an endless miasma of "root causes" -
Thanks for the Baptists' input. Now tax them to pay for the jail!
You would think that Baptist Ministers would want their flock to be safe and not become victims of crime? 79 murders and counting.
Maybe we can incarcerate criminals in the homes these fine ministers.
After all who is better positoned to provide counseling? Oh what the heck lets just have another riot.
A jail is needed dispite the voiced opinions above. Rehabilitation programs are important and should be utilized for first time offenders -- possibly even second time offenders. There comes a time when you have to realize that no amount of rehab will work -- in that situation a jail with adequate space is needed.
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