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Orange supervisors refuse to consider creating regional jail authority Date published: 11/27/2008
BY ROBIN KNEPPER
Orange County supervisors this week declined to consider a request from the Central Virginia Regional Jail board to form an authority to finance a $10 million expansion, but may do so next month. Supervisor Lee Frame, the at-large member of the jail board this year, was unable to get a second to his motion Tuesday night to approve the establishment of the authority. After talking to fellow supervisors at the end of the board meeting, Frame said he believes they will approve the request at their Dec. 9 meeting. Frame brought up the issue with fellow supervisors last month, but the lack of support for the proposal was laid to the volatile economy, changes supervisors wished to see in the agreement and the pressure from jail Superintendent Glenn Aylor. Chairman Mark Johnson objected to Orange County losing its control over the jail. Orange owns the jail along with Louisa, Madison, Greene and Fluvanna counties. "I have always thought the jail was a good idea and I've always supported it. The fact that it didn't cost the county any money for 17 years is a testament to how it's been run," Johnson said. "But I think we'd be handing over a lot to the authority and not getting much in return." Aylor told Johnson that if the establishment of the authority was not approved, "You're going to pay and you're going to pay dearly," referring to the cost to the counties. "One of my responsibilities is not to swallow whole all you've said," Johnson said. "I'm here to represent the citizens of Orange County." The jail board wants to add 200 prisoner beds at a cost of approximately $10 million. The jail has set aside $5 million from the rental of cells to the federal and state government but will need to finance the rest. Establishing a jail authority to manage and operate the jail would allow the jail to sell revenue bonds. There is a moratorium in the state on jail construction, however, so a jail authority would have to ask the General Assembly for an exemption to expand. That request must be filed by the second week of December, which is why the counties need to act quickly, jail board attorney Ron Maupin said. So far, only Fluvanna and Greene supervisors have approved establishing the authority. Madison has a public hearing scheduled Dec. 9. Louisa County board Chairman Willie Harper said supervisors there will "most likely" take up the issue Monday. Robin Knepper: 540/972-5701
Date published: 11/27/2008
Look to your neighbors, Stafford,Spotsy,KG, and Fredericksburg and then make your decision. Good ole boys at the top,unconcerned,self-serving members who have mismanaged this Regional Jail from the beginning. Better you manage your own money Orange.
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