To the editor:
I write to you today as a proud resident of Dallas County for more than 12 years and a proud resident of the city of Adel for more than three of those years. I also write to you today as a former member of the “Vote No” camp in prior Dallas County bond referendums involving the new law enforcement center and jail.
Like many of you, in the past I voted “No” in previous referendums because I was opposed to Dallas County moving a multitude of county jobs out of Adel, and I was opposed to borrowing money for county expenditures that should be paid with existing revenues.
I will be voting “Yes” enthusiastically on the Tuesday, May 2 bond referendum for the new Dallas County Law Enforcement Center proposed to be built on the east side of Adel’s city limits, and here’s why:
- It is the fiscally responsible thing to do. Currently, due to our limited space, Dallas County is forced to transport prisoners to other counties in order to accommodate the prisoners, as required by state law. This costs the county close to $500,000 a year. The new law enforcement center will also allow huge savings in meal preparation and provisions for inmates. This bond referendum will literally save Dallas County millions of dollars.
- It will allow the existing jail to be converted into a criminal courtroom, which is not only needed by the judicial district serving Dallas County but required by state law due to the county’s increased population growth.
- The new facility will allow our growing communities the flexibility to grow the jail portion of the LEC even more on county-owned land, should the future require us to do so.
- No county jobs will be moved out of the city of Adel.
As a proud resident of Adel and Dallas County, one of the fastest growing counties in the U.S., and as a practicing attorney who routinely utilizes the court facilities in Adel professionally, I urge all Dallas County residents to get out and vote “Yes” on the bond referendum May 2 or earlier. Early voting precincts are open now.
The future growth of Dallas County depends on our support.
Scott A. Hall
Adel
I have been a taxpayer and resident of Dallas County for 15 years. I am also a proud member of the union for 16 years. Dallas County more than likely needs a new jail. All of the people I know and have met in Dallas County are voting NO because of the horrible way the Dallas County attorneys, Dallas County sheriff’s office and Dallas County courthouse (supervisors) have treated their taxpayers. They often cover each other when a complaint is filed against one of them. They don’t return phone calls, no follow up on crimes reported and many other complaints. They don’t have time to help the citizens of Dallas County, but they have time to campaign for a new jail. P.S. Why don’t they have to do random drug testing?