County’s trouble deeper than lack of space, reader says

3
2072

To the editor,

The special election on Tuesday, Aug. 4, in Dallas County is the fourth attempt of the County administration to force a $16.8 million bond referendum for a new law enforcement facility, somewhere between Adel and Waukee, but the location is not specified.

It’s interesting that this time around, disguised as “saving money,” the voting locations have been reduced to 10 out of the normal 34 precincts. And even more interesting is that the rural residents of western Dallas County and northeast Dallas County do not have local polling precincts but have to drive at least 10 miles, when the residents of Waukee have two voting locations within blocks of each other. Are you suppressing the “No” votes of your rural citizens, Dallas County Board of Supervisors? You spend $20,000 on “marketing materials” but you can’t have more polling places?

I empathize that the county is in trouble with lack of space. However, this is what you get when people vote Republican for all three Supervisors, as well as the Sheriff, in every election since 2005: lack of vision, lack of planning and an aversion to raising taxes over time for future growth and expansion. Now the citizens of Dallas County are thrust into crisis mode and need to cough up money immediately? Why should the citizens of Dallas County pay for a jail when our own governor won’t fund our children’s schools?

It’s not only time for new blood on the Dallas County Board of Supervisors, but the number of board members needs to be increased to five, with representation evenly distributed throughout the county, not just manipulated by the urban cities in the southeastern part of the county.

Jeanette Myers Bodermann, Granger

3 COMMENTS

  1. The “crisis” has been present for years. Why do you think this has come before voters 3 times previously and I guarantee it will be back for a fifth if this doesn’t pass. I for one am glad that it is Republicans who are in charge. Otherwise, the cost would be 32 million not 16!
    The current jail is completely inadequate for growing Dallas County. For years we have had to take prisoners to Polk County and its expensive. The cost is reasonable and will not get cheaper.
    Please vote yes and let’s move ahead as the fastest growing county in Iowa.

    • Oh, good grief this has nothing to do with democrat or republican you kidding with this? It’s about most of the county not even involved in local politics. This also isn’t the crisis it is being played out to be. Should the county fix it? Yep, but until the board can be honest with voters the only vote should be NO. The writer is a 100% correct about one thing in regards to less places to vote. Bottom line is low turn out makes it more likely they will get the 60% needed to pass. Still the proper questions are not getting asked by anyone regardless of party. Why on earth would you build a jail in between the two fastest growing cities? Is the $16 million price tag before or after you subtract the over $10 million you’ve saved up in the “capital improvement fund”? Yes, look at the budget, they have a savings account. If you’re not using that money for the jail or your pay raises what in the hell are you using it for? Didn’t the board just raise taxes for pay raises even though that money was in there? Yep, finally does the residence of Adel know they are going to inherit the new prison waste lagoon also? Regardless of party nobody is asking the right questions of course it’s hard to ask questions when the board meetings are at 0900 on Tuesdays. Vote No next week. This isn’t the crisis they make it sound. For the price tag you can send a lot of prisoners to Polk County. Vote NO and try to get it right. Once you build it wrong. It’s wrong forever.

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