To the people of Lawrence County, Mr. Jason Stephens, our county auditor, had a letter to the editor in The Tribune on Sunday, May 22 about the need for an “increase revenue” so that we will be able to build a much needed, larger county jail.

I agree with him in that we citizens of Lawrence County are going to have to “bite the bullet” and be willing to pay more taxes in order to fund the building of a larger jail.

But, it will take a long time to get that new jail built.

In the meantime, we could be, should have been, using the Franklin Furnace facility, the ORV, to house our overflow prisoners and save the county, you and me, a lot of money.

The county commissioners already have a lease on this facility from the state for one dollar a year, but can’t decide to spend the money it will take to open it, which is less than it is costing our sheriff Jeff Lawless to transport our overflow prisoners to Morrow County.

It’s not a lifetime commitment, just a temporary solution. One which would save the county money in the long run.

It is my opinion that our present county commissioners are indecisive and short sighted. So come November, I suggest that it is time to give someone else a chance to do the job and elect all new commissioners.

 

Charlotte Slagel
Ironton