Letters: Jail proposal, county commissioner complaints, LGBTQ+ advocacy
Open letter to Monroe County sheriff, county commissioners
I was unable to attend the last public meeting. My taxes went up 30+% last year. This new jail project will kick them into the stratosphere.
The solution to the "jail problem" is right in front of everyone: The county needs to proceed immediately to purchase through legal proceedings the three houses directly across the street from the Justice Building. Any sensible business person will tell you "if you expand, it is always best to use the nearest and best prospect."
My vision is simple: Take that property, build a new jail, connect it to the old jail by way of an elevated walkway, turn the old jail in a treatment facility and work release center. Why this has not been placed on the commissioner's agenda is beyond belief. The cost will be lower, many times lower, than what is being discussed.
Is anyone out there listening and does anyone on the sheriff's fine staff feel they can project this vision? Please. Respectfully, those in charge are missing the "forest for the trees." Please, use your common sense. The solution is right in front of you!
Roy Graham, Bloomington
In news:Monroe County sheriff says commissioners try to delay jail progress to 'tag along' on trips
Challengers' complaints about county commissioners unfounded
I have heard all five Democratic candidates for Monroe County commissioner.
All are eminently qualified. All want more affordable housing. But the challengers complain about three recent development decisions that would not have provided any affordable housing. They were targeted to buyers who could afford quarter-to-half-million dollar mortgages. Far from being stopped, all three are free to proceed.
Southern Meadows is currently under construction for almost 100 houses. The commercial development at Rogers Street and That Road has received all county planning authorizations, and should break ground soon.
The Trails at Robertson Farm currently wants to put a 200-home development on 44 rural acres, including a three-story, 24-unit apartment building right on the edge of the Clear Creek Rail Trail. It has received over 200 remonstrances from neighbors, trail users and people all over the county. Nothing is stopping the owner from proceeding right now with construction on the property, except the hope for a zoning change enabling more profit through urban sprawl.
It is easy to criticize tough, multi-faceted decisions officeholders have to make. But none of the proposals the challengers complain about would have provided a single unit of affordable housing.
Guy Loftman, Bloomington
In news:Dithering or due diligence? Monroe commissioner candidates clash on jail, housing
Advocate to improve LGBTQ+ experiences in schools
Sadly, many students who identify as LGBTQ+ have harmful experiences in schools and throughout their education. Recently, a child who was nonbinary, Nex Benedict, passed away at his Oklahoma home after an altercation that took place at school. It was reported that Nex was attacked in the bathroom by a group of classmates. The family revealed that Nex was being bullied because of their gender identification.
Nex is not alone, there are hundreds of students who face hate because of their gender or sexual identification. The House Bill 1608, passed in February 2023, not only denies young students’ education on human sexuality, but also requires schools to contact guardians for consent if a child wishes to be called a different name or pronoun when being identified.
This can be very dangerous for LGBTQ+ children, potentially outing them involuntarily to their guardians, and putting them in a dangerous and unwelcoming environment. We have seen what this can do to children like Nex.
Hundreds of LGBTQ+ children are vulnerable and are hurting from legislation like House Bill 1608. These kinds of laws do not foster support and protection. Advocacy, change, and action needs to be done to protect our LGBTQ+ students.
Ella Catlin, Bloomington