Jail millage in voters hands

This millage is not going to pass. The millage is based on a homes value and value HAS increased since the last millage was approved. So don't try to claim it is not an increase. All these entities say "oh it's only $40 dollars here and $40 dollars there., well that all adds up. The way the economy is here in Michigan Voting NO on all millages is a "given." These entities are going to have to do with less just like the rest of us. The fear propaganda is not going to work this time. These are tuff times in Michigan share the PAIN !

Sounds like poor math skills to say that going from 0 dollars to continued payments isn't an increase. Wayland schools did the same thing 2 months ago. Extending a payment that would otherwise expire is an INCREASE!

I love the mayoral scams.....The rest of the state of michigan manages without some of their special laws that lock people up. Get rid of the extra laws and there will be nothing for the County to charge them.

Vote NO on this stupid proposal.

My Vote will say Not Happening..
Settle and work out your budget before asking for anymore money... Then address where you're getting the money from that the public had no input on for your other projects.
One nice thing about hard economic times, we keep a closer eye out for whats being spent.

I'm glad I don't live in one of the cities where the mayors are against this millage. Just think how much it will cost the citizens of each city to build and maintain there own jails. Maybe the mayors believe that will help the unemployment rate in there city by hiring the staff that it will take to opetate each jail. How much money does Hartwell have set aside to build a new jail. What year did GRPD tear down there old lock up anyway? Why was that? It was all about liability and money! Vote yes for this county millage or you will be spending millions for your own jails.

If this millage does not pass, the jail will have to close a wing, release inmates, and lay off guards. I want the people breaking the law to be punsihed and held responsible for their crimes, not let go free because people to feel the jail is worth paying for.

Worried wrote:

If this millage does not pass, the jail will have to close a wing, release inmates, and lay off guards. I want the people breaking the law to be punsihed and held responsible for their crimes, not let go free because people to feel the jail is worth paying for.

Well, there is one way to deplete the prison population of all the harden criminals. It only cost a few cents ( BANG). Maybe we could convince the governor to try it out first.

Worried wrote:

If this millage does not pass, the jail will have to close a wing, release inmates, and lay off guards. I want the people breaking the law to be punsihed and held responsible for their crimes, not let go free because people to feel the jail is worth paying for.

Well geez, tobe truthful, half the people in kent County Jail are there for petty crimes. Like child support, trespassing, disorderly conduct,dui, suspended license, I feel they should not be in jail for petty crimes like that. And another thing most of them people have not even been sentenced yet. most just cant make a $100 bail.

In reply to "Worried" It is the responsiblility of the Sheriff to maintain Court Security and a Jail. The staff that will be let go due to the reduction in funding will come from the road partol division.

Worried wrote:

If this millage does not pass, the jail will have to close a wing, release inmates, and lay off guards. I want the people breaking the law to be punsihed and held responsible for their crimes, not let go free because people to feel the jail is worth paying for.

Lets see, don't pay a fine and you end up in jail.. Wish I could jail people that owed me money! Well take that away, and you reduce the population by 10%, if not more. Take away another 10% that get released daily with no charges filed, because they upset the officer, that goes to 20% reduction. Then locking people up for other petty crimes that could be dealt with a citation? Numbers start to add up. Jails where designed to maintain the scum of the earth, but since the courts went over to more of a money making system then anything, anyone and everyone gets locked up now.

Great Day wrote:

In reply to "Worried" It is the responsiblility of the Sheriff to maintain Court Security and a Jail. The staff that will be let go due to the reduction in funding will come from the road partol division.

Not if you live in Ada or Cascade where the taxpayers pay extra, for extra patrols... Though they always seem to be in Forest Hills or somewhere on the Beltline when needed. Easily verified via public records on their response times. More money the county was paid, and contract not fulfilled.

Great Day wrote:

In reply to "Worried" It is the responsiblility of the Sheriff to maintain Court Security and a Jail. The staff that will be let go due to the reduction in funding will come from the road partol division.

It is also the responsibility of the city to "jail" their offenders, but instead of doing it, they pay a fee to place their ordinance offenders in the county jail. The cities pay less per day than it costs to house the jail to house their inmates, yet now the mayors want to say they are being charged twice. Also, as my husband is a Kent County employee, I can tell you that the millage will not affect the road patrol at all. If the millage is not passed it will be the jail deputies that are layed off.

Great Day wrote:

In reply to "Worried" It is the responsiblility of the Sheriff to maintain Court Security and a Jail. The staff that will be let go due to the reduction in funding will come from the road partol division.

Eliminating road patrol personnel could have an indirect but very sever impact on the local economy. Just think of the employees at Dunkin Doughnuts, Crispy Cream, etc. who could potentially lose their jobs.
Think about this B-4 you vote.

I'm voting yes. I have to deal with trespassers and panhandlers all the time and they don't stop until they go to jail. And that's funny with the above statement about Ada and Cascade getting extra patrols. I actually don't think i've ever seen a cop there! B/c they don't need to be!

4 Justice wrote:

<quoted text>
Not if you live in Ada or Cascade where the taxpayers pay extra, for extra patrols... Though they always seem to be in Forest Hills or somewhere on the Beltline when needed. Easily verified via public records on their response times. More money the county was paid, and contract not fulfilled.

Forest Hills is is in Ada/Cascade/Grand Rapids Townships; Grand Rapids Townships pays for extra patrol as well. The East Beltline goes through GR Township. Sounds the the patrols are where they are supposed to be.

JBL wrote:

<quoted text>
Forest Hills is is in Ada/Cascade/Grand Rapids Townships; Grand Rapids Townships pays for extra patrol as well. The East Beltline goes through GR Township. Sounds the the patrols are where they are supposed to be.

Not if your flipping the bill they're not. Already have assigned patrols in the area to begin with. When someone pays extra, you expect to see more of them, well more often I should say. Just a sham to say the least. Visit the Forest Hills 7-Eleven during peak traffic times, you'll see what I mean. Coffee break time..

Worried wrote:

<quoted text>
It is also the responsibility of the city to "jail" their offenders, but instead of doing it, they pay a fee to place their ordinance offenders in the county jail. The cities pay less per day than it costs to house the jail to house their inmates, yet now the mayors want to say they are being charged twice. Also, as my husband is a Kent County employee, I can tell you that the millage will not affect the road patrol at all. If the millage is not passed it will be the jail deputies that are layed off.

You are right the millage is for the jail but other than 416 cars (grant money) or cars that are paid for thru township revenue the rest of the officers are gone, becuase that money will be deverted to operate the jail. I hope your husband has high seniority.

Great Day wrote:

<quoted text>
You are right the millage is for the jail but other than 416 cars (grant money) or cars that are paid for thru township revenue the rest of the officers are gone, becuase that money will be deverted to operate the jail. I hope your husband has high seniority.

You sound like you have inside information. What would happen to the detectives? What percentage of the road patrol is thru township revenue?

Also JBL, Dispatch records are public. Like I said, look them up, then argue with me. Look at the response times, location they left from, and what they where doing before hand. And from what I know, GR Twp does not pay for extra patrols, just Ada and Cascade... Though the new East Precinct is in Forest Hills (nice the taxpayers had a choice on this one (NOT, they just did it).. been better off down in Cascade or Ada, then 5 miles away from the main office). Another tax payer ........ Considering it was suppose to be convenient for the East end patrons... But considering they have no money for the jail, I'm curious on how they can improve the East precinct on an almost daily basis? Or afford it to begin with??