ASHLAND — Tax dollars being played like yo-yo

I’ve been following the facts concerning the regional jail for Carter and Boyd counties. I’ve concluded that my tax dollars are being played like a yo-yo.

The addition to the Boyd County Detention Center is relatively new. It cost in excess of $4 million to remodel. I’m sure there still is a large outstanding debt on the jail. I also realize the Carter County jail has a large outstanding debt on it.

 The idea of building a new jail to cover both counties would raise taxes in both counties and the debt would be enormous.

Concerning the housing a federal inmates to generate revenue for Boyd County, is this a sound idea for the citizens of our county? Security for these inmates is an enormous factor. Federal inmates are not put in jails awaiting trial for spitting on sidewalks, Federal inmates in county jails are there for committing major crimes.

Citizens of our county should unite against this idea of bringing federal inmates from West Virginia to our county to generate revenue  What would the consequences be if one should escape. I know this has happened in other county jails.

Charles Green. Ashland



Tolliver only one with backbone

Carl Tolliver is the only county commissioner with the backbone to stand up against Boyd County Judge-Executive William “Bud” Stevens.

Judge Stevens has pushed the idea of creating a regional jail down the throats of Boyd County citizens, and it is time the citizens unite and let Judge Stevens that it is a bad idea for Boyd and Cater counties to enact this new policy. We have elected jailers and both jailers are doing a good job. The regional jail eventually would eliminate the jailer positions. This should be done by the people, not by a few elected officials sitting on a panel.

Who do they think put them in their elected positions? Elections for judge-executive, county commissioners and jailer are every four years. That is the time for the people to speak by voting out bad officials.

Karen Senters, Ashland

Regional jail is a bad deal

When I read the June 6 Independent that Boyd County Fiscal Court gave final approval to create a regional jail authority, I was upset my husband Banjo Blanton and I forgot the meeting. Those of us who voted for Joe Burchett should have attended to give him support.

We voted for a jailer, not a group of people to run the jail. I talked with Judge-Executive Bud Stevens, commissioners Dave Salisbury, Tom Jackson and Carl Tolliver. All but Mr. Tolliver voted for the approval.

We should be thankful we have one commissioner for the people. I asked each one why they wanted the jail authority. Their answers were: We’ll save $1 million a year; we can send county inmates to another facility to make room for federal inmates; we’ll receive $41 a day for each federal inmate.

At this point, the county doesn’t even have a guarantee it will even be able to get the federal inmates. Now, as I understand it, the county will receive $41, a day for each federal inmate. The county will have to pay $37 a day for each inmate sent to another county jail. Getting only $4 a day in the clear for each federal inmate would take more than a year to make the $1 million!

They also told me in the future they would build a new jail. The county still owes $5.6 million for the current jail. I asked them if they had checked the other counties that already have regional jail authorities. Dave Salisbury and Tom Jackson told me no, but Bud Stevens told them a few things about how it should operate.

I really do not see how this is going to help our county. It’s like cutting the bottom part of a quilt off, then sewing it on the top to make it longer!

Joyce Blanton, Catlettsburg



Boyd community center has value

Those who saw any humor in the cartoon depicted on the Opinion/Commentary page in the Wednesday Independent seem to be too intent on their own pocketbooks to see the value of “community minded” officials considered in approving the Boyd County Community Center. I for one applaud their foresight.

The fact the building purchase was made with grant money and cost Boyd County taxpayers nothing and the fact it comfortably seats more than 1,000 make it a wonderful place for our local schoolchildren to have proms, etc. All of Boyd County can utilize the facility for important meetings, and we may even attract musicians who like to play to a civilized crowd that just enjoys music and don’t need to impress anyone by paying big bucks for tickets.

I doubt the naysayers have ever visited the facility, because I see real community value there.

Catherine Williams

Ashland

Vote against all the incumbents

All across America, Congress has a 12 percent approval rating. Only 12 percent of U.S. citizens are satisfied with the actions of Congress.

The primary election season is almost over. The results in Texas are typical of those in other states where the primary elections are complete. What follows is what happened in Texas. But first, a little background information.

The congressional districts in Texas are so gerrymandered each district is either heavily Democrat or heavily Republican. So the person winning the Republican primary in a predominately Republican district will almost certainly be elected to Congress in November; likewise for those winning the Democrat primary in a Democrat district. Only the reddest of Republicans and bluest of Democrats vote in the primaries; independents ignore them.

Of the 20 (of 36) Texas congressional districts in which the incumbent was challenged in his/her primary (16 Republicans, four Democrats) only one incumbent was defeated. Hence, 5 percent of the challenged incumbents were defeated or 95 percent of challenged incumbents will likely be re-elected in November!

Wake up, America! Vote against the incumbent in the primary if possible, but if the incumbent survives his/her primary, vote against him/her on Nov. 6!  Independent voters count, then maybe ...

Glen Terrell, Arlington, Texas



Letters invited

The Independent invites readers to submit In Your View letters on public issues. Letters must not exceed 300 words and must include the name, address and telephone number of the author. Words of Thanks letters are limited to no more than 150 words. The Independent cannot guarantee a day of publication for letters but tries  to publish letters in timely manner. The Independent reserves the right to edit letters for length, spelling, grammar, accuracy and appropriateness of language.