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LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG.

Article Excerpt
Byline: The Register-Guard

Budget committee voted wrong

At Lane County's Budget Committee meeting May 19, an astonishing 96 concerned citizens signed up to testify at Harris Hall. The majority of these patriots were testifying in favor of police funding and of funding the addition of 84 jail beds. Prominent members of the community gave strong testimony as to why these items should be supported by passage of the budget.

Lane County consistently has crime rates higher than 50 percent of Oregon's counties, and 99 percent of prisoners are released within 48 hours of jailing - now referred to as "catch and release." Crimes are being committed with absolutely no consequence to the offender.

Lane County's prosecuting reputation is the joke of Oregon.

In spite of these disturbing facts, the following Budget Committee members voted no on funding 84 jail beds: Rob Handy (next election 2012), Rose Wilde (volunteer), Pete Sorenson (2012), Alice Kaseberg (volunteer), Cindy Land (volunteer) and Bill Fleenor (2010). They voted no on this in spite of the fact that Bill Dwyer and Faye Stewart repeatedly told them the funds are there.

There was no reason to vote against jail beds, to vote against public safety, the No. 1 priority to the citizens of Lane County. Instead, they voted for additional staffing of their own commissions and a resource development analyst.

I say we vote them out.

Becky Lemler

Elmira

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