L.M. Forrester – 1/29/06

This page was last updated on January 30, 2006.

Jail privatization a disgrace; L.M. Forrester; Beaver County Times; January 29, 2006.

This is another letter from someone who apparently believes it’s the county’s responsibility to provide employment.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“‘Of the people, by the people, for the people.’

“Maybe the Beaver County Commissioners forgot this all important line in The Gettysburg Address when they approved privatizing the Beaver County Jail.

“CiviGenics, with the promise of saving the county $5 million dollars over the next three years, has put dollar signs in the eyes of our commissioners at the expense of good-paying jobs.”

[RWC] Earth to Mr. Forrester. The primary goal is to operate a county jail properly at the least expense. This is a responsibility the commissioners have to the taxpayers. Providing “good-paying jobs” is not a responsibility of government at any level.

“I, for one, would be willing to get by on a smaller county government in order to save these jobs. Perhaps county employees (of the people) whose salaries, benefits, retirement, etc. are paid for by the people could have given something to help save these jobs.”

[RWC] I suspect Mr. Forrester “would be willing to get by on a smaller county government in order to save these jobs” until he needed a service cut to keep the jobs. As far as county employees sacrificing, there have been cuts in other areas and the jail employees offered concessions. Unfortunately, nothing else appeared competitive with contracting with CiviGenics.

Regarding “lost jobs,” do we know how many – if any – will be lost? After all, regardless of who runs the jail, employees will be needed.

“Where will the $5 million in savings go? For the people? I doubt it. What a disgrace.”

[RWC] It’s my understanding the savings will go toward holding the line on taxes. It’s government, though, so who knows?