Geauga record. [volume] (Chardon, Geauga County, Ohio) 1952-1962, 1957-10-31
HotStetter Tells Need for New County Jail {.

edly agree, to provide unnec-
esSary frills for the benefit of
a prisoner. On the other hand
we are no longer living in the
Dark Ages, and therefore the
health and safety and morals
of Jail occupants must be con-
sidered and dealt with reson-
ably.
The juvenile delinquents in
Jail today also pose a problem.
Space requirements are grossly
inadequate, and the location of
the space is even more serious.
Ordinarily delinquent juveniles
need be detained only until
their parents appear and assume
responsibility for their child
rem. During this Intern period
the delinquent must be confin-
ed in an area within speaking
distance of adult criminals and
frequently drunks, whose vile
language is heard by the ju-
venile. 1t is not pleasant to Wis
ualize any juvenile confronted
with this type of experience.
One would find it even more
unpleasant if one of the ju-
veniles was his own.
The problem is not new, it
has simply become more pro-
nounced as the population grew.
Geauga County's Grand juries
for years have deplored the sit
uation, and have urged that the
problem be met. You as cit
izen can verify this need by Wis
iting the county Jail. Your obli-
cation can not be met by ig-
noring the problem.
A bond issue for $425,00 to be
paid over a period of 20 years
will be on the ballot on Nov.
3. The purpose of the bond is
sue is for the acquisition of a
new site, and the construction
of a new Jail to meet our grow
ing needs. In addition, the build
ing will house the sheriff's fam
lily quarters, the new county
court, and additional county of
flee space. The cost per tax
payer will be at a rate of so
per thousand dollars of real
property valuation On the tax
duplicate.
The County court was created
by the legislation of the State
of Ohio. 1t will replace the JUS
tice of Peace courts in the coun-
ty and will begin operation on
Jan. l, 1858. Adequate quarters
for the county court must be
provided by the county. 1t is
with this thought in mind that
provision for this facility in the
new jail building is contempla-
ted.
1t would be impossible to sell
ect a site for a jail and future
civic center that would satisfy
everyone. Neither could we an
ticipate being able to satisfy
everyone as to type of construc-
ton. However it definitely is
felt that as long as the need ex-
lists, and since endless hours of
study and thought have been
given to the problem that We as
voters should consider the logic
followed and the reasonableness
of the conclusion. Unless one
has made thorough study, and
argued the pros and cons with
others who are doing the same,
it is too easy to miss some of
the important factors determine
tive of the best site. Therefore.
with the above thoughts in
mind, let US look at some of the
more important determining fac
tors,
Location is extremely impor-
tant from a standpoint of econ
omy of operation. It is felt a
better working relationship will
exist at a minimum of expense
if the Jail facility can be kept
as close as possible to the Court
house. One must also keep in
mind that if our anticipated
growth developes as predicted,
we will require a new court
house before too many years