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Commissioners Vote "Yes" On New Detention Center and Public Safety Building
Sheriff Lane Carter and his Deputy Neil Godfrey appeared more relaxed than they did a few short hours before the recent Commissioner’s meeting. By a vote of three to two the Commissioners approved a pending contract for construction of a new Detention Center and Public Safety Complex in Carthage.
Both men are ardent supporters of the construction project that will solve a major problem that the Sheriff’s Department has been grappling with for twenty years.
Moore County law enforcement has been providing first class services to the public without having twenty first century equipment and facilities. Anyone who tours the existing detention center, the Sheriff’s offices or the 911 center can gaze on make do equipment, primitive office space, the many shortcomings of an overcrowded jail that underscore the non responsive political answers to the complicated process of law enforcement.
In the end Commissioners Caddell, Picerno and Melton stood firm against an onslaught of negative commentary triggered, some would say, by Commissioner Cindy Morgan’s call for a public vote. After years of discussion the eleventh hour suggestion did little to advance the ball. Where was Ms. Morgan early in the process?
Experienced political leadership knows that the voting public has only a long range view of bread and butter issues such as court buildings and jails. They also know that quality of life is greatly impacted by smooth running government and effective law enforcement.
As a result veteran leaders have found a way to procure funds for needed capital investment without having to do battle with vocal naysayers and a public soapbox. The instruments are neither significantly more costly nor unusual in the world of municipal finance. Lenders know default is unthinkable
Both men are ardent supporters of the construction project that will solve a major problem that the Sheriff’s Department has been grappling with for twenty years.
Moore County law enforcement has been providing first class services to the public without having twenty first century equipment and facilities. Anyone who tours the existing detention center, the Sheriff’s offices or the 911 center can gaze on make do equipment, primitive office space, the many shortcomings of an overcrowded jail that underscore the non responsive political answers to the complicated process of law enforcement.
In the end Commissioners Caddell, Picerno and Melton stood firm against an onslaught of negative commentary triggered, some would say, by Commissioner Cindy Morgan’s call for a public vote. After years of discussion the eleventh hour suggestion did little to advance the ball. Where was Ms. Morgan early in the process?
Experienced political leadership knows that the voting public has only a long range view of bread and butter issues such as court buildings and jails. They also know that quality of life is greatly impacted by smooth running government and effective law enforcement.
As a result veteran leaders have found a way to procure funds for needed capital investment without having to do battle with vocal naysayers and a public soapbox. The instruments are neither significantly more costly nor unusual in the world of municipal finance. Lenders know default is unthinkable
Somehow Tim Lea always makes it into the first section of the Pilot coverage of the Moore County Commissioners. Quoting Commissioner Lea’s comments about “bad public policy” before discussing what was accomplished Monday night by Commissioners Caddell, Picerno and Melton is placing the emphasis in the wrong spot. The vote was a divided 3-2 yes, but the logic behind the majority is good and the hallmark of Lea/Morgan is most often a quibble and delay. Justice delayed is justice denied and the facts on the ground do not support further delay.
The County must now come to grips with the space needs of the Courthouse which should be next on the agenda. Bold action is needed and a half hearted effort will only postpone the functionality and efficiency of the Court system. There is an opportunity to do it differently this time by including Carthage people in the study team and by a County driven PR campaign to keep the public informed throughout the process.
We have long believed that a County Government Center located in downtown Carthage can be a major positive force in the historic town. Scattered sites are inefficient and efficiency is a key factor in keeping tax rates low. The complex will be maintained by taxpayers from all parts of the County, there will be County jobs for locals and an increased customer base for the local merchants.
The mudslingers on the Pilot blog offer little except for character assaults on the elected officials who have learned the hard way that you can’t please everybody. Anyone who studied the Marcum presentation to the Commissioners and to the Local Government Commission should be able to understand the shallow arguments and the real purpose of the “Right to Vote” campaign. (We will post the presentation and the reader can draw his own conclusion.)
The County must now come to grips with the space needs of the Courthouse which should be next on the agenda. Bold action is needed and a half hearted effort will only postpone the functionality and efficiency of the Court system. There is an opportunity to do it differently this time by including Carthage people in the study team and by a County driven PR campaign to keep the public informed throughout the process.
We have long believed that a County Government Center located in downtown Carthage can be a major positive force in the historic town. Scattered sites are inefficient and efficiency is a key factor in keeping tax rates low. The complex will be maintained by taxpayers from all parts of the County, there will be County jobs for locals and an increased customer base for the local merchants.
The mudslingers on the Pilot blog offer little except for character assaults on the elected officials who have learned the hard way that you can’t please everybody. Anyone who studied the Marcum presentation to the Commissioners and to the Local Government Commission should be able to understand the shallow arguments and the real purpose of the “Right to Vote” campaign. (We will post the presentation and the reader can draw his own conclusion.)
by Walter B. Bull, Jr.
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