Take chance to be informed (09/29/2008)

You say you want to be an informed voter.

Here's your chance.

The November ballot will give you a chance to weigh in on an important and expensive issue facing Jay County.

And the next two weekends will provide an opportunity to make sure you cast an informed vote.

County officials have been weighing a jail expansion project for more than a year. The latest proposal would cost about $10 million and would expand the jail to the north onto land that used to be the site of the Portland Ford dealership.

To give the public an idea of current conditions at the jail and issues such as inmate and staff safety Sheriff Ray Newton has scheduled two open house events at the jail.

The public is invited to tour the facility at 224 W. Water St. from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, and again on Saturday, Oct. 11.

There will also be an informational session held during the Jay County Council session on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.

It's a great chance to see what the problems are and ask questions.

Take the time to do that, mull over the limited number of options available, and you'll be in a position to cast your ballot thoughtfully.

The problems at the current jail aren't going to go away no matter how the referendum goes in November, and seeing those problems first-hand should be a fundamental act of citizenship.

Mark your calendar. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]