Issue raised about Jay County Jail

A transgender woman told Jay County Commissioners on Monday she was patted down and strip-searched by a male employee when booked into Jay County Jail last fall.

Cory Waddup, who identifies as a woman but has not yet had sex reassignment surgery, also said she had been placed in a jail unit with two male inmates.

“There was no concern whatsoever of my gender,” said Waddup, adding that she felt “violated” by the process. “It’s like I did not matter.”

Waddup had been arrested in the fall in Redkey on misdemeanor charges of public nudity.

“I was just very troubled that there was no policy to protect me,” she said. “I understand there’s a lot of non-acceptance. … I don’t know if it’s prejudice or just plain ignorance … I just want to see everyone safe.”

Waddup said she has consulted attorneys but has not initiated legal action.

County attorney Bill Hinkle noted that the commissioners’ role is to make sure the sheriff’s office is adequately staffed and otherwise provided for. On his advice, commissioners Doug Inman, Mike Leonhard and Chuck Huffman made no comment.

“You’ve stated your grievance, and they’ve received it,” said Hinkle.

Jay County Sheriff Dwane Ford was present for Monday’s discussion but did not comment. Waddup said she had spoken with Ford and that he had apologized for her treatment.

In other business, commissioners:

•Continued to review questions about security in the courthouse and other county buildings. Emergency Management Agency director Ralph Frazee said that while an emergency protocol has been developed it needs to be updated. “Even though it’s only two years old, it’s out of date,” he said. Earlier security discussions have stalled because of the costs involved. A 2006 price quote for metal detectors and cameras, for example, was about $50,000. Staffing would also add to personnel costs. “We’re a long way off from having courthouse security,” said Frazee.

•Reviewed bond requirements for the wind farm to be constructed this spring in southern Jay County. Prior to granting a building permit, the county wants to make sure any roads damaged during construction will be re-paved and that funds will be set aside to decommission the wind farm at the end of its useful life. About 11 miles of stone road and more than 13 miles of asphalt-paved road will be involved in the construction period. A performance bond of $7.2 million will be required to guarantee roads are repaired, and another fund will be available for emergency repairs. Hinkle and county engineer Dan Watson have been reviewing documents submitted by Blattner Energy, which is building the wind farm for NextEra Energy Resources. Commissioners hope to be able to give the project a green light at their next meeting. “We’re closer, but we’re not there yet,” said Inman.

•Approved a $20,000 contribution from the county’s infrastructure fund toward the replacement of the grandstand at Jay County Fairgrounds. Inman had originally proposed that the money come from Economic Development Income Tax revenue, but Huffman questioned that approach. “I think it’s more appropriate” for the money to come from the infrastructure fund, Huffman said Monday.

•Approved the purchase of paper goods from Progressive Office Products at a cost of $2,116. While that was slightly higher than two other quotes, Progressive was the only local vendor.

•Noted that signs had been changed on county road 200 South in an effort to reduce truck traffic. In the past, signs had stated there was no through traffic. The new signs say, “No trucks” and make reference to a specific county ordinance which spells out what sort of traffic is prohibited. POET Biorefining-Portland and U.S. Aggregates, both of which are located just north of county road 200 South have been contacted and will be helping to notify trucking firms that they could be in violation.