Re-Entry Facility -- Thoughts > Rexroad.com

This re-entry facility has been a painful issue for a number of reasons. I still think it is something that is good for our community and would like to see one located here for a number of reasons. The Daily Democrat has an editorial today on the issue and Dino has written on it over at Woodland Journal so I thought this would be a good time.

Woodland Journal on the Issue
Daily Democrat on the Issue (not on-line yet)
Sacramento Bee article

Why can't it go at Monroe Detention Center?
The site we could use is too small. Also, if it is going to be a state run facility we would rather have them out on their own for command and control reasons.

Why are we now going to get it -- when we thought it was not going to come here?
The rules changed. We did not change them but we are trying to deal with them.

Why can't it go in Woodland, West Sacramento, Davis, or Winters?
Cities have veto power over this under AB 900. I approached Woodland and we discussed it at the 2x2. It was made clear to me that they did not want it. Thus, it can't go there.

Where would I like it?
I have said all along that this facility belongs in an area zoned industrial. I actually think it would be a fine addition to the Woodland industrial area. The county has few, if any locations likr that. We have encouraged development in the cities. As a result, the areas that are in the unincorporated areas of Yolo County are rural. that is what the county has available.

If it is such a good thing, why don't you put it in Woodland?
I would put it in Woodland. I don't think the City Council would approve. That has been made clear to me.

Why not DQU?
It is federal land. We have a time line that we need to meet. We are trying to meet it. Dealing with the federal government would take much longer than the time allowed.

Why not the County Airport?
Land is not well positioned there.

When will the county make a decision?
I believe some sort of a decision by the BOS will be made by August 5th.

Supervisor Thomson and Sheriff Prieto are arrogant in the way this was presented.
I really don't think that is true.

Doesn't this hurt our ability to provide ADMH services in Yolo County? Our current ADMH programs have been hit hard by budget cuts.
This will actually strengthen the services. The people that are coming back will get an extra 12-18 month of treatment that they are not getting now. The contract for the services will be paid by the state but probably provided by local NGOs. This will strengthen our service providers.

Dunnigan has water and traffic issues. What about those?
Those issues are fair. however, the General Plan is currently studying putting 5,000 to 7,500 homes up there. These problems exist for that development too. Despite this, we did not hear the same sort of outrage when this was proposed. In fact, we heard almost nothing.

What about it being a nasty prison?
First, this is not exactly a prison. Second, I don't believe all of the "facts"being thrown around about this facility by the opponents. I don't believe home values are going down. I don't believe in the large public safety rish being described.

The BOS has been meeting in secret about this. Aren't you are evil Matt Rexroad? Did the Brown Act get violated?
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. This is nonsense. The subcommittee of Helen Thomson and I have been meeting since 2007. We sure have. That is what we are supposed to do. This is one of many projects we are working on. It was on the closed session agenda as people know. It was reported out after that. Watch the tape.

The County has not been communicating.
I can only say this. I have been communicating about it. I have discussed this with members of the Woodland City Council numerous times. When the issue ivolved Woodland I talked to Council members and stff promptly and regularly. When something happens in Woodland I handle it and inform the community leaders. After our 2x2 meeting with Woodland Supervisor Chamberlain was free to legally disclose the discussion of that meeting and share it with his constituents. That is his job. I don't like it when other Supervisors screw with Woodlan stuff and I am not going to get into their chili.

I feel I communicate very well with four members of the Woodland City Council and staff. I will continue to do that.

This is not good for Dunnigan, how can you support it?
I represent the people of Woodland. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that by locating this facility in Dunnigan that the people coming back from state prison to Woodland will be in a better spot. I also think the people of Woodland benefit from having increased capacity in the jail. Further, they benefit from $30 million in grant funding from the state.

You are a fiscal conservative. How can you put this here?
For those that think this is a bad idea -- how do I walk away from $30 million? I can't. The county needs the money. This is an important part of the equation for me.

I would like this facility to be located in the industrial area of a major city. That is not going happen. Further, it is not going to happen in the next three weeks or so. As a result, we have to find a location in the unincorporated parts of Yolo County. We found one with 5,000 to 7,500 homes that will soon be close. This facility will serve the people of Woodland well and I will likely support it when given the chance.

Comments

By griffith @ Sunday, July 20, 2008 8:05 PM

Why not DQU?
It is federal land. We have a time line that we need to meet. We are trying to meet it. Dealing with the federal government would take much longer than the time allowed.

Matt, Who is in charge of this stop watch? You, the BOS should simply tell the State of California to pull there panties out of their ass and just wait until we have settled on where “WE” want this Re-Entry facility. You need to start standing up for what we want and not cowering down to the State of California

What about it being a nasty prison?
First, this is not exactly a prison. Second, I don't believe all of the "facts" being thrown around about this facility by the opponents. I don't believe home values are going down. I don't believe in the large public safety rish being described.

I would like to know when a prison is not exactly called a prison? Just what kind of individuals are going to housed at this location? Are they rapists, pedophiles, Car thieves or am I mistaken??? At what point during there incarnation does the safety risk change?? Maybe Sheriff Prieto could answer this one he just had a deputy killed by someone who just recently granted parole.

You are a fiscal conservative. How can you put this here?
For those that think this is a bad idea -- how do I walk away from $30 million? I can't. The county needs the money. This is an important part of the equation for me.

When do you walk away from 30 million dollars? When the majority of YOUR constituents say NO.

If I offered the county 2 million dollars to allow me to put in the worlds largest Porno Pleasure Palace Theme Park in Yolo County would you back it by saying the county needs the money?
Or is this type of question to hypothetical for you?

Don’t get me wrong, I do support a Re-Entry Facility. It is the bizarre way the BOS and the County conducts itself each time someone waves money in your face.

Keep up the good work.

By Matt Rexroad @ Sunday, July 20, 2008 8:14 PM

My constituents haven't said hardly anything about this. I represent Woodland - not all of Yolo County. That is where I disagreed with the previous occupant of this seat.

The people of Woodland seem perfectly fine with the 300 plus high paying jobs, $30 million, and the improved services to those that are coming back anyway.

By perkoff @ Monday, July 21, 2008 8:41 AM

Woodland doesn't want it....so no facility in Woodland!
Same for Davis and West Sacramento...no faciility!
However, the folk in Dunnigan and Zamora don't want it and the prison is sited there.....so much for the will of the people! There is property between Woodland and Davis not in the city limits currently on the County rolls, why not there where the damn thing will be closer to the urban areas where most of the inmates are from? Building the facility near urban areas is much more in line with the intent of AB 900!

By perkoff @ Monday, July 21, 2008 9:01 PM

while diligently looking for the right place to locate the proposed mini-prison, undoubtedly the County contacted the hundreds of realtors and real estate agencies doing busniess in the County! Thereby requesting their assistance in finding a suitable site! If that isn't the case, why not? Ficilitating the buying and selling of property, after all is what they do!

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