Sunday, November 21, 1999
Jail debate rages at meeting
Fiscal court gets an earful
BY KRISTINA GOETZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer
ELSMERE — Some Elsmere residents were spitting mad Saturday and wanted nothing better than to take cheap shots at their elected officials.
Elsmere Councilwoman Bonnie Sage said she hoped the fiscal court members realized how angry residents were over the Elsmere site for the new Kenton County jail.
If the meeting won't change fiscal court members' minds, then insults are the only thing left — besides to “tell them how stupid they really are,” she said. Hundreds gathered at the Elsmere fire station — some to sincerely debate where Kenton County's new jail should be, and others to attack the officials verbally and demand that the jail be put somewhere else.
Kenton County Fiscal Court members heard from residents in Elsmere, Erlanger, Independence and other cities at the public hearing.
It is unclear what the fiscal court's next move will be. Kenton County Judge-execu tive Dick Murgatroyd would not say whether a meeting would be scheduled.
He did say that the concern makes a difference, and that residents who spoke were well-prepared.
“Nothing is finished until it's finished,” he said.
Residents had been instructed to submit their questions in writing before Nov.
12. A hundred or so packets were passed out at the end of the meeting that answered many of those questions. The meeting started with a healthy debate but soon rose to an emotional level filled with anger and tears as many residents spoke of their disdain, disgust and fears.
Each time the crowd rose in applause, law enforcement officials stood on guard. Several escorted Commissioner Barb Black when she left the room.
Many argued the jail should be closer to the courthouse in Covington. The additional traffic on Turkeyfoot Road would be dangerous, they said. The distance law enforcement officials and attorneys would have to travel several times a week from the courthouse to the jail is excessive, they argued.
“In order to make this site viable you'd have to have a substation for fire,” said Covington attorney Phil Taliaferro, who is representing Dennis Griffin, a Kenton County resident. “Think of the capital and operational costs of this.”
Mr. Taliaferro said after the meeting that he is optimistic that the fiscal court will work with residents to find a better site.
“I'm very encouraged,” he said. “I think Judge Murgatroyd clearly indicated that he has an open mind. I think he sent a clear sign that he would be willing to work with us in finding an alternative site.”
Others were not so optimistic.
“I am asking one very large question of you, Judge Murgatroyd, Mr. (Dan) Humpert and Mr. (Adam) Ko enig,” said Shelley Dorman of Elsmere, referring to other fiscal court members. “Where are the fine men that ran for election in 1998 and earned my vote? Where are the great men that I chose to put my life and the lives of my two, beautiful baby girls in their hands?
“Please go back to the beginning and remember what it was like when you were running for office and what you, as a person, really stood for before political greed took over. I know if you look hard enough you will find those great men.”
Elsmere Councilwoman Sage felt a little stronger.
“You are evil,” she told the fiscal court. “And may God have mercy on you if the bulldozers come to dig in Elsmere.”
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