John Curley is a Freeholder,the Republican Party is back in control of Monmouth County government and closing the Monmouth County Youth Detention Center is once again an item of discussion in Freehold, according the Asbury Park Press report of yesterday's county reorganization.
Hopefully this time the YDC closure will not be a discussion item for long. There have already been two studies that justified the closure, the most recent published by Sheriff Kim Guadagno last January. Read it here.
Last year the Democratic Freeholder Board rejected the savings a shared services agreement with Middlesex County to detain delinquent youth would have reaped in a political pander to the union employees who work at the Monmouth County center. At the time there were more employees working at the Monmouth kiddie jail than there was wayward youth being detained.
The Democrats, now in the minority, want the issue studied again. Republicans, Lillian Burry, Rob Clifton and Curley should not let this issue drag on. A new comprehensive study could be delayed by the upcoming appointment of a new sheriff, as Guadagno steps down to become Lieutenant Governor. It could be March before there is a new sheriff, and a new study could drag into election season when Monmouth County will choose a sheriff and two Freeholders. Clifton and Democrat John D'Amico's Freeholder seats are up this year.
Don't let the upcoming election become a referendum on closing the Youth Detention Center. The GOP should campaign on the accomplishment of having closed YDC, realizing the savings and improving rehabilitation conditions for the delinquents, rather than on the promise to do so.
The GOP Freeholders should request a swift update from the Sheriff's department, and barring a surprising turn around in the costs and potential savings, make a deal with Middlesex County quickly. Get it done by April before silly season starts.
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3 comments:
Why do we need ANOTHER study? Did the financial and crime situation change so dramatically over the past year? When the issue was discussed last year, it was very clear that it's much better to close it. Just put it up for a vote.
Did the Republican majority go out for an expensive dinner on the taxpayers' dime? If I recall correctly, they seem to like The Salt Creek restaurant in Rumson.
nice try, they've been buying their own dinners for many years, now.. last year, it was so screwed up most meeting days, there wasn't any time to eat, anyhow..with any luck, things'll calm down for 2010,and they'll put Amy and John in their correct place, the minority..
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