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I think wind energy is a wonderful idea. I have some concerns
about Winona County being a major player in such a venture. The
county doesn't have a very good track record when it comes to being
involved in major projects. Two projects come to my mind right
away. First is the courthouse and the other is the jail
annex. Have we had a true accounting as of yet as to the cost of
the courthouse renovation? Why haven't we had any figures
presented? Look how long it took to finish the LEC basement for a
temporary housing unit.
With this said, the county board should be focusing on one topic
and that topic is huge. The county has to do something about the
jail issue. Now, Dwayne and other county board members are going
to say that we need to see how the annex is going to work
out, check out the "numbers" and then determine if we need a
new jail. Well, the State of Minnesota has told the
county that the annex is temporary and a new facility must be in
the works within 5 years. Not wait and see if you need a
new jail at the end of 5 years but start to build one. The only
"number" the county needs is .....5 years. Study after study
has indicated that the county needs a new jail.
It should be the county's first priority to fix the jail issue
before such a venture of wind mills be under taken. But then
again, any money made from a wind mill could be put toward paying for
placing inmates in other counties.
Chris Nelson | 