“Hi Machele, I agree with your point of view. You know we are also in the "Can't vote" area outside of our nearest town. I cannot see how the police can do an efficient job if the criminals are out before the ink is dry on the arrest papers. Good to see your Blog.

“Thank you Machele for not getting caught up in all the emotion of this election and looking at the issues for what they really are. You comments are right on the mark. Nobody wants an increase in taxes or being forced to build it but the situation has been ignored so long we have to do something whether we like it or not. Yours is the voice of logic and reason in a cesspool of slander, blame and mis-information.

“I'm all for building a larger jail, but I also consider myself a conservative. My tax dollars are precious, and building the jail at the Hwy 20-26 site will cost well over $2 million just getting water and sewer to the site. For the second time the commissioners have purchased prime commercial property to build a jail on,does anybody besides me think that they don't know what their doing. They could have purchased 2 or 3 square blocks around the existing courthouse and jail for way less and have all the infrastructure already there.Let's get a jail built that will serve this county for many years and at the same time be responsible with the tax payers money. I'm voting NO, and I hope the commissioners hear me and every other taxpayer voting no and get it right next time.

“A thought just occurred to me Wally, if this is the better way to go why doesn't the city of Caldwell sweeten the pot here. You remove the asbestos, tear the building down and buy out the properties as you are saying the county should do. You say it's less than 2 million right? Put the Caldwell City taxpayers money on the line here. You say it can be done for 2 million or less. Then you could sell the package to the county for 2 million right? Why isn't this happening? Because it can't be done. You know it and I do too. I know you want the Urban renewal grant money, but I as a non Caldwell city resident am unwilling to absorb Caldwell's costs at my expense. If Caldwell wants the jail there so bad, make it worthwhile to the county to do it then. There is no incentive whatsoever to do what you are proposing. It helps the city but hurts the county as a whole.

“I'm speaking as a taxpayer, what I do for a living has nothing to do with how I would like to see my tax dollars spent.I'm guessing you are talking about the Van Buren School building when you speak of asbestos removal.That property belongs to the school district, not the city and why would it have to be included in the property to build a new jail? And what does urban renewal money have to do with this? Why do you seem to have the need to personally slam someone and an idea instead giving us your views and ideas? Healthy discussion is what made this country the wonderful place it is to live. As I stated in my original comment that you didn't comprehend, I will vote yes for a jail bond when they prove to me that it is the best option.

“Why do you assume I am a firefighter? I'm not, but I do see what you are up to and I am disgusted. I am a very well informed citizen though because I choose to be. I choose to attend hearings, ask questions and participate in the political processes. You desperately want me to be a firefighter so you can justify your bad behavior to yourself though. Now that we have cleared that mess up, stop trying to change the subject and answer the questions Wally. My, you are a politician aren't you? I'm not letting you off the hook that easy. Why do you think Van Buren is the spot to build as you stated before? Why do you think it will cost less there when the county would have to buy 20 homes and 1 small business which will far exceed the 2 million dollars it would cost to run the sewer to the new site? You haven't even addressed demolition costs yet either. What qualifies you to second guess the Sheriff or his staff in matters relating to running a jail or transporting prisoners? If you actually sat down, looked at the plans and spoke with the architects, engineers, or jail professionals who do this for a living I might lend you a little credibility here. Since you haven't, you are either speaking out of turn and don't have a clue about what you are speaking of or you are telling half truths based off of second hand information. Which is it? Try getting first hand information next time big mouth! Put yourself in these peoples shoes Wally. How would you feel if you were doing your job and spent a lot of time and effort trying to meet the needs of this community by establishing a responsible future growth plan for city water and sewer services and then the fire chief comes along and starts lobbying against it, and begins telling half truths and lies to shoot it down because he has an axe to grind? In fact he says he opposes it as a "citizen" but then signs his name and city position to get more credibility to influence people. That is exactly what you did Wally. You abused your position sir. You can have the last word or lie or whatever other misinformation you chose to tell. I'm done trying to reason with the unreasonable.

“First of all, go back and read my earlier posts. I'm all for building a new jail and I'm sure it will happen. I also never mentioned using the Van Buren site for the new jail, I said 2 or 3 square blocks around the existing site.You assumed wrong.And yes, those are houses, just like the ones they took down to build the existing Courthouse,Jail,Juvenile dentention,Forensics Lab and parking lots.Why would it be any different to build a new jail? Lets go back to the beginning of this Jail Saga when the county first bought prime commercial property on Cleveland Bvld.Everyone kind of scratched their heads wondering what was going on. Keep in mind this area needs all the commercial development it can get to help the taxbase,so it seemed odd that the commissioners thought that site was suitable for a jail. After that debacle, they buy prime commercial development property with a 1/4 mile frontage on a major highway next to a freeway interchange. That should make everyone scatch their heads again.Now you throw in the costs of getting utilities to the site plus the need to still drill an onsite well to meet DEQ requirements and you have got a hefty sum of money involved before you even break ground on the structure.After all this, you think I or anyone else should not be a little skepticle. I have reviewed the utility plans and it will be a large undertaking just getting sewer under the river to the site.I put my name on my comments because I have no need to hide. My job has nothing to do with how I would like to see my tax dollars spent.You seem to have the need to attack me personally from behind your anonymous moniker.It is hard to respect anything said from someone with a bag over their head.I can handle constructive criticism,but you have decided it is easier to degrade the person than actually have an intelligent discussion. I will join you in voting yes for the jail when I'm convinced that we as taxpayers are getting the most for our tax dollars.Here is something else for you to chew on.How about buying 80 acres of sagebrush near the Canyon - Gem County border and building a stand alone self contained correctional facility similiar to the state penitentiary. It would be out of your site, out of mind and would not take prime commercial property to build. Let get this done right.

“Wally, Wally, Wally, calm down! That's no way for a government official to talk to a concerned citizen is it? Cops and firefighters gotta keep their cool even when dealing with enraged citizens don't you too? I know, It really sucks to have your credibility questioned in public and anonymously at that huh. That's part of politics around here though. That's what has happened to the firefighters and police too. Some of it by your employees, anonymously I might add. I know, I've been watching. Comes part and parcel with being concerned about my tax dollars. You are crying fire when you supplied the matches. Now back to your concerns. Again you still have not answered my question. How does it benefit the taxpayers of Canyon County to spend more than 2 million dollars to purchase two city blocks of residences when they could spend less preparing the new site? Once again lets focus here. Option A: 2 million to get new site ready for building. Option B: Way more than 2 million to purchase, demolish and get old site ready for building. Simple question stop dodging it please. Remember, How it benefits Caldwell City is irrelevant. How it benefits the entire county is relevant. Or maybe you will dodge this question and resort to calling the sheriff and commissioners liars? That is what you have been hinting at is that they are not to be trusted isn't it? That they make bad decisions right? You lost your higher moral ground a long time ago Wally. You should have brought your concerns up with them a long time ago rather than snipe from the sidelines. Why would you do that Wally? Do you want them to fail? The people who you should be voicing your concerns with are your Mayor and the Commissioners and Sheriff. You should be helping them if your motives are pure, not ensuring their failure. Otherwise it just looks bad Wally, like your trying to torpedo it after everyone has committed to it. Did you get a chance for input on this or is that what has got you so angry about the whole thing? If you haven't had input and arent involved then that means you don't know all the details. If you are involved and the group voted you down then I guess you are thumbing your nose at the bosses and here is how you get even. So which is it? A: I don't have all the information because I wasn't involved. B: I was involved but I disagree with the group and deliberately am trying to shoot this down. There are no other choices here Wally, answer A or B? You said "I will join you in voting yes for the jail when I'm convinced that we as taxpayers are getting the most for our tax dollars." Tell me how I can convince someone who has already made up his mind that I'm wrong. You wanna prove you aren't this guy, approach the Commishes and Sheriff and pitch your plan, get on board with helping them solve this problem and stop stabbing them in the back and ridiculing them.

“So the infamous water Department supervisor Wally Hammons speaks out against Law Enforcement and Firefighters yet again. Whoopee doo! It costs 2 million dollars to run water and sewer to the site. How much will it cost to remove the asbestos from Van Buren Elementary, tear down Van Buren Elementary after the asbestos removal, buy all the surrounding properties between the elementary school and the current jail, and tear them all down too. Now let's close off streets, rezone, prep the site, etc. The list goes on. This hairbrained idea of yours will cost a lot more than 2 million dollars. Why don't you come out and say that if the county does it your way, the Caldwell city water department which you supervise stands a lot to gain from urban renewal grant money you could receive. Why should all county taxpayers help the city of Caldwell get rid of it's eyesore and fund your department. I don't live in your city and don't want to pay for your problem Wally. You already stated you are jealous of the firefighters and city police budget claiming they get enough of tax dollars so forgive me if I am skeptical of your motives. You have spread enough mis-information in an attempt to sabotage this project. Thank you for stepping up and admitting you have an anti police and firefighter bias.

“Would you get off of this anti firefighter law enforcement crap.Do you just follow your union leaders rethoric or can you actually look at an issue objectively.I could care less if the jail is built in Caldwell, all I want is the most bang for my taxdollar.I consider some of our firefighters and police officers good friends,so your "anti" statements are laughable. And please inform me as to what misinformation I have spread.My only motive is to not be a sheep led down the wrong path, but to be part of the process of making our community better for everyone.Be a positive in the discussion and people will listen.

“That's a laugh coming from the king of negativity. What do you consider positive Wally? You don't want people to vote for this. You will say or do anything to get it shot down. You complain that Police and Fire gets more money than you on a regular basis and complain you need more to properly run the sewer department. What am I supposed to think Wally? Your employees talk about this too you know. Checked the message their sending out lately? What are you going to do to positively contribute to getting this jail built and helping out the sheriff here? You don't want it built is the answer.

“Well there you have it.I'am a beaten man. I cannot match your superior knowledge of the issues that face this community. I apologize that my comments were not worthy of the great and powerful OZ behind the curtain. I promise never to make public statements ever again without getting clearance from you first.Again, please accept my apology.

“OK done deal, Sounds good to me. It was fun jousting with you wally.

“Other than the cost-benefit analysis, this should be a no-brainer for a conservative. Law enforcement and incarceration of offenders are both on the short list of legitimate functions of State government, and require thoughtful but appropriate levels of taxation to support. Libertarians--who are really kinder-gentler anarchists--may not see it that way, but they're not really conservatives, either, but rather belong in a category of their own. Conservatives that use taxation as a reason to oppose the new jail are really closet Libertarians: selfish turds that think government's only role is leave them the heck alone.

“Thank you so much for this intelligent letter. Whether you are well versed in every possible argument either for or against the new jail I don't care. I appreciate that you are making a decision to vote "yes" based on rationale and logic. It's like there's something in the water in this county and people can't see past their own issues to vote for something we really do desperately need.