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For release: July 22, 1999
Rockford, IL- Local Libertarian Party activist Jason Zenda was the lone citizen to address the assembled Winnebago County Board, regarding an application for a proposed women's prison, at it's meeting on July 22nd.
He pointed out, "the lack of a consensus of the impact upon the community where it (the prison) is placed. While the creation of jobs might be good, there are also possible bad side-effects, such as an increase in crime and the stigma of being a 'prison town'." Zenda added, "With the lack of a sufficient time period for public debate, I ask the board to not vote for the motion." The board voted 21-3, with 4 absent, to approve the application for the prison.
Zenda explains, "the board voted tonight to submit a site to the State Board of Corrections that does not yet exist. The application is due on July 30th, before the next board meeting. A site will have to be selected in the next week without public input or debate."
"With less than 24 hours of notice to the public regarding the board's intent to vote on the measure, it is doubtful most of the board members had time to listen to their constituent's thoughts on this issue. One member told the board that he did recieve phone calls due to a radio interview, however none of them were in favor of the prison." Zenda concluded.
Rockford Area Libertarians support lower taxes,
smaller government, and greater freedom and personal
responsibility. Monthly meetings are held on the first
Thursday of the month at 7 P.M.