Prison was neglected by commissioners
When traveling throughout western Pennsylvania it seems that the skyline is full of church steeples.
These were designed by and built by craftsmen to withstand time. Some churches were erected by congregations who spoke their own language and wanted more than to worship in their own way and to provide the same for future generations.
Many of these churches stand today, which is a testament to those who shared their time, talents and resources to protect the integrity of the physical plant by consistent building maintenance and major renovations when they were needed.
The facility currently being used as the Fayette County Prison was also built to withstand time. But, unlike these churches, the prison has been neglected. Budget after budget did not include major capital outlays that were needed to maintain the physical plant of the structure. If the current condition of the prison is such that would lead elected officials to believe that building new is the answer, then these same individuals would be guilty of non-maintenance of a taxpayer-funded structure and should step down from office.
Anyone owning property in Fayette County has seen a dramatic increase in their millage rates. In 2004, the rate was 2.51 mills. Today, it is 4.51 mills, an increase of 79.68 percent. How much of that increase was earmarked for the renovation of the current prison? How much of that increase was to cover contract obligations, which included increases in wages, salaries and benefits for county employees.
As the Fayette County commissioners work to prepare a budget for 2014, let’s look at the costs associated with the current prison as part of former budgets. In 2011, it was $5,192,000. In 2012, it was $5,583,000. In 2013, it was $5,849,000. The increase over that time was 12 percent.
These budgets did include monies for prisoners to be housed in other facilities but didn’t include money for needed renovations.
The commissioners have voted in the affirmative to begin the process of financing and construction of a new Fayette County prison. Do you believe that the new prison, if constructed, will last as long as the current prison? Without major renovations, the new prison will probably need a complete makeover in 37 years, which is the amount of time the state of Pennsylvania gives to a new school when constructed.
A bond issued for 30 years to pay for a new prison leaves little or no time before debate to renovate or construct a new prison.
It has been said that, if something needs to be sold, a need has to be created. The results of a recent study of Fayette County corrections was mostly conjecture with very little substance given to the actual problem, that being the lack of decisions being made by those who refuse to admit that the present course of action is not an option.
Please remember that, if a new prison is constructed, this decision will yield winners and losers. The losers will be the property owners of Fayette County. The winners are obviously Crabtree, Rohrbaugh and Associates, the architects and the unions who represent prison employees.
Ed Zadylak is a resident of Connellsville.