Is it moral to build big jail near school, homes?

Is

it moral to build big jail near school, homes?

At the September

Fayette County Board of Commissioners meeting,

Commissioner Harold Bost led the meeting with a prayer

asking that the commissioners make their decisions with

integrity. I was under the impression that integrity

meant "uprightness of character and soundness of

moral principle as well as honesty."

Where does

one's moral principle lie in expanding a prison facility

within a few blocks of an elementary school? Where does

one's moral principles lie in demolishing a heritage home

in Fayeffeville of a family who were pioneers in the

beginnings of our city, to expand a jail?

Who with an

ounce of "integrity" would even consider

destroying a beautiful wooded area with trees dating a

few hundred years old to put a jail expansion on the

property?

With so

many people needing homes and Habitat for Humanity

needing materials to build those homes, where was the

"integrity" in the decision to quickly demolish

three homes on Long Avenue without consideration of

contributing windows, doors and other materials from

those homes to an organization in need?

Do our

commissioners have what it takes to make decisions with

"integrity"? Do they possess the quality of

uprightness of character?

I have to

credit the Commissioners of Clayton County - they

have the right idea. Their present County Correctional

Facility on McDonough Road is located next to the county

dump. It doesn't border any schools as does Fayette

County's jail. And better yet, Clayton County's new

facility is being built on U.S. highways 19 and 41, in a

business/industrial district.

They have

the "integrity" to locate their jail and

judicial complex on a main highway in an area that

doesn't infringe on a private citizen's backyard or pose

a threat to school children.

If only the

Fayette County Commissioners had what it takes to make

decisions with "integrity," a heritage home

might be saved; a beautiful nature area might be

preserved as a much needed park for all to enjoy; and

most of all, prisoners posing a threat to upstanding

citizens, our children, and our property values would be

housed in an area much less desirable than downtown

Fayetteville.

Denise

Fair

Fayetteville

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