Residents

who have been clamoring for a public forum to

state their opposition to the Fayette County

Commission's plans for a new jail and judicial

complex will have their chance.

Commissioners

will conduct a special called meeting Jan. 6 at 7

p.m. to present information on the $70 million

project and accept public comment, both pro and

con.

"We're

going to try to make it as clear as we

possibility can, and we want [the information

presented] to be as complete and as right as we

possibly can," said commission Chairman

Harold Bost after announcing the meeting this

week.

Commissioners

have been under fire in recent weeks from jail

opponents who accused them of foot-dragging on

the opponents' request for a hearing.

Resident

Gerald Stoner, during last week's monthly

commission work session, asked several pointed

questions about when commissioners would face

reelection, and about the process for a recall.

But Bost said the public comment period in the

meeting is not intended as a "question and

answer" session, and Commissioner Herb Frady

suggested Stoner phone commissioners, or call the

county office for answers to his questions.

"We

have requested several times that the Fayette

County Board of Commissioners discuss the jail in

a public hearing very soon," jail opponent

Denise Fair said during the work session. "I

wish you would get on the ball."

"There

will be a full public hearing - it's just

not scheduled yet," Bost said. "We're

trying to get sufficient information together so

we can address any questions."

He

also reacted angrily to Fair's previous

criticisms of the board, saying her statements

haven't been factual. "And where were you

ordained," he added, "to be able to

establish the fact that if we disagree with what

you have stated, then we don't have integrity.

This board has tons of integrity, and we will

conduct ourselves accordingly," he said.

Fair

and resident Marilyn Benedetti had requested

extra time on the commissioners' Dec. 9 business

meeting to address the jail issue, but Bost said

he removed that item from the agenda in favor of

the Jan. 6 meeting. "You and any other

citizens in attendance will be given an

opportunity to provide input to the board at that

time," Bost said in a letter to Fair and

Benedetti.

During

the hearing Jan. 6, county officials will present

information on the project and the options that

commissioners are considering to finance the

construction. Following the presentation,

citizens will be given an opportunity to address

the commissioners on the issue.

Opponents

also have accused commissioners of having their

minds made up about not only building the jail,

but also about the proposed site, between Jimmie

Mayfield Boulevard and Lee Street in

Fayetteville.

While

he admitted that commissioners have a definite

point of view in the matter, Bost said they will

be listening. "If there's some compelling

reason to make a change, we would certainly

consider it," he said. "It would have

to be a compelling reason. We have to make the

best decision for the entire county," he

added.

<!--

-----------