Church resigned to jail construction in Wexford County

By Rick Charmoli

CADILLAC Neighbors of the Wexford County jail project indicated they are resigned to its construction and hope to reduce its impact on their nearby Christian school.

On Wednesday, members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and parents from the Northview Seventh-day Adventist Schoolwere still opposed to the location of the new jail project but ultimately said they would not try to stop or delay the direction in which the county was clearly headed.

They also said the jail itself has never been a point of contention. Church members have been strongly opposed to its locationfor its proximity to the the school and church. The new jail will be built at1015 Lincoln St., north of M-55/Division Street and west of Crosby Road.

Seventh-day Adventist ChurchPastor Pat Milligan said it was obvious that the county was going to build the jail but asked the board of commissioners if it was possible for the county to consider building a fence around the school as added protection for students.

Although the board didn't address the request directly, several board members, including Les Houslerand chairman Gideon Mitchell, said it was definitely something the board would consider.

Parent Gunther Schwartz also spoke at the public hearing and said that he was still concerned about the jail's proximityto the school as both the students and inmates would basically be within shouting distance of each other.

During public comment at the regular meeting, Schwartz spoke again, relaying the message that there were still concerns, but the goal was not to impede progress of the construction of the new jail.

We have prayed about this and are leaving it in the Lords hands, Schwartz said.

The current 50-year-old jail has only 32 beds, while the number of inmates reaches 90 to 100 each month. An in-depth study concluded that the jail functions as a holding facility for inmates being shuttled to and from court dates, at significant expense to taxpayers of about $600,000 a year. The $12.5 million project includes a new 158-bed jail and administrative offices on a 10-acre site.

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Church resigned to jail construction in Wexford County