HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/8/1974THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,
FLORIDA, MET IN SPECIAL SESSION AT THE VERO BEACH HIGH SCHOOL, VERO
BEACH, FLORIDA, ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1973, AT 7:40 O'CLOCK P.M.
PRESENT WERE ALMA LEE LOY, CHAIRMAN; EDWARD J. MASSEY, VICE CHAIRMAN;.
WILLARD W. SIEBERT, JR.; JACK U. DRITENBAS; RICHARD P. BOGOSIAN.
ALSO PRESENT WERE JACK G. JENNINGS, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR; PAUL D.
BURCH, ATTORNEY TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS; L. S. THOMAS,
COUNTY FINANCIAL COORDINATOR AND ROY KIRKLAND, DEPUTY CLERK.
THE CHAIRMAN CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND STATED THAT
THE PURPOSE OF THIS PUBLIC MEETING IS IN COOPERATION WITH THE DIVISION
OF CORRECTION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED 150 BED
FACILITY FOR YOUTHFUL FIRST OFFENDERS TO BE LOCATED IN INDIAN RIVER
COUNTY.
THE CHAIRMAN WELCOMED AND COMMENDED ALL FOR THEIR INTEREST
WHICH WAS INDICATED BY THEIR ATTENDANCE AT THIS MEETING. THE CHAIRMAN
THEN INTRODUCED THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THE
COUNTY ATTORNEY, THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE
CHESTER CLEM. THE CHAIRMAN THEN INTRODUCED MR. LOUIS WAINWRIGHT,
DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF CORRECTION AND ASKED HIM TO INTRODUCE ALL
MEMBERS OF HIS STAFF.
MR. WAINWRIGHT INTRODUCED HIS STAFF OF FOUR MEMBERS SEATED
ON THE PLATFORM: T. P. JONES; REV. H. D. PERRY; ANABEL P. MITCHELL;
DAVE BACIIIANAN.
CHAIRMAN LOY ASKED THAT ALL OTHER STAFF MEMBERS OF THE
DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS IN THE AUDIENCE PLEASE STAND UP. THIRTEEN
"ADDITIONAL STAFF MEMBERS STOOD UP.
CHAIRMAN LOY THEN COMMENTED THAT IN THE PAST OUR CITIZENS
HAD ALWAYS TREATED GUESTS IN A MOST COURTEOUS AND GRACIOUS MANNER.
MR. WAINWRIGHT WAS THEN ASKED WHY IT WAS NECESSARY TO SEND
EIGHTEEN MEMBERS OF THE DIVISION OF CORRECTION'S STAFF TO VERO BEACH
AT THIS TIME, AND WHY DID THEY NOT SEND THESE PEOPLE SEVERAL MONTHS
AGO? MR. WAINWRIGHT STATED THAT HE DID HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE HERE,
BUT 'APPARENTLY THERE WAS A LACK OF INFORMATION RELATIVE TO THIS.
HE ALSO STATED THAT GOVERNOR ASKEW AND SECRETARY KELLER WERE VERY
INTERESTED IN THE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION AND THAT THEY WERE CON-
TINUING TO MAKE PLANS BASED ON POPULATION INCREASES. UNDER THE NEW
PLAN THEY DID NOT INTEND TO BUILD ANY INSTITUTION LARGER THAN FOR
300 INMATES.
MR. WAINWRIGHT WAS THEN ASKED WHY THEY DID NOT BUILD ON
STATE OWNED LAND IN SAINT LUCIE COUNTY. HE ANSWERED THAT THE LAND
WAS REQUESTED, BUT THE BOARD OF REGENTS REFUSED TO GIVE IT TO THEM.
HE FURTHER SAID THAT SECRETARY KELLER DECIDED THAT THEY NEEDED LAND
IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, AND AT THIS POINT MR. WAINWRIGHT COMMENTED
THAT HE HAD NOT SEEN ANY FENCES BETWEEN THE COUNTY LINES:
MR. WAINWRIGHT TOLD REPRESENTATIVE CLEM THAT THERE WOULD
BE 20,000 INMATES SOON AT OUR PRESENT RATE, AND 58% WOULD BE UNDER
25 YEARS OF AGE. HE STATED IT WOULD BE A CAMPUS TYPE BUILDING WITH
DECORATIVE FENCES AND ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE TO KEEP ESCAPES TO A
MINIMUM. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE COST APPRAISALS WERE DONE BY VERY
RESPECTABLE APPRAISORS AND THAT THE PRICE IS A MOOT QUESTION. HE
FURTHER STATED THAT THE INSTITUTION WOULD HAVE MANY EFFECTS ON THE
COMMUNITY. THEY WOULD PARTICIPATE IN JAYCEE GROUPS, MARCH OF DIMES
AND BLOOD BANKS. THEY WOULD ALSO ENCOURAGE THEIR STAFF TO BECOME
A PART OF THE COMMUNITY, JOIN IN THE VARIOUS CLUBS, CHURCHES, AND
SO FORTH.
AT THIS TIME CHAIRMAN LOY STATED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO
HEAR FROM THE CITIZENS.
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IN THESE MINUTES REFLECT SOME OF
THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS DIRECTED AT BOTH THE DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS
AND THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BY SOME OF THE PERSONS WHO CHOSE TO SPEAK.
LARRY GRAHAM ASKED MR. WAINWRIGHT HOW LARGE A TASK FORCE
HE WOULD BRING TO VERO BEACH WHEN AN INMATE BROKE OUT AND TERRORIZED
OUR COMMUNITY.
MR. WAINWRIGHT STATED THAT AT APALACHICOLA, FLORIDA, THEY
HAD ONLY ONE BREAK-OUT IN ELEVEN YEARS.
JACK STINSON STATED THAT THIS MATTER HAS BEEN BEFORE THE
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PREVIOUSLY AND HE THOUGHT THEY WERE ALREADY
AWARE OF THE THINKING OF THE PEOPLE, THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN. THIS
INSTITUTION IS WITHOUT MERIT AND HE RESENTED A TASK FORCE BEING SENT
IN AND ALL THIS TAX MONEY BEING WASTED.
JOHN MORRISON STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COUPLE
OF -APPROPRIATE COMMENTS ON THE CON -GAME BEFORE US TONIGHT. HE FELT
THAT THERE HAS BEEN A MOST REMARKABLY INEPT HANDLING OF THIS MATTER
IN OUR COUNTY. IT IS WITHOUT CREDITABILITY. MR. MORRISON CONTINUED
THAT HE DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THE PENAL SYSTEM SHOULD USE SUCH
INTIMIDATION AND FURTHER WARNED THAT IN THIS COMMUNITY "A PUSH WILL
GET YOU A SHOVE." MR. MORRISON STATED HE RESENTED THIS STAFF IMPLYING
THAT OUR COUNTY OFFICIALS HAVE MISLEAD THE PUBLIC IN SOME WAY. THIS
IS NOT POSSIBLE WITH THE PRESS COVERAGE WE HAVE HERE. HE ALSO RESENTED
MR. WAINWRIGHT STATING THAT OUR PEOPLE WERE UNCHRISTIAN BEWSE WE
DID NOT WANT A HOOSEGOW IN OUR COMMUNITY. MR. MORRISON ALSO WONDERED
IF THE FACT THAT WE WERE A REPUBLICAN COUNTY HAD ANY BEARING ON THE
MATTER, AND HE WANTED TO KNOW WHY THIS PRISON COULD NOT BE BUILT ON
SOME OF THE PROPERTY AT JONATHAN DICKINSON STATE PARK. HE ALSO QUES-
TIONED WHY THE SUNSHINE LAW APPARENTLY DOES NOT APPLY ON A STATE LEVEL
AND CONTINUED THAT AT SUCH TIME AS IT BECOMES NECESSARY TO HAVE AN
INSTITUTION IN THIS COUNTY HE HOPED IT WOULD BE A VOCATIONAL TRAINING
CENTER.
MR. WAINWRIGHT REPLIED HE DID NOT INTEND TO TRAIN PEOPLE TO
PICK FRUIT.
LANDIS KETNER STATED THAT HE WAS CONCERNED THAT THIS IN-
STITUTION WOULD BE NEAR A NEW AIRPORT IN THE AREA.
MR. WAINWRIGHT STATED THAT MOST INSTITUTIONS HAVE THEIR
OWN AIR STRIP, AND THAT THERE ARE NO 18 TO 22 YEAR'_ OLD AIV IATORS.
JEAN MC CULLOUGH STATED THAT VERO BEACH IS A UNIQUE COMMUNITY,
AND WE LOVE IT. MANY OF THE -STABLE FAMILY TYPES ARE MOVING WITH THE
-GROWTH PATTERN TO THE SOUTHWEST PART OF THE COUNTY WHERE THIS IN-
STITUTION IS TO BE LOCATED. WE LIVE IN THIS AREA AND WE ARE LUCKY
TO HAVE THE COUNTY OFFICIALS THAT WE HAVE._ ALSO, WHY DIDN'T YOU
COME TO US FIRST?
ANNA McPRAVITT STATED THAT WE ARE IN FAVOR OF OUR COMMIS-
SIONERS AND REPRESENTATIVE CLEM AND ARE OPPOSED TO THIS INSTITUTION,
AND ASKED WHY CAN'T WE TURN IT DOWN.
'.: MR. WAINWRIGHT ANSWERED THAT THE BOARD OF REGENTS OWN THE
PROPERTY, NOT US.
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DAVID MEYERS STATED THAT THE CRUCIAL THING IS TO BE
HUMANISTIC AND REALISTIC.' HE ASKED IF THE EMPLOYEES WILL BE HIRED
LOCALLY OR WILL THEY BE EMPLOYED FROM TALLAHASSEE AND STATED IT
MIGHT GIVE US A SHOT IN THE ARM.
MR. WAINWRIGHT STATED THAT MOST WILL BE HIRED FROM THE
LOCAL AREA, NOTING THEY WERE PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN BLACKS. HE
SAID THAT 75 TO 80% OF THE EMPLOYEES WOULD BE FROM THE LOCAL AREA.
MR. MEYERS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THIS OBSERVA-
TION, "I AM ONLY SPEAKING FOR ME AND NOT FOR ALL BLACK PEOPLE."
WALLACE GOSSETT STATED THAT HE WAS HERE TO REPRESENT THE
YOUTH OF THIS COUNTY - FIRST WE NEED TO CHANGE THE ATTITUDE OF THESE
KIDS. HE WAS IN FAVOR OF THIS INSTITUTION STATING THAT IF HE HAD
A CHILD IN TROUBLE, HE WOULD LIKE TO GET SOMEONE TO COUNSEL HIM.
CHARLES TRUE STATED HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE YOUTH -
80% ARE REPEATERS. HE FELT THIS IS A FINE PROPOSITION AND WILL DO
FAR MORE THAN I CAN DO.
JOE EARMAN STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT
HE IS NOT A REPUBLICAN, BUT HE WOULD CALL IT LIKE IT IS. HE STATED
THAT HE IS CHAIRMAN OF THE GOVERNOR'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR INDIAN
RIVER COUNTY AND HAD TALKED TO THE GOVERNOR THIS MORNING. THE
CABINET WILL NOT MAKE THE DECISION WHERE THE FACILITY IS LOCATED.
THEY ONLY APPROPRIATE THE NECESSARY MONEY. THE QUESTION IS - DO THEY
WANT TO SPEND THE $200,000 PLUS? IT APPEARS THE GOVERNOR'S VOTE IS
LIKELY TO BE THE TIE-BREAKER. THE GOVERNOR IS EXTREMELY HONORABLE
AND HONEST, AND HE DOES PAY HIS INCOME TAXES. HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT
THIS VOTE. MR. EARMAN CONTINUED THAT HE WILL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR
OF FLORIDA JUST HOW HE SEES IT. "MY BACKGROUND IS SIMPLE. I AM
AGREEING WITH THE PROPONENTS AND THE OPPONENTS - WHY ARE WE BETTER
THAN ANYONE ELSE?" MR. EARMAN ADDRESSED HIS REMARKS TO THE STAFF
AND SAID, "YOUR MONEY DOES NOT RUN OUT FOR ELEVEN MONTHS. THERE
ARE MANY ACRES IN THIS PART OF FLORIDA. WE NEED FIRST, SECOND AND
THIRD ALTERNATIVES. WHAT IS YOUR HURRY?"
A WOMAN THEN INQUIRED IF THE PETITIONS HAD BEEN READ AND
IF THEY HAD LISTENED TO REPRESENTATIVE CLEM.
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JAN 61934 BOOK 19 na 04
MR. WAINWRIGHT STATED THAT THEY HAD READ THE PETITIONS,
AND THEY HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH:MR. CLEM,
BOB SCHLITT STATED HE HAS BEEN ON RECORD AS BEING IN FAVOR
OF THE FACILITY. IT IS ONE THING TO SAY WE SHOULD HAVE PRISON
REFORM AND ANOTHER TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
MR. WAINWRIGHT STATED THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE EITHER
SUPPORT THE INSTITUTION OR JUST DO NOT CARE. MANY OF THE PEOPLE
HE TALKED TO IN THE CLUBS THAT SENT IN PETITIONS SAY THAT THEY WERE
NOT CONTACTED.
MR. SCHLITT ASKED, "IF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY IS SUCCESSFUL
IN WORKING AGAINST THE INSTITUTION, WILL YOU STILL RECOMMEND IT TO
THE CABINETV
MR, WAINWRIGHT STATED, "I HAVE ALREADY DONE SO."
BACH NIELSEN APPEARED AND PRESENTED THE FOLLOWING RESOLU-
TION FROM THE CITY OF VERO BEACH.
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RESOLUTION NO. 2500
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Vero Beach, Florida has
been notified that•the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services,
Division of Corrections intends to purchase land and construct a 150 bed
prison for first time offenders in Indian River County, Florida, and
WHEREAS, said City Council is advised that the Board of County
Commissioners of Indian River County, Florida did conduct a public hearing
on November 7, 1973 regarding the proposal of the Division of Corrections
and did determine that the citizens of Indian River County do not wish a
prison to be constructed in this County for the following reasons:
(a) It would require the expenditure of several hundred thousand
dollars for .road construction as the proposed site is not on or
near a paved road.
(b) Adequate low or medium priced housing is not available in Indian
River. County and most of the proposed 97 employees would have to
find housing in St. Lucie County.
(c) Indian River County is not an urban county and the Florida Legislature
mandated that this prison be built in an urban area. .
(d) The prison would have a negative impact on the economy, population
and the tourist trade in Indian River County.
(e) Required local services of schools, hospitals and utilities are not
adequate to meet the prison's demands. This prison would create a
drain on the existing facilities within this County.
(f) The site location lies in an area of projected residential use and
would have a serious negative impact on surrounding land values.
(g) There is no guarantee that this facility would remain a 150 bed
' institution in view of the fact that there is 90 acres of land pro-
posed to be developed, and
WHEREAS, the Florida Cabinet must approve the expenditure of funds
•for this project,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VERO
BEACH that the location, construction and implementation. of a prison in Indian
River County by the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, Division
of Corrections of the State of Florida is opposed by the City Council of the
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JAN 1974 Book D eacE 06
City of Vero Beach, which Council requests the Governor and Cabinet to
deny the proposal of the'Division of Corrections to locate the said prison
in Indian River County and the expenditure of State funds for the purchase
of land needed for the location of the prison and further requests that the
Division of Corrections be ordered to carry out the mandate of the Legislature
of the -State of Florida by locating the prison in an urban area.
Further, be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Vero Beach
calls upon all citizens of the City and our legislative delegation to notify
the Governor and Cabinet that the City of Vero Beach does not want and does
not need a prison to be located within Indian River County, Florida.
CITY OF VERO BEACH, FLORIDA
BY Y",- ! lL
Arthur R. Neut%rger, , yor
Attest:?�Ci.�t i{ �t1 , u
Claire M.• Young, City leerrkR�ali 4-13
i
AN
81974 966 19 PACE 07
LLOYD BERNEGGER STATED THAT THE FOREGOING PROCLAMATION
JUST READ REPRESENTS THE,PULSE OF THE PEOPLE AND IS NOT IN CONCERT
WITH THE STATEMENTS MADE BY THE STAFF. LET IT NOT BE HERE - WE
HAVE ALL COME TO THIS COMMUNITY BECAUSE OF ITS CHARACTERISTICS.
HE STATED HE AGREED WITH MR. MORRISON'S STATEMENT - "IT MARES NO
SENSE."
REVEREND CARDIN STATED THAT WE HAVE NEGLECTED THE
CHAPLAINCY,
REVEREND PERRY, (A STAFF MEMBER) STATED THAT THERE ARE
MANY THINGS HE COULD SAY IN RESPECT TO THE QUESTION. ONE BIG THING
THAT HAS BEEN DONE IS THE PRINTING OF A SPECIAL CORRECTIONAL BIBLE.
HE STATED HE COULD GO ON TO TELL WHY HE LEFT A PARSONAGE OF OPEN
DOORS FOR ONE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.
J. B. EGAN APPEARED AND PRESENTED THE FOLLOWING LETTER
FROM THE VERO BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
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ERC E_ .- F .. .. _ .
1216. 27ST ST REF• F.
C:c
13.'x° .i 7_zi4n:
TO: Members of the Florida Cabinet
Members of Indian River County State Legislative Delegation
Members of Indian River County Commission
SUBJECT: Youthful First Offender Prison_
The Vero Beach -Indian River County Chamber of Commerce, at a regular
Board of Directors meeting November 13, 1973, adopted a resolution in
opposition to the construction of a 150 bed youthful first offender prison
in Indian River County. The Board took such action based on information
it obtained from a meeting of the Indian River County Commission at which
Vern Thornton of the office of Health and Rehabilitation, Division of Cor-
rections, made a proposal regarding such a facility. In its resolution,
the Chamber stated the following three reasons for the opposition:
1- Indian River County is not an urban County and the Florida
Legislature mandated that this prison be constructed in an
urban area;
2- The prison would have a negative impact on the economy,
population, and the tourist business in Indian River County;
3- It would require the expenditure of tax dollars for road con-
sttuction as the proposed site is not on or near a paved road.
On January 8, 1974, the Executive Committee of the Vero Beach -Indian
River County Chamber of Commerce met with representatives of the office
of Health and Rehabilitation, Division of Corrections, and discussed the
proposed facility with them. As a result of that meeting, the Chamber of
Commerce reaffirmed its resolution in opposition to the prison facility.
At the January meeting, two other areas of opposition were stressed by
the Chamber:
1- The price of the land is too high, especially when there is
land owned by the State of Florida within the tri -county area
of Martin -St. Lucie -Indian River Counties (the area in which
the State agency desires to locate the prison) which would
be suitable for the facility;
2- The Indian River County Planning Board will have to revise its
land use plans for the county and will lose valuable time and
considerable finances by so doing. The Chamber feels that the
State should have consulted with the county planner and learned
of the overall county proposed master land.use plan before taking
any action for a facility in the area.
f g f:
Respectfully submitted,
VERO BEACH -INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
W'an, III
President
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. _ _.----
MR. WAINWRIGHT STATED HE WISHED TO MAKE CLEAR THAT THE
LEGISLATURE MANDATED AN URBAN AREA FOR THE INSTITUTION.
REPRESENTATIVE CLEM STATED THAT LOCAL PEOPLE WILL NOT BE
HIRED HERE NECESSARILY - DON'T BE MISLEAD DOWN THIS PATH. HE ASKED,
"WOULDN'T IT BE BETTER TO HAVE IT IN DADE COUNTY?" MR. CLEM CON-
TINUED THAT THE MANDATE OF THE LEGISLATURE WAS NOT WHAT MR. WAINWRIGHT
STATED. IT WAS TO QUIT PUTTING THE CRIMINALS OF LARGE CITIES IN
SMALL COUNTIES. WHAT THE LEGISLATION INTENDED WAS DEFINITELY NOT TO
HAVE THEM IN SMALLER COUNTIES SUCH AS INDIAN RIVER COUNTY.
CHAIRMAN LOY THEN ASKED ALL THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT
WERE OPPOSED TO PLEASE STAND UP. BETTER THAN TWO-THIRDS OF THE PEOPLE
STOOD UP. THE CHAIRMAN THEN ASKED THE CITIZENS WHO WERE FOR IT TO
STAND UP. LESS THAN ONE-THIRD STOOD UP, INCLUDING THE THIRTEEN MEM-
BERS OF THE STAFF FROM TALLAHASSEE.
JERRY KRAMER STATED THAT HE IS A RESIDENT OF THIS COUNTY
AND HE ASKED MR. WAINWRIGHT, "WOULDN'T LOGIC DICTATE THAT THE
INSTITUTION SHOULD BE LOCATED IN A MORE CENTRAL LOCATION OF THE
ENTIRE DISTRICT INSTEAD OF THE NORTHERNMOST COUNTY?"
MR. WAINWRIGHT STATED,WE ARE PUTTING ONE IN DADE AND BROWARD
COUNTIES. WE FELT IT REASONABLE TO PLACE IT HERE. IF WE THOUGHT IT
LOGICAL TO PLACE THIS ONE THERE, WE WOULD HAVE DONE SO, BUT WE DID
NOT HIVE THE BENEFIT OF SOME OF THE EXPERTS HERE. WE THOUGHT WE HAD
THE BEST PLANNING.
MR. KRAMER STATED,'"'YOU HAVE NOT STUDIED AND YOU HAVE NO
LOGIC. DIDN'T YOU JUST WANT TO SPEND YOUR MONEY BEFORE YOU LOST IT?"
MR. WAINWRIGHT STATED THAT MR. KRAMER WAS ENTITLED TO HIS
OPINION, BUT THEY HAVE LOOKED AT LAND IN THREE COUNTIES.
MR. KRAMER STATED HE THOUGHT THIS WAS MISLEADING.
SUSAN SPINAGLE ASKED REPRESENTATIVE CLEM WHY SHOULD WE TAKE
PRIME LAND? THERE IS LAND AT BLUE CYPRESS LAKE. REPRESENTATIVE
CLEM STATED THAT THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS THE POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN
AND CAN TAKE LAND ANYWHERE THEY WANT.
CAROL SHERMAN ASKED WHAT IS NEEDED FOR A PRISON IN THIS AREA?
HOW MANY DO WE SEND TO PRISON? THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE TAKEN A
SHAMEFUL POSITION.
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JAN 8 1974 0oax 19 PacE 10
CLAUDE HUDSON ASKED HOW LONG BEFORE THE OTHER PRISONS
GET OVERCROWDED AND YOU,WILL SEND THEM ON HERE?
DAVE BACHMAN STATED IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO SAY. THE
LEGISLATURE MANDATED THIS PROGRAM.
JACK TAYLOR, REPRESENTING THE TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION, STATED
THAT THEY INDICATED THEY OPPOSED THE PRISON BY PETITION. HE THEN
ASKED HOW MANY OF THE 56 PRISONERS WERE YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS.
MR. BACHMAN STATED HE DID NOT KNOW AND APOLOGIZED.
MR.TAYLOR STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO MENTION OF MARTIN
COUNTY, THE AREA OF JONATHAN DICKINSON STATE PARK - WHY HASN'T
THIS BEEN CONSIDERED?
MR. WAINWRIGHT STATED THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY MADE A SURVEY,
AND IT IS NOT AVAILABLE.
MR. TAYLOR THEN ASKED WHY COULDN'T WE GO TO THE POLLS. IT
WOULD BE A LOT CHEAPER THAN BRINGING YOUR PEOPLE HERE.
CHAIRMAN LOY ANSWERED THAT WE ARE FACED WITH A TIME SCHEDULE
AND THEY ARE, T00, BUT THIS COMMISSION WOULD TAKE THEIR CHANCES ON
A STUDY FOR THE BEST POSSIBLE PLACE TO PUT THESE FACILITIES. THE
CHAIRMAN TEEN ASKED WHAT WAS THE CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION AND WHERE
IS THE STUDY? JUST BECAUSE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY DOES NOT HAVE AN
INSTITUTION, I CANNOT ACCEPT THIS AS A REASON.
NANCY O'DONALD STATED THAT SHE HAS WORKED WITH THE RETARDED
AND THE HANDICAPPED, AND SAID, "IF I WERE IN A LARGER AREA, I WOULD
ASK TO HAVE IT HERE. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE LOCATED CLOSER TO THE
FAMILIES INVOLVED. YOU NEED FAMILY INVOLVEMENT FOR THIS."
COMMISSIONER SIEBERT STATED THAT THEY MAY NOT KNOW HOW
MANY YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS INDIAN RIVER COUNTY HAS, BUT WE DO. THE
ANSWER IS THAT WE HAVE FOUR.
COMMISSIONER BOGOSIAN STATED HE HAS HEARD A LOT OF QUES-
TIONS, BUT HE HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY ANSWERS. HE ASKED WHAT POPULATION
CRITERIA DO THEY USE? HOW MANY FELONS FROM DADE COUNTY DO YOU HAVE
IN STATE PRISONS?
MR. WAINWRIGHT STATED, "SIX HUNDRED FORTY-NINE."
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BOOK FACE 11
CHAIRMAN LOY STATED THAT WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PROUD OF.
OUR COMMUNITY AND WE HAVE'ALWAYS DONE MORE THAN OUR SHARE AS
FOLLOWS:
Y. WE HAVE THE DESIGNATED RECEIVING CENTER AND REHABILITATION
PROGRAM FOR ALCOHOLICS FOR THE FOUR COUNTY AREA: MARTIN,
OKEECHOBEE, ST. LUCIE, AND INDIAN RIVER, UNDER THE NEW MEYERS
ACT.
2. WE HAVE FOR MANY YEARS SUPPORTED THE PIONEER OCCUPATIONAL CENTER
IN STUART, FLORIDA, AS THEY HAVE THE FACILITIES AND THE PROGRAMS
TO ASSIST OUR HANDICAPPED IN PREPARING FOR A USEFUL AND MEAN-
INGFUL LIFE.
3. THIS COUNTY HAS AND IS A STRONG SUPPORTER OF PREVENTIVE PROGRAMS.
MOST OF THESE ENDEAVORS ARE SUPPORTED HEAVILY BY PRIVATE CONTRI-
BUTIONS.
IN THE AREA OF DRUG REHABILITATION:
A. THE T.I.P. PROGRAM SUPPORTED BY PUBLIC FUNDS THROUGH THE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
B. THE AMICUS AND SEED PROGRAMS - HEAVILY SUBSCRIBED BY PRIVATE
CONTRIBUTIONS.
C. THE LITTLE KNOWN - LOGUS PROGRAM FOR REHABILITATION OF FORMER
DRUG USERS - ENDORSED BY LOCAL OFFICIALS AND COMPLETELY
SUPPORTED BY PRIVATE FUNDS.
D. OUR SCHOOLS HAVE PROGRAMS FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL CHILD. THIS
IS NOT ONLY FOR THE DISCIPLINE PROBLEM YOUNGSTER, BUT FOR
THE HANDICAPPED AS WELL.
E. THE NEW INDIAN RIVER YOUTH GUIDANCE PROGRAM. THIS IS PRI-
MARILY FINANCED BY THE STATE IN COOPERATION WITH THE COUNTY.
THIS PROGRAM WE FEEL WILL PRODUCE THE DESIRED EFFECT OF PRE-
VENTION OF A LIFE OF CRIME, AT VERY LITTLE EXPENSE TO THE
TAXPAYERS.
F. THE SHILOH YOUTH RANCH AND THE LIFE FOR YOUTH RETREAT ARE
BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLES OF WHAT INDIAN RIVER COUNTY IS DOING TO
TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN AND OTHERS.
G. THE CITY OF VERO BEACH RECREATION PROGRAM, THE NEW PUBLIC
SUPPORTED Y.M.C.A. BUILDING AND EXPANDING PROGRAM. SMALL
BUT EFFECTIVE RECREATION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN MANY OF
OUR CHURCHES.
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JAN 8 1974
PRE
��
THESE ARE PERFECT EXAMPLES OF ACTIVE COMMUNITY,PARTICI-
PATION IN PREVENTIVE PROGRAMS.
JUNIOR WILLFORD STATED THAT IT WOULD.BE BETTER IF YOU
WOULD DO A BETTER JOB WITH REPEATERS.
MR. WAINWRIGHT STATED THAT THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO DO A
MORE EFFECTIVE JOB.
VAL BRENNAN, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY PLANNING DIRECTOR, POINTED
OUT THAT THIS WAS IN OUR AGRICULTURAL ZONE, AND IT WOULD TEND TO
CHANGE OUR MASTER PLAN. BECAUSE OF THIS, IT WOULD ENCOURAGE URBAN
DEVELOPMENT AROUND IT. HE SUGGESTED THAT THEY COME UP WITH THREE
DIFFERENT SITES IN MARTIN COUNTY, ST. LUCIE COUNTY AND THIS SITE.
MR. WAINWRIGHT STATED THAT THEY HAD EXPLORED THESE SITES.
MR. BFEMN REMARKED THAT THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT MANNER
OF PLANNING THAN WE DO.
COMMISSIONER MASSEY POINTED OUT THAT THE BOARD OF REGENTS
HAD REFUSED THEM LAND IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY AND ASKED, "CAN'T YOU
FIND ANY OTHER LAND IN THE THREE OTHER COUNTIES?"
MR. WAINWRIGHT REPLIED THAT THEY HAVE LOOKED AT TEN PIECES
OF LAND.
REV. LUNDY QUESTIONED THE PRISON SYSTEM ITSELF, AND ASKED
WILL HOMOSEXUALS BE SENT WITH THE YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS AND WILL THE
PRISON BE OPENED TO HARDENED CRIMINALS.
MR. WAINWRIGHT ANSWERED, "NO."
ARTHUR FRIEND, REPRESENTING THE VERO BEACH ASSOCIATION,
APPEARED AND PRESENTED THE FOLLOWING LETTER:
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JAN 8 1974 ,.
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P.O. BOX 338: - VERO BEACH FLORIDA - 32-960
hove.:ber 15, 1973
Hon. Reubin O.D. Askew
Governor of the State of Florida
The Capitol
Tallahassee, Florida 32304
Dear Governor Askew:
Our Association ne:~bership of approximately two thousand
property c niers and taxpayers of Indian River County strongly
supports enclosed ?csoluticn ::o. 73-71 of..Indian River County
Board of County Com issi-- ers cpposing construction of a pri-
son facility in our Co.,nty. 1.e once you to reject any such
recor.-s;.endation by the division of corrections.
Respectfully,
Ralph W. Edm. stop
Secretary
.+
cc: Hon. Richard Stone
Hon. Thomas O'Malley
Hon. Robert S^coir.
Hon. Fred O. Dicklr.son
Hon. Floyd Christian
Hon. Russell E% Sykes
407 - 25th Street
West Palm Beach, Fla. 33407
RWE/kw
Hon. Philin D. Lewis
P. O.• Box 9726
Riveria Beach, Fla. 33404
lion. Thomas H. Johnson
Suite 101
2139 Pala Beach Lake Bl -d.
West Palrt Beach, & la. 33 401
Hon. Chester E. Clem
P. 0. Box 3579
Beach Station.
Vero Beac:., Fla. 32960
I BA ... An Or_auization of Iiomeni nerc of Cite of Vero Beach and Indian River Count•
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BIDK . PAGE 14
ALBIN CRUTCHFIELD STATED THAT BASED ON MORAL, ETHICAL
AND RELIGIOUS GROUNDS WE NEED IT, BUT WHERE? IF YOU ARE TO BE
SENSITIVE TO OUR FEELINGS YOU WILL NOT PUT IT HERE. ARE YOU SENSI-
TIVE TO THE MAJORITY OF THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTY? WHERE IS YOUR
INDICATED SUPPORT FROM THIS COMMUNITY?
MR. WAINWRIGHT STATED THAT HE HAD MADE HIS RECOMMENDATION
TO THE CABINET BUT WAS NOT YET READY TO MARE A REPORT ON COMMUNITY
SUPPORT.
MR. WAINWRIGHT THEN SAID THAT HE WOULD TERMINATE HIS
COMMENTS AND THANKED THE PEOPLE FOR THEIR COURTESY.
REPRESENTATIVE CLEM RECOMMENDED THAT WE CONTACT THE
GOVERNOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CABINET. HE STATED THAT HE DID NOT
BELIEVE THAT THEY (THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION) HAVE THE VOTES OR
THEY WOULD NOT SEND EIGHTEEN OF THEIR HIGHEST PAID MEN TO VERO BEACH.
REPRESENTATIVE CLEM FURTHER STATED THAT HE DID NOT APPROVE OF THE
PROCEDURE OF SENDING THESE PEOPLE DOWN HERE AND PRESSURING US,
HE SAID, "THIS WILL NOT BE AN INSTITUTION FOR INDIAN RIVER COUNTY;
IT IS FOR ALL OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA. LET'S PUT IT WHERE IT BELONGS."
CHAIRMAN LOY THEN THANKED EVERYONE AND ADJOURNED THE -
MEETING AT 11:00 P.M.
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JAN 8 1974oK iu Mci 15