Kemms donate five acres for proposed Vernon County jail

An aerial map of Nevada and Vernon County shows the site Russ and Joy Kemm wish to donate for a proposed Vernon County jail, located south of Champion Diamonds. County officials said the donation could be very helpful in meeting the county's goal of constructing a new jail. A law enforcement sales tax issue is slated to appear on the April ballot for voter consideration. The Kemms announced their intention at the Vernon County Courthouse on Wednesday afternoon. Infrastructure such as a road and sewer service would have to be constructed to the site in order to accommodate a jail.

By Steve Moyer

Nevada Daily Mail

Nevada City Council member Russell Kemm and his wife, Joy, donated five acres of land for the proposed new Vernon County Jail.

The site is located south of Champion Diamonds, which the Kemms own.

Several people were on hand when the Kemms went before the Vernon County Commission to announce the donation; the Kemms, Harlan Moore, Bill McGuire, Dr. Jason Meisenheimer, Circuit Court Judge James Bickel, Jeanie Longstreth and Jim Wilson.

Presiding Commissioner Bonnie McCord said she thought the Kemms should be praised for their actions.

"I think the Kemms should get high levels of praise for this donation," McCord said. "This is a great help to our efforts."

McCord said the Kemms made the donation partly because of the high esteem they have for Vernon County Sheriff Ron Peckman.

"Dr. Kemm said he has a lot of respect for our sheriff," McCord said. "A lot of respect for the good job he and his deputies do and that they deserved a better place to work."

Northern Commissioner Neal Gerster said the commission is looking for help to build a road to the new site.

"We are seeking grants for an outer road along 71 to the proposed site," Gerster said. "We hope to get some help from the I-49 corridor coalition since this would be part of that."

In addition to the road the site would also need water and sewer hookups. Gerster said that was a joint project.

"We have a bid from the city for sewer costs," Gerster said. "They estimate that it would cost $185,000. It would be a city-county joint project."

Southern Commissioner Kennon Shaw said he appreciated citizens like the Kemms helping the county with its needs.

"It's nice that we have citizens willing to do something like this," Shaw said. "We need to have the involvement of more people like the Kemms."

Editor's note: Vernon County Citizens for Law Enforcement are conducting an public, informal reception to provide citizens with information about the law enforcement sales tax and related issues, noon-2 p.m., at Greenfield's Harvest House restaurant, Nevada. Information about the site and other issues will be availaible.