Letter to the Editor

Jail permit fees raises concern

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Dear editor:

I have read and reread the astonishing front page article in the Feb. 20 paper with the deplorable excuses that Nevada City Council members, Bill Gillette, Mike Hutchens, and Russ Kemm offer for denying a waiver of the $24,782 building permit fee for the construction of the new jail. I read something along time ago that said something like this: "about 90 percent of the miseries and evils that assail man, are caused by people wanting to feel important."

Kinda explains the Nevada City Council.

Councilman Gillette is quoted as saying "They just don't want to pay it."

Probably the most truthful statement of the meeting. Of course the tax payers of this county do not want additional, unnecessary, unjustifiable and time-consuming expenses associated with a very badly needed jail that an overwhelming majority of all Vernon County voted for. I am of the opinion that a building permit costing $24,782 is outrageous and will do absolutely nothing, but increase the cost of the new jail. Obviously, the city council has found another way to justify their self importance by extorting money from the taxpayers.

Mr. McGuire offers the lame excuse that "it takes time to review plans ... and make sure the project meets the city codes." This costs $24,782? This is shameful excessive unjustifiable greed. I confess I know nothing about jumping through the hoops that small-town bureaucrats erect. I am uninformed and ignorant of what an architect and a bonded construction company do.

Of course Mr. McCaffree can find no authority, precedent or lawful excuse to waive this $24,782 fee. Vernon County has never constructed a jail before. Yes, there will be a fuss of "disparate treatment" if the city waived a fee for this very much needed public works project.

How about an ordinance to address this problem. In the future, fee waivers will be granted only to jails. If the city is so politically correct that they must have a building permit fee, how about $1. Or, how about the city paying the county $24,782 to house their city prisoners, as the county has already done for years.

Adding to the cowardly behavior of these elected officials, they have the audacity to seek a lease extension from the county for the community center. I think $24,782 plus interest would be a fair sum for the city to pay for this lease extension.

My advice: Put on your big boy pants and do what you were elected to do, Deal With It.

Janie Claflin

Sheldon