What a difference a couple of weeks make. The Mayor of Mitchell had released a letter at the end of May asking the Prison Task force to consider his community for the site of a new men’s prison:
The proposal is still in early stages, but when asked Hanson what he wants to see, both from the state and from his own community as the proposal moves forward.
“If the state is very serious about our location, I want to talk about it seriously, because I don’t want to get the community of Mitchell divided about a possible prison that there’s no serious possibility of coming to our town,” said Hanson.
and..
As a final thought on the matter for the day, Hanson wanted to share his opinion that Mitchell is likely one of the best locations for this project, or for any other large facility.
And now.. on second thought, now can’t run from it quickly enough:
On the heels of the Davison County Sheriff coming out against the facility in the area, Mitchell’s Mayor Jordan Hanson, who once lobbied for the prison, is now firmly against it.
and..
Looking back, I recognize I was too focused on the potential economic benefits, and not focused enough on the emotional, social, and long-term financial impact this project could have on the families who make Mitchell the town it is today.
and..
So today, I am making my position clear: effective immediately, I do not and will not support this proposed prison project in the Mitchell Community.
Glad to see nothing ever changes in politics.
Are we up to 3 billion in projected costs on the project yet?
It’s almost like there will be a vocal minority of NIMBY’s for any project anywhere, and the government just needs to make a decision. There are no solutions, only tradeoffs.
Absolutely correct. Everyone wants the jobs. Nobody wants the prison. The can will never stopped being kicked down the road.
I wouldn’t vote for him again if I was on either side of the issue.
Mitchell is a good location. It would do great things for the community.
Can you imagine how Bill Janklow would have handled this prison debate?
Janklow would announce where it was going and break the will of any opposition. Maybe if Noem was still Governor that would have happened, but Rhoden too nice a person to take that approach.
Mitchell is the best choice of those discussed.
Maybe we should look at a site that two separate consultants said was the best location, already has 60MM put into it, and is next to the largest population center in the state. If only something like that existed.
That would make sense, but sense seems to be in short supply in South Dakota politics at the moment.
That’s crazy talk Jake, don’t go using logic when trying to govern. Aside from the money already spent on the Lincoln site the state had already set aside most of the money for the project with the goal of not borrowing any funds and risking our AAA credit rating. Currently leadership and Mob mentality just want to blow everything up.
Mob rule seems to be the order of the day. Whoever yells the loudest wins.
Pathetic leadership.
There is an empty modern prison just across the border in Minnesota. It may need a few updates but the city of Appleton and region would love for it to re-open. Those are good paying Union jobs.
The Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton, Minnesota is owned by CoreCivic, formerly known as Corrections Corporation of America. The facility, which can hold 1,600 inmates, is the only privately-owned prison in Minnesota. It closed in 2010 and has been vacant since then
Janklow would have annexed Appleton into South Dakota by now. But seriously, that sounds like a great solution but I doubt South Dakota pride would allow it to happen. Plus, I’m sure the consultants will say it will cost a billion dollars or so to rehab the facility.
Here’s another thought. Instead of putting more people in prison than terrible countries do, return to community corrections and rehabilitation. Just the very worst go to the big, beautiful prison. Nah.
Team Hansen for the win!
We will stop every project in its tracks, mark my words.
That young mayor seems at odds with many in the Mitchell Town, and was talking out of his arse on a blogging podding that I believe Mr. PP may have hosted. That young mayor has his job now in jeopardy. That young mayor has much to walk back, and lessons to learn.
The Sheriff too. Elections loom. grudznick’s friends in Mitchell are pretty angry about now. Let Huron step back up next, and let the committee backtrack yet again.
Why would anyone want to be governor right now?