Published: August 13, 2007 01:08 am      

ORLEANS COUNTY: Bower presents 'state of the county' address, rundown of projects

ALBION — There are a lot of things happening in Orleans County, and to keep residents informed the League of Women Voter’s held an annual State of the County address Saturday morning.

The speaker, Orleans County Legislature Chairman George Bower, spoke in regard to the upcoming Orleans County Jail project, the status of the Orleans County Nursing Home project as well as several other undertakings in the area.

“We think it opens it up to a wider venue so more people are encouraged to part and attend,” said Gabrielle Barone, president of the League of Women Voter’s.

According to Bower, taxpayer money would be the only way to construct a new jail facility because there is no state aid available.

“The jail is going to cost tax payers close to $30 million,” Bower said. “There’s not one cent of help.”

Building a new jail facility is inevitable, Bower said, because the existing facility contains water damage and no longer meets state requirements. They also can no longer buy new locks for the doors because they are outdated.

According to Bower the county cannot afford to board out all of their inmates at upwards of $150 per person. The jail is overcrowded as it is, with six men at the jail in Genesee County.

“The current facility has to be torn down,” Bower said. “It was not built very good. We have to rebuild the jail for the future.”

Four areas in Albion are being considered for the new facility, which will resemble a school, Bower said. There will not be an outdoor area or basketball court for the inmates.

The county is currently working with the state to compromise on a 116-bed facility, Bower said. The building will be designed so that podular units can easily be added on should there be a need for additional beds later on.

“You’re going to see that start to move forward quickly,” Bower said. “We are making progress. Hopefully before year’s end we’ll know more.”

The $8 million nursing home project is also coming along, Bower said. It was recently renamed The Villages of Orleans and the community is invited to suggest names for each of the four wings.

The sprinkler systems are in and the painting is almost complete. Some of the floors had to be completely replaced due to asbestos.

“This is dedicated to the residents and the staff,” Bower said. “It’s a service we give our people. It’s a great facility.”

Bower said all of the space has been devoted to the residents with 78 new beds. Part of the facility was paid for with a $600,000 state grant.

The animal shelter was moved to an old kennel within the last year, Bower said. An adoption program is in place and volunteers will work at the shelter twice a week.

“Something had to be done quickly because it was not fit for animals,” Bower said. “We put less than $15,000 into it and now we have a great animal shelter.”

Orleans County resident Gary Kent said he would like to see the county focus on youth drug abuse and violence prevention strategies to prevent crime before it happens.

“I’d like to see that pushed a little more,” Kent said. “To increase the focus on youth and be a counterbalance.”

Bower said the implementation of an Orleans County drug task force has been relatively successful and has resulted in “a lot of drug arrests.” Sales tax revenues have been high this year due to the new Wal-Mart Supercenter.

If there are any questions about the state of the county residents can ask Bower directly, he said.

“I represent a lot of people,” Bower said. “I’m out there in the open, I’m not hiding anywhere.”

Contact reporter Nicole Coleman at 798-1400, ext. 2227.