The Fayette County Commission wants to spend over $60 million of taxpayers money to expand our jail from 75 beds to one that holds 459 inmates. The jail will take in 65 acres of real estate in downtown Fayetteville; it will dramatically alter the character of the town we love. It will burden us all with additional taxes. If newspaper accounts are correct, the commission may do this without a public vote. They have made up their minds on this one. They have already bought the land for it!

This new jail will hurt our property values, increase our taxes, and destroy the small-town charm that is the hallmark of Fayetteville. It is a bad idea. As we think back over the past election, we remember campaign promises to limit growth. Perhaps we need to remind our county commission that a mandate for “slow growth” in the private sector, does not give a green light for “high growth” in the government sector.

Enclosed is the petition signed by the Homeowners Association of The Woodlands. We are in opposition to this jail. We fear that in the absence of strong, grassroots opposition, we the taxpayers will be saddled with yet another unwanted burden.

We ask the commission to please, slow down, listen to the public, and drop this unnecessary boondoggle.

Steve Enterkin
The Woodlands Homeowners Association

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