Carroll County voters will go to the polls on July 10 to cast their opinion on a proposed state prison for the county. In February, the county commission voted to send the measure to the voters of Carroll County instead of making the decision themselves. On July 10, voters will cast their ballots in a "non-binding" referendum that reads, "Should a state prison be located in Carroll County" with the voter selecting either "for" or "against."

Huntingdon has become ground zero on the issue. The mentioned site of the prison is Huntingdon Industrial Park-North, just off State Route 22 between Huntingdon and McKenzie. However, the referendum mentions no specific site in Carroll County. Signs signaling both sides of the issue now litter the county. The proponents of the prison are touting the additional jobs the prison will bring to the county. Those persons opposing the prison are touting the undesirable persons and the added fear for safety that a prison will bring to the community.

Two single measure committees have formed. Frank Burns of Huntingdon is heading the committee called "Vote Yes For Jobs" and Bridget Hayes of Huntingdon is listed as the chairman and treasurer of "Carroll County Citizens Against a Prison."

The proposed facility will house 1,676 inmates: 300 will be minimum security; 1,280 will be medium security; and 96 will be high custody. It will be state-owned and state-operated and will provide 440 jobs with an annual payroll of $11 million. According to pay scales at the state prison in Lake County, the starting correctional officer earns $1618 monthly plus 28 percent benefits including State-paid 80 percent of Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance, 12 paid holidays, annual leave that accumulates by one day per month, and sick days that accumulate one day per month. Food service workers start at $1431 per month and the least pay is $1100 monthly for some clerical positions. State employees also receive longevity pay of $100 for each year of service after three years. Other benefits include free college and vocational classes for employees and reduced price tuition for employees and their dependants and a retirement program that is fully funded by the State.

The prison labor also provides free labor to governmental and non-profit agencies. In Tiptonville, inmates have constructed a Little League field, worked on the community library and county jail, worked on churches and the National Guard. In Weakley County, state prison inmates from Tiptonville helped with the construction of the new county jail.

During a recent interview with the editor of the Lake County newspaper, the editor said he was against the prison coming into the county, however, his parents supported the prison. It has not been as bad as he originally thought nor as good as his parents originally thought. Almost every family in Lake County has someone employed at the prison, the editor stated.

Opponents have cited they do not want prisoners who have limited supervision running loose in their community. In recent letters to the editor of this newspaper, opponents indicated that the prison will create a stigma of a "prison community" which will damage future industrial, residential, and business development. The fear of undesirable visitors to the prison's inmates has also been cited as a reason to vote "no" on the referendum.

Bob Williams of Huntingdon said the prison matter is a "quality of life issue." A prison will "forever change the area as we grew up knowing it." Williams said a prison will increase AIDS in the community and illegal drug traffic because the drugs will be smuggled in to inmates. "A prison town is no Mayberry."

Prisons are a revolving door for prisoners. Approximately 400 will be released annually of which one-half will again be incarcerated within three years, said Williams. A prison also creates a negative social stigma among outsiders. Williams said he doubts that a prison will help recruit any new industries.

Although it has been stated that the Carroll County Jail houses a limited number of state prisoners, Williams said that the 111 inmate capacity at the county jail no way compares to the 1,700 hardened criminals at a state prison.

Prison work is very stressful and creates a high turnover rate. The annual turnover rate ranges from 30 to 50 percent annually, said Williams.

What's good for one community is good for all communities. What's bad for one community is bad for all communities, said Williams.

Frank Burns thinks differently. "This is a goldmine of jobs that we so desperately need." He noted the closing of HIS in Bruceton and Trezevant, Carhartt in McKenzie, WSW in Atwood, and Thomas Bradford Shirt in Huntingdon. The prison would provide more than 400-plus jobs create many more jobs to service the prison. The Department of Correction has 85 to 90 percent of those jobs will go to people in the area, said Burns.

Stories of killers, thieves, and crime spread by the opponents of the prison are inaccurate, said Burns. "The real killer is unemployment of 1,200" said Burns. Suicide is projected to be 23 persons this year in Carroll County, compared with previous years averaging three. A recent suicide of a 39-year-old man is directly related to unemployment, according to Burns. Other surrounding counties still have low suicide rates, said Burns.
 

There has been some talk about the prison locating in Henry County near McKenzie if Carroll County rejects it. Burns said the Henry County site is no longer being considered. "The Henry County site is dead, according to my sources," said Burns.

Last week, Burns mailed a newsletter to each and every registered vote in the county. Burns said "this is a once in a lifetime opportunity" for voters to decide if a major employer will locate in their community. If voter turnout is substantial, Burns predicts that it will be a close election.

Steve Hayes with the Department of Correction said that inmates must have a release plan. The plan, in most cases, includes a place to live and employment and must be approved by the Board of Probation and Parole. If those requirements are met, the department will then provide the inmate with a bus ticket and transportation to the nearest bus depot unless he or she has private transportation available.

For election night returns, visit www.mckenziebanner.com. We will post the results as they become available.
 

The night skies will light up on July 4 at McKenzie Recreation Park and downtown McLemoresville, as those cities celebrate Independence Day with separate fireworks shows.

The City of McKenzie decided to sponsor only the fireworks show this year and forego other activities, since the holiday falls on a weekday, said City Recorder Dana Deem. The show is expected to last approximately 30 minutes and offer an array of colorful displays. Plenty of free parking will be available near the tennis courts at the park entrance. Concessions will be available in the park area.

McLemoresville events will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a parade through downtown. Line-up will begin at 5:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church. Everyone is invited to decorate a vehicle or yourself and join in the festivities.

McLemoresville Fire Department will be selling grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, along with homemade ice cream.

Beginning at 8:00 p.m. Donald Higdon and The Right Combination Band will perform for a street dance in the downtown area.

The annual fireworks show will begin at dark. Mayor Phil Williams and the citizens of McLemoresville invite everyone to come out and join in the fun.
  

WAJJ FM radio is now on the air providing Christian hit music on a 24-hour basis. The station with the assigned frequency of 89.7 FM began broadcasting in mid-June from a 1000-watt transmitter located on the Charter (Cable) tower in McKenzie.

"We are really excited about McKenzie," said Darrell Gibson of Heartland Ministries, who holds the broadcast license. Gibson said the broadcast can reach all of Carroll County, Gleason, Dresden, and a small portion of Henry County.

The station originated after some local residents approached Heartland Ministries of Hardin, Kentucky about bringing Christian radio to the area. Rusty Newman of McKenzie is one local person who led the effort to bring the non-commercial broadcast to the area. Newman and others began their fund-raising efforts over two years ago to bring the station to McKenzie. "I'm glad it's finally here," said Newman, who added that the broadcast will be geared to young people. "It's a much needed ministry."

Newman gives credit to Brother Dennis Trull and John Wright for assisting him in raising $10,000 to get the station operational. The license was granted on Good Friday, April 17, 2000 -over one year ago.

WAJJ must abide by the same rules as a Public Broadcast Station. It will have no commercials or advertisements. The station depends on donations from businesses, churches, and individuals to sustain it. The station will conduct one to two fund-raising drives each year, said Gibson. The names of contributing businesses are mentioned as underwriters during radio broadcasts. "We recognize the businesses so that listeners will know," said Gibson. Speaking on relying on donations alone, Gibson said, "The Lord has met our needs - every need we have had."

WAJJ's studio is located in Hardin, Kentucky and will simulcast with WAAJ 89.7 FM. They will be known as the "J" stations. Although the studio is located in Kentucky, Gibson said "it is just as much McKenzie." He encouraged local listeners to call toll-free 1-888-461-9225 to request music or provide information on activities of non-profit organizations. Much of the daytime broadcasts will be produced in the studio while night broadcasts will originate from satellite.

"It matters what you listen to," said Gibson. The station's broadcast is based on Phillipines 4:8, concluded Gibson.

WAJJ comes at a time when WHDM AM 1440, formerly in McKenzie, has gone off the air.