Mandan wants new prison
by Gordon Weixel
phone: 250-8255 or
gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com
http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2007/02/21/news/local/129154.txt
While realizing a new state penitentiary is a hot topic among state legislators, the
Mandan City Commission is requesting its city be considered as a possible site if a
new facility is built.
At Tuesday's meeting of the city commission, Commissioner Dan Ulmer, in charge of the
meeting with the absence of Mayor Ken LaMont, brought up the issue. Ulmer said that
the Morton County Commission has sent a letter to legislators from the county to
consider a location west of Mandan.
"Sunny Acres - the former state farm - is a fairly large chunk of land that already
belongs to the state," Ulmer said. "The Legislature is in discussion on what to do
with the state penitentiary, and I suggest we should send a letter that they take
into consideration the land they have in Morton."
Ulmer added that he didn't want Mandan to get into a fight with its "sister city,
Bismarck," but he said location of a new state penitentiary is a statewide issue and
perhaps not limited to Bismarck and Burleigh County.
"At first they thought this was a constitutional issue which would take a vote of the
people to have any change of location," Ulmer said. "But since it's been determined
the location of the facility is only done by statute which the legislature can
change. It's a very difficult debate and will cost a ton of money. I don't want to
make a big stink, just ask them to take us into consideration."
City administrator Jim Neubauer said that the land in question is west of the Heart
River to the landfill. It's a considerable amount of acreage suitable for the
facility.
On a 4-to-0 vote, the commission approved sending a letter to the community's
legislative delegates urging the legislature to give Mandan and Morton consideration.
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I intend to last long enough to put out of business all *****-suckers
and other beneficiaries of the institutionalized slavery and genocide.
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"The army that will defeat terrorism doesn't wear uniforms, or drive
Humvees, or calls in air-strikes. It doesn't have a high command, or
high security, or a high budget. The army that can defeat terrorism
does battle quietly, clearing minefields and vaccinating children. It
undermines military dictatorships and military lobbyists. It subverts
sweatshops and special interests.Where people feel powerless, it
helps them organize for change, and where people are powerful, it
reminds them of their responsibility." ~~~~ Author Unknown ~~~~
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