Cherokee County Jail Controversy

Controversy surrounding the possible location of a four state jail continues. Cherokee County commissioners have agreed on a location for the new county jail. The facility will be built on a lot on East Country Road in Columbus if the half-cent sales tax proposal is passed by voters on August sixth. The commissioners had been looking at several locations in Columbus, but feel this lot just south of the industrial park was the best one. County Commissioner, Pat Collins said, "We have no problem with the area that we`ve selected, it`s the best out of the four we`ve looked at, it`s in close proximity to the courthouse." Although many of the neighbors agree with the county that a new jail must be built, but they disagree with the location the county has picked for the jail. Teachers at nearby Columbus Christian Center and Life Christian School worry about the safety of the school children if the county jail is builty just a quarter of a mile away. Life Christian teacher, Nancy Hurd said, "Having children out playing on the playground at different times throughout the day and having possible escaped convicts out of the jail would be naturally a concern to all of us." Voters will have a final say on the new county jail on August 6th. Reported By: Jennifer Haile