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I find that the new police facility is too expensive. For $104 million, School District 51 built Bookcliff Middle School, Fruita 8-9, Pear Park and Chipeta elementary schools and, remodeled West and East Middle Schools.
A $98 million dollar structure is not much for the money. Our property tax is based on real estate values. With growth in developed properties and the high price of homes, the revenue should be built-in.
I realize we need a new police station, but the school district showed us we can get more for the money. Maybe instead of a separate work-out room for officers, we can have a community fitness center with a boys/girls club. Kids can be with excellent role models and the officers, firemen and city officials can bond with the community.
The sales tax of 7.75 percent should hold because the sale price of everything has risen. The city should find money within existing revenues and go back to the drawing board.
Jim Laudadio
Grand Junction
24 Responses to “New police building too expensive”
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 12:28 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
I used to think too that new PD offices were to expensive especially when there are empty buildings in town that could meet their services requirements with a much more less expensive approach, but no one thinks my idea has merit. But, regardless of my ideas we do need a new Police Department Headquarters. With the one we have we are serving a daily exploding community with a fifties (1950’s era) building; which worked then but not now. A strong consideration needs to be paid attention here, paying for what our community shouldn’t hurt so badly.
I agree too that having a center for everyone to enjoy including our officers can keep us together rather then, an “us-versus-them” mentality that many of our officers have towards us
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 12:48 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
I see the viability of a ‘precinct’ type of police force in the valley.
A main building in the current location, a satellite on Orchard Mesa, South of the river, one on the Northern side of the city, and smaller satellites in the newly grabbed areas on the East end of the valley which currently are not offered police protection by the city because it might cost some of the added revenue gained when they forced the annexation.
That way there would be shorter response times, savings on fuel sending the officers out to their assigned patrol areas, as well as the time savings of transporting the criminal element to the city jail.
Several smaller facilities would be a lot cheaper, and would lessen the need for a massive central, pack everything into one place, expensive to build and maintain, monstrosity that would live around the neck of area taxpayers for the next 50 years.
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 12:53 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
What is the right amount? Both police and fire departments are seriously hindered by lack of space and appropriate entries and pathways for keeping various clients appropriatey separated. The BUILDINGS included in this project cannot be compared to school buildings in terms of the specialized content, design and extensive energy provision and cabling necessary for 21st century provisions for public safety. There is also a complete municipal court facility included. The court currently in use in the city hall is very INCOMPLETE and the space it occupies was never designed to be a court facility and is now badly needed for the city’s day to day operations. How many years have we lived with the new city hall? It was built not to provide for realistic space needs, particularly for the future, but to keep the price down for fear of public criticism as expressed in the above letter. Was money saved in light of the difficulties of expansion–and expense–that will needed soon? . People who actually go about their jobs that the facilities proposed will house have been intensively involved. This is not a luxury proposal but a bare-bones plan to insure the possibility for maximum efficiency for many years into the future. Remember, this proposal includes three new, badly needed fire stations. Again, what is the right price? To reach that price, what should be left out and why? What part of proper justice, fire and police protection should be skimped on or left out entirely? Finally, I wonder how much the letter writer knows about the extent of the proposed facilities–plural–and how much knowledge he has of court, police and fire operations. Or are we just arguing about a number without reference to what it buys, and why?
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 1:03 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Willis, there are very good reasons why sattelite stations are not proposed at this time. I suggest, if you are interested, to contact deputy Police Chief Troy Smith and he can explain why fully to you. He is most interested in making sure people understand the “what and why” of what is proposed. He can also arrange tours of the current facilities and how the shortcomings in space and logisticallayout have been corrected in the proposed facilities. That invitation is open to any interested party(s)
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 1:07 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
I know John, it’s a case of the bureaucracy defending an indefensible position.
The satellite (one ‘t’) plan would save a considerable amount on construction costs, as well as future maintenance and expansion costs.
But, it’s only money stolen from the taxpayers, so what difference does it really make anyway?
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 1:13 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
I agree that a diversified plan would better serve the community. The trend of inner city law enforcement has been towards community policing. At the grass roots level, the best police work is done by those who live and work in the area they patrol. It is a proven approach to better law enforcement. And isn’t that the ultimate goal? While jail, communications and court facilities may be better served by a centralized facility, that also makes them more vulnerable to localized power outages,(hydrocarbon powered generators, notwithstanding) etc, as well as being inaccessible on a local level, and in the long run, that has a detrimental effect on police, community relations. I agree that the old police headquarters should be replaced. I helped build it and I know for a fact that radio-active tailing’s from the old AEC were used in it’s construction. But I think we should adopt a more diversified plan that would allow future expansion by sub-station, as needed by our growing community. In the long run, I believe this would provide better police and fire services and be less expensive.
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 2:12 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
So, I can take it that neither one of you guys are willing to actually talk to someone who knows and someone you can give your expert opinions to? Arm chair experts and designers in this field as well as all the others. Why don’t you guys run for office and straighten things out?
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 2:27 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Well, john, I don’t run for office because then I would be required to deal with the lowest common denominator on a hourly basis.
You may have noticed from my previous posts that I have little respect for the vast majority of bureaucrats and other ‘public servants’ because I consistently find myself talking to people (?) that have no idea of what their job actually entails, other than to show up sometimes and get paid.
While there are some very good people working in the governments in this area that are very good at their jobs, they quite often find their hands tied by stupid ‘office rules’ put in place by their supervisors.
Usually these ‘office rules’ only extend their power over the lesser class under them in the hierarchy and stifle government employees ability to rise in the ranks due to MERIT.
Your bestest buddy that you want me to talk to is in maintain the status quo mode, and is not willing to admit that there might be a better way.
Similar to socialism, his position is based on a system that fails every time it’s tried.
But, he’s gonna hang in there as long as he can’t get fired for being a useless bureaucrat.
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 2:35 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
John B,
You seem to be saying that we don’t have a right to give our opinion, unless we follow what you think is some bureaucratic opinion. While I am sure the Chief knows what he wants, I believe that my position as a taxpayer gives me standing to voice my opinion. You don’t have to like it John, but then that is why I gave you permission to form your own opinion. But I didn’t say that you could set the criteria for having an opinion. That’s why I hesitate to give you an edge.
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 2:41 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
I take it that you know the deputy chief and are totally aware of the process he, and others, have gone through to get this proposal to the point it has reached. Sweeping generalizations, based on what? Bestest buddy? Because I happen to know him, now he’s my bestest buddy? Everything has to be personalized with you, doesn’t it? The question stands. If everything is so rotten and you have the right answers, why not run and clean it up? Surely with your grasp of the facts you should be a shoo-in to win an election and change things for the better. Or is the lowest common denominator you reference the general public, the voters?
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 2:45 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
No john, the ‘general public’ is the victim of people like you and all the bureaucrats whose sole duty in life is to maintain their jobs.
Any deviance from the status quo is the death knell for their careers.
Even a Senator with 40 years in that office can be done away with for failing to maintain.
What this nation needs is ballots with voter initiatives that get rid of bureaucrat protection clauses built into the system and more emphasis on MERIT to maintain their jobs.
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 3:11 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
More sweeping generalizations. I did pretty well in the working world until retiring without ever having to consider my “sole duty in life is to maintain–” my job. When all else fails to distract from offering a straight answer just throw in an insult. Go peddle your wares elsewhere.
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 3:13 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
WLJ, I think your idea of satellite stations is a great idea, but I don’t know if GJ can deal with all the “little” Chief’s running around, as it is the PD have their boundaries and the Sheriff theirs’. If we had little stations spotted here and there like we should, we would have “little” Hitler’s running about protecting their area. From what we have now, things wouldn’t be that much different…sad to say.
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 3:36 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
I agree tiag, it would be a nightmare of bureaucratic battle lines drawn up at the boundaries of each precinct.
I can see it now, precinct A’s police officers are being reprimanded for stopping a criminal that committed a crime in precinct B’s jurisdiction.
Or having a shoot out with a bad guy from across the street, which just happens to be the border between the two….
little johnie, I gave straight answers, your twisted mind just couldn’t grasp the concept.
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 3:57 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
A-P, you can spout off all you want. Your position as a taxpayer gives you every right to go right to the Chief and express your opinion and advice. Sitting and spouting off in this forum makes your opinions, and the value of them, worth exactly what you have invested in then –zero. The Chief and his deputy , and the city manager, for that matter, are willing to sit down and hear your complaints on this issue or any other issue you have with lazy, no-good city officials, elected or otherwise. Tell me how you feel about your right to free speech and your meeting with any of the above after you have exercised it. But that will never happen, will it? You’ll no longer have your anonymity and speaking to rational people face to face is not your thing.
As for willis, I rest my case. “little johnie” and “couldn’t grasp the concept”, indeed. Nothing new here.
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 4:01 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
poor little johnie, gonna cry hisself to sleep again tonight.
well, 6:30 is his bedtime now I think.
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 4:17 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
JohnB,
Gee, I thought I posted my opinion online. Why do you call our Chief of Police, lazy, no good city officials, elected or otherwise? I don’t understand your animosity towards them. But you bring out a good point. I was wondering why they hadn’t contacted me before publishing this idea. Could it be that they expected posted opinions online, and in writing? No, I guess not. Then you really wouldn’t have a gripe would you, because I would be doing exactly what they ask for? See what you miss when you don’t pay attention. Could it be that you have absolutely no idea who said what to whom? Do you really think you can get away with putting words in my mouth? It was in your post where the Chief of Police, the deputy and the City Manager were referred to as “lazy, no-good city officials, elected of otherwise”.
For the other side of this issue you really should talk to the Chief of Police in Garden City, Kansas. This would not be hard, you could do it by phone. I have no idea what he would say to you, but it sounds like a good fools errand for you to go on. You really need to get some new techniques. These are so transparent. How’s Dave?
You have questions about my right to free speech, may I suggest that you check the US Constitution. With help, you may be able to locate them there.
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 4:28 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
A-P, as usual, total nonsense. Yada, yada yada
Willis, what can I say that hasn’t already been said? Talk about school yard insults. What’s next, “So’s your ol’ lady”?
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 4:32 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
I’ll have to get back to you on that one john.
Now go take your sip of water so you don’t wet the bed tonight….
Oh wait, you wet the bed whenever you see a conservative position expressed without your permission.
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 4:47 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
If it is total nonsense, that should be easy for you to prove, and that is what we are all waiting for is your proof that I made those remarks you used above. I never said anything about city employees at all. Why don’t you just admit you are unable to do so? I suppose this will just be another one of your cop outs (no pun intended). It would appear you have taken up class of 52’s standard operating procedure. You assert, squirm and fold like a lawn chair. It really comes as no surprise, we have come to expect it from you.
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 4:55 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
John B. Everyone on here who can read and has an IQ above 90 recognizes that your comments that AP makes such a big deal about were ironic and intended to represent what WLJ likely thought about those city officials. I suspect that even AP knows that but is determined to find anything detrimental that he possibly can. Pathetic outburst from one of the MMMS.
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 5:07 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
” Classof52
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 4:55 pm PM This User Report this comment
John B. Everyone on here who can read and has an IQ above 90 recognizes that your comments that AP makes such a big deal about were ironic and intended to represent———- what WLJ likely thought ——–about those city officials. I suspect that even AP knows that but is determined to find anything detrimental that he possibly can. Pathetic outburst from one of the MMMS. ”
What I “likely though”?
This ‘mms’ thing you created is looking more like the picture in your mirror every time you spout off gene.
Wanna know what I ‘likely thought’ of your honesty level?
btw, what would you know about anything with an IQ over 90?
Your ladder isn’t tall enough to see that high.
Posted July 7th, 2008 at 5:10 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
I think any reader can see whether their IQ is above 90 or not, who knows maybe even class can see, that John B addressed me with his post that included the name calling, and then immediately addressed Willis. (post #15)If he was attributing the statements to Willis, why wouldn’t he have put it in the second part of the post. Odd the things that you notice when you look.
I also notice that I am now a member of Classes nasty MMMS. So once again he resorts to name calling. How typical that the only thing he has accomplished today is to show every reader that he has an anger management problem. But, I have to admit, from my point of view, it was a nice day’s work.
Posted July 10th, 2008 at 10:18 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
It must have been an awesome days work American_Patriot.
Three days and they are still hiding….
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