Which issues should the JCCC deal with first? We can use this forum to identify and, possibly, agree on the issues that we should begin to tackle at or before our next meeting.

-- Dave Parrish (dparrish@rvi.net), May 04, 2001

Answers

As soon as we finish getting the JCCC's own organization completed (I know that this takes more time than we want, but it must be done), I have a couple of suggestions for issues to deal with:

Land use issues: 1) Josephine County's carrying capacity. In particular, how much water is available for our use? We are likely having a "wake up call" this year, with a seriously low amount of precipitation. How long before we have a serious water shortage, given current water use habits, and future population increases? 2) Josephine County's "quality of life", e.g. clean water and air, tranquility in our neighborhoods, lack of serious traffic congestion (most of the time), low crime rate, access to open space, the Rogue River, etc., current low property tax rates,

These are merely a couple of suggestions, and I'm not attached with them being "first". Once more people identify their most important, or most practical, issues, we will be better able to prioritize individual issues.

Malcolm

-- Malcolm Drake (jumpoff@echoweb.net), May 05, 2001.

I would like to see us first get the internal processes worked out so we have an infrastructure that will support resolution of hot issues.

The budget issues seem to be in need of timely review; although, i don't have enough info to make a qualified comment. I thought we had asked for more information of the budget from the commissioners.??

-- tommi (jumpoff@echoweb.net), May 06, 2001.

Since JoCo's Criminal Justice System (CJS) gets the lion's share of our budget dollars, CJS policy for application of finite CJS resources, such as priorties for arrest standards and for prosecution standards, with those offenses that allow for officer descretion, to be worked out with the citizens and CJS agencies in a practical way. This process could enhance the ability to make informed budgetary decisions, and/or establish a better community relationship between Law Enforcement agencies and taxpayers... Squandaring dollars on pursuit of minor offenses does real harm to CJS's ability to pursue major offenses. These priorities should be established by existing statutes and by community input. Contrary to popular belief such standards are not carved into stone.

-- Peter Sparacino - JoCo resident (primrose@budget.net), May 05, 2001.

Good points, Peter. I hope we can look at these issues in the future. I agree that we, the ones who pay the bills, and are the purpose of even having a sheriff's department, should "call the tune".

I, for one, have for many years heard that the Sheriff's department is putting the lion's share of their efforts into the drug war. I believe the drug war to be a terrible waste of resources.

It would be very useful to me to have some more information on this, e.g. what would be the result of refusing to accept the money and attached strings from the Feds. How well would the Sheriff's dept be able to function without these funds, and strings?

Perhaps if the citizens of the county were able to participate in the direction the Sheriff's dept takes, we'd be more enthusiastic about paying for the necessary costs of running the department OURSELVES, and telling the Feds to mind their own business.

Tommi, I agree that we need to get JCCC's internal processes/infrastructure worked out before going into too many other directions; it will save time in the long run.

Malcolm

-- Malcolm Drake (jumpoff@ecoweb.net), May 06, 2001.