December 27, 2000

Return of tax dollars welcome

Economic development cannot be accomplished through the operation of correctional facilities.

On the other hand, if the State of Ohio is going to spend millions of dollars a year to house non-violent offenders in an intensive treatment program, and those dollars are to be used in one of nine counties of which Seneca is part, why not have it be here?

That's why the appropriations of funds to more than double the capacity of the CROSSWAEH facility south of Tiffin is good news for the community. The payroll, purchase of many supplies and other expenditures will be right here.

The facility now can house 70 men. After the expansion, it will have beds for 90 men and for 30 women in a separate structure.

Taxes from across Ohio -- including from the nine counties being served -- will go into construction and operation of the CROSSWAEH expansion. It will be good to see a good portion of the funds land back in Seneca County.