Why is it that no-one has stepped forward to decry the property tax increase and downtown destruction implied by the new Justice Center project?

We are in very tough economic times. This unnecessary Jail Project will only make life worse for everyone. Well, nearly everyone. I’m sure there are a few people that will be better off. Some judges will get new chambers, Mike Robbins will get a windfall, and whoever gets the demolition contract for the three blocks of downtown will be doing a lot better once this colossal act of civic vandalism is complete.

I called Commissioner Tollefson one day, trying to get a handle on what these guys were thinking. He told me that most people were for this project, even George’s Pizza owner Kevin Soiney. I know Kevin. He tells a different story.

So we lose the atmosphere of our favorite pizza places, as business owners have to go through the unimaginable expense and hardship of moving from the places they’ve been forever, and for what? So we can stop transporting prisoners to other jails? That’s not going to stop. We’ve already been told that we’ll be boarding prisoners from Day One of the new jail.

What gives? Why no outcry over our property taxes and rents going through the roof? Why no investigation into what the real agendas are here?

It’s not too late to derail this outrage. But someone has to try.

Call your commissioners and councilmen. Go to meetings, Make your voices heard.

Robin Thorpe

Austin