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DOC head apologizes for how state announced youth prison

Hortonia considers legal action to stop project

By Scott Bellile


Wisconsin Department of Corrections Secretary Kevin Carr apologized for the state’s handling of the March announcement that the town of Hortonia was selected as a site for a juvenile correctional facility.

Carr’s apology, delivered at a full-house informational meeting on the project at Hortonia Town Hall Tuesday, April 30, fell short of earning the town board’s buy-in on the project. The town chairman announced at the conclusion of the meeting the board will pursue legal avenues in an effort to stop construction of the estimated $35 million, 32-bed facility.

“We could have done a much better job rolling this out when the governor made this announcement over a month ago, and for that, I personally and deeply from the bottom of my heart apologize,” Carr said. “I should have had a little more foresight in advising the governor on this matter as far as involving you, the community, in the process, to get your input and answer your questions before today. I give you my pledge that as we move forward in this process, we’re going to keep you engaged and give you the opportunity for input.”

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers announced in a news release March 12 that he would have state-run Type 1 juvenile facilities constructed in Hortonia and Milwaukee.

Although news outlets reported last fall that the state’s Juvenile Corrections Study Committee considered Hortonia a finalist for a facility, town officials said the state never contacted them prior to Evers’s announcement.

“When the governor announced we would be the target for a juvenile facility in our town, the town board and citizens were upset having no input into the decision. We were shocked and surprised,” Hortonia Town Chairman Bob Luedtke said.

Luedtke estimated “95 percent” of Hortonia residents oppose the site being used for a juvenile correctional facility before announcing the town board would explore its options for taking legal action against the state.

“We have a contingency fund here that we put together over the many years that we’ve been on the board here, and it’s now sitting at about $200,000. It’s our intent as a board to hire law firms to see what we can see about opposing this site. I’m just giving you notice so you would know,” Luedtke told the state officials in attendance.

The state’s proposed use of the site, located immediately south of Frick Ford, does not fit with the town’s comprehensive plan, he said.

“We have received no environmental study,” Luedtke added. “A [Federal Emergency Management Agency] report showed some of the property zoned flood land. The soil samples in the area are muck soil and silt foam.”

Hortonia and New London residents directed questions, complaints and occasional interruptions at DOC and Department of Administration officials during the two-hour meeting.

Despite the tension, Carr told attendees they were “one of the most respectful audiences that I’ve had the opportunity to engage in this difficult conversation with,” having previously held three public input meetings on the Milwaukee site.

“You’ve treated us with respect and courtesy, and I really do appreciate that. I speak on behalf of our entire team,” Carr said. “Thank you very much for your courtesy.”

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