OUR TOWN’S PRIVATE PRISON FIASCO

By: Jim Moss

Globe is not becoming a ‘Prison Town’ any time soon.

The ‘official’ word is that Emerald Co. failed to secure state land for their prison proposal.  Does this mean that Emerald Co., the EDC, Globe’s Mayor and majority Council, and Gila County Supervisors —- did not perform the required due-diligence?  It is tempting to explain the news by declaring Local Officials incompetent.

But, we must give credit where credit is due — PEOPLE POWER prevailed. … Continue Reading

No Prison for Globe

July 12, 2011

It’s Official.  No private prison for Globe.

AZ Department of Corrections informed Emerald Co. that their bid did not fulfill RFP requirements.

AMAZING!  How could it be that so many local leaders —- EDC President McCreary, Mayor Shipley, Vice-Mayor Wilshire, and Supervisor Dawson —- spent more than a year (and who knows how many taxpayer dollars) steering THEIR private prison project idea to a DEAD END?

Of course, they will spin this outcome so that Emerald Co. gets the blame.  They will not take responsibility for failing to secure a private prison project for our community.  And, rest assured, they will not acknowledge the plain TRUTH —- that PEOPLE POWER PREVAILED.

The first battle has been won, but there remains some unfinished business.  Next, citizens can safeguard our community from future attempts to make Globe an Arizona Prison Town, by voting for both Ballot Initiatives at Globe’s next municipal election in March.

“The truth of what you believe in is what you do about it.” P. Darrow

Jim Moss, Globe Resident & Business Owner

Mr. Mayor, It’s Not a Game

Dear Mr. Mayor:

This is an open letter to Globe’s Mayor which was recently published in the SilverBelt, Copper Country News and – here.

The purpose of this letter is to set the record straight about your statements quoted in the June 15,
2011 issue of Copper Country News. You stated, “I think it is sufficient to say that Mr. Moss was notified
that his initiatives as written pose several concerns and he was advised to review them with his legal
counsel.”

Your remarks to CCN validate why I do not have confidence in your credibility. Now, here is the truth of
the matter. … Continue Reading

Dawson’s Round Table Discussion involves little Discussion

Jim Moss, heads up a large coalition of area residents and businesses who are opposed to siting a private prison here. He,and several others attended Dawson's Round Table on Tuesday to present nearly 3000 signatures and postcards in opposition.

This last Tuesday, a group of area residents and business owners attended Shirley Dawson’s Round Table Discussion. She began holding these ‘forums’ several months ago in an effort to make herself more available to hear from her constituents and discuss topics of interest. Last month it was medical marijuana. I missed that one, but if it was anything like the this week it wasn’t a big loss.  On this weeks agenda it was “barking dogs” and “horses kept in small spaces.”  Community Development Director, Bob Gould, was on hand to “discuss ordinances and how they are developed”, although he had little to offer on the issue of barking dogs and penned horses except to say it’s a “difficult” situation and not much can be done. … Continue Reading

A Few False Facts the pro-prison Supporters want you to believe

We seem to have entered a phase in local politics where the public voice simply seems to be an inconvenience to those in power. Something to deal with – rather than listen to.  And no, I’m not talking about what is happening in Wisconsin, although there are some parallels. No, I’m referring to our own elected leaders in Globe who have insisted on pushing through a private prison project despite significant citizen opposition.  Recently they paid $700 to put ads in the local papers identifying what they say are the “Facts” about a private prison in Globe. … Continue Reading

A dissapointment. Globe Mayor and 3 council members pass measure of support.

It was a packed house at Monday nites' Council meeting in which the Mayor and 1/2 the council passed a measure to send DOC Director Charles Ryan a letter of support for a prison. The vast majority of people in the audience that nite were there to protest such an action.

PRESS RELEASE — 1-25-11

From:  Jim Moss, Spokesperson, Citizens Opposed to Becoming a Prison Town

A “silent majority” wants a big private prison in Globe, according to several elected officials.  Sound familiar?  That’s a similar claim Richard M. Nixon made prior to being impeached.

Globe’s Mayor and four Council Members voted down a Citizen’s Resolution calling for leaders to cease their pursuit of a private prison for Globe.  It is no surprise.  At least now we know for certain where they stand.  Mayor Shipley, Vice Mayor Wilshire, and Council Members Uhl, Casillas, &  Alderman decided long ago they wanted a private prison project regardless of what citizens of Globe say.  This group is joined by Supervisors Dawson & Pastor, and EDC President McCreary.  These Officials ‘circled the wagons’ long ago, determined to bring a big For-profit to our town.  … Continue Reading

‘Citizens Opposed’ meet with State Leaders on Prison

By: Linda Gross

According to Senator Russell Pearce,who will take the reins as the new president of the Arizona Senate, and Director of Arizona State Corrections, Charles Ryan, “they (DOC) have never located a prison in a community which did not want them there.”

This statement was in response to a question asked yesterday during a meeting at the Capital with Globe Councilman Terry Wheeler and members of the Globe Citizens Opposed, where it was noted that Globe’s Mayor, Fernando Shipley has gone on record as saying, “This is on their land (State land) and I don’t know if we could stop one (a prison) even if we wanted to.”

This concept of “not being able to stop it even if we wanted to” has since been echoed by Vice Mayor Thea Wilshire and others in an apparent attempt to lead the public to believe it is out of their hands.

According to the DOC and the State’s highest ranking Senator, that is not the case.

Pearce, who believes strongly in one-man, one-vote and having elected officials represent their constituents, looked puzzled and said he didn’t know where the Mayor might be getting that idea.” No,” he said, “there were many communities who did want a prison…and that he, nor the Department of Corrections had any interest in siting a prison in a community where the citizens did not want it.”

In fact, Director Ryan added, “…In twenty five years, the DOC has never put in a prison where a community objected.” … Continue Reading

Local EDC Board hears from Citizens Opposed

By Linda Gross

Jim Moss, who heads up Globe Citizens opposed to a private Prison, gave a ten minute presentation on Thursday to the Southern Gila County Economic Development Board who were instrumental in bringing the project to Globe. Although the State has temporarily pulled the RFP (Request for Proposal) on building more prisons by partnering with the private prison industry, the move is simply to allow them to re-write the RFP to include greater security standards. It is expected the project will be back on the table – soon.

Jim Moss, with Citizens Opposed to a Private Prison, addressed the EDC at this months Board meeting.

The talk was meant to be informational and provide the EDC Board with a greater understanding of the the groups efforts which have included a 3 month petition drive which has gathered over 2000 signatures and a more targeted post card mailing which reaches registered voters and allows them to write a brief comment on why they oppose this issue.

” Today our main purpose is to share with you what our group- Citizens Opposed to Becoming a Prison Town, is currently up to, and to convince you that the majority of folks in this town and the wide community do NOT want another prison. … Continue Reading

A Summary of the Prison Debate

Image via Wikipedia

This page is intended as a compilation of information including a time line of the events surrounding the issue of locating a private prison here in Globe. We are in the process of gathering all the information which has been put forth to this date; from local news reports, the EDC, Chamber of Commerce, Globe Mayor and Council, Citizens Opposed to a Private Prison, the prison operators who pitched the project to the City, and State and National reporting.

The purpose is to keep information about this topic available and fresh in readers minds’ since the issue is far from dead in the Globe community. The State pulled the earlier RFP simply to re-write some of the security specs in light of the Kingman escape. A new RFP for 5000 beds to be added to the State system will be put to bid (again) to private prison contractors in the coming weeks.  … Continue Reading

Globe Citizens Opposed to a Prison Town Pack the House

By: Linda Gross

The Globe City Council met a sea of opposition last night regarding a proposed private prison to be built in Globe as a part of the State’s RFP for 5000 more prison beds. Even though the State recently rescinded that RFP (on Friday), citing they no longer feel they need the beds, both the organizers of last nights opposition, as well as Mayor, Fernando Shipley believe it is not ‘really off the table’ … … Continue Reading