‘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

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