To the Editor:

Many requests are made to the undersigned to write about many CJC various topics and various items, especially by senior citizens. Fear is often aroused by impending danger, evil or pain to the general public. Zoning, prisons and jails have all been around for over 100 years. Back in 1926 there was a case of Euclid v. Ambler. Even though it was in 1926, it still pertains to our CJC.

The village of Euclid had zoned property as residential neighborhood by ordinance. The land was owned by Ambler Realty. Later, Ambler Realty wanted to sell and lease the land for industrial purposes because Ambler could make more money than selling it for residential purposes. Ambler attempted to force the village to allow it. The case ended up in the U.S. Supreme Court. In part, this is what the U.S. Supreme Court stated (and this is a quote), "The United States Supreme Court justified the ordinance saying that a community may enact reasonable laws to keep the pig out of the parlor, even if pigs may not be prohibited from the entire community."

No one is attempting to prohibit the CJC from the entire community. The residents are asking that the residential (R2 zoning) and all ordinances be enforced so that the CJC will not be injurious to the use and the enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity for the purposes already permitted, nor substantially diminish and impair property values within the neighborhood. Caledonia City Council, we are depending on you!

About 35 percent of all inmates become repeat offenders. In addition, people who violate the terms of their probation can be sent to jail instead of back to prison. We can expect that our inmates in our country jail/prison will be persons whose offenses include drugs, criminal sexual conduct, assault, DWI, burglary, etc. It is difficult to plan for future jail needs because one new law can dramatically change the equation.

Commissioners, why havenít you advised the citizens about new laws? Why didnít you advise the City of Caledonia that you were going to buy property on both sides of streets and that you wanted vacations? When did you know that the proposed area was residential, too small and you decided to force it upon us? When did you know about new laws that have been in effect since 2003, etc.? Many veterans are disgusted with what your current site will do to our beloved memorial! Us veterans served to protect our citizens and not to create imminent danger!

Larry Salm
Caledonia, Minn.

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Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475

E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com