HORTONIA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – At the town of Hortonia’s monthly meeting Tuesday, town business got pushed aside so that the public could get a chance to voice its opinions about housing the new youth correctional facility.
And most Hortonia residents who spoke, like Tim Manion, weren’t too happy about the idea.
“Veto this idea of a prison in our neighborhood! This is not for Hortonia.”
It’s the first time since Governor Tony Evers’ announcement last week to move forward with plans on constructing the facility in the town of Hortonia that public comment on the topic was allowed.
Town officials say they were completely blindsided and were never notified by the state prior to Evers’ statement.
“My understanding was that there was community outreach when these locations were being explored, but I learned that that wasn’t the case,” said Wisconsin Department of Corrections assistant deputy secretary Shannon Carpenter.
The facility that’s being proposed would be located just off Highway 15 and U.S. 45, south of New London.
It’s one of two replacing the state’s troubled Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake prisons near Irma.
And the town board says they and those they have spoken to aren’t in support of it at all.
“All the people that I talk to are against the prison,” said town of Hortonia supervisor Dennis Clegg.
“I represent the people of Hortonia and I agree with them.”
More than 30 people filled the town hall. Of those people, only one was at least open to the idea of being the home to the new youth prison.
“I would hope that eventually we do support it and embrace it, and keep open-minded,” said LuAnn Hodgett, another resident of the area.
“We’re talking about children, and I’m hoping we all embrace the rehabilitation of children and getting them back to normal lives again.”
But Manion says the location is not suitable for a facility like that.
“I think a lot more studying, a lot more thought, a lot more planning can go into where actually that location is, at this point.”
New London mayor Gary Henke supports building the youth prison in his neighboring town and tells FOX 11 it may even be good for business.
“I think it’s going to actually work out as a benefit to the entire area,” he said. “It’s going to employ, they’re talking about, approximately 70 people who will live in the area, they’ll spend money here…it should help out with economic development, and so forth.”
Henke said people in the area are fearing the worst because they’re most likely misinformed or not informed enough.
“I wish that people would just wait until we get more information on it, where they can really find out what type of facility it is, how little effect it’s going to have on them around here and, you know, find out the information first before you form a judgment. Let’s not jump to conclusions.”
In the midst of the people in attendance, Tuesday night sat Carpenter of the DOC.
She listened to the concerns of residents, which included safety and security, the area that was chosen and the impact to the environment and wildlife there.
Being relatively new to the position, Carpenter said she didn’t have much information readily available.
But one thing sounded clear – while she’d be relaying residents’ concerns, Evers’ plan is already set in stone.
“The Governor did make a decision and chose two properties so, while I can take information back about your thoughts on that, you know, these properties…my understanding is that it’s state property and that those locations were chosen.”
The Department of Corrections plans to return to Hortonia on either April 23 or April 24 to provide residents with more information and address many of their concerns.
Prior to that, Carpenter said she would also arrange for someone to walk the land the facility would be placed on and said proper advanced notice would be given to the town board so that the public could also be in attendance, if interested.
