It's time: This go-around, the county jail needs to be fixed now and right

To say that there are problems at the Wayne County Jail is the world's biggest understatement.

And to say that it is more than time to do something about the concerns is one, too.

When the ceiling tiles are falling down from leaks -- some of them from toilets -- one has to wonder why anyone would not have hopped on getting this work done sooner.

After all, a jail with so many weakened areas might not be the safest place in the world, would it?

The county commissioners took the right first step this week as they actually took a tour of the facility and saw for themselves what needs to be done.

And now a professional is coming in to make sure it is done right. And that is the best investment the county can make.

A jail is not a facility you want to fool around with -- or to play politics with, on either side.

So this time around, let's do it right. Let's hire someone who knows what they are doing and build a facility that will last more than a couple decades.

If we can find the money to improve other county facilities, we can find it to fix something as important as a jail.

That is taxpayer money well-spent.

Published in Editorials on May 2, 2012 11:12 AM