Tag Archives: justice center

Safety still a big concern at jail, courthouse

[Source: “Safety still a big concern at jail, courthouse,” Press Citizen, 19 April 2013, by Noreen Revier] Three years ago I served on a jury where the accused had harmed someone. The thought struck me how little separation there was between that person and those of us on the jury as we came and went […]

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Help make courthouse more accessible

[Source: “Help make courthouse more accessible,” Press Citizen, 19 April 2013, by George R. Dane] It is very difficult for those of us who are disabled or have a mobility problem to access our 1901-built county courthouse. It has many barriers for us, and it is not possible to remove or modify them. The front […]

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Vote ‘yes’; don’t wait for something tragic

[Source: “Vote ‘yes’; don’t wait for something tragic,” Press Citizen, 19 April 2013, by James P. Hayes] I urge Johnson County voters to vote “yes” for the justice center on May 7. Access to the courts and making the community a safe place to live are two hallmarks of a great society. Our current courthouse […]

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Lack of courtroom space is an injustice

[Source: “Lack of courtroom space is an injustice,” Press Citizen, 19 April 2013, by Kevin Kinney] I am writing this letter in support of the justice center. I work daily with the victims of crimes and see how they are being re-victimized in Johnson County by the lack of courtroom space and the availability of […]

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Vote ‘yes’ to improve space and safety

[Source: “Vote ‘yes’ to improve space and safety,” Press Citizen, 19 April 2013, by Phil Leff] I have practiced law in Johnson County for 50 years. The old courthouse was an integral part of my practice and initially served the population well, but eventually became stuck in time. I am very familiar with its shortcomings. […]

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Vote ‘yes’ to update courthouse

[Source: “Vote ‘yes’ to update courthouse,” Press Citizen, 17 April 2013, by Renee and Joe Hanrahan] The Johnson County historic courthouse was designed and built in the year 1899-1900 and dedicated in 1901. By 1900 standards this was a proud, modern building with electric lights, steam heating and large high-ceiling windows for ventilation. Today, 112 […]

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Process on justice center has been open, thoughtful

[Source: “Process on justice center has been open, thoughtful,” Press Citizen, 17 April 2013, by Larry T. Wilson] There are many safety, security and space concerns about Johnson County’s existing courthouse and jail that make the proposed justice center a critical ballot issue in the upcoming May 7 special election. Concerns include safety risks for […]

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Many reasons to vote ‘yes’ May 7

[Source: “Many reasons to vote ‘yes’ May 7,” 17 May 2013, Press Citizen, by John Balmer] There are many reasons why citizens need to vote “yes” on May 7 for a new Johnson County justice center. One of the most significant is how much it’s costing taxpayers not to act. Every day we wait to […]

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Don’t be distracted; vote ‘yes’

[Source: “Don’t be distracted; vote ‘yes’,” Press Citizen, 17 April 2013, by Lonny Pulkrabek] Please don’t let distractions and unrelated reasons stop you from getting out and supporting the justice center. The justice center is much more than just extra jail space. In fact, the jail portion of the proposal is only 34 percent of […]

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County has outgrown jail, courthouse

[Source: “County has outgrown jail, courthouse,” Press Citizen, 17 April 2013, by Paula Sears] Johnson County has outgrown its current courthouse, jail and sheriff’s office. Our current facility creates an unsafe environment for our jurors, the employees and anyone who has reason to visit. Our courthouse is 112-years-old and has outgrown its capacity to serve […]

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Single facility improves safety, security, space

[Source: “Single facility improves safety, security, space,” Press Citizen, 16 April 2013, by Jim McCarragher] Nicholas Johnson’s recent guest column claimed there’s a much easier, win-win option to the current proposal for a new Johnson County justice center on the ballot in May. However, Johnson’s idea of creating a second, separate facility at another location […]

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League of Women Voters strongly backs justice center proposal

[Source: “League of Women Voters strongly backs justice center proposal,” Press Citizen, 14 April 2013] The League of Women Voters of Johnson County strongly endorses passage of the proposed May 7 justice center bond referendum. The league has long believed that open and responsive local governments should provide their citizens with excellent public services and […]

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KGAT TV-TV CBS2 – Justice Center Early Voting Kicks Off

[Source: “Justice Center Early Voting Kicks Off,” KGAN-TV CBS 2, Wednesday, April 10 2013, 08:59 PM CDT] IOWA CITY, IA (CBS2/FOX28) — Early voting kicked off in the special election for the Johnson County Justice Center on Wednesday — the second time the issue has come before voters in six months. The first vote on this […]

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Early voting begins for Johnson County Justice Center

[Source: “Early voting begins for Johnson County Justice Center,” KWWL-TV Channel 7 NBC, Written by Jason Epner, Multimedia Journalist – bio | email] JOHNSON COUNTY (KWWL) – Wednesday’s cold, damp weather led to a slow start for early voting, but the two campaigns for a new, $43.5 million bond issue to build a Johnson County Justice Center are warming […]

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An Audio Message from Buffie Tucker in Support of the Johnson County Justice Center

Click the play button below to hear an audio endorsement from Buffie Tucker.

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An Audio Message from Jackie Sangster in Support of the Johnson County Justice Center

Click the play button below to hear an audio endorsement from Jackie Sangster.

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An Audio Message from John Lundell in Support of the Johnson County Justice Center

Click the play button below to hear an audio endorsement from John Lundell. John Lundell received both his B.S. and M.A. at the The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. He has served as the Deputy Director of the University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center (UI IPRC) where he has worked for the past 18 […]

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An Audio Message from Bob Downer in Support of the Johnson County Justice Center

Click the play button below to hear an audio endorsement from Bob Downer. Robert N. Downer received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Iowa College of Law and was admitted to the Iowa Bar, both in 1963. Mr. Downer also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of […]

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