As a current Whatcom County resident I am concerned with the new jail that is proposed and in the planning stages. We definitely need a new jail, but at the correct size. I believe Sheriff Elfo's proposal is too large and a waste of tax payers' dollars. Whatcom County Council needs to step in and oversee this process and pay attention to policy and budget discussions regarding the new jail. Unfortunately the County Council has been distracted with re-litigating the same decisions for several years. They need to make sure the costs are contained. We need to build the right-size jail with the ability to add on as needed in future. In 2004 we voted to add a tax to the tune of $3 million a year to fund construction of this new jail. This money has been spent on "other" operating costs the county has incurred and not on the new jail project, for which it was earmarked. County Council, step up and take back control of this process. The public deserves transparency and representatives operating with integrity.

Marnie Ayala

Bellingham