Among proposals being floated to help with the opioid epidemic in Bartholomew County is to reopen the old section of the county jail and to use part of it as a treatment center for willing inmates.
We asked Republican candidates in Bartholomew County Council districts 1 and 2 what they thought of the plan to reopen the old section of the jail.
Council District 1 covers northeastern Bartholomew County. It has been represented by Republican Chris Ogle, who is not seeking re-election. Hoping to replace Ogle are Republicans Scott Bonnell, and Marcus Speer.
Bonnell said he would like to hear other proposals.
Speer said the costs are high.
Bonnell is a farmer and Columbus Fire Department fire inspector. Speer is now the Rock Creek Township Trustee, and is also a farmer, school bus driver and minister.
The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Hanna Omar in the November general election. She is unopposed in the Democratic primary.
The Second Council district covers northwestern Bartholomew County. Republican Laura DeDemonic is running for re-election and is being challenged by Glenn Petri.
DeDomenic said we are lucky to have the space to address overcrowding.
Petri is troubled by what has previously happened with the jail.
DeDemonic is resource and philanthropy director at Mill Race Center. Petri now works part-time at Salt Creek Trading Company
The primary is May 8th.
