Is this any way to build a jail?

If sniping press releases were bricks, Hamilton County could have a new jail in no time.

2:42 p.m. Monday – Press release received from Democrats Todd Portune and David Pepper. Headline reads:
“DeWine Jail Plan Crumbles
Only One Week after Proposing It”

4:46 p.m. Monday – Press release received from Republican Pat DeWine. Headline reads:

“Is There Anything Pepper and Portune Won’t do to Salvage Their Sneaky August Election Tax Plan?”

If only the county didn’t have so many inmates the Sheriff has to routinely grant many of them early release, we could enjoy this partisan banter for the humor it provides in the dull course of the day’s news.

Portune and Pepper propose putting a sales tax increase on the ballot of a special election in August to build an 1,800 bed jail. DeWine's plan calls for a smaller new jail, no tax increase and rehabbing the crumbling Queensgate facility which the county now leases.

Both plans are still in the formative stages with details promised soon by their advocating commissioners.

Here’s an idea. Let’s shelve the press releases, get your detailed plans together and then debate their merits instead of tossing insults back and forth.