Skip Schulz/For the Gazette Greg Markkanen (middle), candidate for 110th state representative, along with his campaign chairman Chris Hatton (left) and Michigan Republican Party regional chairman Rich Rossway attended this week's Ontonagon County Republican Party meeting.

ONTONAGON — The issue of the Houghton County Jail went outside the county line this week. 110th state representative candidate, Greg Markkanen, of Hancock, addressed the Ontonagon County Republican Party as to how the jail could be more than just a Houghton County-jail.

Markkanen is advocating for the use of Camp Kitwin, a Michigan state correctional facility in Painesdale that closed in October, 2010, to be used in this manner. The current Baraga School District teacher stated that the Upper Peninsula has regional jails, “everywhere but in the western U.P.”

“I believe in the consolidation of services,” said Markkanen to fellow Republicans. “It will save the taxpayer money in the long run. This will serve the western U.P. counties.”

His concept, and one of the reasons to attend the meeting in Rockland, was that Camp Kitwin would be used to hold inmates from Ontonagon, Baraga, Gogebic, Iron, Keweenaw, and Houghton counties.

“Camp Kitwin would be 267 beds versus 64 for the new addition,” said Markkanen. “The regional correction facility would provide more beds to rent, and more facilities.”

Markkanen alluded to Camp Kitwin being used for a health care facility, juvenile detention center, and “it would serve multiple purposes.”

According to Markkanen, current 110th state rep., Scott Dianda, has stated that Michigan would “give” the facility to Houghton County.

“Dianda has gone on record that the state would give this to Houghton County to develop it as a five-county regional correction facility,” he said.

The Ontonagon County Republican Party did not take a position on the issue.

“We need to find out all the facts first before we take a position,” said former Ontonagon Village Council attorney Ted Baird.

“Camp Kitwin would benefit all the counties in the western U.P.,” said Markkanen.

Markkanen’s Republican primary opponent for the 110th state representative seat, Kirk Schott, was at the meeting but did not give his position on the issue. Dianda has been term-limited for the House seat, and is now seeking the Michigan 38th state Senate seat, currently held by Tom Casperson, who has also been term-limited.