To the editor:

Recently, I placed several calls trying to find the original blueprints of the present jail complex, but to no avail. However, I did find out that when the blueprints were made, they included designs for a second and third floor when and if needed in the future.

My question is how much money has been paid out to draw up new plans and do studies with our tax money, when the board should have been aware all along of these possibilities?

In the process, I also found out a few interesting facts about our county board:

1. The chairman gets paid $300 per monthly meeting.

2. Commissioners get paid $250 per monthly meeting.

3. They also get paid $30 plus mileage for any other tips or side meetings each month with no limits. It may be trips to the courthouse five days a week or Baraga or anywhere they determine needed. No accountability.

4. They all get free basic health insurance at the taxpayers’ expense.

5. Or they can get pay $180 per month for premium coverage, no deductible.

6. The commissioners can also vote themselves a raise.

This sounds more like Congress than the local county board. How much is this board ultimately costing us taxpayers a year? Can we see the numbers? Is it a matter of public record? How are we benefitting from them? Where is the accountability?

A person now running for a county board stated he believed in term limits, to two or three terms. He also said. He believed in fresh ideas and was running, not for himself (the money) but to make this place a little better.