By Shannon K. Jones
Staff Reporter
NEWBERRY - As partisanship continues to deeply divide the state, the Upper Peninsula continues to take negative hits from the Republican leadership. In the latest round of cat and mouse between the Republicans and Democrats over the state budget, caught in the middle is Newberry Correctional Facility and Camp Manistique.
Earlier this month, in an attempt to balance the budget, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm proposed the closing of a youth prison in Baldwin - a privately owned facility that currently houses approximately 400 youth offenders. Republicans struck back almost immediately, citing the budget needed to be cut by an additional $30 million and set their sites on Newberry and Manistique.
According to State Representative Steve Adamini (D-Marquette), the Baldwin facility was targeted because of inefficiency, not partisanship. Adamini was shocked to hear of the attempts to close the Upper Peninsula facilities.
"This decision was made by politicians, in the middle of the night, behind closed doors," said Adamini. "No input was gathered from corrections officials."
Adamini said the Baldwin inmates have the ability to be lodged elsewhere, whereas the 1,144 inmates from Newberry and Manistique can't be absorbed into the system.
Now with legislation proposing the closure of the two correctional facilities currently pending before the Senate Appropriations Committee, local residents fear the impact any closures may have on their local economy. Adamini also worries about the impact the legislation will have on his district.
"This closure would have an absolutely devastating effect on the area," said Adamini.
Approximately 350 people would be out of work if the legislation passes, leaving an area already struggling with a lack of employment opportunities in dire straits. Michigan currently has some of the highest unemployment rates in the nation.
As word of the proposed closure hit the streets of Newberry, so did residents. From gathering signatures on petitions, to emailing and calling legislators, Newberry residents have vowed to be heard. Adamini hopes their dedication to the issue will work in their favor.
"People of both sides of the aisle here in the Capital are impressed with this community's willingness to get involved," said Adamini, who also vowed to continue fighting for his district.
The closure is part of Senate Bill 268, which is expected to go before the full Senate in coming weeks. A final decision on the status of the facilities will likely be made in the fall.
