Spiffy new jail too expensive to open

United Press International ^ | March 16 | upi

[manwiththehands]

This cannot possibly be true ... can it?

[Old Professer]

What's that skinny brown thing, a hall tree with hot water bottles hanging on it?

[dfwgator]

I never want the word 'spiffy' associated with a jail.

[george76]

"Further frustrating Giusto is a shortage of jail beds that has forced police around the city to systematically release inmates early to make room for new ones."

[george76]

an empty $59-million jail...

Amazing.

[george76]

They could let rich criminals buy an upgrade to this spify prison.

[lowbridge]

bump

[TC Rider]

The city of Raleigh commissioned a sculpture back in the early 90s to build a "Tower of Time and Light" on a busy boulevard for around $50,000.

The city was sold on the idea of what an exclusive piece of art this would be and how the artist was the only one on earth capable of building it.

Despite many objections the project went forward. The unique artist died before completion. His wife and kid finished the project and Raleigh got a 40' tall tower that looks like a cell tower with mirrors hung on it.

Since the installation, brush and weeds have grown up around it, the glass is fogged and it's now mostly an eyesore.

(I know if it was in my front yard the city would have long ago issued an injunction to have me remove it)

http://www.raleighnc.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_306_207_0_43/http%3B/pt03/DIG_Web_Content/category/Government/Boards_and_Commissions/Arts_Commission/Public_Art/Cat-1C-2005308-094538-Time_and_Light.html

[ziggy_dlo]

ping

[ziggy_dlo]

Speechless. $600,000 for art. for a jail. I have no response to that.

is this a jail or a country club?? i can't buy a toaster let alone a flat screen tv bunch of BS kumbyah my Lord kumbyah

[george76]

The DUmmies have way too much of our money.

This is just another example...that we should cut our high tax rates and cut their high spending levels.

There is no real reason our tax money should go to their art work.

[goodnesswins]

I don't know for sure.....I know when I was a the PCC Board I was asked to be on the committee to choose the art, but I did not feel inclined to do so at that time....NOW, I'd probably jump at it!

[thoughtomator]

A wise man once said:

"A government-funded artist is an incompetent whore!"

[Joe 6-pack]

"They should turn it into a homeless shelter."

The next hurricane season will be here in about two months.

[george76]

“Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.”

— Ronald Reagan

[joesnuffy]

I wont even ask what the statue 'is of'....probably a tax payer in a compromising position and public official of some sort..an inspiration to public officials and lifers everywhere no doubt.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

There are 30-foot vaulted ceilings and private showers.

I bet the gay lobby fought hard for those private showers.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Without $600,000 worth of art, it's considered cruel and unusual punishment.

I could have saved them $590,000 by having Kinko's make a bunch of these posters to tape on the walls:

[goldstategop]

A Taj Mahal Jail with creature comforts for the liberals' favorite voters. I get a kick out of a jail no one can be locked up in.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Taht's art? They look like dead trees and river rocks.