NORTHUMBERLAND – After the Northumberland county commissioners voted Tuesday to purchase the former Moran Industries site, commissioner Rick Shoch extended an invitation for candidates to weigh in on the project.
Shoch says candidates for county commissioner who make it through the primary should engage in the conversation about the prison project, “They are very likely going to be the people who are going to have to see this project through. It would be great to get their input here on the front end as well. I would certainly appreciate hearing it.”
Under the best circumstances, commissioner Shoch doesn’t believe final decisions will be made on the county prison’s location before the new commissioners take office in 2016. He thinks new leadership should have a voice in the process, “Right now this process is being driven by the one man who we know is not going to be here leading this county next year.”
The results of a feasibility study and needs analysis for a new prison are still pending.
(Jennifer Wakeman)