On April 7, 2010 I sent an open records request on the discrepancy of the bids.

On April 12, 2010 I was told by the Rock County Purchasing Department that the June 24, 2009 Gazette Article was about the architects estimate of cost, (had no copy of it) and that the March 24, 2010 was the actual bid of the contractor, and that was the 2.6 million difference. When I ask about the difference in the articles, i was told that was the newspaper, and she did not have any control over that. I would have to speak to the Gazette. The June 24, 2009 article includes site grading, roof replacement and waterproofing foundation. The March 24, 2010 article does not include these. Is this the alleged savings? See the comparison here

There was $51,000 spent on roof repairs, site work and waterproofing on the Pinehurst Building and that is supposedly not part of phase one construction. This work was done in 2009 and will be finished this spring. The Pinehurst Building is scheduled for demolition sometime during the upcoming jail renovation.

Sound off Gazette April 7, 2010 listed three and one-half pages of foreclosures. Every month more and more foreclosures and sheriff's sales in Rock County and still the County Board insists on spending money on jail renovation that is not needed, only wanted. How long before Rock County gets a (VAT) value added tax?

Take a look at the newspaper clippings demonstrating the differences between the jail bids and see what you think. Images

Here's my Letter to the Editor

Published in the Janesville Gazette April 5, 2010 in the Letters to the Editor