Q: A lot of attention has been given to the operations of the Juvenile Justice Center in recent years. What would you like to see done with the center, and how would you accomplish it?

Walt Brown: When you say Juvenile Justice Center, I assume you are talking about the detention center. If elected, I would like for the detention center to remain open as long it is economically feasible. I would continue to work with the Board of Supervisors and other counties to house their juvenile offenders in the facility to offset the costs of operation. I am afraid that closing the detention center and having to transport juvenile detainees to and from other facilities would actually cost more in the long run. The Juvenile Justice Center also houses many valuable programs that I believe have had a significant impact on the youth and families of our community, and I would like to continue those programs. I do believe we should continue to look at ways to make the facility as economically feasible as possible.

Lamar Bullen: The projected budget for the Juvenile Detention Center is $589,000. I plan to streamline and reduce operating costs, and eliminate waste in the center. I will find a way to reduce cost and produce good quality leadership for this facility. The times we are living in today where money is short and there are no income or funds available. I, as the next Adams County Court Judge, will work with leadership and get figures down and save our county a lot of money.

Patricia Dunmore: The county built a modern juvenile center several years ago with the idea to improve the lives of our young people. It is my understanding based upon my discussion with various youth court officials that we are a regional facility, one of only several in the state that houses youthful offenders. The county is paid $101 per day per offender housed in our facility. I would attempt to reach out to other counties to enhance the revenues to further support the facility.

Brandi Lewis: It is my opinion that until I get into office, roll up my sleeves and work shoulder to shoulder in the center, it is hard for me to say what is and what is not working at the Juvenile Justice Center. I believe that within the Youth Court system in our state, Judge Hudson has set the bar for how the system should be run. I have great respect for Judge Hudson and know that he has built an incredible facility with incredible services for our youth. I know when I get into office I will be presented with a strong foundation which has been established by Judge Hudson and plan to build my court from the foundation he has provided for the court and the community. I would like to see a strong focus on family involvement with the youth as well as a strong focus on community service as a form of rehabilitation and retribution.

Scott Pintard: The Juvenile Justice Center is important to the functionality of our youth system. When elected, I plan on evaluating the entire Juvenile Justice Center and Youth Court. We need to look at what is working and what is not. Improvement can always be made and must be made with the changing of society and economy. New programs and procedures may be necessary while others might just need some adjustments. However, no changes will be made without a thorough evaluation of the situation and understanding why things are the way they are. My goal is to make the entire youth system more efficient and effective.

Scott Slover: The Juvenile Detention Center has a maximum capacity of 25 detainees whereas Adams County alone houses an average of approximately six children a day. There is plenty of space to sell to other jurisdictions to make up our costs. If we can service an average of 12 children from other jurisdictions per day per year, the detention center pays for itself. Closing it down would be a waste of a county asset. Operating it effectively can and will be done if I am elected.