What's going to happen?

Right now I can't tell you who will be our next jailer. What I can tell you is that they will be just like Cecil Moss a one term jailer. The reason I say that is because the jail is in such a mess that someone with no experience don't have a chance in getting the problems fixed. The best that can happen is that is don't get any worse. You can't fix what you don't understand and it will take someone at least 4 years to figure out what is going on in that jail. All I can tell you now is to DEMAND a debate and listen to just how much experience these to men don't have, then look at all the problems that the jail has had in the past. What do you think is going to happen?

Thank You

It's good to know that there are still plenty of people that are reading this blog every day. In fact since the election the number of people reading this blog has increased. That tells me that the people are still interested in the jailer's race and what I have to say about it. Maybe it's the questions that I have ask and still not seen a response to. Maybe the voters are asking them self's the same questions. I know for a fact that people come up to me all the time and ask questions about the jail. Of all the people I have talked to, none can understand why the only people with experience did not win the election. No one can understand why anyone would have voted for someone with no experience to run a office that has had its share of problems. The people need a DEBATE or several DEBATES to get the candidates together and see what they have to say and what they plan to do about the problems at the jail. This and all other elections should not be a popularity contest. Just because you like a person does not mean they are qualified or have any idea how to do the job. In fact you might be doing your friend a disservice by electing them to a job that they have no knowledge of. Look at it this way, a mistake could cost the city and the jailer personally. Think about it.

Funny thing?

I have been ask a great number of times why there was no debate for the election this year. I also think its a very funny thing that there was none. The local news paper has always had a debate, but declined to do so this time. I even tried to get one set up with no one responding. I wonder why that is? If anyone has any ideas please let me know.I think that a debate is the very best way to get the men running for any office and allow the voting public to hear just what they have to say and ask them questions. There are a lot of problems with the jail and we need to know what each of the men running for jailer has to say about them. A debate would put the candidates on an even level with out seeing who had the most or biggest signs all over town. After all this election is not about who has the most signs its about who is best qualified for the office of jailer. Who ever we elect this year is headed for a big mess so we better take a very good look at who is running and what they have is mind. More to come....

Still Nothing

Having ask a questions of the men running for Jailer, I find it funny that there has been no answer. I think the people have a right to know where Jon Sallee has all of his experience. He has never said and I find that to be odd. We all know where John Branscum's experience comes from. Like wise, we need to know who Mr Branscum will be picking for his Chief Deputy. Someone with jail experience would be a big plus. Come on fellows, don't wait until the last minute to give us the information that we need to pick the best man for the job of Jessamine County Jailer. I still say that experience matters. If you look at the problems that the jail has had in the last few years, don't you worry what will happen with a Jailer with no Jail experience?

It's Time

I thinks it's time for the men running for Jessamine County Jailer to start giving the voters some more information about them self's. It is time for Mr. Sallee to list where he spent his 8 years in law enforcement at? It is time for Mr Branscum to let us know who is chief deputy will be. Both of these questions are important to the voters in the election. There both seem like very easy question, but for some reasons they have not been answered as of yet. Well gentlemen, how about an answer.

Jailer's race

Ok people its time to start watching the Jessamine County Jailer's race. I can tell you that I would like to see a debate between Sallee and Branscum. I tried to have a debate set up but for some reason no one would not do it. The newspaper had always have a debate, but would not do it for some reason this year. We need to get both of these men together and have them answer questions from the public. That is the only way the public will be able to make an informed choice in this race. I would think that both sides would want to be able to tell the voting public what they stand for and hope to do a jailer. I only hope that Branscum has better luck that I did in getting this set up. The public needs to find out why the newspaper did not have a debate this year? I sure would like to know.

Stay tuned

I have noticed that there are as many people following my blog now as there were during the race. I can tell you that there are still a few surprises yet to come. I would advise everyone to watch the race for jailer and watch it closely. It is in all our best interest. More later.

Thank All of You

I want to take this time and say thanks to all of you that voted for me and helped in this election. Win or lose this has been a learning experience and I am thankful for it. I can tell you that if I win I will do what I said I would do and that is fix the Jessamine County Jail. I will be back in four year either running for election or reelection.

It's Time to Vote

Now its time to vote. I have said all along that we need a Jailer with experience. I am the ONLY republican running for Jailer that has any Jail experience. I would like to ask you one more time the following questions:
Would you hire a fire chief that has never been a fire fighter? Would you hire a police chief that has never been a police officer? Of course you wouldn't, so why would you elect a jailer that has never worked in a jail? I have 13 years experience of working in a jail, and over 1100 hours of training in corrections. My self and chief deputy have over 35 years of experience in corrections. The opposition has no jail experience at all. I have a plan that outlines some of the things I plan on doing and how I will save the county money and make the jail a safer place for staff and inmates a like. The opposition talks about all the thing he has done as a fire fighter, but not one word about any jail experience. Why, because he has none. If you look at all the things that have happened at the jail in the last four years, you can see a need for a new jailer, a new jailer with actual jail experience. The choice is your. As always, your support will be greatly appreciated.
I would like to take this opportunity to say thanks to all of you that have helped me. It had been a learning experience and I have meet a lot of wonderful people. I look forward to serving you as your new Jailer.

Can you buy an Election?

Well we are about to find out. You have one candidate (Me) that is the only candidate with any Jail experience and has very little money to spend. I spend my time talking about the specific things I plan on doing to save the county money, make the jail a safer place for the county and bring the jail out in the open. I have a plan that will save the county money by requiring the inmates that use the jail to help with the cost of operating the jail. On the other hand you have a candidate that has no experience at all and a lot more money to spend. He uses county property in his ads and talks about his experience in law enforcement and with the fire dept, but not one word about any Jail experience. I have ask this question before and will ask this question again, would you hire a fire chief that was never a fire fighter, would you hire a police chief that was never a police officer, no you would not, then why would you consider electing a Jailer that have never worked in a jail? Can you buy an election? We are about to find out.

Almost Time to Vote

As the time to vote gets near, there are a couple of things you need to think about.
Would you hire a fire chief that has never been a fire fighter? Would you hire a police chief that has never been a police officer? Of course you wouldn't, so why would you elect a jailer that has never worked in a jail? I have 13 years experience of working in a jail, and over 1100 hours of training in corrections. My self and chief deputy have over 35 years of experience in corrections. The opposition has no jail experience at all. I have a plan that outlines some of the things I plan on doing and how I will save the county money and make the jail a safer place for staff and inmates a like. The opposition talks about all the thing he has done as a fire fighter, but not one word about any jail experience. Why, because he has none. If you look at all the things that have happened at the jail in the last four years, you can see a need for a new jailer, a new jailer with actual jail experience. The choice is your. As always, your support will be greatly appreciated.

Jessamine Journal

If you get a chance please have a look at the election in the Jessamine County Journal this week. I will try to post them on here so you see the difference in our plans and why experience matters.

My Plan

In my plan as Jailer, I would have a road crew ready to go to work helping to clean up the mess that all the rain caused. This would speed up the clean up process and save the county some money. Just another reason that experience matters.

I have a Question?

I have a question, why would you run for Jailer in a Sheriff's uniform? No matter how may big signs you have or TV commercials you do, they all have too things in common. First you can't hid the fact that you have no Jail experience and Second,you are using County owned property in your ads.

VOTE WELLS FOR JAILER

OK, you read about what happened in the Jessamine County Jail. Well it happens to the best of Jails sometimes. You need to understand that if this can happened to a jail run by a Jailer with 17 years experience. What do you think will happen if you elect a Jailer with NO experience? You have people being booked in and released all day and night. This is just one reason we need a Jailer with real jail experience. As I have stated before, I have 13 years experience and have done every job in a jail from booking in to releasing inmates.

What do you think will happen if you elect a Jailer with NO expereience?

An early morning jail escape has deputies searching for a suspect and a lot of people trying to figure out what went wrong.

It happened just after 6 o’clock Sunday morning at the Jessamine County Jail.

Jail officials say inmate Robert White was scheduled to be released, but instead, his cell mate, Justin Darland fooled officials into thinking he was White.

Officials say nothing in Darland's background indicates violence, but warns people should be careful since he's in a desperate situation.

This is just another reason we need a new Jailer with Jail experience to run our Jessamine County jail.

Public Outcry

Why is there no outcry from the public about a candidate running for public office using a county owned car and uniform in his ads? This same candidate was also using a county owned auto and on duty out putting up campaign signs. This should point out to you that this person has no experience for the job of Jailer and trying to hide his lack of experience by using a uniform and car in his advertisement. I don't think he is aware but that is not even for the office he is running for. In all of his advertising he has failed to list one hour of jail experience he has. Pleases don't be fooled by the official looking uniform and car, they belong to us all.

Endorsement

I have worked in corrections over twenty years and had retired in 2009. During my tour of duty I have had the opportunity to work with Mr. wells in a correctional setting. I have to say that Alan is not only an extremely personable person but very serious about the duties in his profession. The man is both fair and firm. I can strongly attest that Alan would be an outstanding jailer for Jessamine County. I have lived in Jessamine County and understand that the people of the Nicholasville areas deserve a "DOWN TO EARTH" person in that position.
Mr. Alan Wells has several years in corrections in both North Carolina and in Kentucky, in has the wisdom to perform in excellently given any situation of any institution. His experience and professionalism in corrections, the judicial system/Kentucky Law, and administrative leadership and solutions, make him the best candidate this region has seen for years!
When I had heard that Alan Wells was considering being placed on the ballot I immediately hit the keyboard! He is a leader that Jessamine county deserves! A true gentleman ALAN WELLS for jailer!


Joseph D. Buganski
(859)797-1967
Owner/Operator of Jd's Home Improvements
Owner/Cleaning Technician of Priority Carpet Cleaning and Restorations
Proto-type specialist for Jd's Electronics
"Quality and Honesty is all I know"

Are you interested

Anyone that is interested in the race of Jessamine County Jailer and would like a copy of my platform, please feel free to contact me at alanwells2010@hotmail.com and I will be more that happy to see that you get a copy. I want you to know what my ideas are to help the county and save money. I look forward to answering any questions that you might have.

FOP

Well its seems that I made a mistake and failed to list the FOP lodge that is backing me in the Jessamine County Jailer race. I guess someone got their feeling hurt, so I will correct this matter now. My lodge is Town Branck FOP LDG #83. Funny thing this FOP lodge is for Jailer's and corrections people only.

Fraternal Odrer of Police backs Wells for Jailer

I have now been endorsed by the FOP in my run for Jessamine County jailer. They understand the experience necessary to run a county jail. Thank you for your support.

Animal Shelter

With all the problem with the animal shelter, why not just let the jail take it over? I mean they have the man power (class D inmates) to run it. Kroger's has a barrel setting there to collect donations for another county's animal shelter. If you look at my platform, you will see that I suggested the jail taking the animal shelter last year. If we use the class D inmates and get the food donated, maybe we would be able to get the cost of adopting an animal down to where the average family could afford to adopt an animal and we could turn it into a no kill shelter. Just another cost saving, workable plan I have that would save the tax payers of Jessamine County money.

Think about it

Would you hire a chief of police that was never a police officer? Would you hire a a fire chief that was never a fireman? Of course you wouldn't. So why would you elect a jailer that has never worked in a jail?

News paper article

If you read the newspaper last week, you have a better under standing of who has experience and a workable plan for the jail. Funny thing, since that article was published my yard signs have started to come up missing. All this does is show me that people are starting to pay attention and know experience is the only clear choice.

Experience

You can't hide no experience no matter how many or how big your signs are. I have listed my years of experience in corrections, now it time for the other people running to do the same. Well what do you say?

Lets talk experience

This election is about finding the best qualified most experienced person for the job of Jailer. I have 12 year experience with over 1100 hours of training in corrections. My chief deputy will be Frank Mattingly. Mr Mattingly has 23 years experience in correction with 10 of those years in staff training in correction. Together we have 35 years experience to put to work for the citizens of Jessamine County. Our experience covers every area of a jail from intake to release and every area in between. When picking a jailer you want the person with the most experience and the best plan for the jail and that person is me.

New Sign

Yard Signs

The yard signs are in and we have been putting them up as fast as we can. If you would like a yard sign, just let us know and we will get to you as soon as we can. You can give us a call or drop us an e-mail to alanwells2010@hotmail.com. We would like to think each and every one of you for all your support.

Yard Signs

I have ordered my yards today. Please let me know if you would like to have a yard sign in your yard. I will be putting them out about the last week of April.

Are you aware

The Jessamine County Jail spend $18,000.00 of your tax dollars feeding inmates in local restaurant's last year? Well its true, look at their budget. Looking at more that just the money issue, look at the security problems that this causes, not only for the jail and its employees but for the citizens of Jessamine County. This is just another reason you need an experienced jailer with jail experience running your jail and not just a police officer.

Well it has started

The people are running for Jessamine Count Jailer and listing all the things that they think will make them a good jailer. The one thing that they are not listing is any jail experience. It just makes sence, that with currnet problems that the jail has now we need someone with jail experience to step in and correct the problems.

My Platform

I have learned that there are a few things that you just can't seem to prevent. One is that people are going to keep coming to jail and the other is that the cost of taking care of these people seems to keep going up.

One thing that Jessamine County needs is a new jail. I don't think anyone can dispute that. I have a plan that I think will help the taxpaying citizens of Jessamine county pay for the new jail when the time comes to build it. I plan on using the inmates that use the jail to offer some relief to the citizens of Jessamine County.

The first question that is going to be asked is how can we afford to build a new jail? One of the things I am proposing is to keep the current jail and use it to house work release, community service, and class D inmates. All three types of inmates generate income for the jail. According to an article published in the Jessamine Journal on 7/18/2008, the current jail and annex hold between 140 and 150 inmates. The income generated from this would go a long way to help defray the cost of building a new jail.

As you may or may not know, there are several class of inmates: work release, class D, community service, and county inmates. I intend to take as many state class D inmates as possible. The reason for doing this is twofold. First, the state pays or helps pay for the cost of incarceration of these inmates. Second, we can use these inmates to help reduce the cost of local work projects. By doing this, the state is helping to reduce the housing cost and the inmates are working and helping keep the county's labor cost down. I can also show you where I can save the county $18,000 a year right now by stopping the practice of feeding inmates in local restaurants as is the current practice. All class D work release and community service inmates will receive a bag lunch provided by the jail when working outside of the jail. The state might not pay the entire cost of their incarceration but between the money the state pays and the community service work these inmates will provide, the county will benefit from this as well as helping to reduce the cost to the tax payers for operating the jail.

Taking in more work release and community services inmates will allow the courts an additional option in sentencing. This will also generate additional income for the county per KRS 439.179 which allows the county jail to charge up to 25% of the gross daily wages, a minimum of $12.00 and a maximum of $40 per day for the cost of their imprisonment.

I plan to start roadside trash pickup crews using community service inmates. This will help keep the city and county roads litter free, making Jessamine County a cleaner place for us all and saving the county and taxpayers money. This road crew will be supervised by the jail deputies.

I would also like to take over the local animal shelter. The work would be performed by jail inmates and supervised by jail deputies. By doing this, I would hope to lower the operation cost of the animal shelter which could lead to lowering the adoption cost of the animals as well as better treatment of the animals. This would result in more animals being adopted and less being euthanized. The more community service class D inmates we take, the more we can use them for county projects like this, saving the county money and having the state help pay for our keeping the class D inmates. Class D inmates can also be used for city/county maintenance, Camp Nelson, and county road crews as well.

According to a study I saw a few years ago, 80% of the people being arrested and coming to jail for the first time who stayed about 2 hours or so but never made it to the housing or custody level of the jail before being released, never returned to jail again. I believe this is something that we need to try and do to help out citizens of all ages.

In addition, I would like to offer the judges and courts an additional option of sending juveniles (or first time offenders) on a tour of the jail. This would allow them a chance to see where they are headed unless they change their ways. This will show them that jail is not a joke nor a game. It will show them how the inmates live, what they eat, and where they use the restroom, shower and sleep. This is by no means a foolproof way of keeping at risk kids out of trouble but it can't hurt. Even if it helps just a few, it's worth the effort and there is no cost to this. Having done this in the past, I can tell you that it can work. There is no physical danger to any juvenile as they will NEVER be in direct contact with any inmate.

I also intend to make the jail more transparent. I plan to write a "Jailer's Corner" column for the newspaper once a month and start a jail website on the internet. This will provide information to the public such as the number of people being booked into the jail as well as the problems arising from caring for the inmates. It will also allow me to highlight an Employee of the Month which will show their effort, service, and experience that they provide to the jail.

As for the county inmates that are not work release or state inmates, I am planning on implementing KRS 441.265 which allows a county jail to charge $50.00 per day per diem for room and board. I intend to charge any inmate that is not a state, work release, or community service inmate a daily fee of $26.00 per day, which is the average fee charged work release inmates. This will help reduce the operating cost of the jail and save the citizens of Jessamine County some money. Any monies not collected from the current incarceration will carry forward to any future incarcerations. Any money placed on the inmate's account will allow the jail to take 50% of that money to apply to the inmate's debt. The balance of the inmate's money can be used by the inmate for canteen and hygiene items. We might not be able to collect all the money, but any money we do collect is money that they county doesn't have to come up with.

Let Me Introduce Myself

My name is Alan Wells and I am your Republican candidate for the office of Jessamine County Jailer. I am a long time Jessamine County resident, concerned citizen and tax payer. I am a second generation law enforcement officer with over 11 years of experience. I am the father of two children and the grandfather of four of the sweetest grandchildren in the world. I am a third generation member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

My law enforcement experience consists of one year with the North Carolina Department of Corrections, four years with the Gaston County Sheriff's office where I was assigned to the jail, and I am currently employed at the Fayette County Detention Center, having been there since April of 2003. During the course of my employment in the corrections system, I have been certified in CPR, first aid, work place violence suicide awareness, HIV and blood borne pathogens, weapons qualified, self defense, riot control and gang threats to name a few.

Having been employed in this field for over eleven years, I can tell you that I have done every job there is to do in a jail. I have effectively dealt with all problems arising from intake to release and everything in between. I have over 1100 hours of training covering two different jails and one state prison. I have also owned and operated two successful small businesses so I have several years of experience in dealing with budget and staffing issues.

As a previous small business owner, I am also very aware of the need to get the most out of each and every dollar. I believe that with my unique combination of public and private experience, I would be able to save the county money while still providing the necessary junctions of the county jail.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me via email at alanwells2010@hotmail.com or by calling 859.825.8481. I will be happy to talk with you.

Sincerely,
Alan Wells
Republican Candidate for Jessamine Co Jailer