MARENISCO — This week, the state announced that it would close the Ojibway Correctional Facility in Marenisco in Gogebic County on Dec. 1. Today, state Rep. Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) sent a letter to Gov. Rick Snyder asking him to stay his decision and reconsider the future of the facility because of the hardship the closure will cause for communities, workers and their families. In addition, Rep. Dianda issued the following statement:
“My western U.P. communities and constituents directly affected by the closure of Ojibway Correctional Facility would find themselves in a world of hurt if Ojibway closes, so I am asking Gov. Snyder to stay his decision and reconsider closing this facility. Gogebic County schools could lose more than $700,000 in state aid, the hospital would lose more than $1 million in broken contracts, and corrections workers would have to drive more than 100 miles one way to transfer to another facility. If this facility closes, the county would need the full force of the administration’s assistance in order to recover economically. The consequences of closing this facility far outweigh the benefits. This hasty decision to close Ojibway must be reconsidered while looking at other areas of the state that can more easily absorb the impacts of a facility closure.”
To read the letter Rep. Dianda sent to Gov. Snyder, click here.