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Council to discuss proposed 'center for families' in U.S. illegally
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
The Benson City Council will be discussing a proposal to build a 100,000-square-foot facility to house illegal immigrants at its meeting Monday at 7 p.m.
City Manager Glenn Nichols said the proposed facility will house women and children awaiting court or waiting to testify against Coyotes, who smuggle undocumented immigrants across the border. While the facility is not being called a detention center, residents would not be allowed to leave.
Richard Reyes of Innovative Government Strategies, and James Parkey and Toby Michael of Corplan Corrections are proposing the 25-acre facility.
Nichols said it is not a detention center to hold undocumented immigrants being held for felonies. Instead, it will house families who are in the country illegally.
The facility is being called the "Family Residential Centers of the Southwest."
According to a brief summary provided by City Clerk Vicki Vivian, the developer is looking at land off Ocotillo Road near the Benson Municipal Airport, but said they would be open to any location the city suggests.
The plans call for a 104,000-square-foot facility with basketball courts and soccer fields, along with residential quarters that would house up to 200 illegal immigrants. The plan estimates phase one of the project will house up to 50 adults and 150 children.
The city would earn a sponsor fee of $3 per day per resident. At capacity, that could mean $600 a day for the city to "use as the city sees fit."
The facility would employ up to 150 people, with an estimated average salary of $32,000 a year.
According to the proposal, the financing period for the $20-million facility would span 21 years, at which time the city would become the sole operator and could keep all profits.
Nichols said it is important for the public to understand that the council will only be listening to a presentation from the developers and asking questions Monday night.
No action will be taken, he said.
In 2004, Benson residents overwhelmingly opposed a 500-bed detention/rehabilitation center that was proposed on 36 acres of land near State Route 80.
The Benson City Council will be discussing a proposal to build a 100,000-square-foot facility to house illegal immigrants at its meeting Monday at 7 p.m.
City Manager Glenn Nichols said the proposed facility will house women and children awaiting court or waiting to testify against Coyotes, who smuggle undocumented immigrants across the border. While the facility is not being called a detention center, residents would not be allowed to leave.
Richard Reyes of Innovative Government Strategies, and James Parkey and Toby Michael of Corplan Corrections are proposing the 25-acre facility.
Nichols said it is not a detention center to hold undocumented immigrants being held for felonies. Instead, it will house families who are in the country illegally.
The facility is being called the "Family Residential Centers of the Southwest."
According to a brief summary provided by City Clerk Vicki Vivian, the developer is looking at land off Ocotillo Road near the Benson Municipal Airport, but said they would be open to any location the city suggests.
The plans call for a 104,000-square-foot facility with basketball courts and soccer fields, along with residential quarters that would house up to 200 illegal immigrants. The plan estimates phase one of the project will house up to 50 adults and 150 children.
The city would earn a sponsor fee of $3 per day per resident. At capacity, that could mean $600 a day for the city to "use as the city sees fit."
The facility would employ up to 150 people, with an estimated average salary of $32,000 a year.
According to the proposal, the financing period for the $20-million facility would span 21 years, at which time the city would become the sole operator and could keep all profits.
Nichols said it is important for the public to understand that the council will only be listening to a presentation from the developers and asking questions Monday night.
No action will be taken, he said.
In 2004, Benson residents overwhelmingly opposed a 500-bed detention/rehabilitation center that was proposed on 36 acres of land near State Route 80.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
basketball courts wrote on Mar 3, 2010 9:46 AM:
" Benson doesn't even have real basketball courts to play on. the park is a dumb "
Sick of government wrote on Mar 3, 2010 10:01 AM:
" Right on Benson Resident.
This is not paid with free money. It is pay by the sweat of the tax payers. Sheriff Joe - my hero "
This is not paid with free money. It is pay by the sweat of the tax payers. Sheriff Joe - my hero "
Me Too wrote on Mar 3, 2010 10:33 AM:
" Benson Resident
Well said. These people will be jumping the fences to get a spot in this brand new facility with all the luxuries of a resort.The jobs would be nice but you can bet that they will not go to Benson residents.
Walmart had a hard time finding people to qualify for their jobs due to drug abuse and had to hire outside of Benson.
Have you driven through Florence lately?
Maybe you should. "
Well said. These people will be jumping the fences to get a spot in this brand new facility with all the luxuries of a resort.The jobs would be nice but you can bet that they will not go to Benson residents.
Walmart had a hard time finding people to qualify for their jobs due to drug abuse and had to hire outside of Benson.
Have you driven through Florence lately?
Maybe you should. "
Do the math wrote on Mar 4, 2010 9:34 AM:
" So this 20 million dollar facility will earn $3.00 per day for up to 200 residents which is $219,000.00 per year to do with as the city sees fit. Feeding the people in the facility would be a nice start and cost more than $3.00 per day. The facility will hire 150 employees at an average of $32,000.00 per year which is 4.8 million annualy.
In 20 years the citty of Benson will be sole propritor and keep the profits. What profits are we talking about here? "
In 20 years the citty of Benson will be sole propritor and keep the profits. What profits are we talking about here? "
Chris wrote on Mar 4, 2010 11:03 AM:
" According to the proposal, the financing period for the $20-million facility would span 21 years, at which time the city would become the sole operator and could keep all profits.
Yeah, I am sure that this will be a very profitable business. "
Yeah, I am sure that this will be a very profitable business. "
EmployeeX wrote on Mar 4, 2010 2:13 PM:
" I hope that SOMEONE at the Benson City Council does their homework before they get suckered like Hardin, Montana did.
Buyer Beware.................
tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/corplan/ "
Buyer Beware.................
tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/corplan/ "
Not all will be illegals wrote on Mar 5, 2010 2:59 PM:
" Don't forget kids born in the USA are US citizens even if born to illegals. And they have rights to due process and basic care. Or maybe you think it's cheaper to rip the families apart and keep them in separate facilities? This hysteria is why Benson can't provide jobs for its own kids... everyone makes up their minds BEFORE the info is even presented. I hope Benson says no so all the jobs go to New Mexico or Nevada!!!! Also what does Benson's crappy park have to do with supporting a bunch of new jobs??? "
Sam wrote on Mar 6, 2010 11:29 AM:
" I think it will be wonderful to see illegal women and children picnicking in a shady park like setting with soccer fields and basketball courts. They will be properly protected from the common tax payer by razor wire. The city will be more then willing to provide utilities just like they do for out of town builders. Expect a sales and property tax hike to pay for upgrading the water treatment plant (again) and putting in new wells. The city will also pay for cleaning up after visitors to the facility. Dirty diapers and trash in the parking lots will be a boom for Benson. "
Hello wrote on Mar 7, 2010 10:42 AM:
" To not all illegals.
This country and especially this city has a record of not making people accountable for their actions.
If you break the law and enter this country illegally and have a baby you know that you are running the risk of having the laws applied to you and the possibility of loosing your child through seperation is a reality.
It should anger every American that these people choose the illegal route to enter our country because they rely on the hearts of all Americans to give them compassion and exemption from the laws. This is killing our country and our state. We should not be rewarding them for breaking the law . Now some want to bring it directly to the people of Benson and make us responsible for those that break the law. Are you kidding me.
. Coming over the line pregnant is the game that is played by some. It needs to stop. The USA as a whole and especially BENSON tax payers are not and should not be pawns in this game. If this is their choice then they should suffer the consiquences.
If the council moves forward with this it will open the flood gates to Benson for illegals to get a free ride in a country club.
As far as profits go, show me any welfare program (which this is) that has EVER made a profit. It usually kills the economy of those that partisipate.
The only ones making a profit here are those that own the land, those that sell the land, those that will build the facility and those that will live in it.
Jobs will go to qualified outsiders and their paychecks will be spent in their own home towns not Benson.
This political correctness is killing us. Do right because it is right. It's not so hard. Vote this down. "
This country and especially this city has a record of not making people accountable for their actions.
If you break the law and enter this country illegally and have a baby you know that you are running the risk of having the laws applied to you and the possibility of loosing your child through seperation is a reality.
It should anger every American that these people choose the illegal route to enter our country because they rely on the hearts of all Americans to give them compassion and exemption from the laws. This is killing our country and our state. We should not be rewarding them for breaking the law . Now some want to bring it directly to the people of Benson and make us responsible for those that break the law. Are you kidding me.
. Coming over the line pregnant is the game that is played by some. It needs to stop. The USA as a whole and especially BENSON tax payers are not and should not be pawns in this game. If this is their choice then they should suffer the consiquences.
If the council moves forward with this it will open the flood gates to Benson for illegals to get a free ride in a country club.
As far as profits go, show me any welfare program (which this is) that has EVER made a profit. It usually kills the economy of those that partisipate.
The only ones making a profit here are those that own the land, those that sell the land, those that will build the facility and those that will live in it.
Jobs will go to qualified outsiders and their paychecks will be spent in their own home towns not Benson.
This political correctness is killing us. Do right because it is right. It's not so hard. Vote this down. "
OK wrote on Mar 7, 2010 10:50 AM:
" We need to dedicate a ward or a section in every hospital in the USA to illegal aliens as a consolate of their countries with a government rep. from the countries that we have the most problems with over this issue. That way when illegals have their babies here they can have them technically on their own soil and that will eliviate the problem. "
OK wrote on Mar 7, 2010 10:59 AM:
" Whoops!!
In my comment about the hospitals I meant to dedicate the ward or section as an embassay not consulate. "
In my comment about the hospitals I meant to dedicate the ward or section as an embassay not consulate. "
Phillip D wrote on Mar 8, 2010 6:01 AM:
" If the state won't fund schools, then it will have to build prisons. Back in the 60's, the argument was Guns or Butter, money for war, or money for the people. Now it is schools or prisons because our politicians have already decided the state will only fund corporate tax cuts, so everybody else at the bottom has to fight it out for what's left over..... and since tax policy is written so all good jobs are shipped overseas, the only possible jobs left in America and Arizona now are jobs working in prisons. "
read the article wrote on Mar 8, 2010 9:16 AM:
" I guess "Not all will be illegals"
didn't read the article you should before you ask questions "
didn't read the article you should before you ask questions "
Commentator wrote on Mar 8, 2010 6:10 PM:
" i agree 100% with the Benson Resident. Why not house US homeless people who have lost their jobs, and can't afford to be pay for their mortgages, or can't even afford to rent. Suanas are you for reals!!!!!!!! those familes don't need to be ripped apart, if they stayed in their own country. Whoever wants to come to the US let them come LEGALLY "
Benson Resident wrote on Mar 3, 2010 8:22 AM: