Once again the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has selected the greater Tehachapi area for expansion of CCI. They plan to build a new unit to house 2200 more inmates that will require 830 new employees. That's 3000 added to the current 9000  inmates and employees which will only perpetuate the current 200% overcrowding rather than resolve it. All this comes packaged in a new 110 acre under roof facility.

Prison families moving into the area, further contamination to our aquifers, a never ending stream of visitors to inmates, traffic congestion and road deterioration, additional housing for employees, air pollution, crime, overcrowding of schools, burdens to our hospital and law enforcement and public safety all come to us in the form of prison expansion.

We have an opportunity to stand up and say "NO" and join with CVPA at the City Council meeting on Monday, May 5th. where representatives of the CCI will be making a presentation. We need to let them know that expansion should occur in closer proximity to the source of criminal activities - NOT in Tehachapi.

Please plan to attend this critical meeting. If several hundred people plan to do so, the meeting will be moved from the Veterans Hall to the High School Cafeteria.

Encourage your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers and call 822-1887 or 822-3478 to let them know you will attend. I know I will!

Jim Richards