(Brazil, IN)

During Monday’s Clay County Commissioners Meeting, things became a bit heated during the public comment period when Romelia Solano of South Bend representing Communities Not Cages Indiana Coalition, pleaded with the commissioners to stop the proposed jail expansion project and to cancel the contract that allows the County to hold ICE detainees for the US Marshalls Office.

Solano tried to speak a second time as she wanted to clarify Commissioners were not giving the public enough notice about the project and that the recent lawsuit filed against the county was not dismissed in court as reported in The Brazil Times. Solano stressed the case was voluntarily dismissed. However, Commission President Marty Heffner cut Solano off and had her removed from the meeting. Heffner also made it clear he and fellow Commissioners have done nothing wrong. He noted the investigation conducted by Indiana’s Public Access Counselor ruled in favor of the County. Heffner added he and his colleagues are tired of being dragged through the mud on social media regarding the proposed Jail expansion.

In other business, Rob Gambill, the Emergency Management Director asked Commissioners for permission to apply for a grant to purchase additional body cameras for local law enforcement. A 25 percent local match is needed. Commissioners approved the request.

Commissioners also approved a 4-year contract to Dr. Camillo Mendoza to be Clay County’s Health officer.

-You can learn more about Monday’s meeting if you watch the Facebook broadcast located on the WAMB The Breeze Facebook page.