The Mercer and Hudson plan would have Mercer pay Hudson to house a minimum of 600 inmates at a cost of $21.2 million per year.
TRENTON -- Twenty people addressed the Mercer County freeholder board Tuesday night about their concerns over a plan to start sending the bulk of the county's jail inmates to Hudson County.
None of the speakers backed the plan, floated by Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes and his administration.
Here's what 11 people said at the microphone:
"All we are asking is to leave the politics out of the decision. Look at the facts." - Brian Mitchell, local president of the Mercer County Corrections superior officers union.
"I don't understand how Mercer jobs going to Hudson is going to help our economy in Mercer County...We're uprooting families and we're taking tax dollars and sending them to Hudson County. I can't believe that." - Mark Kieffer, Hamilton resident and Trenton police captain.
"All you're doing is taking jobs away, putting peoples lives at risk and hurting the economy. Jailing is not a business." - Brian Pio, current corrections officer in Salem County, who previously worked in Gloucester County before a similar agreement in those counties.
"I can just see the judge in Mercer County saying, 'Lt. where's your inmate?' Oh he's at stuck in traffic at Newark airport." - Jason Nordgren, retired corrections officer, discussing the traffic delays likely when inmates are transported to and from Hudson County.
"I am appalled at the comments by the warden...that is not a leader. If you're looking for layoffs, that is where you should start." - Kelly Ottobre, Ewing, addressing Mercer Warden Charles Ellis, who she said should be supporting officers, not the plan.
"You're just trying to save money, not improve programs...The difference between Flint, Michigan and Mercer County, Flint had no elected officiclals watching. You are elected officials, please protect your constituents." - Charles Peters, acting program coordinator at the Mercer jail.
"The people who do the work have had very little input in the process." - James Panacek, 71-year Mercer County resident.
"You speak of cost savings, but it's going to cost them everything." - Terry Melvin, a nurse at the Mercer jail, speaking about his fellow employees.
"I pay my taxes in Mercer County, not Hudson County." - Karen McBride, Mercer County resident.
"And don't think they're not waiting for them up at Hudson County." - Jason Alrick, Hamilton, speaking about mixing of gang members from Mercer and Hudson counties.
"Take time to listen to what they have done, and what they haven't done." - Cindy Yenchik, Hamilton resident, whose son is a Mercer corrections officer.
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.