More residents upset with the possibility of the new county jail being constructed on U.S. Highway 80 at the old Pinewoods Hotel location appeared before the Warren County Board of Supervisors during their work session Monday.

Ashley Vroman and George Hale spoke on behalf of the group and brought with their concerns expressed by some residents in the area, including a detailed map that indicates 20-plus school bus stops within a mile radius of the proposed jail facility, as well as the proximity of Warren Central High School, River City Early College and Hinds Community College that are within a mile of the possible jail site.

“Schools are very important to me,” said the Amber Leaf Drive resident. “Keeping the children of our community in mind … this is a very big impact to a whole bunch of families.”

Vroman said there are a 1,000 residents within a one-mile radius of the proposed jail site and the area has a high traffic volume. “And when it rains, it’s going to flood,” Vroman said. She also doesn’t believe this is the most cost effective solution to a jail, noting the Ceres Industrial site would be more ideal and the Berryman Road site would be less costly since infrastructure is already in place.

“I’m really concerned with what is the most important factor of this board when you’re looking for a site,” Vroman said. “Is it to be cost effective? Is it to provide safety to our community? Is it impact on residents? Proximity to schools? To me it seems to be a very negative effect.”

Hale, who has lived in that area of Warren County since 1964, said he had some very pointed questions.

He said he is also concerned about the risk a proposed jail would have on the schools and churches in the area.

“I look at it more economically than as a personal impact,” Hale said.

He suggested the county and city look at the Kuhn Memorial Hospital site and said “the area is a slum now.”

District 2 Supervisor William Banks was quick to point out the “area is not a slum” and said the worst area is around the hospital “because it’s been there so long. But it’s not a slum area. You have people all around there. The hospital is decaying but the area around there is not decaying.”

Hale was reminded the Kuhn site is slated for development.

Hale also suggested the area near Letourneau that is available or the old municipal airport.

“Why are we dumping this right up in the middle of folks who have families when there are other options?” Hale asked.

Board President Richard George reminded Vroman and Hale the Ceres site was the original selection of the supervisors in December of last year, but could not get the backing from city and economic development officials necessary for the legislature to approve. Therefore, the board settled on the 47-acre Pinewoods Hotel location, which is currently being assessed before the supervisors make an offer on the property.

“It was made explicitly clear to us that Ceres would not be approved,” George said.

Vroman, who said she has gathered more than a 100 signatures in four days against the proposed jail site, asked what was the most important factor from the supervisors in making this decision.

George said needs of the future of city and county law enforcement, proximity to utilities, access, cost, drainage and impact on the community were the major factors considered by the board.

“We all need a jail — and it’s understandable — it’s just not something anyone wants to have for a neighbor,” George said. “Our effort was to find a piece a property that would offer as much buffer as possible. That’s why we wanted to acquire 40 to 50 acres so a jail would be in a position that it’s not the highlight of the project and veiled as best one can.”

George also indicated the agreement between the city and county on the jail site that gained legislative approval is currently on Gov. Phil Bryant’s desk awaiting his signature.