Pro-Prison Mayor Jeff Nelson says the prison is gone, but the Jail's NOT GONE!!

Wake Up People!!

We've warned you several times that this Prison isn't gone and that CCA owns the property and we should remain vigilant.  Well, do you believe us now??  You'll see in the document below from a firm that CCA hired to help them with the application of the well, Milian, Swain & Associates that CCA is moving forward with trying to get water for their property however SFWMD states there has to be need.  With the ICE facility "gone"...  we have been vigilantly keeping an eye on things.  

Southwest Ranches Press Release!

The Town of Southwest Ranches has released a statement regarding the cancellation of the ICE Detention Center.  In it, it blames the uncertainty of water and sewer services and the associated NEPA process that the government must have found it needed to complete before moving forward in the contracting process.  For those that haven't heard about the NEPA, it's basically an environmental study that is required when the government takes a financial action where it brings into account things like water use, public safety and other factors.

In addition, last month CCA had recently applied with the South Florida Water Management District to dig a well into the Biscayne Aquifer.  This is something I don't see the Town Council allowing to happen since the wells for the entire Town's population could be negatively affected by this rather large commercial well use of about 60 million gallons of water per year.  In addition, the letter back to CCA notes the continued "grazing land" or infamous "ag exemption" they had received for the past 12 years to avoid paying taxes on their prison parcel.  They still hold the Ag Exemption on the property even though the property appraiser says it was taken off. 

Essentially, they were not very forthcoming with the South Florida Water Management District that the permit was for a large commercial use and a prison of at least 1500 beds. Documents regarding the drilling into the aquifer can be found here.  (Application #120514-14).  The RAI letter from SFWMD to CCA can be viewed here, section 2.

According to the Town's press release, President Obama's announcement regarding a shift in DHS deportation priorities (something several members from RAID had warned the Town Council could happen) had nothing to do with it.  On Friday, June 15th the President held a press conference to discuss this change in policy stating,  

... deportation will no longer apply to immigrants who came into the country before they were 16 and are now younger than 30, have lived here for five straight years, have never been convicted of a crime or graduated from high school or got a GED.  Such immigrants will be allowed to apply for a two-year work permit that can be renewed unlimited times.  

This statement renders a new detention center unnecessary as it would pertain to approximately 800,000 undocumented immigrants and ICE released a statement saying as much.  Shortly after the President's announcement the following statement was released by ICE,

 ICE has reevaluated its need for an additional detention facility in South Florida and has decided that it will no longer pursue a facility in the Town of Southwest Ranches. We are examining our options for additional detention space in the region and will make the appropriate notifications when a decision about the way forward has been made.

You can read the Town's full press release below:

Written by: Ryann Greenberg

What Kind of Man is CCA's Sam Poole?

In a prior article, we linked to Berger Singerman's bio page on Sam Poole where he's presented as a concerned environmentalist.  What he seems to be is a former Broward County bureaucrat who's now found a way to use his former public influence to represent some of the most despicable companies who profit off the hurt, destruction and exploitation of those around them.  He's represented Corrections Corporation of America, LLC for years in their attempt to get a stronghold in Southwest Ranches AND take over the town government.

http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/2004-08-26/news/bitter-sugar/5/

Sam Poole has an even more twisted clientele than most.  He seems to make his money off companies that PROFIT off the exploitation of poor immigrants.  CCA is the largest private prison corporation in America and is estimated to provide nearly 20% of the beds for ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) countrywide.  CCA and the Town of Southwest Ranches want to put the BIGGEST immigrant prison in the country right here in bucolic Southwest Ranches.  This prison will be run with FEDERAL tax money and will enrich the corporation, their highly compensated white collar staff AND help feed the greedy, rich leaders in Southwest Ranches who think they are so poor they need revenue from a prison.

All this money will be made off a completely dysfunctional immigration system that is beyond harsh to those misfortune individuals caught up in it.  Back to Poole.

This is a long article about the Fanjuls who own all the sugar land from here up to Clewiston as well as the coop sugar refinery in South Bay.  If you read the article, you will find laid out some of the injustices their immigrant workers have faced.

If you move to page 5 of the article, you will find a name that we now know well.  It's that of Sam Poole.

To persuade Durando, the Fanjuls sent an impressive three-man team -- the trio's prestige further proof of the Fanjuls' ability to enlist high-powered talent in their cause. On her right sat Samuel E. Poole III, a former executive director of the South Florida Water Management District, who recently joined the Fanjuls.

...

The Fanjul team feared defeat. "Well, why wait?" Poole asked. "This is the public-private partnership we need to use as the right model and duplicate it elsewhere."

...

That's what essentially ended the meeting. The Fanjul folks changed the subject. A promise, especially on paper, was apparently too much to ask. Cantens suggested maybe Durando could set up another meeting, next time bringing other environmentalists. "We'll have it at your place," Poole added.

...

Outside the commission chambers, environmentalist turned Fanjul lawyer Sam Poole stood by himself. He leaned against a wall watching the meeting on a television set. He promised that the Fanjuls would be back. He promised they would win over more environmentalists. "We intend to seek a dialogue on what should happen on this site.

So, folks fighting this prison, Sam Poole is THE GUY who is used to ameliorate opposition to controversial people and projects MAINLY exploiting immigrants and the environment.

Anybody privy to the behind the scenes manipulations by Debbie Wasserman Schultz in trying to co-opt opposition to the prison can now see that this is all by the playbook and that Poole is expert at this.  Who will suffer this time?  Just like with the sugar barons, immigrants, residents and the environment suffer.

Sam Poole -- Committed Environmentalist Puts Prison in Everglades

http://www.bergersingerman.com/news/Attorney-Samuel-Poole-Participated-in-the-VisionBROWARD-Community-Leadership-Forum/

In a stunning example of hypocrisy, Sam Poole has been the Broward County front man for Corrections Corporation of America.  Sam has actively lobbied and worked with the completely out of touch Southwest Ranches Town council to put yet another prison holding between 1500 and 2200 people on the edge of the Everglades.

This prison will further blight the Everglades and put additional burden on our aquifer.  It's a shame that people can present themselves as committed environmentalists yet work against the environment every opportunity they can get.