Jo, I can't comment on the exact value of each portion of proposed police facilities. However, I think we, as a society, tend to favor blank checks when it involves our "security". This includes weapons systems that don't work down to the questions you raised here. What exactly is the relationship to these expenditures and the public safety? I just read an interesting interview in the New York Times with a business executive. He said the best business advice he received was from someone who told him "do not ever make a decision that you do not have to make". Perhaps Appleton doesn't need to make a decision now on the new station in light of the possible net benefits of the mergers under discussion.

Hmmm. Good management advice - I don't know if it applies here. Bids are being opened tomorrow for the $12.8M project and probably awarded at a Board of Public Works Committee meeting in 2 weeks. One of the arguments might be "we can't go back again and redesign the building; it's too late in the process." The discussion of possible savings should be had. Maybe more than a discussion. Maybe even crunch some numbers. JE

I agree that it would be less expensive to renovate. But, is that space really even available to either of these departments? The town hall was built with the purpose to grow into it with the town's expansion. That space will be needed further down the road for departments other than just police. Grand Ghute taxpayers may not view takeover of that space in the best interest of their tax dollars that were used to build the town hall.

It's my understanding it could be available; but those are exactly the question that it would be helpful to have specifically addressed. JE

Has anyone checked to see if Grand Chute wants to give up any more space then is already committed to police? As I recall the Town Hall was built to handle expansion by all departments in the future.

It's my understanding Bruce, that the space could be available; I believe Sheriff Gehring has made a proposal to occupy it - ? (I don't know that - haven't seen the proposal.) Your assertion certainly, must be looked at. JE

I'll want to get to that meeting Thursday afternoon to get briefed on the issue for any 'no' votes. Will this become a referendum issue or is it being pushed through?

The big deal breaker here is Full Cost Accounting. What are the actual benefits of all this expansion when, even now, the real estate and 'expansion building market' is contracting? Appleton already has the largest per capita police squad in the state. Someone correct me if this is in error, but I think the statistic is accurate.