Sheriff to stump for new justice complex
July 18, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- Kalamazoo County Sheriff Tom Edmonds will discuss the region's proposed new justice facilities just days before voters hit the polls when he gives a presentation at Western Michigan University Friday, Aug. 2.
Edmonds, a WMU alumnus, will present "The Proposed Criminal Justice Complex: The Right Thing To Do and Why" as part of the Keystone Community Bank Breakfast Series. The free Haworth College of Business program, which includes a continental breakfast, will begin at 7:30 a.m. in Room 2150 of Schneider Hall on the WMU campus. Parking will be available in the adjacent Fetzer Center parking lot. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the business dean's office at (269) 387-5050.
On Aug. 6, Kalamazoo County voters will be asked to approve two proposals totaling $148 million to fund the construction and operation of the proposed criminal justice complex. The facility would consolidate the county's jail, juvenile home and court complex, currently located at three separate sites. County commissioners recently identified a 26-acre site in downtown Kalamazoo as the preferred location for the complex.
Edmonds, who earned his bachelor's degree from WMU and a juris doctorate from the University of Michigan, became Kalamazoo County sheriff in 1984. Previously, he worked as a prosecuting attorney and served in the U.S. Air Force. He currently is a brigadier general in the Michigan Air National Guard. Edmonds also is an adjunct professor in WMU's Haworth College of Business, where he teaches criminal law and procedure.
The Keystone Community Bank Breakfast Series at the Haworth College of Business features WMU faculty and alumni speaking about their research and teaching on a variety of timely business issues. The company and college formed the partnership in 2000 to offer monthly presentations that are free and open to the public.
Media contact: Jessica English, 269 387-8400, jessica.english@wmich.edu