One week after the Smithfield Town Council heard public comment on a controversial site selected for a new Johnston County Jail, the Selma Town Council Tuesday night said they also wanted to hear from citizens on the proposed location.
Councilman Mark Petersen said that while the site at 1860 Buffalo Road, Smithfield does not directly affect Selma, it does indirectly affect the Town. Petersen requested a public hearing be set for the January 10th, 2017 monthly meeting to solicit public input from citizens and others about what they think of the jail location.
After the meeting Petersen would not say whether he is in favor or is opposed to the jail location, but one town councilman said he would welcome the jobs and potential associated businesses that would follow. “If they don’t want it, we’ll take it here in Selma,” Councilman William Overby stated.
The town council voted unanimously to approve Petersen’s request for the January public hearing.
The Smithfield Selma Chamber of Commerce has gone on record in opposition of the proposed location. A total of 14 people spoke against the site during the December 6th Smithfield town council meeting.
