Sheriff and county agree to jail oversight
Citizens review committee will make recommendations on jail policies.
After several tenseweeks, Montgomery County sheriff and the county board of commissioners have reached an agreement to form a citizens review committee for the county jail.
Sheriff Phil Plummer and Board of Commissioners President Dan Foley sat down on Monday and discussed the concept of an independent oversight committee with Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley and state Sen. Peggy Lehner, R-Kettering.
The sides agreed to help create a 10-member committee to make recommendations on jail policies, facilities andcommunity resources, said Mayor Whaley, who helped arrange the meeting.
The committee will be initially
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Wehave extensively coveredissues related to the Montgomery CountyJail and lawsuits filed against its employees. We will continue to follow developments inefforts to establish an independent oversight committee for the jail and the impact that will have on the request fora federal investigation.
The Senate WASHINGTON— onMondayconfirmedbillionaire investorWilbur Ross as commerce secretary as PresidentDonald Trump adds to his economic team. The vote was 72-27. Breaking with Republican orthodoxy, Ross said the Trump administration willworkquickly to re-dothe North American Free Trade Agreement. That’s the massive trade pact with Canada andMexico that has boosted trade but still stings laid-off workers across the Midwest.
Senators fromboth political partieswere deferential to Ross at his nearly four-hour confirmation hearing, which wasmuchmoresubduedthan the confirmation hearings of other Trumpnominees. Former commerce secretaries have praised him, including one who served under formerPresidentBarackObama.
“Mr. Ross will bring decades of business, entrepreneurial and civic experience to this important position,” said Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., chairman of theCommerceCommittee. “I believe his extensive management experience in the private sector, and his understanding of the challenges faced by workers and businesses alike, will equip himwell for the job of leading the Department of Commerce.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren of MassachusettscriticizedRoss’ businesstiestoRussiaandthe wayheranamortgagelender during the housing crisis.
“Mr. Ross has extensive ties to Russia. He plans to keep making money from his major oil shipping companieswhileworkingasCommerce Secretary. He’smade billions off the backs of strugglinghomeowners,” Warren said Monday. “He is practically a cartoon stereotype of aWall Street fat cat.”
As part of his ethics agreement, Ross is giving up his position at Diamond S. Shipping, buthewill retain a stake in the company, which ships petroleum and other products. As part of the agreement, Ross has promised not to take any action as commerce secretary that would benefitanycompanyinwhich he has a financial interest.
At his confirmation hearing, Rosswasnot askedabout business ties to Russia or his work as a mortgage lender, and he did not address the issues.
Senators did note thatRoss is divesting frommuch of his business empire.
Worth an estimated $2.9 billion, Ross has extensive business ties around the globe. In 2000, he founded WL Ross & Co., a private equity firm. As part of his ethics agreement, Ross will divest from the firm.
So far, the Senate has confirmed 15 out of 22 Trump Cabinet or Cabinet-level picks requiring confirmation. Senators also were expected to move forward on Trump’s nomination ofMontanaRep. Ryan Zinke to lead the Interior Department. If Zinke clears a procedural vote set for lateMonday, a final vote on confirmation could occur on today orWednesday.
During the presidential campaign, Trump criticized U.S. trade deals, including NAFTA. Trump’s stance on trade is at odds with many Republicans in Congress, but it endeared him to some voters in the Midwest who believetradedealscostAmerican jobs.
NAFTA was negotiated and signed by President Bill Clinton, with broad support among Republicans in Congress.
Ross said all free trade agreements should be systematically re-opened every few years to make sure they areworking in the best interests of the U.S.
Ross said he is pro-free trade but noted his close relationship with theUnited Steelworkers union as proof that he will fight to protect American jobs. The union has endorsed him.