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Lest some of your listeners would think that the majority of Fossil residents who opposed this facility are a group of unfriendly, fearful Oregonians, let?s be clear that our local concerns have been based largely on the severe impact this facility would have on our community due to its remote location and small population.

The definition of civilly insane sex offenders states that such persons are a danger to themselves and/or to others. A community of just a few hundred people ? in our case, 400 persons ? simply isn?t large enough for effective assimilation of such sex offenders into our local society.

Fossil and similar rural communities of this size cannot offer job opportunities, discreet socialization experiences, or promises of anonymity for these committed persons. We have no police department, a tiny volunteer ambulance, limited medical services and inadequate law enforcement.

?Out of sight, out of mind? placement in the smallest, most distant Oregon places isn?t fair to these communities and also places unfair limitations on the care and societal opportunities needed by the mentally ill.

posted 3 years, 11 months ago
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