Remarks by Will Richardson
32 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 1 of 2
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
I'd like to be added as a sponsor, please.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to be added as a sponsor as well.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Well-deserved, well-deserved, and well-deserved. You encompass what leadership looks like in our communities. There's never been a time when I had something going on in the community that you didn't support me, and vice versa. We're tied together in making our community better, and I'm just glad to be up under your leadership as you continue to lead and fight for the causes that impact us the most. So thank you, sir.
Thank you, madam chair. Just wanted to say thank you again for your leadership and hosting the. orientation over the weekend. It was very informative for me and I'm sure other commissioners will agree that, you know, it's much needed to have that training and that information readily available for us. So it was a great job, not only for it from yourself, but the staff, of course, who do a lot of things behind the scenes that a lot of the public does not see that makes us look the way that we do. And so just kudos to everybody in that capacity. Also on October 12th We are having a community…
Y'all make this the last comment about Frasier that is so beloved by many of us at this table. And it's just good that Frasier has great representation from Charlie Caswell, Commissioner Brooks, and myself. And so together we can make Frasier even better. So thank you.
Now therefore, being resolved by the body of County Commissioners of Shelby County, Tennessee, hereby recognize the third Friday of September as POW MIA Recognition Day in Shelby County, Tennessee, and encourages all residents to honor the gallant men and women who have served our nation as prisoners of war and those who remain missing in action or unaccounted for. Be it finally resolved that a copy of this resolution being presented as a token of deep respect, Gratitude and admiration to the men and women who have served our country and to the propitious promise that you are not forgotten.…
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I don't have any opposition, just want to be added as a cosponsor.
Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you for answering the question on the ratio. I just assumed that every facility had that, but I do understand. And so thank you for that information. But that being said, what are we going to do really to be intentional? I mean, like super intentional. I think everybody comes in with a great mindset and a great motive to do the right thing and to make sure that people are being taken care of properly. But what will you do that's different from the rest that will just give us that sense of hope that we're actually doing the right thing and protecting our…
Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to say I'm super excited having completed the first committee meeting and commission meeting with you guys. I've sat in the audience for years waiting for this opportunity. And it's pretty cool. And I'm also thankful that tonight is Monday Night Football and my Chiefs are playing. And I was worried if I was going to be able to get home and watch it. And so I will. And we will watch the greatest football team play the ball tonight. All right. Thank you.
Thank you, Madam Chair, and congratulations. I know everybody said it, but it's always good to hear that when You worked so hard to get to where you are. Thank you. And I remember on the campaign trail when we were talking about the importance of really dealing with the issues that we had before us. Yes. And to see that you're here today with a lot of those issues already being addressed and having a game plan that addresses those issues is truly exciting. And I know it gives the constituents really a lot of relief knowing they voted for the right person to be in this position in this season.…
That's very refreshing. And, you know, like I said, I'm super excited to be working with you. And, yeah, happy birthday.
Thank you, Chairwoman. Will Richardson. I just wanted to ask the question about the actual cost. It's $117,000, and that's for two welders over 12 weeks, which roughly breaks down to about $2,400 a week in pay. Did we look at other avenues or... Was there a lower cost available in this matter, or how did we come up to the agreement of adherence to this amount?
I know we also have a maintenance team on staff. Is our maintenance team not equipped to do welding at all? And if not, then can we look further to getting those people in that building who are willing to be certified to do these jobs that may lower our costs as well?
So this person that's a welder on staff will be in conjunction with the other two welders to assist in this matter? Yes, sir. Okay.
Thank you, Chairwoman. Good morning. A couple of questions that I have as it relates to the overall contract is I know we spoke and I know Commissioner Caswell asked a question about how many people you have on staff to facilitate these services, but we did not get the answer that was actually asked, which is what are the required physician, nursing, behavioral, and dental staffing ratios per inmate that we have in our facility currently. And I'm hoping that you do have that information.
What is the required ratio for physician, nurses, behavioral and dental staffing for our inmates? Now, I don't know.
But I know, because I'm in health care, and so I know there's a set ratio that has to be met, and I need to know what that number is, and making sure that we're following protocol with that and seeing if we need to change that ratio based upon the actual events that are occurring in our jail and the response times that's required to get those people in need of help.
Okay. Who audits the deaths and the serious injuries and hospital transfers, and do we have access to that information?
Thank you. I'm out of time, but I'd like to have a report or some kind of relationship where we can have communication on what those findings are.
Thank you, Chairwoman. I just wanted to address a few things further before we make a decision on this, because this is something that is impacting so many lives, and so I want to make sure that I'm confident in the vote that I'm going to give. I know in 2023, MediCo also did a bid for $36 million, which was $8 million higher than WellPath, but we turned it down, even though they had the highest score. And now here we are looking at Wexforth, for 37 million, which is a million more than the current bid from Medeco. I also know that WellPAP is willing to stay and assist until we get this thing…
Thank you for that. I guess that answers my question on how we need to move or how I'm going to move, rather. Thank you.
Thank you, Chair. Just a quick question. I know you ran recently. And, of course, you'll have to run if you're appointed in the next two years and then another. What did you learn from the campaign trail that's going to give you the opportunity to get over the hump if you're appointed?