News : Ribbon cutting marks LEC completion; Sheriff\'s Office staff to move this week

Supervisors Jason Sanders, Ron Buch and Dave Vermedahl have worked on the jail issue 3 years.

Supervisor Dave Vermedahl recounts the history of the flood and the LEC building project.

Local leaders cut the ribbon to celebrate the completion of the LEC/EOC building Saturday.

The crowd listens as EMA Board Pres. Steve Meyer discusses the new EOC.

This flag flew over the U.S. Capitol before being presented to Benton County leaders.

The crowd filled the sidewalk and street surrounding the new LEC for ribbon cutting.

Sheriff Randy Forsyth praised his staff for how they handled the flood and temporary office space.

Mayor John Watson praised EMA Dir. Scott Hansen for helping keep Vinton safe.

Retired deputy John Austin joined the tour 911 dispatchers room Saturday.

This display includes a photo of the damaged caused by the flood of 2008.

Open house attendees watch a video of the flood and the building of the new LEC.

Dispatcher Dorothy Wild explains the features of the new 911 radio room.

This is where medical personnel will examine and treat jail patients.

Officers keep these teddy bears to give to children who face crisis situations.

Soon the new laundry at the LEC will be busy as the staff maintains the wardrobe of the prisoners.

Two years and 364 days after the heroic effort to save the Benton County Law Enforcement Center from flooding failed, the same people who watched the Flood of 2008 consume the old LEC gathered at the spot to celebrate the completion of the new one. A ribbon cutting took place at the end of a short ceremony Saturday morning, followed by a few hours of self-guided tours.

The building is not open yet; there are a few more things to finish before the Sheriff's Office equipment, jail supplies and 911 dispatchers begin using the building. Sheriff Randy Forsyth told the crowd that gathered for the ribbon cutting on Saturday that he expected the moving to take place early this week.

Forsyth reminded the crowd that the sandbag levy that hundreds of volunteers had built gave into the force of the flood waters at 4:56 a.m. on June 12, 2008. The building eventually was under more than 30 inches of water; virtually everything inside was destroyed.

After the flood, the Sheriff's Office relocated to temporary office space in the ICAS building, which had originally been the West school building. Forsyth said that while the building offered much-needed space, he also said that it was a challenge conducting the work of law enforcement in a building that was not meant for that purpose. He praised his staff for how they handled the flood and the challenges of moving into that temporary building.

Benton County Supervisors Dave Vermedahl and Ron Buch also spoke. Vermedahl said the celebration marked both an end and a beginning, and reminded the audience that the purpose of the LEC is to help people to find answers to their problems.

Buch thanked everyone for their part in the project. "It's been a long three years," he said.

Vinton Mayor John Watson also spoke. He praised Scott Hansen for his work in leading the Emergency Management Agency during the flood. The Mayor said that he had not really known what Scott did until the flood, but now, he said, he can sleep better at night knowing what Scott and his department are doing to keep Vinton safe.

EMA Board President Steve Meyer also spoke about the federal grant that enabled the EMA to build a new Emergency Operations Center inside the new LEC building.

These speakers joined the LEC architects and contractor in cutting the ribbon to celebrate the completion of the project.