During a recent government meeting, concerns were raised regarding the proposed deflection center in Southeast Ports, London, associated with House Bill 4002. Johnson, a resident of Buckman for 21 years, criticized the lack of public engagement in the planning process, highlighting that local district commissioner Sharon Myron had not been invited to participate in discussions. Johnson likened the situation to the secrecy surrounding the Manhattan Project, expressing frustration over the perceived lack of transparency.

Chair Peterson revealed that the county has allocated $25 million for the operation and construction of the center over the next two years. However, Johnson questioned the financial commitment, pointing out the absence of clear statistics or operational plans. He noted that officials were unable to provide information on how many individuals the center would serve, raising concerns about the effectiveness and necessity of the project. Furthermore, Johnson emphasized that participation in the deflection program would be voluntary, which he believes could undermine its intended impact.