Court House Space issue Solved!

The issue: A second Family Court Judge will be assuming office.  Where can the County Commissioners find space to house this new position in an over-crowded court house building?

Solution:  Move the County Commissioners out of their current space and give it up for additional court room space and offices.

There is no reason why the Commissioners must be in the Court House.  There are more reasons why a new “Court” should be in the Court House.

The Commissioners currently hold their weekly meetings in a room that is very rarely packed but is perfectly set up to support a Family Court room environment where privacy is frequently needed to protect the confidentiality of children.

What is the average attendance of the Commissioner’s meetings?  Three – four people attend and an occasional news media person who arrives late only to interview the Commissioners after the meeting is over.

It is time to recognize a need for a County Court Annex or a County Administration Building (not in Charles Pointe, Ron). The Commissioners have several buildings within walking distance in which they could rent office and conference room space to conduct their business.   It would be cheaper for the Commissioners to move out rather than provide extra armed security for a new court room away from the court house.

Begin moving more non-court related County government offices out of the Court House and you will be doing a favor for everyone who hates to empty their pockets, wallets and purses every time they wish to run into the building to get a form or check on taxes.  Put the people’s business out where it is easily accessible and leave the court rooms in between the guards and the public.

If they won’t move, let the County Commissioners meet during the evening. They can then choose any of the empty court rooms in which to hold their meetings.  Or, how about having some courts meet at night?  Why keep the court rooms empty for 16 hours a day.? The people in the orange suits coming before the courts would be pretty flexible in attending.  The old Justice of the Peace was available around the clock. Magistrates are on call when needed around the clock. Why does every judge need their own specific court-room? Why are they not managed in common and assigned on an ‘as available’ basis?

Could it be that the ’space problem” might only exist in a few heads?