Herald-Journal.2.12.09 “………..but in a nutshell, the folks at this meeting agree with Joel McRay, who said it best, ‘leave the "Grand Old Lady" alone’”. …....................... COURTHOUSES AND THEIR FUNCTIONS ARE COMPLEX AND BELONG TO THE PEOPLE AND SHOULD BE OPENLY AND PUBLICLY DISCUSSED.

AVOC

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February 13, 2009

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Courthouse Moving Bug meeting strong resistance in Greene County & Greensboro

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By Wendell Dawson, Editor, AVOC, Inc

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The County Commission Chair in Greene is holding public meetings on building a new and larger courthouse away from downtown Greensboro.   Greene County has an older courthouse with a historic past.  For weeks many folks have been writing letters to the Editor in the Herald-Journal and speaking against the idea of moving the courthouse from downtown.

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Greene County Courthouse

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Dene Channel, Chairman, Greene County BOC

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POWERFUL OPPONENTS

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Probate Judge Laverne Ogletree –Greene County, GA

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Two big opponents have some real clout:   Probate Judge LaVerne Ogletree who has worked in the courthouse since 1974 and has been Probate Judge since 1982;   Rep Mickey Channell who has represented Greene County in the Legislature for years and has had a business in Greensboro.  A letter to the editor from Judge Ogletree appeared in this week’s Herald-Journal and is copied below.

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Rep Mickey Channel -116^th District

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Rep Channell had a long letter read at the public meeting that opposed the move on historic, economic and cost grounds.   Channell made the point that Fulton County has an active and viable Courthouse in the middle of Downtown Atlanta and has been functioning just fine for decades.   Accommodations can be made!

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Many Downtown Merchants are opposed because of the loss of traffic for downtown restaurants and businesses.    Citizens are also opposed to spending huge amounts of money for a courthouse, especially during bad economic times.

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The situation is complicated because a past administration built an Agricultural Arena near the courthouse on county property.   Some consideration has been given to converting it to a roof for a Courthouse Administration Building.   Others, like Carey Williams of the Herald-Journal think the Arena is out of place and should be moved from downtown.

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SPLOST & LEASE-PURCHASE

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The Commissioners would use SPLOST and possibly a Lease-Purchase arrangement that is becoming all too common in local government.    The Lease-Purchase device allows major decisions and long-term debt to be incurred without a referendum.

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Chairman Channell should be commended for getting public input.   Too many times, Commissioners haul off and do these things without enough discussion.   Recent examples of “moving courthouse from downtown” are Walton and Jackson.   The moves have led to controversy and huge maintenance expense.

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WALTON & JACKSON COUNTY COURTHOUSES

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Walton County Courthouse

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Walton’s large courthouse is located on a side street at considerable distance from downtown.   It sits in the middle of a field.   It can remind one of the Leavenworth Prison Walls.  Security has resulted in a myriad of hallways and locked doors.  Many attorneys and citizens have said they do not like it.  

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Jackson County Commissioners went a considerable distance from Downtown Jefferson and built a large, new, expensive courthouse.   It has the look of a State Capitol.   It is surrounded by a huge parking lot that can provide exercise to get to the courthouse entrance.

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Jackson County Courthouse

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I f you go there for the day, either pack a lunch or plan to drive back to Downtown to eat.   Jackson County’s security makes for awkward access for citizens not there on Court business.  Many folks do not like the Jackson arrangement and the commissioners who did it were thrown out of office in the next election though Jackson was left with huge debt – in the Twenty Plus Million dollar range!

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COURTS & COUNTY ADMINISTRATION SHOULD BE SEPARATE

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Because of Court security, Administration should be separate from Court functions.   Citizens should not have to be searched to buy a tag, register to vote, pay taxes or record deeds and check real estate titles.  

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COURTHOUSES AND THEIR FUNCTIONS ARE COMPLEX AND BELONG TO THE PEOPLE AND SHOULD BE OPENLY AND PUBLICLY DISCUSSED.

2-12-09 Excerpts from Greene County Herald-Journal on Courthouse controversy

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The Herald-Journal

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February 12, 2009

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Courthouse is NOT For Sale

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AVOC NOTE:The Herald-Journal reported on a public meeting held by the County Commission Chair, Dene Channell to discuss what to do with the courthouse.   Some want to go outside of downtown and build a large new structure with lots of parking.    AVOC has been told that the main support is coming from the “Lake People”.   Many longtime residents are opposed.   A leader in the opposition is Probate Judge Laverne Ogletree who has held office since 1982.    She has pointed out the historic nature of the building, its impact on downtown and the extensive renovation done about 10 years ago.   Rep Mickey Channell of Greensboro had a letter read at the meeting generally opposing the option of moving the courthouse.Rep Channell pointed out that Fulton County has had growth and parking problems for decades but have not moved their courthouse.

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………….Channell relinquished the floor to the probate judge much to the plea­sure of those in attendance. Judge Ogletree, the probate judge since 1982, has been in the courthouse happenings since 1974 when she first began her employment at the courthouse. In 1990, county commissioners, addressing ADA issues, a dying boiler, window AC units, and limited restrooms, made the decision to preserve the historic courthouse for the people of Greene County and add an addition to the beautiful building. As she notes, the expansion was driven by cost. Judge Ogletree remembers the moment well; abandonment of the courthouse was NOT an option as the commis­sioners decided that moving the courthouse would be detrimental to the county seat……………..

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…….Carey Williams, editor of The Herald Journal, commented that the arena should be relocated to the Industrial Park. His statement kindled some thoughts from the crowd as many looked to their neigh­bors to see why this hadn't been con­sidered before. Fingers pointed to the Greene County Development Authority and their decisions not to use the land for this type structure. County Manager Byron Lombard advised the group that the develop­ment authority decided to preserve the land for industrial development

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(Greensboro) Mayor Glenn Wright stated that his conclusion of the meeting showed that the citizens and busi­nesses were not in favor of moving the courthouse proceedings to a new building. His resolution would be for the city and county officials to work together to resolve space issues for certain offices, currently housed in the courthouse.

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………. Chairman Channell has promised to conduct public hearings and accept input from all of the county's citizens regarding these important deci­sions, but in a nutshell, the folks at this meeting agree with Joel McRay, who said it best, leave the "Grand Old Lady" alone.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

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The Herald-Journal 2-12-09

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From Laverne Ogletree

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Studies of the history of court­house in Georgia, especially in rural Georgia, speak of the court­house as a symbol of the county and the pride of its citizens. This rich history is made most mani­fest by the continued used of the courthouse as a center of local government. Abandoning the his­toric courthouse for a new building and converting the structure to a non-government function will be a tragic loss to the historic founda­tion so important to our county's future. The courthouse is a tradi­tional and important landmark in our county seat. In 1849, this Courthouse was built with optimism and hope for the future. I believe the citizens of Greene County still have that hope, opti­mism, and pride. It is the most important building that belongs to every citizen.

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Back in the 1990's the Greene County Board of Commissioners were faced with serious issues concerning the future of our building. The building did not com­ply with the American with Disabili­ties Act, the building was heated by a dying boiler, window air conditioner units were used in the summer, restrooms were not adequate, space was limited as well as many other issues. The Board made the right decision to consult with a historic preservation architect in order to make the right decisions. The decision was made then not only to save the building but to build an expansion to insure it's continued use.

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Abandoning the courthouse should not be an option. It is an important part of the downtown business district. It generates a tremendous amount of foot traffic with stops at downtown stores and businesses. Stores and restau­rants are within walking distance for county employees. Citizens and visitors come into the court­house everyday. The courthouse is the historic centerpiece of our county and is available to the pub­lic.

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As a person who has had the privilege to work in the courthouse since 1974, I. know first hand the time and effort that was put into the decision to keep our courthouse in downtown Greensboro in 1993. I am also aware of the concern for future growth, space needs and downtown parking. I know that those needs can be met without moving. A first step is to determine what the needs are and to deter­mine how to satisfy those needs. A tremendous amount of informa­tion and resources are available.

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I urge the Board of Commission­ers to appoint a committee of citizens to assist with research and make recommendations for the future of our courthouse.

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LaVerne C. Ogletree