Cunningham’s Castle: Another Money Pit

Have you ever noticed that when people are lacking on facts and logic they often resort to emotional attacks? This week several people have accused me of blindly supporting the Board of Supervisors regarding the courthouse issue.

The fact is, The Board has been working on this project for almost four years.  We at the Messenger have been following the progress for almost four years.  We do not believe the board has spent four years figuring out a way to destroy the historic courthouse.  We believe they are attempting to act in the best interest of the county, both financially and historically.

For at least two years we have encouraged interested people to get involved and they refused.

There are several facts that many people are refusing to acknowledge. The most important is, in order to truly save the historic Jefferson Courthouse it must remain in use.  In order to remain in use it must meet Judge Cunningham’s demands.  By continuing to use the courthouse as a courthouse the county is mandated to maintain it and preserve it.

The first plan, which involved adding an addition to the addition to the courthouse added in 1957, would have saved the building AND would have returned it to the Jefferson design AND kept it in use as a courthouse.

We have heard numerous people pledge to raise the money to restore and maintain the building. Frankly, we’ve heard those promises many times regarding many buildings and have yet to see it happen.

We have also visited other counties that incorporated an existing courthouse successfully and we have seen unused and neglected courthouses.

After years of negotiations the board appointed the panel required by law under the constraints required by law. Then some people who claim to want to “save the courthouse” complained and the panel was dissolved before meeting.  This panel was the only hope the taxpaying citizens of Charlotte County had in minimizing the cost of construction.  Somehow Judge Doherty refused to allow the panel chosen by the Board of Supervisors in accordance with the law to act.

Judge Cunningham’s personal design (also paid for by the county) incorporated 12 sets of restrooms.  This is more restrooms than three of our local schools combined.  Does anyone else see a problem?

Another valid question is why blame the Board when the Judge is calling all of the shots.  We still haven’t seen anyone taking the judge to task for his demands.  Currently Cunningham is demanding the courthouse be attached to the clerk’s office. Nothing counts but Cunningham’s demand.

In the last few months the cost of the courthouse project has doubled. The school board has proposed a 24 million dollar school project.

We have to wonder how many citizens will complain about the tax increase to pay for it all.