No obligation to build courthouse next to jail
Commissioners say no money for courthouse now
By Dwight Otwell Editor

The county commissioners believe that they have no obligation to build a courthouse on the property off Pleasant Valley Road where the new jail is being constructed.

At Tuesday's county commission meeting, Commissioner David Sumpter said that although Roger Swanson, who sold the land to the county, believes the county obligated itself to build a new courthouse on the property, "It is clear to me that the county has no obligation to build a courthouse on that property or anywhere else in the county."

"I don't believe there is a legal recourse for Swanson to require anyone to construct a courthouse. It would take a substantial amount of money to build a facility there."

Commissioner Dana Jones said the intent when the land was purchased was to put a courthouse on the property when it can be afforded. "We cannot afford to build a courthouse there now. There are other avenues (where money is needed to be spent) including building classrooms. I have been ridiculed for the price we paid for that land but I don't believe there was any piece of property that size in the city limits with water and sewer."

Jones said he believes the court will require a bigger or additional courtrooms in the future. The county commission meeting was held in the small, second courtroom, recently completed.

Sumpter said he wants the county commissioners to study the utility of the present courthouse and determine if use can be made of the area into the parking lot and down to the senior center.

"All these issues are still open," he said. "I prefer having a long time study."

In another matter, Sheriff Keith Lovin said he has come up with a possible solution to a problem at the Texanna Community Center. He has two portable classrooms that the sheriff's office uses for storage that can be used for an after school program in the Texanna community. The community center is not air conditioned or adequately heated, a community leader has said.

Lovin said he can also use federal forfeiture funds to set the portable classrooms up. The sheriff's office could work with students on anti-drug and anti-gang education.

In another matter, Joe Wood said he is speaking for about 20 residents of the Hothouse community who are concerned about the recent removal of dumpsters from the area near the Tennessee state line. It means that residents must travel roughly 12 miles to dump garbage.

Wood said several secondary roads in the area now have more garbage as a result of moving the dumpsters as people discard garbage on the road.

Commission Chairman Jonathan Dickey said consolidation of dumpsters comes down to dollars and cents.

"It is our job to be as conservative but effective as we can," he said.

Wood said moving the dumpsters is saving the county money but not the taxpayers.