This $43 million expansion was funded back in 2001 with the proceeds of an $111 million bond. Though I and several other citizens managed to band together and stop it in court, our success was short-lived.The County just adopted another bond ordinance.
One of the big selling points of this expansion is that it would protect judges from lunatics like the one I described in the story below. It does give judges their own private entrance, but it was so poorly designed that it fails to protect them from the elements. A leak from the roof went right into Judge Kim McFadden's chambers a few months ago, which basically converted it into an indoor swimming pool.
The roof was designed so that whenever it snows, an avalanche can come crashing down and kill someone on his way to pay his taxes. But the most idiotic feature is the public entrance, known as the rotunda. It's located at the most inconvenient spot for access that could be imagined. Most people who visit the courthouse have to trudge up the Washington Street hill, which is like Mount Everest in the Winter. Assuming they survive, they have to continue walking to the rotunda before they get into the building.
The rotunda has massive glass doors. Every time the wind blows more than 10 mph, it becomes impossible to keep them closed. So Deputy Sheriffs usually have to block access at one of them, as you can see above.
You would think that the public entrance of a $43 million building owned by the public would have a functioning door. But no one can fix it. Glenn Reibman tried. So did John Stoffa and John Brown. And though Lamont McClure has made a lot of improvements, even he is stumped by the door that refuses to close.
This monument to stupidity resulted in a 70% tax hike and layoffs over two years. It resulted in 11 county unions. It also ended Glen Reibman's tenure as Executive.
And to this day, no one can fix the damn door.
It's great that you're on the ground and making observations. The county courthouse is the best place to view government innaction. In twenty years, some bottom-feeding blogger will assail the foolhardy crime lab and lament that its doors don't close and are killing people. I'm no anarchist, but the amount of faith some place in a government that can't even fix a door, is remarkable.
ReplyDeleteDid anyone think to ask Mr. Miller from Miller Hardware to take a look at that door and suggest a fix?
ReplyDeleteThe TAJ MAHAL that the Courts wanted is a memorial to their arrogance. They would fight the BOND if they didn't get their new Courthouse. One hundred million dollar bond was a waste of taxpayers money and it still holds true today.
ReplyDeleteGota love the engineers that never had any hands on experience yet can draw a blueprint for the cash cow of public funds. There must be some sort of liability of these parasites that noting more than used car salesmen selling crack pools and like that are over priced and guaranteed to fail.
ReplyDeleteInstalling pools and things with PRIDE America's main street work efforts, the gifts that keep giving!
ReplyDeleteProbably an expensive fix, but saw a show on the Science Channel about a building in Scotland that had a wind problem that literally cause people to fall down. The city ended up installing large glass panels out towards the sidewalks to serve as a break and redirect the gusts.
ReplyDeleteI think they should bring the Kate Smith statue to block some of the wind.
ReplyDeleteThis post provides the quintessential metaphor for Northampton County government. It should reprinted each year like the O'Hare/Vonnegut treasures.
ReplyDeleteDon`t forget the role Lee BUTZ had in this debacle.
ReplyDelete6:33, if you think there is no need for a morgue or a forensic center, you are insane.this is supported by al members of council, Dem and rep alike. It is long overdue.
ReplyDeleteJust put a revolving door in that is activated by motion, problem solved
ReplyDeleteSam Murray fixed an All Star Vote for his Son Joseph !
ReplyDeleteI never knew the reason that door is often off-limits.
ReplyDeletePublish the contractor. Right to know.
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