Published: September 03, 2008 09:07 am            

Where have the benches gone in the Knox County Courthouse?

Living in Knox County, I could not believe all the articles I was reading  from your newspaper along with The Barbourville Advocate, and most shocking was from Crit Luallen’s audit report. All of the articles said J.M. Hall was voted in November 2007 — that is incorrect it was in November 2006. He took office in 2007.

Some may say no big deal — but it is a big deal to me. Since taking office, Hall has removed our benches and built a storage room where the benches used to be.

Go to the Knox County Courthouse and now you will see taxpayers sitting on the floors. April 19, 2007 in the Mountain Advocate, Hall said “He did not rule out the return of the benches.” Where are they? There are two chairs in the county attorney’s office, two in the judge-executive office, none in the sheriff’s office nor county clerk’s office. We, as tax payers should not have to go to the annex to sit down.When court is in session, there is standing room only.

A lot of people not only go to the courthouse to sit around and talk or trade knives or whatever, some go to our courthouse because of the air condioning at this very hot time of the year, in the winter maybe to have heat. I know a lot on limited income. With the cost of living, some have a choice of food or medicine, a gallon of gas or a gallon of milk.

 Most recently, I went to our courthouse. Being disabled, I had my walker chair with me. I entered on the side door and, low and behold, my walker could not fit through the door. Thanks to one of our sheriff’s deputies, who managed to help me get inside. Yes, we do have a ramp to enter the front door, but that means a lot more energy than I have.

Yes, we do have problems at our courthouse. I went to different offices that day. I could not even enter the record’s room to check some information because my walker could not go through the swinging door.

 I did manage to go to one fiscal meeting, (I wish I could go to all of them.)That was after J.M.Hall removed the room benches  and enforced the no tobacco ordinance. After adjournment of the meeting, one of our magistrates put a chew of tobacco in. I’m sure others saw it also.

If I sound irritated, I am. You never know what  changes are made. I truly believe our fiscal court meeting should be on T.V. so we can keep up with what is happening in our courthouse, town and county.

Janice Vinson,

Barbourville

        

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