Lamar courthouse needs extensive repairs

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Lamar courthouse needs extensive repairs

By Natasha

American Staff Writer nnsmith@...

Hattiesburg, Miss

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

AID=/20060208/NEWS01/602080302/1002

For Lamar County Circuit Clerk , the Lamar County

Circuit Courthouse has always had its share of problems with leaks

and mold.

" I just think it's from age and the hurricane, " said of the

100-year-old building.

Lamar County Administrator Chuck said the courthouse has

constantly incurred problems since he's been office. But when

Hurricane Katrina struck Aug. 29, it left severe damage to the roof

of the building.

Now the building may need an extensive renovation that would

necessitate moving employees temporarily, according to . And

for now, no one is talking about tearing down the historic building.

The Lamar County Board of Supervisors have selected county engineer

Don to review the Circuit Courthouse's damage and provide

estimates of repair costs.

A report of the grand jury filed in December said the courthouse had

a number of problems. Among them:

Cracked wall cement and exposed ceilings in the circuit clerk's

office and district attorney's office

A hole in the election commissioner's office ceiling

Water damage and cracked Sheetrock in the judge's chamber

Exposed brick, missing baseboards and exposed electrical wiring in

the Court Administration Office.

is expected to present a report in early March, which would

include estimated repair costs.

While is assessing the building, is working on

transition plans during the likely renovation.

The county bought the former law office of late board attorney Pete

Gamble for $170,000 to house courthouse workers, who number about

20. That building is adjacent to the tax collector's office in

Purvis. said the growing county will have a need for

additional office space.

Lamar County Board of Supervisors President Fred Hatten said the one

option the county hopes to avoid is tearing down the building.

" In my opinion, it would be unacceptable to tear it down considering

the long history of that building in Lamar County, " Hatten

said. " The only option is to renovate it to a level or quality that

we expect for a Lamar County courthouse. "

, who has served as the county's circuit clerk since 1994,

said he's willing to comply with whatever the board decides. He said

his office gets soaked when rain blows in from the east. " Buildings

are like people, " he said. " They get old and worn out. I just need a

safe place for the records and a healthy environment for the

employees. "

If a decision to renovate is made, said he would have to move

all of his civil and criminal records. He would also have to move

the county's new voting machines. But he's willing to do it to

ensure the county's property is maintained.

" Any move of this magnitude may be difficult, but it also might be

necessary, " said.

said a major overhaul of the building could prevent the

county from constantly fixing small problems.

" We need to do it. We need to do it now. We need to do it right, "

said.

Originally published February 8, 2006