Sunday, October 05, 2008
Senator Jones Seeks AOC Go Ahead For New Justice Center.
Senator Ray S. Jones II, D-Pikeville, today addressed the Administrative Office of the Courts to receive approval to start work on a new state-of-the-art justice center in Pike County.
“This courthouse is long overdue in Pikeville and I am pleased that AOC recognizes the need to move this project forward,” said Senator Jones, who is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “I commend Pike County Judge Executive Wayne T. Rutherford, Chief Circuit Judge Eddy Coleman and members of the board who have diligently worked to see the ground broken on this project.”
Senator Jones cites several reasons for the immediacy of getting this project underway. “Pike County’s courthouse is terribly overcrowded and in need of repair,” he said. “In addition, there are several safety concerns in the current building.”
Along with being too small, the building has numerous problems including a roof in need of repair, deterioration of the exterior finish and a plumbing system and elevators that need to be upgraded. The new building will include space for Family Court and Drug Court, as well as the traditional District and Circuit court operations.
The new justice center will also have space for judges’ chambers, Circuit Clerk offices and prisoner handling facilities. It will be designed with an emphasis on safety, separating the public, court personnel and prisoners.
In 2002, Senator Jones and former Governor Paul Patton campaigned to get the courthouse project moved up on AOC’s priority list. Senator Jones and Rep. W. Keith Hall, D-Pikeville, were successful during the 2006 legislative session in getting $28.4 million allocated for the Pike County Courthouse.
“I will continue to monitor this project closely to ensure that this project stays on schedule,” Senator Jones said. “The courthouse is a point of pride for any community. Pike County deserves a safe, modern facility.”
“This courthouse is long overdue in Pikeville and I am pleased that AOC recognizes the need to move this project forward,” said Senator Jones, who is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “I commend Pike County Judge Executive Wayne T. Rutherford, Chief Circuit Judge Eddy Coleman and members of the board who have diligently worked to see the ground broken on this project.”
Senator Jones cites several reasons for the immediacy of getting this project underway. “Pike County’s courthouse is terribly overcrowded and in need of repair,” he said. “In addition, there are several safety concerns in the current building.”
Along with being too small, the building has numerous problems including a roof in need of repair, deterioration of the exterior finish and a plumbing system and elevators that need to be upgraded. The new building will include space for Family Court and Drug Court, as well as the traditional District and Circuit court operations.
The new justice center will also have space for judges’ chambers, Circuit Clerk offices and prisoner handling facilities. It will be designed with an emphasis on safety, separating the public, court personnel and prisoners.
In 2002, Senator Jones and former Governor Paul Patton campaigned to get the courthouse project moved up on AOC’s priority list. Senator Jones and Rep. W. Keith Hall, D-Pikeville, were successful during the 2006 legislative session in getting $28.4 million allocated for the Pike County Courthouse.
“I will continue to monitor this project closely to ensure that this project stays on schedule,” Senator Jones said. “The courthouse is a point of pride for any community. Pike County deserves a safe, modern facility.”
# posted by Joe Kinzer @ 7:22 AM 
