July 2, 2009 — Progress can be slow when it comes to anything that involves government.
It is apparent there is forward movement to consider a new Rogers County Courthouse. Whatever form it winds it being, and no one knows at this point what the end result will be - the fact that a group is now studying and considering the county’s options is promising.
Eleven people comprise the committee that will begin its work at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 9 in District Judge Sheila Condren’s courtroom on the second floor of the courthouse. The public is encouraged to attend.
Once commissioners approved the committee, they watched a presentation by the group that built the Mayes and Craig County Courthouses. BKL is one of many firms commissioners and the newly formed Courthouse Committee will hear from in the coming days. BKL officials told commissioners the Mayes County Courthouse has a $12.6 million budget. BLK architect Billy Knowles said all of that amount was not utilized.
Among the issues facing the Courthouse Committee will be how to fund such a project. Maybe a more contentious issue facing the group will be whether to relocate from its downtown location.
Anyone who has spent much time in the courthouse quickly realizes space is a valuable commodity. In fact, there is no space left. Entrances and exits from courtrooms present serious security issues with defendants and victims rubbing shoulders in the hallways. Now is the time for something new and expanded.
The Courthouse Committee has the opportunity to change the face of Rogers County with their work. We look forward to the outcomes of their deliberations.
Our View
Related Photos
Discussion
BENCH SITTIN' — Courthouse study a step in right direction
- Our View
-
-
Proactive response best approach
In this day and age of health scares, Claremore Public School officials have found full disclosure is the best course of action.
-
Leadership Rogers County wants you
There is still time to be a part of the next class for Leadership Rogers County.
-
RSU: Why the success?
Rogers State University has been in the news a lot lately. New buildings. National honors. High-profile graduates.
-
They walked before us to make the road less bumpy
There was someone here before you and there will be someone that follows. There are people who paved the way, broke the land, opened the path, paved the road that we might make our journey with less bumps and potholes.
-
Gap across the wide Missouri completed
After much speechifying and positioning the crossing of the wide Missouri Street closure has been completed. Claremore City Councilors unanimously voted to close the street, which is east of the current Rogers County Courthouse, to make way for construction of a new $23 million facility.
-
BENCH SITTIN' - What is Obama thinking?
There are no second chances to make a first impression. Apparently President Barack Obama never learned this lesson.
-
The power of 13
No need to worry. Today has been a great day with no dark clouds hovering above.
-
It is so hot... how hot is it?
The late Johnny Carson coined the comedic device of making a statement to prompt the audience to ask for the coming punch line.
-
Plenty of yuks in ‘Schmucks’
As a longtime student of the theatre — so much so that I spell the word theatre with an “re” rather than and “er” — I’m well aquatinted with the farce.
-
Are greener pastures luring leaders away?
Longtime Mayor Brant Shallenburger has resigned. He is leaving the Claremore City Council, as well as Claremore for a new job.
- More Our View Headlines
-
