Claremore Daily Progress

Our View

Related Photos

  • Stratton Taylor

    images_sizedimage_318152136
November 14, 2009

Worth considering

Stratton Taylor

Nov. 14, 2009 — It’s commonly known that Rogers County is one of, if not the fastest growing county in the state. With approximately 80,000 residents and still growing, like any family, it from time to time needs more space for its facilities. The courthouse is no exception.

Built as a 1936 WPA project when the county population was under 20,000 and renovated in 1982 when the county population was approximately 30,000, it’s obviously straining when operating at full capacity as during a recent jury trial session when prospective jurors were sitting on the floor. In addition, there have been more judges added to the courthouse as a result of the county’s growth and the District Attorney’s office has had to expand.

A recent blue ribbon committee, with such respected local citizens as businessman Jim Smith and attorney William Higgins, proposed a new courthouse that would not be paid for by a tax increase. It would require an extension of a current sales tax already on the books to fund the Rogers County Jail and money from the County’s general revenue fund, along with existing use tax funds from the Rogers County Industrial Development Authority.

The proposed site for this new courthouse would be on the east side of Missouri Street adjacent to the jail, which would allow a more secure escort of prisoners to court hearings in addition to providing modern facilities for a growing county.

Virtually every other county in Northeastern Oklahoma has recently gone through either a significant courthouse renovation or has constructed a new courthouse. One only has to look at Delaware, Ottawa, Wagoner, Craig, and the crown jewel of all courthouses in Mayes County to see that the Rogers County Courthouse is much less functional than our sister counties. When you take into consideration that Rogers County has more population than Mayes, Delaware, and Craig counties, the discrepancy really begins to stand out.

The issue will go to a vote soon and it’s one that deserves the support of our citizens. Direct questions have been posed and equally direct answers given by members of the eleven person committee as well as courthouse officials. It’s an issue whose time has come and voters, after careful scrutiny, ought to give this proposal their approval.

n Stratton Taylor is a Claremore attorney and former state senator.

Text Only
Our View
  • Randy Cowling Courthouse security applies to everyone there

    District Judge Dynda Post has elevated a serious issue at the Rogers County courthouse — security.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • Randy Cowling First looks are just that — first looks

    No one ever gets to make a second first impression.

    February 6, 2012 1 Photo

  • Burrage, sean.tiff Senate review by Sean Burrage

    Hailey Mathis is studying political science and history at the University of Oklahoma. She’s one of a very select group of college students each year who have the opportunity to learn about government and public service through an internship at the State Senate.  

    April 4, 2011 1 Photo

  • BAILEYDABNEY8-2009.tif COLUMN: Napalming the Internet

    Try to remember the Internet before we had websites that host user generated content. No eBay. No YouTube. No Facebook. No Twitter. No LinkedIn. No Foursquare. No product reviews, blogs or personal websites where users comment and post links.

    January 18, 2012 1 Photo

  • SimpsonGameCartoon-012712.jpg Dr. Mosier’s online success

    Dr. Richard Mosier is nothing if not a visionary.  Over 20 years ago he first had the idea of what was then Rogers State College becoming Oklahoma’s first institution of higher education to offer online instruction.

    January 18, 2012 1 Photo

  • New Year

    Looking back on 2011 brings many things to mind.  It was a busy year traveling the state, actively promoting Oklahoma as a competitive state and supporting strong public policy.

    January 18, 2012

  • BAILEYDABNEY8-2009.tif The Veepstakes and unseating an incumbent President

    The Iowa Caucuses are over. Let the Veepstakes begin.

    January 5, 2012 1 Photo

  • Randy Cowling Will Rogers resourcefulness hard to do but necessary

    Finding a resolution to a long-term problem is never easy.  It requires change and adjustment.

    December 18, 2011 1 Photo

  • BAILEYDABNEY8-2009.tif What’s all the GRDA fuss about?

    At the request of Governor Mary Fallin, State Auditor Gary Jones issued a performance audit on December 8 for the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA),  covering a time period from July 1, 2003 through March 31, 2011.

    December 11, 2011 1 Photo

  • GRDA audit appears to be politically motivated

    When I learned a state audit of the Grand River Dam Authority had been earlier this year, I feared the request was made purely for political reasons.

    December 11, 2011