|
|
|
|
Courthouse rededication celebrates spirit of Jefferson County |
|
|
|
Local Content -
Local News
|
|
Written by Matthew Steffy
|
|
Saturday, 14 November 2009 |
The Jefferson County Courthouse was officially reopened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with county officials, along with present and past members of the judiciary. Pictured are (from left): Commissioners Jeffrey Pisarcik, James McIntyre and Chairman Paul Corbin; President Judge John H. Foradora; state Superior Court Justice J. Michael Eakin; and retired Senior Judge Edwin L. Snyder. (Photo by Larry McGuire)
BROOKVILLE — A rededication ceremony for the Jefferson County Courthouse was held Friday, with county and judicial officials addressing the importance of providing a purposeful and aesthetically pleasing central county building.
"I've been to almost every courthouse is the state," Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice J. Michael Eakin said. "I can tell you right now, this building takes a back seat to no one."
The courthouse, built in 1868, has been the target of a major renovation project for more than a year. This project marked the first major upgrade to the building since the west wing was added in 1928.
"This is not so much a celebration of brick and mortar," Brookville Mayor David Wonderling said. "It's a celebration of the spirit that is Jefferson County. On behalf of Brookville Borough Council and myself, I proclaim Nov. 13 as Jefferson County Rededication Day."
The Jefferson County Commissioners, who were in large part responsible for funding the rehabilitation, were on hand to express their pride and pleasure with the project's outcome.
"This building gives the county three things," Commissioner James McIntyre said. "It preserves the history of our county. It serves to fulfill present-day needs, and it makes way for fulfilling future needs.
"This is truly one of the finest courthouses in the Commonwealth," he added. "It represents three centuries — the 19th, 20th and 21st. I am sure that the taxpayers in the county will be just as proud of this building as I am today."
Commissioner Jeffrey Pisarcik thanked everybody who contributed to the project, saying, "Thank you to all of the tremendous employees working for the county. For the citizens, who it became very difficult to find the offices, and for the contractors who used their broad array of talents to better this building."
David Taylor of Historic Brookville Inc. said the building significantly adds to the downtown Brookville area.
"This is great for anybody who loves downtown Brookville, for anybody who loves the historic district and who loves our downtown architecture," he said. "We have a magnificent building. Long hours were spent in planning, many more in architecture and construction.
"I want to say thank you to the leadership that brought this project to fruition," Taylor said. "We have a better community because of the effort put into this project."
State Rep. Sam Smith and Mark Adams, representing Lt. Gov. Joe Scarnati, were also on hand to commemorate the reopening of the courthouse.
"This is something the people in the county can be proud of," Smith said. "That is important. I want to give praise and congratulations to the county commissioners. Anybody who has been in this building the past 20 years knows that is was neglected.
"There's always conflict when getting involved with large projects like this, and I thank the commissioners for having the resolve to see it through."
Civic pride was a main topic for the speakers, such as Judge John Foradora, who will occupy the seat behind the bench upon reopening.
"There were many who thought we ought to just knock this building over and build a nice new one," he said. "But this building gives us a sense of place. Certainly, we've been able to dispense justice at the warehouse (Enterprise Center), but it doesn't have the sense of place. This is a temple of justice.
"When I walk out of these doors, I don't just have pride in myself and the place that I work, but in the citizens, my co-workers and predecessors."
Retired Senior Judge Edwin Snyder echoed those thoughts, saying, "What we're doing here today has resulted in something that everybody in Jefferson County can take a considerable amount of pride in. We can point at it and say, ‘Isn't that a wonderful building.'"
Eakin said courthouses such as Jefferson County's represent the American law system, and he is, therefore, proud to have a building like it.
"This is where people can look and see what America is about," he said. "What we have as a judicial system and what we depend on is the trust of the people. This building gives the majesty of the law, and what we try to do a face. That's worth every penny."
|
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 16 November 2009 )
|
|
Click to Compare Cards online for special deals on the business credit cards that meet your needs. |
|
|
|
