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18 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2009
COURTHOUSE MEMORIES • THE SEA COAST ECHO
A vital component of our community
BY KAREN RUHR
Hancock Circuit Clerk
As defined by the dictionary, a courthouse is a government building that houses the offices of a county government; a building that houses judicial courts. My definition however, tends to be slightly more elaborate.
When I look at our courthouse, I don’t just think of the courtrooms, or the various offices. I think of strength, stability, integrity, and respect. I think of it as being a constant in our county since 1911, and a vital component of the county- more specifically, Main Street.
I often wonder what this old building would say if it could talk. Whether it would tell tales of the hurricanes that have hit, the veterans' day parades that have taken place right outside its front doors, the various swearing in ceremonies of elected officials, jury trials, tax sales and, not to mention, the ever-hec-tic election nights or if it would simply describe the numerous citizens who made visits to do business.
Judge Ruble Griffin once told me years ago that if I listened closely I could hear the walls whisper. Sometimes, when you’re in the building late at night, you actually can hear those whispers and even smell Judge Griffin's pipe tobacco.
Having started working at the courthouse for Big John Rutherford while in high school, I can recall several memories in this building. I would be remiss not to mention Pam Metzler, Mike Necaise, Mrs. Lila Taylor Judge Vlahos, Judge Terry, Judge Griffin, Judge Thomas my first boss Big John and Election Commissioner Charlie Gottschalk, who all
Karen Ruhr
have played a major role in the circuit court system as well as in teaching me the ropes. It is great to have the courthouse restored to its original grandeur. For the past four years classroom, sized trailers have acted as both offices and a courtroom, and jurors have had to be moved from one trailer to the next in order to keep the court system going. As burdensome as it was, all who have either served on jury duty or worked in the court system during this time have been understanding and managed to make due. And if trying to fit an entire court department staff in these cramped trailers seems difficult, imagine the challenges that occurred when holding both county and state elections not to mention a historic presidential election. However, my great staff, election commissioners, poll workers, and executive committee members rose to the occasion and made it work in adverse conditions. My husband Roy and children, as well, have worked really hard moving us out of the courthouse and back in again. My children sometimes think it is their second home.
With the renovations completed, we are ready for court. We have a courtroom that can seat 150 people and jurors
(not including court personnel) compared to 44 total in the makeshift courtroom. The entire circuit clerks office-marriage licenses, voter registration, elections, criminal and civil court filings- will be at the courthouse. In addition, we have offices for the judges, a jury room, a district attorney’s office, a family master’s courtroom, a court reporter's office, a defense witness rooms, probation offices and space for the process department with the sheriff’s office. We are all back together and this makes the system work more efficiently. We are back to business as usual.
Circuit Court resumed in the courthouse on August 3, 2009, after an absence of almost four years from Main Street. We are honored and excited about returning home and appreciate all of the
efforts of the many that made it possible to keep this wonderful and historic building as part of our county's heritage and landmarks.
I would like to thank the board of supervisors, my staff, the election commissioners, poll workers, jurors, the citizens of Hancock
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County and my family for working through all of the tough times. It is wonderful to be back on Main Street and we look forward to serving the citizens of Hancock County. Please come visit your newly renovated courthouse. We will be happy to show you around.
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