Decatur County Courthouse Ground Breaking
Ceremony For Addition & Renovations
January 22nd, 2005
Note Click on the thumbnails to see them
enlarged
County Mayor Kenneth Broadway kicked off
the opening of the Courthouse Ground Breaking Ceremony today with some
help from the local country music band "The Vintage Volunteers" They were
great. The band played on top of a flat bed trailer behind which a crane
flew the American flag high above the crowd.
After several songs Mr.
Broadway asked Reverend James Sanders to give the invocation. Following the
prayer the Tennessee National Guard presented the colors in front of the
stage and Mr. John Hayes sung the national anthem.. Next Building committee chairman Mr. Dan Brigance rose to speak and
thank those that worked so hard to make this day a reality. Mr. Brigance
stressed the importance of what was being done and also offered his thanks
to all the other officials that had worked on the project. He spoke of all
the exciting things going on in the county, like the new airport, the
waste services enhancements, the water and sewer improvements, the new
county jail soon to be started on along with the exciting things going on
in the counties cities like the new municipal building in parsons and much
more.
After a round of applause County Mayor Broadway turned to State
Representative Steve McDaniel whom thanked the county for inviting him.
Mr. McDaniel spoke for a moment on the good leadership we currently have
in the county and stressed how the county has grown and improved its
resources in the recent years. Mrs. Athalia Taylor was next in the program
to speak and gave a wonderful history of the courthouse. She also prepared
a three page written history that was passed out to guests that were in
attendance at the event.
Following Mr. Broadways
concluding remarks and thanks to everyone the colors were retired and the
photo session for the ceremony began. All in all despite the cold and wind
the day was one to remember.
The following from Dan Brigance
speech.
Thank you Mr. Mayor;
I thank each of you for coming out, braving the weather to be with us on
this special occasion.
I would like at this time to recognize those who serve with me on the
Building Committee; Carolyn Giles, Billy Goodman, James King, Danny Lomax
and also Mayor Broadway who served as a nonvoting member.
This is a good day for Decatur County. It culminates two and one half
years of meetings, reviewing drawings, blue prints, concept designs,
changes, additions, amendments, deletions etc., by the Building Committee
and County Commission.
The Building Committee was charged (1) To design an added structure
according to American Disabled Act (ADA) standards, providing handicap
accessibility to the entire courthouse. (2) The new structure would
increase space sufficiently to meet Courthouse needs now and throughout
the long term.
A three level structure, approx. 6000 sq. ft, handicap accessible,
modernly equipped, with an elevator was designed, to be added. The
existing structure will receive a face lift, renovation, and be
incorporated with the new addition, bringing the total Courthouse to
approx. 18,000 sq. ft. floor space.
Plans are now ADA approved and contract awarded to Quinn Construction Co.
at just over 1.3 million dollars, which is within the original
planned/estimated budget.
Ladies and Gentlemen the County Budget has undergone major scrutiny and
significant change in the last two years. Due to improved financial
management, acquiring of grants and cost cutting initiatives by the County
Mayor, Budget Committee and County Commission, sufficient funding is
available to pay for this total project, without any tax increase to
Decatur County citizens at all.
Two examples of cost saving initiatives;
A. Modernizing the Solid Waste program, will reduce cost of operating by
approx. $150,000 this year, with millions to be saved in out years.
B. Refinancing of County bonds at lower rates, have reduced interest costs
by approx. $812,000.00 over the loan period and by approx. $52,400.00
annually.
The future for Decatur County looks more encouraging now than before.
Better things are taking place now and more are planned to happen in near
future.
 | New airport will be finished and
opened for service soon. |
| Construction of the Decatur-Benton
sewer system is expected to begin this summer. |
| New Fire Trucks and modern fire
fighting equipment are arriving in fire departments, from State &
Federal funded grants. |
| A new Recycling System is soon to
become operational, saving thousands annually. |
| New jail is expected to begin
construction later this year. |
| Library expansion and renovation is
being contemplated in the near term. |
| Decatur County has an excellent
School System in place already. |
| Parsons is building a New Municipal
Complex and several new businesses have started recently. They are also
upgrading water capacity to support housing expansion, existing industry
and ongoing efforts to attract new business and additional industry.
This is good not only for Parsons but the whole County as well. |
| Scotts Hill has had some new business
start ups recently. They are also extending
water systems within the town and through out southern portions of the
County.
Their streets and sidewalks are being improved with grant monies
received |
| Decaturville is formulating a new
chapter to beautify and seek ways to improve
the city. |
| County and City Mayors realize the
advantage in working together more closely, creating a strong,
comprehensive infrastructure, simultaneously benefiting the whole
county. |
| Parks and Recreation is under new and
thriving management. Jeff Kobiske is also marketing Decatur County Fair
Grounds Building, Beech Bend Park as well as the whole County to
prospective interests throughout the United States. |
| Chamber Of Commerce - Janice and
Lanisha strive constantly to keep Decatur County in the three star
program, which is very vital for the County to maintain access to
grants, awards, low interest loans and remain competitive for business
and industry in the future. |
