Lauderdale Courthouse Security?

From a reader:

I read with interest the article about the security screening in Colbert county courthouse. The screening in Lauderdale county is a joke. Jurors serving get a stick on name tag and once they have it they are not screened again. The back door is easily opened and I have seen employees open that door for coworkers to come in. Anyone can open the door and let someone in the building. Also you can check your tax record, go to Probate judge without going through security. You can register to vote without going through security. 

I am not sure who devised the Security system, as it was done during the tenure of Dewey Mitchell and the previous Sheriff, but to secure the building it must be secure on the outside of the building and everyone has to be checked. Workplace violence, by definition is caused by an employee in most situations. Attorneys also have been known to be a security risk, so no one should be exempt. Government buildings are no more at risk than any other high traffic building. I have not been to Colbert county since the installation of security measures, but I assure you if some are exempt then there are flaws in their plan.

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After reading the above, the security at the Florence-Lauderdale Government Building also comes to mind. We've always assumed the main purpose of the security at the Lauderdale Courthouse, as well as the older system in Colbert, was primarily to protect judges. Do other county employees deserve similar protection? Or are they the ones we should expect to go postal? 

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Considering the security in both Lauderdale and Colbert has brought to mind a minor question...or point...that we have always found baffling. We often speak of the lack of autonomy in county government in this state, yet each county is often so different.

Lauderdale County, population approximately 93K, four commissioners.

Colbert County, population approximately 54.5K, six commissioners

At a glance, Colbert would look better served, yet there seems to be more squabbles. Or does Lauderdale better manage to hide its internal disputes?

A Reader Visits the Lauderdale County Courthouse...

Lauderdale County's Second Courthouse

Guest blog:

After your article about Missy Hibbett, Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk, and her office staff, I wanted to check it out myself. I am a republican and would have been voting for Missy Hibbett after her switch from being a democrat because I thought she was sincere and probably doing a good job since the Republican Executive Committee allowed her to switch. After seeing the letter on your website, I was a little taken back. A close family member and I had the discussion about the validity of the letter and he insisted that I not be judgmental, so I personally did my own homework.

When I visited the Lauderdale County Courthouse, I made it a point to begin on the first floor to observe the office staff and ask if our elected officials were at work. I was surprised to see Danny Hendrix at work as soon as the courthouse opened the day I was there. Mr. Motlow, Probate Judge, was coming into the building as I was. I sat quietly and observed the staff and their conduct for a little while before going upstairs.

I made my way through each floor and spoke with most elected officials. It took me a couple of hours to get to the offices on the 4th floor. By the time I got to Missy Hibbett's office, it was later in the morning and thought I would find her at work and prove your article as false. When I asked to speak with Ms. Hibbett, I was told she wasn't in today. She might be in late this afternoon. The lady I spoke to behind the counter came from the back, as there was no one at the window. The attire, or lack of attire was alarming to say the least. I could hear laughing and loud inappropriate language from the area the young lady came from.

I have to admit, I was wrong in assuming the Lauderdale County Republican Executive Committee did there homework and made a good choice in letting her switch parties. With the qualifying of candidates for the 2016 elections, I wonder how many more of these kind of people are going to be crossing over to the Republican party. I challenge all voting citizens of Lauderdale County to observe your Clerk's office, as well as all of them, and see who is really on the job, who they are employing, and if professional attire and conduct is expected and required by our public servants. If you don't have time to visit the courthouse, make a phone call and ask to speak with your elected officials. If you don't take the time to verify the information, then you should listen to those of us who do.


Lauderdale County Voter

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Shoalanda

Parking Woes at Lauderdale County Courthouse

With construction to continue at the Lauderdale County Courthouse for approximately another 12 months, parking is at a premium. We've had several readers mention the lack of parking spaces, but this particular e-mail seems to sum it up quite well:

Lack of adequate parking space at the Lauderdale County courthouse has always been a problem. With the ongoing construction MONTHS from completion, what little parking WAS available for county employees, law enforcement officers and people conducting business in the courthouse, is now even MORE inadequate. There are a finite number of parking spaces (metered) on the streets...hardly enough for those individuals mentioned above to use. As a result, these aforementioned individuals have been forced to park where they can find space, sometimes several blocks away.

However, some local businesses, with little-used parking lots of their own, recently made it clear that individuals using their parking lots, while working in the Lauderdale County Courthouse, or while conducting personal business in the courthouse, WILL have their vehicles towed. So much for being 'good neighbors'. Chalk 'another one' up for poor planning on part of Lauderdale County officials in not having made plans to deal with the lack of parking space during the renovation of the courthouse.

We will disagree about neighboring businesses; it's not their place to provide parking for construction or other workers, and just because there's available parking at 8:00 a.m., it doesn't always follow that those spaces won't be needed throughout the day. We'll inject here that the Florence-Lauderdale Government Building next door to the courthouse also has abysmal parking, considering the structure was originally a bank/office complex.

We will agree that the entire construction project was poorly planned by all departments. If you have regular business at the courthouse and are unable to park, we suggest you make the county commission aware of the problem, or contact Fitz Hill who is overseeing the renovations.

County Commission: 256.760.5747

Fitz Hill: 256.766.2000

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Shoalanda

Scope 310 Wants Volunteers

After our recent column on The Blue Door Thrift store, a member of the Scope 310 board contacted us concerning the need for volunteers. Scope 310, sometimes referred to as Shoals Cope for the Mentally Retarded, is seeking 10 volunteers via the RSVP program.

If you are over 55 and interested in becoming a permanent volunteer for this worthwhile organization, please visit the RSVP office in the Lauderdale County Courthouse to apply in person. The need for such local volunteers may increase as the thrift store grows its business.

If you're not sure that you want to volunteer for this particular agency, you may wish to inquire about other volunteer needs at RSVP. This wonderful organization works with several agencies in the tri-county area and is a blessing to the many residents who use its services.


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