Candidate forum

Fifteen of the 17 candidates vying for a seat on the Haywood County Board attended the second of two forums sponsored by a group opposed to the current plans for the justice center.

The candidates gathered at Hazelwood Elementary School were asked a series of questions about the current justice center plans as organizers sought to make sure the public knew where each stood. Total plans for the justice center, parking deck, jail and courthouse renovations have not been made, but commissioners are asking the Local Government Commission for $24 million in bonds to build a justice center, parking deck and purchase land for the jail.

“We can’t dictate what a candidate’s platform is, but this program was about the justice center, its size, and the process leading to where we are now,” said Ron Bradshaw. Bradshaw and Austin Swanger, a former school board member, health board chairman and county commission candidate, are two leading members of a group that has opposed the current justice center plans.

“We are pleased the candidates were able to take part in this pointed discussion,” said Bradshaw.

One question posed during the forum was about what projects should be constructed first. Most candidates said they supported building the jail first, which is different from the plan currently advocated by the county board. Only Mark Clasby, Brandon Gilland, Cecil Patton and Albert Rhodes said they supported building a justice center first.

As for the size and cost of the current plan, Kirk Kirkpatrick and Donna Forga both said that perhaps the plan was adequate and not oversized. Both candidates are attorneys who work in the courthouse on a daily basis.

“I’m not quite sure if it is the right amount of space, I’m just not sure. I do know that Haywood County is maxed out,” said Kirkpatrick.

Others said a 95,000-square-foot building was much too large, and some mentioned that the county was relying too heavily on data that may not be correct.

“There is so much conflicting between the data that generated the current plan,” said John McCracken. “We need to go back and see what the needs are and what we can afford.”

Public hearing

A public hearing on financing the justice center drew about 125 people to the Haywood County Courthouse, including a large contingent from the public school system who voiced opposition to the project.

“I recommend that approval of the funding for the project be delayed until after the November elections for three reasons,” said Haywood Schools Superintendent Bill Upton. “We should do an impact study of facility needs; we should do an impact study to see how funding will impact other agencies; and we should do an impact study to see what the tax rate will be in 2003.”

Steven Brown, a parent and school employee, said events have changed since a year ago and the county should take that into account.

“Taxes on personal property have risen 40 percent this year. If you build this and it goes up an additional 3 cents, that will hurt,” said Brown.

“There have been some major changes in the last year. I think we should make sure our priorities are in order. Don’t close the door completely on changing your mind,” said Brown.

Others argued that the time to get on with the project is right now, and for several reasons. Canton Mayor Pat Smathers said the Canton Town Board approved a resolution supporting the county’s application to the Local Government Commission for the $24 million in bonds. He said the current system of using three court facilities — in Canton, at the Dayco Union Hall and at the courthouse — is costing taxpayers additional money, especially those in Canton.

“The courtroom in Canton is being used for cases other than what it was designed,” said Smathers. “In reality, Canton is subsidizing the county court system because all we get money for is holding district criminal court, and that facility is being used for more than that.”

Smathers also argued that it was time to move on with the project regardless of whether citizens were for or against the current plan.

“It is an impossible situation but we are only getting farther behind. And folks, justice delayed is justice denied,” said Smathers.

Judge Danny Davis said Haywood County has no choice in the matter, reminding those at the hearing that state law mandated that the county provide adequate court facilities.

“The plan we have is a good plan, and we need to get on with it,” said Davis.

The Local Government Commission is expected to rule in December on the county’s request for $24 million of certificate of participation bonds.