fresno elections 2008

The Madera County Courthouse is nothing more than a condemned elementary school. Until a new courthouse is built, there will be no way of completely insuring the safety of anyone doing business at the courthouse. There are too many side doors where improper access to the building may be accomplished.

However, given the circumstances at hand, it is clear that all egress out of the building from any passage other than the main entrance must be eliminated. A security system that prohibits such egress unless there was an emergency or the person has a specially issued electronic pass that would allow for such egress, must and will be instituted.

The Sheriff's Office and the security company provide an adequate level of security given the unfortunate layout of the building in which they work.

Not to sound like a broken record, but the proper funding of the State Court System.

In Madera County, our courtrooms are in old buildings that were never designed for housing a court system. The central courthouse is in an old school that was, at one time, condemned. It has been adapted for use and continually is revamped in order to handle the growing case loads it is merely added onto.

The security to transport prisoners around the courthouse is extremely dangerous for the deputies and the public. We desperately need a new courthouse with proper housing and movement walkways for prisoners.

Sometime the courthouse is so full, it is almost claustrophobic. If a disaster were to occur while the court was full, it would be complete chaos. It is imperative the State quickly and without delay, complete the building of the new courthouse in Madera.

The Bass Lake Courthouse, which is further down on the States lists, is bursting at the seams. It was not designed to properly handle the growth that area has seen. It is in a location that is not central for the mountain area and is slated to be moved in the future.