Jacob Nelms
Robbinsville – “I don’t want any money.”
The Graham County Board of Commissioners broke into laughter after Dr. Katy Lynch’s quip, which came near the end of Aug. 20’s meeting. Prior to Lynch approaching the microphone, the board has been inundated with requests for funding from such entities as Graham County Schools and Valley River Humane Society.
Lynch then expressed her admiration for what the board undertakes on behalf of the county, then got down to her reasoning for speaking during public comment: the Graham County Justice Center.
For the better part of six years, the county has discussed, scouted potential sites and secured funding for a new courthouse, which would be deemed a “justice center” due to the inclusion of the Graham County Clerk of Court, the Graham County Detention Center and the Graham County Sheriff’s Office. The current courthouse in downtown Robbinsville has been modified and stretched to its very limit – and still cannot meet the demands of present-day Graham County.
What started as whispers around the community about a lack of progress on even breaking ground has shifted in recent years to outright cries for answers. In June, the board confirmed that it had looked at new properties around the county – but still has not settled on a final location.
A member of the Graham County Department of Public Health Advisory Board, Lynch addressed commissioners as a member of the public Aug. 20.
Chairman Jacob Nelms supplied her with answers.
“I understand why we need a new courthouse,” Lynch said, in regards to whether renovating the current center was still an option commissioner were considering.
Lynch also quizzed the board on who the county was consulting about the facility, aside from architects; and what would happen if the justice center is constructed outside of downtown Robbinsville, in terms of maintaining the active courthouse.
“There has to be a financial consideration, unless it’s going to be abandoned,” Lynch noted.
At this point, Nelms spoke up – first wanting to send a detailed email, then stating he would touch on each of Lynch’s questions, in addition to an electronic response.
“There’s a lot of rumors out there,” Lynch contended.
“Let me see if I can dispel some of those rumors,” Nelms answered.
Nelms said that while many properties had been evaluated, the site of the current courthouse was “at the bottom of the list.”
When Lynch asked why, Nelms said, “Because of room and cost.”
Lynch countered by floating the savings of building on the present site – which would keep the county from buying land – but Nelms added that county offices would be moving into the courthouse once the current tenants vacate. Many county branches are currently wedged inside the community building where commissioner meetings take place.
“If you take the court out of Robbinsville and off of Main Street, you’ve ripped the heart out,” Lynch said.
“These are all things we’ve considered throughout this whole process,” said Nelms. “We are considering remodeling the current courthouse and incorporating it into this justice center build. Our plan is to move Graham County’s administrative offices into the existing courthouse.
“The courthouse will not be empty; we’ll fill it right back up.”
Nelms said that while a property has not been selected, the board plans to bring the list of potential locations down to three sites – then hold a public forum to gauge interest from there.
The chairman also pointed out that remodeling the current structure would require space to be rented elsewhere during the process, which would carry a significant cost.
“Construction in the middle of town for months and months – if not years – would be a detriment,” Nelms added. “It’s a complicated math problem.”
Nelms also confirmed that architects and engineers are all that have been consulted thus far.
“The historical and social aspects need to be there (factored in), too,” Lynch concluded.
“For sure; there’s value there,” Nelms agreed.
The meeting can be viewed in its entirety on The Graham Star’s YouTube channel.
Other news & notes
* Valley River Humane Society President Don Reynolds appealed to the board for help concerning a state-mandated fence project at the Marble animal shelter. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recently visited the location and mandated a $52,850 outdoor fence be constructed. The board did not announce a decision on whether to contribute, but Reynolds asked for $9,000. Sixteen percent of the shelter’s May intake was from Graham, in contrast to 11 percent from Clay County and 72 from Cherokee County.
* The board adopted both an ordinance for the Graham County Economic Development Commission, as well as passed the annual renewal of Opioid Settlement Funds.
* With the recent announcement of Dr. Judd Garbarino’s resignation as the Graham County EMS Medical Director, the board approved bringing on Dr. Brad McAbee as his replacement. McAbee will be paid $7,500 annually for the role, up from Garbarino’s $5,000.