Robbinsville – While the “where” remains unclear, the Graham County Board of Commissioners did vote at the end of Feb. 18’s meeting to explore alternative sites for a planned justice center.
After initially deciding in October to build on property adjacent to the current community building, the board met with representatives from Graham County Schools – which owns the neighboring plot – and ultimately decided to look elsewhere. The concept was to build on the site and expand once the new Robbinsville Elementary School opens off Rodney Orr Bypass, leaving the current one empty for county offices.
The board hosted a public hearing Feb. 10 to gather more input on where the center should be placed, as over a dozen sites in the county have been explored. Those on-hand made it adamantly clear that they did not wish to see the facility at the P & J recreation facility, due to the high volume of children that frequent the immediate area for everything from youth sports to needs at the health department and social services.
Coming out of closed session and Feb. 18’s meeting-ending vote, all the board would indicate was that the option to expand on county-owned property was being entertained.
Other news & notes
* The county purchased a discounted kennel in the amount of $4,000, to house dangerous dogs at a local temporary animal refuge.
* Harold Phillips was appointed to the Senior Center Advisory Board – replacing the late Mary Griffin – as well as the Transportation Advisory Board. Debbie Beasley was also re-appointed to the Graham County Travel & Tourism Board.
* The county will apply for a $20,000 grant through North Carolina Amateur Sports, which will help purchase equipment for youth sports.