Dear Editor:
Last month, I submitted a letter to Cole County Commissioners Ellinger, Hoelscher, and Scheperle concerning the controversy surrounding the demolition of the Cole County jail and sheriff's residence. While I have not received a response from any of our three commissioners, I am confident that they read the local newspaper and am therefore asking that you print my second appeal here.
I have been following with interest the activity concerning the historic Cole County Jail and Sheriff's residence and am writing to express my extreme disappointment for the decision to proceed with the demolition of these structures. Both buildings are structurally sound and, if properly restored, could successfully serve the future needs of the court. However, the action April 15 to proceed with design plans for the construction of a new courtroom and office space flies in the face of the fiscal restraint and common sense that the citizens of this county expect from their elected officials.
In addition, as a life-long resident of Cole County, I am concerned that efforts to modernize and expand county facilities may have an impact that far outweighs the costs of new construction. The demolition of the jail carries with it the loss of an important piece of Cole County history.
It is unfortunate that commission meetings are held at a time when most of the this county's taxpayers are at work. I and other residents of the county would be very interested in seeing an accurate and independent cost-benefit analysis comparing restoration of the current structures to the commission's plans for new construction.
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