Dedication held for new justice center
Richard Phelps portrayed circuit court clerk William Caldwell during the justice center dedication.
Adair County officially said goodbye to business at the courthouse on the square last week as a dedication was held for the new justice center.
People gathered across the state as “the seat of justice” moved to the new judicial center.
“This great lady will no longer house the justice of Adair County,” Lee Ann Jessee said.
Guest speakers at the dedication included Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Daniel J. Venters, District Judge Michael Loy and Chief Justice of Kentucky John D. Minton, Jr.
“The seat of justice has moved,” said Venters. “But the heart of justice will remain in that building.”
When the courthouse was first built in 1802 it was a 20 ft. by 37 ft. building. The new justice center is 37,232 square feet and three stories tall.
Richard Phelps portrayed William Caldwell, Adair County’s first circuit court clerk.
“This was always the center of business,” Phelps said.
The new justice center houses the circuit court, district court, office of the circuit court and more.
“It will increase the efficiency in delivering the services to the community,” Minton said.
When William Caldwell was the circuit court clerk business included court proceedings and land transfers in the courthouse.
“We look forward to the next 125 years of service,” Phelps said.
A lot of different people and organizations were involved in the production of the justice center.
Adair County Judge Executive Ann Melton thanked everyone who was involved.
“Thanks to the Administrative Office of the Courts for seeing to the needs of Adair County,” Melton said.
Others included DLZ architects from Frankfort; Branscum Construction; magistrates Sammy Baker, Billy Coffey, Danny Goodin, Terry Hadley, Wid Harris, Perry Reeder and Joe Rogers; the Project Development Board, Melton, Circuit Judge James G. Weddle, Coffey, Circuit Court Clerk Dennis Loy, attorney Marshall Loy and Doug Teague of AOC and more.
Adair County Judge Executive Ann Melton and others stand for the Pledge of Allegiance after the flag raised.
Sue Stivers of the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce recently watched court proceedings in the justice center with an international student from Lindsey Wilson College. After watching court, the student was astonished by the country’s judicial system.
“It is a symbol that our country’s judicial system is the envy of the world,” Stivers said.
By Allison Hollon
allison@accvonline.com
