Post date: Apr 22, 2016 4:04:54 PM
The Randolph County Commissioners, John Truesdell, Wayne Wilcox, and Jerry Crutchfield were the guest speakers of the April 18th meeting of the Huntsville Community Club. President Berry Canote called the meeting to order. The minutes were read, and the financial report made. The officers and committees then gave their reports. President Canote reported on the progress made on Sutliff Stadium and Old Fairgrounds. The fairgrounds have been mown, and nearly all the old paint has been scraped off the shelter house. The bathrooms have been cleaned and appear to be in working order. President Canote also reported that the rules for the flea and farmers market were ready for review and would be decided on at the next board meeting. Secretary Fannie Lou Wilhite reported that the plans for several horse shows at Sutliff Stadium were moving forward. She also noted that the board needs to set a date for the children’s park day scheduled for late May or early August. Board Member Kimberly Penton reported that she had lined up several gospel groups for the Huntsville Old Fashioned Picnic, and would be approaching pastors to give a benediction. There will be games as well as musical entertainment at the picnic. Finally, it was reported that plans are underway for a mud run during Old Settlers at the fairgrounds in addition to the many other activities already planned and scheduled.
The Randolph County Commissioners John Truesdell, Wayne Wilcox, and Jerry Crutchfield then made their presentation to the Huntsville Community Club. Western District Commissioner, Jerry Crutchfield, spoke on the construction of the new county administrative building as well as possible fates for the old Randolph County Courthouse. Commissioner Crutchfield reported that the estimated date for the county government to begin moving into the new courthouse is July 14th. The move will be done in increments due to some county offices being in the midst of annual activities. The new building is three levels with new hearing rooms, a temperature controlled vault for the county records (some of which date back to 1828), and all of the county’s government offices will be in it. The Circuit Clerk will be moving from the Justice Center to the new administrative building along with the other county offices that are moving from other parts of the county. Consideration is being given to having a satellite interrogation office in Moberly, to be shared with the Sheriff, Prosecutor, and Juvenile offices. The commission is considering ways to reduce transportation cost while providing more efficient case deliberation for these offices. The county is preserving some of the old furniture from the old courthouse. The Commissioners’ oak reception table is being restored and will be in the new building as well as many of the hard wood straight back chairs and captain’s chairs.
The Commissioners then discussed the old courthouses. The courthouse in Moberly is reverting back to the City of Moberly. The Commissioners are very open to suggestions as to what to do with the old courthouse in Huntsville. No definite decisions have been made regarding it yet, and they cannot see any action being taken on it until 2017 or perhaps 2018. Their main concern is that they do not want to see the building become an eye sore. A favorable concept presented is to see is a park of some form that remembers the county’s history. The site has been home to three courthouses in the county and has considerable history linked to it. They did say that the courtroom which was added in 1955, (now the County Assessor’s office), is a free standing structure from the old building and could be saved for some use. However, it would lack a North wall, so one would have to be constructed if this building were to be used. It could need some additional work, and may be very expensive to maintain. The Commission hopes to get an original floor plan of the old courthouse prior to the fire in the 1950s for historical display, as well as mementoes remembering notable Randolph County Personages.
The Commissioners showed a Power Point presentation on a concept brought to them by architect Adan Flock who worked on restoring the old Nola Leech Building in Moberly. Mr. Flock has a concept that will allow the walls of the old courthouse to remain standing. The roof of the building would be removed, the walls reinforced, the doors converted to open archways, and an open air park created within the walls of the old building. This park could then be used for theater, musical performances, historical presentations as well as many other possibilities. It would be an option that preserves the history of the site. Examples where this has been done in other parts of the country were presented. It was felt by most present that this would make a good compromise between those seeking to save the building, and those that feel it needs to be torn down. This concept however, as the Commissioners pointed out is just one possibility.
The Commission are very open to suggestions from the public. They seek to gain as much information as possible before making a decision on the old courthouse site. Their main concern is that the old building not fall into a dilapidated condition. Their main desire is that the old courthouse site be made into something that remembers and honors the county’s history. This could mean restoration of the old building, removal of it, or somewhere in between. The main issue will be how much it may cost to do something with the old courthouse site. The HCC members present suggested perhaps the Community Club, Huntsville Historical Society, or another organization could help out. The idea of funding through grants was brought up as well. Everyone present was very grateful the Commissioners took the time to speak, and were excited both by the information about the new courthouse, and possibilities for the old one.
Following the Commissioners’ presentation, HCC member Walter Haley said he could do a fireworks show for Old Settlers. President Berry Canote then made the announcement there would be a work day at the fairgrounds the next weekend. The meeting was then adjourned.