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  Office locations in Calliham building draws hour-long discussion web posted March 11, 2010 COUNTY – The Edgefield County Council entered into a dead end discussion on the offices that would be relocated to the 4,000 square foot section of the 13,000 Calliham building recently purchased. One option involving the moving of the Edgefield County Magistrates Office drew the ire of Magistrate Brenda Carpenter who argued they were happy in the building they are currently occupying. Carpenter said they were happy in their present location and stated they did not want to have to “share” office space with another county office. County Council Vice-chairman Willie Bright stated he wanted to see the Magistrate Court have a courtroom and be able to be provided with the required security measures imposed by the state. Though Magistrate Carpenter argued that she felt safer in her office than she did holding court in the county council chambers, which she said was not as secure, she preferred to remain at their present location. “Our court is open to anyone,” she said. Vice-chairman Bright stated that was all the more reason to have the Magistrate’s Office and court relocated. “We have a chance to do it now while we have the money,” he said. “If we wait it will cost a whole lot more.” Preliminary plans drawn and provided by Building and Planning Director Mike Reed for office locations were dismissed as being just a suggestion, arbitrary and admittedly dysfunctional by Vice-chairman Bright. “I wouldn’t vote for any of this,” he said referring to the two plans submitted. Councilman Rodney Ashcraft suggested that an architect be consulted in the drafting of possible office locations to see how different offices could be incorporated into the new building. County Council Chairman Monroe Kneece sided with Magistrate Carpenter saying that if the judges were happy where they were he saw no problems. Judge Carpenter explained that the courtroom suggested was not large enough and parking would be an issue. She stated that in a jury trial they have to pull sixty jurors and the courtroom and parking would have to accommodate those numbers. Though the number of jurors draw may be accurate, the number that shows up for a jury trial is much smaller. Generally during a jury strike of the parties involved the field of prospective jurors is cut to twenty-five and of those between twelve and sixteen are called to appear and only six are chosen for the trial. Judge Carpenter suggested that the second floor of the building they currently occupy was not used and could be remodeled to have a courtroom with office being moved to the second floor. However, that would include the cost of an elevator having to be installed to accommodate the handicapped. Vice-chairman Bright stated that would cost over $200,000 and should be resolved while the county has the money to make the changes now. “We need to solve the problem now while you have the money.” According to the two plans submitted by Mr. Reed, the offices to relocate to the new building would be the Building and Planning office and Voter Registration or Voter Registration and the Magistrate Court. Councilwoman Blackwell stated she saw the advantages of both plans but would like to see a professional opinion on the plans. “I agree with Mr. Ashcraft,” she said, “If we’re going to do this I think we need to do it right.” After additional discussion Councilman Ashcraft made the motion to take the requests in as information and discuss it later after professionals had the opportunity to submit plans for the office space. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. © Copyright 2010
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