In Jackson County, Superior Court Judge Bradley Letts has been begging for more space and more “security” for ten years. The term is used her in the vernacular which means idiotic impediments for demoralizing good guys and garnering votes for politicians. Judge Letts’ request prompted a study by Heery International, which concluded the county courthouse needed another 35,800 square feet, to come at a cost of millions of dollars. That is still on the back burner, but $343,000 in security upgrades are nearing completion for riggings that will require another $140,000/year to staff.
Carl Iobst, a Cullowhee resident who routinely gives public comment at commissioners’ meetings criticizing Jackson County’s government, called the new security measures “a total waste of my money” and maintained that because judges are already allowed to carry firearms under their robes, the security spending is superfluous.
