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Courthouse entrance mandate
awaits approval
By Jamie Teibel
Summer
Editor
Tippecanoe County Circuit Judge Ronald Melichar
will not find out if his mandate is approved for at least another month.
A three-hour hearing Wednesday was the last in a series dealing with
Melichar and his mandate, which would reduce access to the courthouse
from eight entrances to one or two doors.
Special Judge Raymond Kickbush is unsure when the
ruling will be made because he must first review the exhibits and evidence
as well as his own notes.
Wednesday morning's trial began with testimony
from more witnesses who disagree with the mandate.
County Council member Jeffery Kemper was first
on the witness stand. 1999 meetings were reiterated in direct examination,
stating that there had been previous discussions about the security
of the courthouse and closing many of its doors. Kemper said that $50,000
has been spent on security equipment in the last few years and he feels
security is now adequate for the time being.
Superior Court 4 Gregory Donat and Magistrate Wayne
Fountain were asked, in direct examination, about the safety in their
courtrooms. They both replied that they felt "reasonably safe," mostly
due to the armed bailiffs. Donat said his bailiff is there regularly,
making his presence known but moving around to avoid predictability.
Fountain said, "I will not feel any safer if the courthouse is shut
down than I do today."
Former council president Jeffery Kessler was the
final witness. He said, "Security is definitely a way of life," but
decided against the mandate because he felt as though security could
be best achieved if it concentrated on bailiffs, education and other
aspects pertaining to safety. "Security is an ongoing thing, everywhere,
as long as the times keep changing," said Kessler.
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Armyworms
invade, destroy Indiana farms
Courthouse
entrance mandate awaits approval
CITY DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111
ext. 250
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