HomeMy WebLinkAbout941249 McIntyre & RawlinE0 COUNTY
Attorneys&counselors at Law oPAM I r:E l(" FRS x�
Keith.% McIntyre • Sherry L. Asa ','ACT 19 P11 3 2)
TO THE BOARD
October 19, 1994 ■■..
Essex Square
Honorable William West
Weld County Court
19th Judicial District
P.O. Box C
Greeley, Colorado 80632
Mary Bohlender
Judicial Administrator
Weld County Court
19th Judicial District
P.O. Box C
Greeley, Colorado 80632
Weld County Commissioners
P.O. Box 758
Greeley, Colorado 80632
Bill Webster, Chairman
George Baxter
Connie Harbert
Dale Hall
Barbara Kirkmeyer
In re: Courthouse Security
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
It is with a great deal of regret that I have heard about and now
see the posting of the requirement for security in the Courthouse.
It is a sad sign of the times we live in that it becomes necessary
to do so.
However, I am extremely concerned about the doors that have been
selected for security.
I know that substantial money was expended to rework the north
entrance to the Courthouse so that it was accessible by wheelchair
as well as other handicapped persons.
I also know that the south door to the Courthouse is used laraelv
941249
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Letter to 19th District Court, County Commissioners
October 19, 1994
Page Two
by district attorney, probation department and public defender
personnel. This is leading from the simple fact that the bulk of
the parking accessible to the public and to the employees of the
Courthouse is located to the north of or directly in front of the
Courthouse.
I am particularly concerned about those of us who are in the
classification of the disabled public.
Although I fought that designation for many years, with the
deterioration of the vertebrae in my back it has become necessary
for me to have a permanent disability sticker. There are days
where it is extremely painful for me to move even one step. The
City has very clearly marked and provided handicapped parking
adjacent to the north door of the Courthouse. Closing the north
door and leaving only the south and east doors of the Courthouse
requires those of us who are unable, or find it very painful or
physically difficult, to climb stairs to proceed from the disabled
parking around to the south of the Courthouse to enter, a distance
in excess of half a block. This defeats the purpose of the
handicapped sticker.
This could conceivably be alleviated by moving the handicapped
stickers to the area adjacent to the south edge of the Courthouse.
However, this would still result in nearly twice as long a walk to
get into the Courthouse as the current parking at the north door.
I would also note that substantial money was expended to move all
of the clerk's offices onto the first floor. This move has
resulted in many more people now entering through the first floor
entrances rather than the second floor.
I must heartily protest the decision to shut the north door and to
leave the east door and the south door open. I would also note
that the east door is not particularly suitable for security.
I would suggest that this matter be reconsidered and that the south
and north doors remain open with security and that the east and
west doors be locked. The east door is totally inaccessible to
anyone who, by reasons of age, infirmity, or other handicap are
unable or find it difficult or painful to climb stairs.
I would point out that the requirements of the Americans With
Disabilities Act does not simply deal with wheelchair-bound people;
it deals with people such as myself as well. I find this decision
which more than doubles the necessary walking distance -- even if
the handicap spots are moved -- to be insensitive and without
consideration of those who find it painful to walk such distances.
McIntyre & Rawlings • Attorneys& Counselors at Law
Letter to 19th District Court, County Commissioners
October 19, 1994
Page Three
There are many days when the extra distance would not bother me at
all; but there are many days when the extra distance may mean
whether I go to the Courthouse or whether I do not.
I would therefore request that the Court and the County
Commissioners re-think this decision, particularly as it applies to
those disabled people who are not wheelchair-bound. I would also
suggest that going down to the Courthouse and watching where the
bulk of the people come into the Courthouse would be extremely
instructive in determining which doors should be opened and which
doors should be closed. I have also talked to a number of
employees at the Courthouse who do not approve of having to exit at
night through the south door as it dumps them onto an area
outside -- along the public street -- where they do not feel as
secure.
If for some reason it is felt that the east door should remain
open, then I would suggest that some sort of a numerical lock be
installed on the south door which could be accessed by the district
attorney, the probation department and public defender personnel as
well as any other personnel, and that the north and east doors be
kept open in that situation.
Please reconsider your decision in connection with this matter.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
etejr. - 4
Keith A. McIntyre
KAM:bsm
McIntyre& Rawlings • Attorneys& Counselors at Law
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