Grass wins out over parking lots at courthouse

It's been interesting to watch the on-going issue of parking around the Greene County courthouse.

Do we need more parking around the courthouse? Should they purchase property near the courthouse and put in a parking lot? After construction should the courthouse lawn be put back to its original state with lots of grass, flowers, bushes and other items?

The Greene County Board of Commissioners, by a 2-1 vote July 3, decided not to put parking spaces on the east and west sides of the courthouse for an estimated cost of $100,000.

The Greene County Council recently voted down a recommendation from the commissioners that would have provided funds to pay for two appraisals on property located south of the courthouse along Spring Street that has been eyed as a possible location for a parking lot.

The cost was $1,800.

When that hit this newspaper after the county council meeting, someone asked me why in the world the council would OK all the additional money for the courthouse project but not $1,800 to possibly solve a problem.

That's a good question.

I'm not sure additional parking is really needed. Reporters from this newspaper go to the courthouse daily and don't have a problem finding a place to park (though they may have to walk a little).

The county used to rent a parking lot from Bloomfield State Bank for courthouse employees -- and visitors -- to use. That didn't go as planned, because employees didn't always park there and used spaces much closer to the courthouse.

I admit that I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of landscaping is done around the courthouse.