I am shocked and upset about the article in the Friday, Nov. 18 Meridian Star about the Lauderdale County Courthouse.

I am a retired (due to health) Mississippi-licensed remodeling contractor. It was my responsibility to inspect buildings, residential and commercial, for repair, remodeling and structural integrity. And, with my almost 30 years in the construction industry, I have worked on everything from the foundation to the roof. And, knowing that the Lauderdale County Courthouse was built in 1905, I would say that the builders did it right.

Although, I have not had the chance to fully inspect the building, from outward appearance, from the condition of the block and foundation, I would be highly surprised if the foundation had any problems. And, according to the Star article about the courthouse, there was no indication, nor mention of the stability of the foundation of the Lauderdale County Courthouse, just the Annex.

Also, the cost of all the proposals are well out of range of the $4.5 million that the Lauderdale County Supervisors have set aside, out of the original $14 million bond.

What would this mean? Another bond drive to make up the difference between the $4.5 million on hand, and one of the new proposed amounts. That means that another bond drive would have to raise more than $20 million to fulfill even the lowest proposal.

I researched and acquired the product necessary to clean the outside of the Courthouse, which would not have been detrimental to the historical integrity of the building. I personally delivered that information to the supervisors. But, they haven’t done anything about it.

Now, I have read the article in The Meridian Star, dated Nov. 22, concerning potential ground contamination at the Village Fair Mall, which is among the alternative sites for a courthouse. Is anyone surprised? I’m not. I would not be surprised if, while the renovation of either the Village Fair Mall, the Sears building or the old Federal Courthouse, that asbestos, also, would be found, considering the age of the sites. And, asbestos removal is incredibly expensive.

I would like to know why the Lauderdale County Supervisors have not used local resources. Like using local contractors, building specialists and the knowledge of local individuals who have extensive knowledge of the building trade. I would also like to know, why the Lauderdale County Supervisors would spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for an out of town architect when there are numerous architects in Lauderdale County and Meridian.

I wouldn’t be surprised, if asked, many of our local building trade professionals would be willing to help to save Lauderdale County money on a voluntary basis.

Just because the Lauderdale County Supervisors have the power to authorize another bond drive, I would say that it is not the wisest thing to do, considering our current indebtedness.

As a matter of fact, I have already offered my services to the Lauderdale County Supervisors. And, based upon that, I challenge everyone else, who has experience in the building trade as contractors, to do the same. This is our City, our

This is our city, our county and our county courthouse. Why shouldn’t we help ourselves?

Floyd Killebrew is a Meridian resident and a retired Mississippi-licensed remodeling contractor.