A report in The Meridian Star on July 1, noted, “Problems with the Lauderdale County Courthouse first became apparent in 1977…” That is 41 years.

My questions are, 1) How many Lauderdale County Boards of Supervisors have been involved in this problem over the years? 2) How many individual concerned citizens have been involved in this problem over the years? 3) How many separate and individual contractors have been involved in this problem over the years? 4) How many seperate and individual architectural and design companies have been involved in this problem over the years? 5) What is the total number of hours that supervisors spent on this problem over the years? And, last, but not least, how many total dollars spent, which should include every dollar spent on supervisors’ salaries, estimates, out of county trips and any other expenses connected to the courthouse problem, have been spent over the years?

Anyone, with common sense knows that the longer you wait on something of this magnitude, the more expensive it gets. And, yes, I totally understand about not going forward until there is an agreed upon direction, a well chosen architect/contractor, and a locked in contract for the agreed upon sum of money.

As a concerned citizen, I searched the internet for a solution to clean the outside of the Lauderdale County Courthouse, because it looks like it hasn’t seen any type of attention for decades. So, I found the product, and the company that makes it. I requested brochures, and any other type of written information about its product. The name of the product is Concrobium, which can treat all mold problems. I, also, gave this information to Supervisor Kyle Rutledge.

I am a retired Mississippi licensed remodeling contractor. I know the entire process of a project of this type from beginning to end. And, I also know that the Lauderdale County supervisors could hire a general contractor that would oversee the whole project, including all of the subcontractors, which would be for the electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, flooring and ceiling.

Normally, the general contractor is responsible for all the initial tear-out of walls and ceilings, along with all the carpentry, sheetrock replacement and finishing, and, in some cases, the painting of all walls and trim woodwork.

There are four major jobs that I and my dad did in Meridian, 1) interior remodeling job at United Blood Services, 2) interior new project at what was once named as Stephon’s Auto Service, which is now Mike’s Auto Service on Highway 39N, 3) interior remodeling new project, El Norte Restaurant, Highway 19N, 4) interior new project, Northeast Water Association.

I know that the Lauderdale County Courthouse is a much larger project, but the same principles of construction apply to this project, as in the projects that I have named.

I would like to fully inspect the Lauderdale County Courthouse, as a retired Mississippi licensed remodeling contractor, to see exactly what is wrong with the building. I could do it in a half of a day. And, I would like for the supervisors to compare my own estimation of serious problems list with that of there $$$BIG BUCKS$$$ estimates.

But, keep in mind, I will not be able to put a dollar amount on my estimate. This is because, 1) I have not worked in the construction Industry for almost 13 years, and 2) the price of labor and materials has drastically increased since I left the business, due to health problems. I will present an estimate based upon the problems that I see and hear. I will let the building speak to me. Because, this ability to listen to the building is a special ability that most large construction companies don’t have anymore. But, I am an old school carpenter contractor.

So, I challenge you, the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors, to allow me to inspect the Lauderdale County Courthouse my way. Because, I contend there is no need of a total tear-out that has been highly recommended. And, this is not just an opinion, but it is a request and challenge from myself, a citizen and former business owner in and of the city of Meridian and Lauderdale County.

Floyd T. Killebrew Jr. of Meridian is a retired Mississippi licensed remodeling contractor. He last held his license in 2005.