Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Courthouse Location Unknown

By JOHN MILLER

At this particular point in time, no one knows where the Clark County courthouse will be.

One thing is known, it will not be constructed on Third and Fourth and Main streets in downtown Arkadelphia.

In a surprise move, the Clark County Quorum Court, during a special meeting Monday, Sept. 15, voted against putting the courthouse in this location after earlier voting to build it there.

Clark County Judge Grady Runyan said the reason for the change of heart is the justices talked with people in their districts to see what they thought.

The constituents apparently told them not to build a new courthouse at the planned downtown site.

According to Runyan, the people informed the justices they preferred going ahead with the planned annexation at the old courthouse, which was heavily damaged by the March 1 tornadoes.

"There were no real winners or losers," Runyan said. "I'm sure those (residents) in Main Street feel they are the winners, but I don't want anyone else saying they won or lost."

Runyan said this is the way government is supposed to work -- with the people letting their wishes be known and the governing bodies acquiescing.

"The people have spoken," he said. "If the people speak, they must be the winners if there is one. They told the justices what they wanted done."

Runyan said the county really didn't have the money it needed to build a courthouse on Main Street.

The various justices, he said, had made statements if the county judge would take the lead they would follow. According to Runyan, he took the lead several times on the courthouse issue, but the court as a whole never followed through and made a decision.

Because of this, Runyan said, he's been accused of being wishy-washy.

However, he said, with the Main Street locations no longer viable options, he plans on going full steam ahead with the annexation.

The county, Runyan said, has the funds to completely renovate and do the annexation work necessary at this time.

"We can completely rejuvenate the courthouse and build the annex to perfection," he said, "and have a beautiful court all can be proud of.

"As long as I'm in office, I want to go on record as saying I want to get on with the annexation as soon as possible. I want everyone to come together and go forward with the annex."