WHERE DO WE GO NOW? COUNTY OFFICIALS ASK

CHARLESTON -- Despite the loss of a courthouse, Mississippi county government officials agreed that the business of governing must go on.

But where?

That is what about 30 county government workers and Charleston residents met at the Charleston Public Library to discuss Monday night, just 12 hours after a fire of suspicious origin destroyed the Mississippi County Courthouse.

After more than a hour of discussion, the meeting ended with no concrete solutions on where business will be conducted.

"We don't want to make any hasty decisions," said County Commissioner Homer Oliver. "We just want to take our time and look at all of our options."

It probably will be 18 months to two years before construction of a new building can get started, Oliver said.

"We've certainly got monetary restraints," said Oliver. "Who knows what will happen? But we want county government to get moving again as soon as possible. We've got to find places we can stay for maybe two years."

Meanwhile, county commissioners, judges, clerks and others must figure out where they can operate temporarily until more permanent quarters can be found.

"It doesn't matter that we're all together, just that we've got adequate space to run the Mississippi County government," said Presiding Commissioner Jim Blumenberg.

Business was conducted in the courthouse on a daily basis. It housed several government offices, including the courtroom, prosecutor's office, judge's chambers, and the offices of probation, public administrator, juvenile services and jail visitation.

Finding temporary housing for all of the offices will be no easy task, Blumenberg said.

A realtor, E. Paul Jackson, said that he has 10 good-sized rooms for rent. A resident suggested the Russell Hotel has some spare rooms that might be of use.

Associate Circuit Judge Lynn Brown said that court could possibly be held in Charleston City Hall. He said all three of the court clerks might be able to work there. But Brown said the next court case will not be heard for at least two weeks.

"It will take at least that long to get everything set up," he said.

Much of the computer and office equipment in the courthouse were destroyed by water or fire, Blumenberg said. He said he is not sure how soon new equipment can be purchased.

That will hold up getting county government moving again, he said.

"Don't doubt that we want to get things back on track," Blumenberg said. "But we've got to take it a step at a time."

Butch Amann, a fire investigator with the state fire marshal's office, addressed the group, saying that no official cause had been determined.

"We've heard a lot of rumors out there," he said. "But nothing has been confirmed."

Amann said that since the investigation was under way only investigators would be allowed inside the courthouse. He said he understood that people were anxious, and the investigation will be conducted as quickly and as thoroughly as possible.