[Source: “Make courthouse ADA-compliant,” Press Citizen, 3 May 2013, by Karla Smith]
I am so proud to live in a community that feels it is important to have a safe and easily accessible courthouse that meets the guidelines for the Americans with Disabilities Act. A courthouse with enough courtrooms to be able to give our citizens a fair and speedy trial. A courthouse that has enough room so witnesses and prisoners can be separated. A courthouse where people feel safe reporting for jury duty or going to vote.
I am also proud to live in a community that feels it is important to serve all of its citizens, even those in jail. I think it is so important to be able to offer drug and alcohol rehab, mental health services, money management and job skill classes to those who are incarcerated. I think it is important for prisoners’ families to be able to visit, which is often difficult if the prisoner is being housed in a different county.
We do not have those things yet, but we will with the passage of the justice center. Please join me in being proud of our community and vote “yes” on or before Tuesday.
Karla Smith
Iowa City