Preferred parking for citizens come to conduct business at Allen County Courthouse is at a premium many days, a circumstance commissioners hope to change.
Tuesday morning they encouraged courthouse employees — about 50 total — to avoid parking on the east side of Washington Avenue, between South and Jackson streets. That would open 12 parking spaces for people arriving at all times of the day to visit the courthouse.
Commissioners pointed out there are nearly 100 parking spaces on the eight blocks facing the courthouse, which should provide ample opportunities for all-day parking. Late Tuesday morning, few of the 50 parking space on the south and east sides of the square were in use.
Chairman Tom Williams said he thought employees should be willing to defer to citizens who come at all hours of the day and stay usually just a few minutes.
The issue arose after County Clerk Sherrie Riebel asked employees to avoid parking in the South-to-Jackson area along Washington, and drew rebukes. Her request was prompted by citizens who had had a hard time finding parking close to the courthouse, some of whom had physical problems that make walking any distance difficult.
“I kind of stirred up a hornet’s nest,” Riebel said.
Parking in question is controlled by signs limiting it to 30 minutes, but the limit, posted by Iola, is seldom enforced.
While commissioners and department heads have no legal right to dictate where employees park — streets and adjacent parking are public property — Williams said, “it’s a matter of common courtesy.”
COMMISSIONERS said they would “mull over” a request from Calvin Parker, representing the Allen County Farmers Market organization, to keep the courthouse open so patrons of the market could use restrooms.
Parker ballyhooed the weekly event from April to October as the “largest small market in Kansas,” and said not having restrooms available was a concern each week.
To have the courthouse open would require having an employee on hand for security. The market is open from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with Iola Municipal Band’s concert following each Thursday through the end of July from 8 to 9 o’clock.
Ron Holman, maintenance supervisor, wondered aloud whether the Thrive Allen County office, on the north side of the square, or Allen County Historical Society’s museum at southwest corner of the square might open so their restrooms could be used.
“The market is a Thrive function,” Holman noted, and the museum was eager for visitors on Farmers Market evenings.
Parker added the market was without the benefit of grant money this season, which would put a crimp on earmarking money for restrooms.
He noted the group planned to promote affordability of produce at the market to help folks in the area whose budgets were strapped by food costs.
JAMIE MOSBRUCKER, chairman of the Veterans Committee, came to introduce himself and asked if the county had any financial obligations for the Veterans Wall on the south side of the square.
“I’m just trying to learn what we need to do,” he said, allowing ongoing needs were keeping crisp flags flying and lights lit after dark. Mosbrucker found in commission minutes where the county made a $1,000 donation to the committee in 2012, although its members are not soliciting support at this time, he said.
“We’ll help with anything we can,” said Williams. “We’re 100 percent supportive. The wall is a wonderful addition to the community.”
A donation box may be added near the wall, Mosbrucker said, with initial thoughts of using an old ammunition box as receptacle once a means of securing it was decided.
