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County Courthouse Renovations on Hold
Renovations to the Knox County Courthouse have come to a screeching halt.

Members of the county board building committee voted Tuesday night to stop all proceedings and expenditures related to courthouse renovations.

That motion was made by board member Wayne Saline who says the building has serious radon, mold, and asbestos problems.

"Right now 19 percent of our employees that have worked in that courthouse have cancer, 19 percent. We have to get out of that building and if we don't - now that we know, we've taken these tests and we know for a fact - anyone who votes to stay in that building is going to be personally liable when it comes down the road. I will never vote to spend another penny because I am not going to be liable for risking their lives."

It's not clear where Saline's figures came from, nor whether Saline has actually seen results of mold testing done at the courthouse recently.

Member Barbara Foster says there is no way to know if mold caused cancer for any county employee. Board member Paul Stewart said after the meeting that this is just a "fear mongering" tactic being used by those who never wanted to proceed with the $3 million renovation process to begin with.

Members, Saline, Hasten, Bill Able, and Randy Pitman voted to stop the renovations, while Foster, George Knapp, and Stewart voted against the measure.

It will now be considered by the full board at the regular meeting April 27th.
04 13 11 by Newsroom
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