PUBLIC COMMENT INVITED FOR ANOTHER 30 DAYS    

WHKP News got clarification recently from Henderson County’s County Manager Steve Wyatt on public use of the county’s Historic Courthouse.

Wyatt explained that the county commissioners set a policy in place some years ago regarding the Historic Courthouse and the “courthouse square”.

County commissioners and staff are now looking at the original policy, he says...and the county’s web site is asking for the public to comment on the policy as well.

Wyatt says the original policy, which h believes was adopted over a decade ago, was “...probably too restrictive and perhaps did not contemplate some of the potential issues” Wyatt said that county officials are now going through a process to bring those Historic Courthouse requirements “up to speed where they will be practical”, particularly in light of some recent court rulings.

Public comment is now encouraged, he said, probably for another 30 days...about a half dozen responses/comments have been received so far. The commissioners will then have a discussion, perhaps in mid September, on updating the policy.  

One objective is to broaden the use of the Historic Courthouse and square, Wyatt told WHKP News. But Wyatt said the current policy is still in effect...anyone or group wanting to use the Courthouse and/or square should stop by the county offices and get an application from the county’s public information officer.

There have been occasions where some did not go through the proper process, Wyatt said...and “...we’re trying to make sure we have a level playing field, but it needs to be done in a systematic way.”

What the county manager sees as a developing policy is likely, he said, to “...basically be first come, first served.”.

Permission will likely be required in new rules that are developed, and Wyatt said the reason for that is to avoid “double booking”.

There are currently some restrictions, but Wyatt says he does not support restrictions in the future, “...that the government should not be restricting free speech.” “In my opinion, the current policy is too tight and could have the effect of restricting free speech.”

The objective going forward, he said, is to open up use of the Historic Courthouse and square and “...give folks the opportunity to come out here, do their thing, in keeping with other state and federal laws and have fair and equitable access.”

Again, county commissioners will likely take up the issue and look at revising the policy in mid September.

By Larry Freeman and Tippy Creswell