Dear Editor,
Of the many choices facing concerned voters this election cycle, one of the most important is the designation of the location for the Santa Rosa County courthouse. It is well known this matter has been discussed and considered for many years by those in and out of government office, and a decision is long overdue. I urge the fair-minded citizens of this county to vote to keep the courthouse in its current location in historic downtown Milton. The City of Milton is the county-seat of Santa Rosa County, and the historic downtown is the heart of Milton. Much good and honest work has been done to breathe life into downtown and much, much more would be lost by removing the courthouse. The courthouse is a valuable symbol of our values and traditions in this county. And like other symbols, such as the Imogene Theatre, Veteran’s Memorial and historical homes and churches, it belongs downtown. Like me, most Santa Rosa citizens abhor any waste of hard-earned taxpayer money. In this regard, the current location makes economic sense as well. According to the information provided to the county commissioners, of all of the proposed sites, the downtown site will cost taxpayers substantially less. If cost is the bottom line, then the solution is to maintain the current location. Our county needs a functional courthouse, one that will meet the needs of our growing county and will be a source of inspiration and pride for years to come. This can be achieved at the lowest cost to citizens by a new courthouse in the same location as the old. We can preserve our history and traditions and lay a solid foundation for the future by voting to keep the courthouse in downtown Milton.
Melissa Williams
Milton
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Keeping the courthouse downtown makes sense