Courthouse Dedication—Alleghany County Commission Chairman Ken Richardson welcomes the audience to the dedication of the Alleghany County Courthouse. In the background in the jury box are local and regional judges, attorneys and officials, including Chief N.C. Supreme Court Justice Sarah Parker (beside Judge Richard Doughton in the front row). Photo by Coby LaRue

Parker visits to dedicate Courthouse

N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Sarah Parker was on hand last Saturday to help dedicate the renovated Alleghany County Courthouse.

The courthouse renovations, a $1.8 million project that was approved by the Alleghany County Commission in the fall of 2005, included replacing windows, renovating the woodwork, redoing plaster, removing and renovating the old jail area and several other tasks. Work was completed in December 2006.

The dedication service, which was held at 3:30 p.m. in front of a packed courtroom, marked the culmination of a long-standing effort to get Justice Parker to the county.

Superior Court Judge Richard Doughton had been in contact with Justice Parker for some time and coordinated the event according to her schedule. The event was slated as part of the county's Sesquicentennial Celebration (150th anniversary), which is being celebrated all this year.

Also attending was Judge John Smith and his wife Harriet. Judge Smith is the director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. Also there were a spate of statewide and regional judges and officials, including David Hoke, assistant director of the Administrative Office of the Courts; retired Superior Court Judge Julius Rousseau; District Court Judge Jeanie Houston; District Court Judge Michael Duncan; District Attorney Tom Horner; Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Edgar B. Gregory; Chief District Court Judge Mitchell L. McLean; N.C. 90th District Rep. Sarah Stevens; and numerous local and regional officials and attorneys at law.

At the event, Susie Gambill was mistress of ceremonies, while County Commission Chair Ken Richardson welcomed those in attendance.