By Staff
The Escambia County Commission did the right thing in moving fast to get new air conditioning equipment for the courthouse last week. With the days getting hotter and hotter, it's hard to imagine what life would be like inside the cavernous building without the proper cooling system. Commissioners understood this, and called an emergency meeting when one of the already-taxed air conditioning system's compressors failed. In doing so, they cut one week off a bidding process for new equipment that was already underway, and took steps to get a new system up and going within the next couple of weeks.
The bidding process was already underway because getting new air conditioning and lighting in the courthouse has been in the works since last fall. The commission's action last week simply speeded up the process of replacement and renovation. When money is tight, as it is now, it's easy to criticize anything decision-makers do that appears as though they're happy to spend money on themselves. But that shouldn't be the case here. A poorly air conditioned workplace isn't something anyone should be expected to endure when it's as hot as it is now, scarce resources or not. And county government employees aren't the only ones who'll benefit from the new equipment. Whether they're jurors, people buying car tags or those who've been affected by a crime, many citizens conduct business in the courthouse every day. Keeping that building at least livable is a good thing for all of us.