OPINION: Time to fix annex problems

THE disturbing conditions at the Barrow courthouse annex building should not exist. As outlined in a front page article this week, the annex building has multiple problems, including a lack of heat, leaking roof and a major mold issue.

Those are the conditions faced by employees of the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office who work out of the facility.

While county leaders found a way to pay for a fancy new courthouse and jail, they didn’t provide for BCSO space. Nor have county officials maintained this facility in any reasonable manner.

That’s the core problem when government spend a lot of money on new facilities; old buildings are too often left to rot while a lack of funds begins to erode even the new buildings’ maintenance.

Barrow government leaders should be embarrassed by the condition of the annex.

It’s a matter of priorities; county officials should put this one at the top of their list.