Quick 5 - Chuck Foudree

1. What is the Friends of the Courthouse purpose?

The Friends organization grew out of the courthouse steering committee co-chaired by Barbara Potts and me. Its purpose is both fundraising and friend-raising. The Friends will be an ongoing committee which will outlive the steering team and will help support the courthouse after it is remodeled. The Friends are not responsible for raising the funding for the remodeling.



2. Why is the courthouse renovation project so near and dear to you? What is the community’s gain?

The old courthouse is the historic center of Independence. It encompasses several generations of courthouses and has seen much of the city’s history unfold. It also holds the first office President Truman occupied in his impressive political career. The renovated courthouse will tell this history and will serve as the tourism center for all of Eastern Jackson County.



3. What are your thoughts on Gov. Matt Blunt line-item vetoing a bill that would have provided a $500,000 appropriation?

The veto was extremely disappointing and unexpected. It almost certainly delayed the renovation project for a year. However, this is a setback but not an end to the effort. This project is special. We will continue to work for federal, state and county funding as well as for other grants from governmental bodies and private groups. 



4. How did the steering/friend committees respond to that news?

The steering team and the Friends group were surprised and shocked. Our sources received no indication it would be opposed by the governor. Our local representatives in Jefferson City had worked closely together in a non-partisan manner to bring its passage in both the House and the Senate. We’ll continue to pursue state funding in the near future.



5.  What is the current state of the three phase project and do you think that the project will be successfully completed?

Phase one is completed. It restored the exterior brick and replaced the roof and windows. Phase two will fix the wet basement and poor drainage. It will also add at least 75 new parking spaces to the square. Phase three will restore and remodel the interior including new plumbing, electrical and HVAC in addition to making it (Americans with Disability Act) compliant. I am convinced that this will take place over time.

- Toriano L. Porter