By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
“So, if everything goes as planned Monday, we should have a working flag by Monday night,” said John Summers, referring to the Adams County Courthouse in downtown Decatur.
The courthouse has been without a flag at its top for years, a situation Summers, a member of Adams County Council, has made it his mission to correct.
The problem is with the flagpole high in the air – a flagpole not easy to reach.
“It’s difficult and dangerous to get all the way to the top,” Summers said. “Typically, it took about 15 minutes to get up there. It’s unlit, a lot of tight spaces to get through, maneuvering across the building, through all the old and newer bracing and beams and six sets of very steep stairs with additional beams at head level on the stairs.”
Originally, $9,425.00 of ARPA (American Relief Plan Act) funds were approved by county government to replace the broken spotlight on the roof to illuminate the flag and install a “wired” remote to raise, lower or bring a flag to half mast.
Furhman Electric of Decatur got that task accomplished. Then a new complication arose.
“I was installing the new flag and we realized the roller at the top of the flagpole was worn out,” Summers explained.
So he reached out to Smith Erectors of Markle for a quote for a crane to make repairs. The quote was $6,600 for the crane and an operator.
Appearing before Decatur City Council on August 5, Summers asked if the city would consider splitting the cost with the county. He received a unanimous “yes”.
He told council that no one was sure how long the courthouse has been without a flag at its top.
“I’ve had out-of-towners ask me why (no flag),” Mayor Dan Rickord said.
So, Smith Erectors is scheduled to bring a large crane to downtown Decatur on Monday and get a flag flying atop the Adams County Courthouse once again.
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