Courthouse exodus nearly complete

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Courthouse exodus nearly complete

http://www.indystar.com/articles/2/173758-3922-093.html

By Josh Duke

josh.duke@...

August 27, 2004

As County Clerk Vickie Kivett and her staff moved from their

courthouse offices today, they said they were glad to be leaving.

During the past month, most agencies have left the 150-year-old

County Courthouse because employees were getting sick.

Kivett's staff joined workers from the county's Circuit Court,

Superior Court 3, Magistrate Court and prosecutor's office, who

previously moved a block away to the county's administration building.

That leaves two courts -- Superior 1 and 2 -- in the courthouse. They

both plan to leave by Wednesday.

The clerk's office moved more than 10,000 files and other necessary

office equipment.

If the problem is mold-related, which a previous test ruled out,

Donna Chastain, environmental health specialist for the County

Health Department, said it's possible workers are moving the mold

spores along with their files and equipment.

" No one asked our department for our thoughts on (moving), " Chastain

said. " I just hope they haven't brought (any contaminants) over to

this building. "

Griffith, president and certified industrial hygienist for

Workplace Safety and Health Co. -- the firm hired by the county to

conduct air tests after state tests revealed nothing -- said he

wasn't concerned.

Griffith said he didn't expect results from his firm's testing for

two more weeks but believed mold is not a factor.

He said it was likely some type of chemical brought into the building

is causing an allergic reaction among some employees.

The building's troubles began July 28 when Circuit Court employees

noticed a strange smell. Since then, numerous employees have

consulted physicians and have been diagnosed with lung infections.

The County Commissioners closed the courthouse for two days while

county and state health officials tested the air. The tests revealed

nothing, so leaders reopened the building.

Since then, the symptoms have become more widespread.

" Typically, it doesn't spread through a building like this, " Griffith

said. " I don't want it to sound like these employees are making up

symptoms, but I think some may have initially had allergic reactions,

then the stories may have built on each other.

" The human body and mind are complex things. If you are convinced

there are problems, you can feel symptoms through the power of

suggestion, and then it just gets out of control. "

Judge Burnham of Superior Court 2 said Griffith was off

base. Burnham said he has personally felt some of the symptoms, which

have included sore throats, difficulty breathing, coughing, headaches

and burning eyes, lips, noses and tongues.

" The notion that it is all in our minds is just foolish, " he

said. " There is something that is spreading slowly through this

courthouse. Anybody who doesn't think so can put their desk in here

for a couple of weeks and see how they feel. "

County leaders say they will take next week on a day-by-day basis.

So far, Superior Court 1 has canceled all of its hearings until

Tuesday.

Superior Court 2 will maintain its Monday and Tuesday schedule in the

courthouse. Wednesday's docket, however, has been canceled, and

Burnham isn't sure what will happen after that.

" We are looking for places to hold court right now, " he

said. " Everyone will just have to be patient while we sort things

out. "

During the past two weeks, Superior Court 3 and Circuit Court have

split their schedules between the County Jail and the meeting room

inside the administration building. Now, all five courts will need

temporary locations for their proceedings. None likely will return to

the courthouse until the mystery problem is solved.

sville lawyer Dale Coffey said he agreed with the decision to

move out. But now that people are safe, he is a little worried about

the future of the city's landmark.

" I wonder what they are going to find and then what they are going to

do with (the courthouse), " he said. " It is truly the centerpiece of

sville and a beautiful building. I hope nothing happens to it. "

Griffith said residents shouldn't worry about the building.

" My gut feeling is it will be something minor. I don't anticipate the

tests revealing any revelations, but you never know. "