Invest in Johnson County, vote yes

For 13 years, I have been with Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa. We are a non-profit organization made up of volunteers and professionals who mediate small claims cases in Johnson and adjacent counties.

Our organization has helped many people resolve disputes, thereby freeing up court time for more serious cases. However, due to space constraints at the Johnson County Courthouse it has not always been easy to find a private space. We have mediated in hallways and break rooms.

The issue of safety also has been a concern. Occasionally, there can be volatility between parties, which warrants a sheriff's deputy to be present. It would be nice to know that while we are doing a service for the court system we ourselves are not in jeopardy. We are very fortunate that a tragic accident has not occurred.

While the new justice center plan takes into account the future jail, we also need to remember that our neighbors who visit the courthouse deserve a safe and secure building in which to conduct business. Think about the future of our aging courthouse and make an investment for Johnson County. Vote yes on or before May 7.

Judy Atkins

Iowa City