Judge Rochester's Community Involvement
Clay County Courthouse
Restoration of the Clay County Courthouse
In 1995, the Clay County Courthouse was in a state of decay. Estimates for restoration of the facility soared to $3,000,000, as lack of funding caused more damage with each passing year of neglect. Rochester worked with then Governor Jim Folsom, Jr. to secure the first $200,000 to initiate the restoration process. Other grants and funding were later secured through the efforts of Senator Richard Shelby, then Congressman Bob Riley and the Clay County Commission. The final restoration effort came as the Clay County Centennial Committee prepared to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the courthouse in 2006.
"The prisoners in the county jail dedicated months toward the project. It is a sad commentary on our time when our jails are filled with craftsmen who are capable of restoring a valuable asset like the Clay County Courthouse," said Judge Rochester. "We worked for what seemed like forever with the prisoners who took the utmost pains with the project. We had painters, carpenters, a certified electrician, and even a landscape artist, to work on the project. Often they worked from morning until night, especially toward the end. The restoration project ended in a Centennial Celebration where the craftsmen celebrated with the committee and Courthouse staff. We all wore matching T-shirts for the event."
"We should never forget that there is hope for all of us. As I was lifted by a crane to the top of the Courthouse by a young man whom I had earlier sentenced to prison, my life in his hands, I knew how important connection is, in spite of whatever roles we are called upon to play. Our humanness is the great connector. When we drop our guard and allow ourselves to participate in something greater, there is nothing that we can't accomplish."
