Regardless of the outcome of the judicial election in Clarion County, there will be changes in the courthouse.
Clarion County Commissioner Ted Tharan said Tuesday that in the judicial forums he attended, all three candidates for judge of the Court of Common Pleas said a priority would be renovation of the courthouse.
Tharan said if Mark Aaron, the county’s current district attorney, should win the race that the county would need to create an office for the district attorney somewhere.
Tharan said “extensive renovations” would be required at the courthouse and that the candidates had discussed the need for an improved heating and air-conditioning system.
Tharan said that on the second and third floors of the building there are window air-conditioning units in use, which have a negative impact on the newly installed windows.
One problem that will be addressed are the benches in the courtroom. The hardwood benches squeak loudly when someone changes positions, which often obscures the proceedings.
Tharan said all three judicial candidates – Aaron, Sara Seidle-Patton and Erich Spessard – called for an improved audio system so people could hear what is being said before the judge’s bench.
Records are currently stored in the old county jail.
Tharan noted some improvements have been made, notably new windows.