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Changing of offices: Wise move, right time

Even though it has been reported along the way, it's a good bet most Seneca County residents do not realize the significance of the changes coming for county offices.

Problems that have sprouted and grown through the years as government and its services have changed are being addressed for the first time with an overall plan.

Offices &emdash; in both location and capabilities &emdash; are to be consolidated. Efficiency and convenience to the public will be improved.

Most of the consolidation will be into the former National City Bank building on the southeast corner of East Market and South Washington streets and the former AEP/Fifth Third Bank building at the corner of Court and South Washington streets.

The courthouse will really be the courthouse. And there will be room to renovate it so that suitable courtrooms are available.

One of the common pleas courtrooms has been makeshift since it was opened. Inadequate is its best description.

The other is much better, but it is overdue for improvement. In the courtroom itself, on hot days the air conditioner has to be shut off during testimony so that jurors can hear. Other rooms associated with the courtroom are inadequate.

The county commissioners are wise to have tackled this consolidation and renovation project when times are good. Healthy tax revenues have allowed it to proceed so far without new taxes.

The final benefit will be the disposal of some of the scattered and aging buildings the county has acquired through the years in order to keep roofs over the heads of all its employees.