Oh, what to wear?
Dear Editor:
It is interesting that little of the reported courthouse security confrontation actually related to safety of judges and persons using the courtrooms, which is the single issue on which the West Virginia Supreme Court issues guidelines.
The county commission engaged the services of a highly paid architect who claimed extensive experience in the design of courthouses. That architect undoubtedly knows the requirements and has incorporated them within the interior design layout. This is not a matter in which sundry non-qualified individuals should be substituting personal opinion.
It is far more dangerous if passage of people within the courthouse is impeded by controls that can cost lives in the event of an emergency evacuation. This is not an issue for amateurs.
I understand that everyone wishes to believe they are within the category of persons whose daily grind is more dangerous than average. These individuals may perhaps justify a panic button under their desktops, but not redesign of the courthouse interior.
The suggestion of a dress code is a good one and long overdue for county government. There is no place for halter tops, flip flops and jeans in a business office.
County employees are the face of county government, and standard of job performance is reflected in appearance. But every county resident cannot be required to dress for success.
Court attire is not optional for attorneys. It is mandated as a mark of respect for the judicial system. Judges determine the precise standard of attire and comportment expected within each individual’s courtroom, and control compliance through the bailiff. Attorneys are officers of the court, Deputy Link is not. It is presumptuous for him to dictate any standard of attire for those who are answerable only to the bench and Bar Counsel.
Persons using the courthouse should dress appropriately, and men be required to remove any head covering. This is basic courtesy. Objections to the restriction should remove any head covering. This is basic courtesy. Objections to the restriction should have been raised when everyone scrambled to bring their office within the courthouse building.
Deputy Link’s qualifications as an arbiter of fashion and good taste may be in question, in which event the excellence of a Pinkerton security guard (relied upon by most federal government offices) would eliminate all problems.
Dawn White
Berkeley Springs
