The new Moore County Courthouse in Carthage held its long-anticipated ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 6. The ceremony, initially planned to be an outdoor event, was held instead in the newly opened Superior Courtroom, which welcomed visitors to tour the inside of the brand-new courthouse.
The inclement weather had little bearing on attendance; the courtroom was filled almost entirely to capacity. Those in attendance included county commissioners, judges, lawyers, county workers, and other local representatives, many of whom voiced strong support for the new courthouse.
County Manager Wayne Vest greeted the crowd and introduced the ceremony’s itinerary. “I am incredibly proud to both have been part of this process and the project from the beginning and also to be a part of this moment in time,” opened Vest. “So, welcome to everyone, and thank you all for being here. We know that although this is bricks and mortar and concrete and paint, this is a very uplifting project for our community and for our citizens.”
The ceremony lasted over an hour and featured a full roster of distinguished speakers. Among those speakers were North Carolina Sen. Tom McInnis and N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby. Both expressed their enthusiasm for the new facility and its role in serving the community.
“In Moore County, we’ve got the best high sheriff in not just North Carolina, but in North America; the best staff, the best law enforcement, the best emergency services,” praised McInnis. “We don’t stop at second best – we are the best. This is a fabulous day for our county, and this is a fabulous facility.”
N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby mirrored this sentiment in his speech. “My hat’s off to the county commissioners for the great job that they’ve done in understanding the need in Moore County for this courthouse,” he said. “Thankfully, the leadership here in Moore County has invested in the future and in the present. God bless the wisdom of these judges as they seek to pursue justice in this courthouse.”
The ceremony highlighted the courthouse’s exquisite design and state-of-the-art features. On their way to the Superior Courtroom, attendees were given a small tour of the facility, including its sleek, modern amenities and design.
Moore County Clerk of Superior Court Todd Maness and Commissioner Chairmen Nick Picerno both went out of their way to thank all those involved in the long process of planning, building, and maintaining the new courthouse, from the judges to the janitorial staff, and offered each a round of applause.
Additionally, Maness revealed that the courthouse will be offering curbside service for disabled individuals. This new service aims to improve accessibility so that all members of the community can easily access the courthouse’s services.
“This is a magnificent building that represents not only progress for our community but also collective efforts of many people who believe in justice, accessibility, and service,” Maness stated.
When the speakers had each finished their speeches, the ribbon cutting commenced, and Maness and presiding judge Michael Stone used a pair of novelty scissors to cut away the green ribbon surrounding the podium.
~Article, photo and video by Sandhills Sentinel assistant editor Abegail Murphy.
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