The recent article about the total lack of access in our courthouse for people with disabilities is just another example that the top management of the courthouse cares very little for the general public. These deplorable conditions were known for years, and yet top management of the courthouse did nothing as it did not affect them personally.

It is not only the lack of facilities for the disabled that should be looked into, but the total lack of a law library for the public to be able to have access. Although just about every other courthouse in Massachusetts has a law library open to public, Dukes County courthouse ceased to have a law library several years ago. There is an extensive law library that is in the courtroom for the use of the presiding judge and the senior staff of each division of the court system. In addition, each director and clerk has their own series of Massachusetts Practice Set for their own personal use. Naturally, the public cannot use these books.

Why would the clerks in the Dukes County courthouse cease to have a law library for the use of the public? Simple: By avoiding the expense of a law library, they have more funds for compensation of the court staff. It is just another example that courthouse is operated with little approach of service to the public.

Mike Kennedy
Edgartown