By Brandon Kane
Erwin Record Staff Writer

Disabled residents using the county courthouse can now find some ease in entry as officials have installed new electronic doors to provide better handicapped access to the building.
Even though the previous doors were sufficient for handicapped entry, Unicoi County Mayor Greg Lynch said he had fielded numerous calls from citizens over the years outlining the burden of entering the courthouse.

“I had people who requested some better access to the courthouse,” Lynch said. “It is going to be a really good feature.”

The electronic doors will feature automatic push-button access for both entry and exit of the rear courthouse, along with a time delay that will keep doors open for a short period.

Access to the courthouse may now be easy, but, for Lynch, the process of providing that access was anything but simple.

Lynch said he began the process of upgrading the handicapped doors nearly three years ago after hearing complaints and witnessing, firsthand, the problems some citizens faced.

He told the story of seeing a disabled man struggle to pass with his oxygen tank through the doors, saying he knew something needed to be done.

“I felt bad that day,” Lynch said.

Lynch said he tried to convince the county commissioners to approve funding for a new system, but said he had problems getting approval from commissioners.

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