August 18, 1998

Mr. Doug Ivey

Deputy Director of Operations

Georgia Building Authority

1 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive

Atlanta, Georgia 30334

RE:	Problems with the New Door Locks on the Fourth

Floor of the Judicial Building

Dear Doug:

I want to bring to your attention some continuing problems we are having in the Judicial Building with the new lever handle locks which were installed on the fourth and sixth floors recently. I believe I had earlier sent you a list of problems some of the judges' offices are having with the new door locks and handles. I have enclosed an updated list of problems the judges and other Court personnel are having with the new door locks.

On Friday, July 31st, the last day of our term, the Court was having its Motion for Reconsideration Distress period. On those days, the Court generally works well beyond normal business hours. On this particular afternoon, Judge Johnson and his four year old son were locked in Judge Johnson's office for approximately 40 minutes. There was no other exit from his office.

This presented a potentially dangerous situation had a fire occurred. Also, it is fortunate that Judge Johnson was in the office with his son when the door closed and locked. I shutter to think what would happen with a four year old child who was locked in the office and could not get out. In fact, he was crying after the door was finally opened.

I want to take this opportunity to compliment Trey Polk and his staff for getting GBA maintenance personnel on the scene immediately. While they were unable to remove the door lock or unlock the door from the outside, Judge Johnson's release was achieved after tools were passed under the door to Judge Johnson and he was able to remove the handle from his side. Obviously, had Judge Johnson son been alone in the room, the process to unlock the

Letter to Mr. Doug Ivey

August 18, 1998

Page Two

door would have taken much longer, and most likely would have required drilling out the lock or breaking down the door.

I want to express to you this Court's dissatisfaction with the new locks. There are too many problems occurring too frequently for locks that new. I certainly hope you can look into this and take the necessary steps to rectify this situation.

The Court understands and appreciates the constraints under which you and GBA must operate in terms of maintaining a building which is over 40 years old on a budget that is insufficient to meet the needs. This Court always gets excellent response from Trey Polk and his staff in whatever problems arise, and we are most grateful for that attention. I know that GBA is doing the best it can with limited resources.

I believe this Court would be happy to support the GBA in whatever legislative approaches it may take in requesting the appropriate funding level to maintain and improve the Judicial Building. Eventually, the legislature is going to have to commit serious funding for major renovations of this building.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter. If you would like to discuss this matter with me, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

William L. Martin, III

Administrator/Clerk

Court of Appeals of Georgia

WLM , III/ld

Enclosure

cc:	Chief Judge Gary B. Andrews

Trey Polk