October 24, 1997

Ms. Julie Kerlin

Georgia Building Authority

1 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive

Atlanta, Georgia 30334

RE:	GBA Tenant Committee Meeting

Dear Julie:

Thank you for the opportunity to mention some of our concerns prior to the Tenant Committee Meeting to be held on October 28th in the Cafeteria Conference Room. I appreciate all that you and everyone else at the Georgia Building Authority does for all of the tenants. I particularly appreciate the opportunity to make some comments prior to the meeting.

First I would like to comment on the chronic and deplorable condition of the elevators in the Judicial Building. At times, the condition moves from chronic to acute.

Recently, we were without elevator number 3 for a period of about three weeks. I realize that the elevators are handled by private contractors, however, the situation with the elevators is intolerable. A few weeks ago there was a court employee trapped in one of the elevators for an hour and a half. In the four years I have been here I have been stranded on the elevator two times. It is not uncommon for the elevators to settle 6" to 12" above or below floor level. This has resulted in falls to several persons.

Our complaints may more properly be directed toward the private contractors who are in charge of elevator maintenance. However, since you are our landlord, I suppose we must direct them to you. The poor condition of the elevators has existed for years. I would suggest a comprehensive study of the condition of the elevators with an eye towards the steps needed to be taken to put the elevators in proper running order and make them safe and reliable. If you need assistance in approaching the legislature for adequate funding for a study or to address the main problem, I feel sure the Court of Appeals would support you in that effort.

The Court of Appeals is spread out over three floors in the Judicial Building. The time wasted by people waiting on the elevators, stranded on the elevators and taking the stairs rather than the elevators, results in the loss of a considerable amount of money, time and effort. I certainly hope that you can help us with this problem.

Secondly, I would like to compliment the janitorial and cleaning staff. They are doing an excellent job. Thirdly, I would like to recognize the outstanding job Trey Polk and his staff are doing. Whenever there is a maintenance problem that comes under his area, he is quick to respond and correct the problem. Trey and his staff should be recognized for doing a fantastic job.

Recently, I have been disappointed in the poor service we have received from the GBA police officers who come to serve as sheriffs in the Court of Appeals during oral argument. Most of them are new, have been consistently late and have to be trained in the operation of the lights on the podium. I would suggest that if there are new officers who will be serving in the courtroom, that we arrange a short training session for them. I would be happy to meet with them in the courtroom, either as a group, or individually, before oral argument.

Finally, I was asked to pass on some comments about food service. The comments I received were that the food is too salty, especially the vegetables, and that there are too many leftovers and not enough variety.

Again, I appreciate the opportunity to voice these concerns and look forward to seeing you on Tuesday.

Sincerely,

William L. Martin, III

Administrator/Clerk

Court of Appeals of Georgia

WLM , III/ld