News Item
Hundreds celebrate Constitution Day at Dodge County Courthouse event
Posted: Monday, September 19, 2016
On Friday, September 16, hundreds of area residents toured the newly-renovated Dodge County Courthouse and Government Services Building in Mantorville, as part of an event designed to showcase the local justice system on Constitution Day. Constitution Day is a federal day of observance during which Americans reflect on the rights and freedoms granted to them through the signing of the United States Constitution.
The tour gave visitors the opportunity to see firsthand the results of a major remodeling project that updated and modernized the oldest active courthouse in the state, transformed the former Kasson-Mantorville Intermediate School into a contemporary Government Services Building for county officials and staff, and made it easier for the public to access their local court and county services.
As part of the open house event, the public was also able to attend rededication ceremony for the remodeled courthouse, featuring Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice G. Barry Anderson, Dodge County District Court Judge Jodi L. Williamson, the Dodge County Board of Commissioners, and other state and local officials. Justice Anderson presented the Dodge County board a commemorative plaque on behalf of the Minnesota Supreme Court, and Cumah Blake, from the Office of Governor Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith, read a proclamation signed by Governor Dayton declaring September 16, 2016 as “Dodge County Courthouse Day.”
“For nearly 150 years, the Dodge County Courthouse has stood as a symbol of the rule of law in our community, and served as a place for residents to seek the fair resolution of their cases and disputes,” said Judge Williamson, the current Assistant Chief Judge of Minnesota’s Third Judicial District. “Through this incredible renovation project, the people of Dodge County have made an important investment that will ensure our courts and local government can continue to provide high-quality, efficient service to the public for decades more to come. As our nation pauses to celebrate Constitution Day, we felt this was a perfect opportunity to invite the community into these new buildings, and showcase the work of their local justice system and county services.”