Letters: Need for Family Court didn't justify shortcuts

It's often said that the ends justify the means. But that's rarely accurate when it comes to public policy and the use of public funds.

Unfortunately, this is the case with the recent revelations in The Inquirer about the building of a new Family Court facility in Philadelphia.

Unquestionably, a new facility is desperately needed and will improve the experiences of the many Philadelphia families who have business in the court system. Ask any litigant, lawyer, advocate, judge, or court staff person, and he or she will confirm that the current court buildings are grossly inadequate. Litigants even report not feeling safe.

But a desirable end cannot justify shortcuts. Anything other than strict adherence to policies and procedures regulating government contracting and use of funds is unacceptable.

This worthy project was not conducted according to standard operating procedures. The public deserves to know what went wrong, why, and how. We sincerely hope such an inquiry will not seriously delay the building of a unified Family Court facility. Questions should be answered as the project progresses - this time in accordance with the customary rules for government building projects.

We are building a courthouse - what should be a symbol of justice and fidelity to the law. The means here must be worthy of the end goal. We can do better, and we must.

Lynn A. Marks and Shira Goodman

Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts

Philadelphia

www.pmconline.org