TCAT Livingston set to assist in repairing the Gainesboro clock on top of the Jackson County Courthouse.
Resident Ray Cockerham said TCAT Livingston reached out after he started the initiative a few weeks ago. Cockerham said students will be working on the electrical side of things and possibly installing new bearings as part of repairs. Cockerham said he believes the new partnership is a win-win.
“This is going to be a real big help, monetarily wise, I believe, from a personal perspective that is,” Cockerham said. “But it will also, it gives them some hands-on experience as well.”
Cockerham said he is still working out the details with TCAT Livingston on when students would begin working on the clock. Cockerham said he is still unsure what is wrong with the clock.
“The electrical issue right now has not allowed us to start turning the power on to the clock,” Cockerham said. “Cause it’s got a little motor on the side of it, so we haven’t really went that deep in it yet. So as we go along and get electricity up there, then we’ll continue on with seeing if we need to go any deeper than that.”
Cockerham said TCAT will not assist with the deteriorating structure that the clock is housed in. Cockerham said the structure will have to be taken care of at a later time.
“I was looking at the outside of it, and it does need a good paint job and so on like that,” Cockerham said. “So we’ll go into that over time. The interior, the wood itself, looks fairly good. We’ll get hotter on that and make repairs that we need to as well.”
Cockerham said some of the glass surrounding the clock is broken. Cockerham said the glass is a special type of glass called Vitrolite, which is no longer made. Cockerham said replacing the glass could potentially damage the clock. Cockerham said he is in contact with three or four different companies that deal with the glass to see what can be done to replace the glass.
Cockerham said the clock has been there for over 100 years, and he wants to make sure the clock stays for another 100 years.
Cockerham said the county has been supportive throughout the initiative. Cockerham said he is still raising funds to cover the costs of repairing the clock. Cockerham said an exact number has not been determined, but said some parts for the clock may be very expensive.