When it comes to construction especially, it’s important not to cut corners. Sometimes, the easiest and cheapest way to do something isn’t always the best solution for the long run.

Small patches here and there can preserve the life of a building in a short time, but history has proven that, sooner or later, those patches too will come tumbling down.

Growing up, my father was always fixing something around the house or dreaming up a new home improvement project, with my two brothers and I following closely behind him as he worked.

We learned how to fix simple plumbing issues, install fixtures and lay flooring, but the most important lessons were to prepare and use the right tools for the job. My father taught us that just because it’s easier to eyeball where a picture should be hung on the wall, it will look much better in the end if you use a level and measuring tape. Cutting corners was never an option in our household; if you were going to accomplish a project, it had to be done right the first time.

Because of routine tool quizzes and practical exams, once we moved out on our own we were all able to fend for ourselves. It’s these lessons many of us learned as children that need to be remembered as we continue to work on large-scale projects, especially those for public use.

Recently, discussions about the work that needs to be done to the county courthouse have increased. With new and continuing leaks cropping up weekly, it can be an overwhelming task to address in a timely and cost-effective manner. Still, others are calling for a permanent fix, knowing it will be costly, but pay off in the long run.

Renovations to the Poplarville Chamber of Commerce building have also had some holdups because corners were cut, one quite literally. As a result, more work has to be done before the building can be reopened, delaying a project to repair issues that have resulted in the building being closed for over a year.

As these projects are finished and more are planned, the future must be the number one priority to ensure there are less of these headaches down the road.