Perhaps it's worth considering the implementation details. If a guy is building something himself, he probably is working with perf-board rather than a PCB. If he was inclined to use an 8255, perhaps it was because it was conveniently packaged for DIY.... If we want this guy to have a chance at succeeding, wouldn't it be best to keep him in safe territory?
What is unsafe about 74HC latches and gates?

Using the 8255 is restrictive and, with todays speed/risetimes require dumb luck to get to work.

if he's only building one or two of these "things" he's probably working with wire and soldering iron
BALONEY, you can get PCBs for $13 in qty 5 (EE times ad) and if you can not spend $13 on making a design reliable, you should keep it to yourself, selling "haystacks" is criminal.

If, indeed the OP is making this for himself (there is some indication to the contray) then putting it together in a fashion that will cause the occasional/frequent glitch is something the maker must decide by himself to live with, but AGAIN: selling "haystacks" is criminal.

Why is this my comcern? anyone selling "haystacks" gives us all a bad reputation.

Erik