OPINION: Three chief executives confuse the public about who is running the county

(Lafayette) Journal and Courier

Monday, January 26, 2009 2:08 PM

By Joe Kernan, For the Journal & Courier

Kernan is former mayor of South Bend, Ind., and former lieutenant governor and governor, and co-author of the Kernan-Shepard report.

Businesses don't hire three CEOs. Schools don't appoint three principals. The country doesn't elect three presidents.

So why do Indiana counties have three county commissioners, none with ultimate authority? Why do the county commissioners perform both executive and legislative duties? Why do we have 13 separately elected county officials, but no one answers to anyone else?

And where does the buck stop?