County treatment of coroner mysterifies

Thankfully I guess, I've never had the opportunity to meet the Kane County Coroner, Rob Russell. I have however watched his work in the news the past three years and I have to say I'm mystified, and embarrassed, as to the lack of respect the Kane County Board shows his office.

To memory, when Russell took the office it was amid some dark days left by the previous administration. Since then he's restored integrity in the form of solid working relationships with local law enforcement as well as hospitals and nursing homes. In doing so, the office is only 1 in 25 in the nation that's achieved accreditation, and the only one in Illinois.

One shining example of service to the public was his entombing and some reuniting with families the 50 some odd cremains that were in that glorified garage with the marginal equipment the county calls a morgue. That's human.

A current project of his that I'm most pleased with is his proactive approach of addressing the growing heroin usage/overdose phenomenon. Instead of waiting until a body hits his exam table he has participated in school programs and is helping to facilitate Narcan doses to first responders. That's service to the county.

The current board's driven financial legal wrangling is simply embarrassing for the county, but I'm sure Mr. Russell will stand above it. He deserves respect and every consideration for re-election.

David Koldos

Elgin