Q&A with Keller

1. Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is that? What will be your main priority in office?

Primarily, to continue my work to forestall death (keep folks out of my office) through education, information and intervention programs. Also, to continue my office's outstanding service to the community, for the living and the dead.

2. For incumbents and non-incumbents: If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of important initiatives you've led. If you are not an incumbent, tell us what contributions you would make.

1) My blog, renown as the blogging coroner;

2) bringing my office into the 21st Century with updated equipment in our tox lab and for investigations;

3) making education a priority for the community and my staff; 4) leadership role in numerous death prevention activities and intervention programs

3. What are your goals in terms of delivery of services and management of the Lake County coroner's office?

1) professional and courteous service;

2) compassion, dignity and respect for the deceased and their families;

3) ensure educated investigators and professional, complete death investigations;

4) community access to appropriate information

4. What would your priorities be in budget requests for this office?

Doing my best to stay within the county's zero increase budget goal, to ensure maintenance of quality service with controlled growth to meet community needs.

5. Do you favor any changes in the training and/or deployment of the office staff? If so, what?

We have instituted a career ladder based on attainment of educational goals (in addition to longevity), this is now codified in the union contract.

6. What specific steps, if any, can be taken to make this office operate more efficiently?

I have flattened out our management hierarchy, removing the middle management position.

7. What do you think of a coroner or any other elected county official blogging about his or her work and his or her observations and opinions that stem from that work?

You know I think it is great. People have a thirst for knowledge, can use much of the information, and have a right to know. It also serves to demystify the workings of the office before people are in need of utilizing its service.