Change needed in chairman, not coroner, office

The Daily Herald's front page article from Thursday, Feb. 11, about the candidates in the Republican primary election for Kane County Chairman tells you all you need to know about the rift between County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen and County Coroner Robert Russell.

Lauzen is more concerned with micromanaging Russell's budget than acknowledging that Russell is operating in the black.

The job responsibilities of the Kane County Board chairman do not include running the coroner's office, that is why they elect a coroner. Russell is accountable to the voters, not the board president. Yet it seems like Lauzen is using the primary election period as a referendum on the coroner position.

This is a bizarre and unfortunate move on Lauzen's part for three important reasons: 1. Because a review of Lauzen's dealings with Russell bring into question his inability to effectively serve this county as chairman. 2. As in the article, Lauzen's constant criticism of Russell more often than not reveals the truth that Russell took over a beleaguered coroner's office marred by scandal and despite Lauzen's interference is effectively and efficiently serving the county. 3. Lauzen's actions reveal that the change to be made in the county is not in the office of the coroner.

Dave Roller

Carpentersville