The controversy surrounding Mitch Daniels suggesting that township government be changed or eliminated has some in a frenzy.

In Indiana townships have a level of government, in some cases these township administrators are very adept, ala Bob Wichlinksi. But sadly most are not good administrators or worse they are petty minded political hacks who always wanted to be something!

I would agree that if the state can save $100 million on eliminating this layer of government, do it. But, while doing it I would suggest allowing counties the option of a single county elected manager/administrator instead of the county commisioners. The county manager/mayor type role would be hotly contested, should be paid quite well and would make counties function more like our country with an exec branch and strong admin. branch.

Assessors generally don't want to be eliminated, of course. If we were truly market based, using the last "sale" as a guide, we wouldn't need 25% of them, frankly a computer can work out a formula.

The Times makes it sound like Daniels is being mean!