There goes that Gov. Mitch Daniels again, trying to drag Indiana straight from the 19th century into the 21st.

That kind of speed is bound to upset some people, who won't be happy with the governor's endorsement of key parts of the bipartisan report released last December by ex-Gov. Joe Kernan and Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall Shepard.

At the top of the wish list is the consolidation of power in a county in the hands of a single chief executive, who would replace the three-headed body now made up of elected commissioners.

The notion of that power in the hands of one person scares the bejabbers out of some people from Lake County, who (not unreasonably) assume the person elected will be corrupt, inept and inefficient if he or she even bothers to show up in the office except to collect a paycheck or sell a fundraising ticket.

But it's easier to hide corruption and a lack of ability in a crowd. When the focus is on one person, the buck stops at an easily identifiable place.

County councils also would be expanded to provide greater checks and balances on the power of the county executive.

Townships, those 19th century holdovers, also would be eliminated and their responsibilities assumed by the county.

The report also would eliminate a number of county offices that are now elected and make them appointments of the chief executive, with advice and consent of the council.

Why do we elect a surveyor? A coroner? An assessor? A recorder? A treasurer? These jobs should all be done by hired professionals rather than elected, entrenched politicos.

Don't stop there, though. Leave the clerk and prosecutor as elected positions, get rid of the rest and replace them with professionals. What town elects a police chief?

The consolidation of school districts with fewer than 1,000 students proposed by Daniels is going to be the most controversial among constituents, for whom emotional as well as practical considerations come into play.

For the Daniels plan to play, he may want to reconsider this plank, at least for the time being. It's going to be an uphill, tough battle fighting entrenched politicians of both parties as he tries to shove a large part of Kernan-Shepard through the Legislature.

It will be easier if he has the public shoving with him instead of against him, which is what's going to happen if he makes school consolidation a non-negotiable part of his agenda.

The opinions are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at markk@nwitimes.com or (219) 933-4170.