Published: May 16, 2009 09:39 pm         

TRIBUNE-STAR EDITORIAL: Refreshing goal for new commissioner

Ciolli brings outsider’s

TERRE HAUTE — Got trust?

Vigo County residents should have regained a bit of theirs last week. The election of Mike Ciolli as county commissioner improved the health of the local government in several important ways.

First, Ciolli arrives with a background that should restore some confidence Vigo Countians lost when former commissioner David W. Decker resigned earlier this month. Decker pleaded guilty on April 28 in federal court to dealing methamphetamine. He stepped down as commissioner three days later. Decker faces up to 10 months in prison. A Vigo County Democratic Party caucus elected Ciolli on Thursday to carry out the remainder of Decker’s term through December 2010.

The thought of Decker serving as the president of the commissioners and making a drug deal in his off time shakes the public’s faith in their local government. The commissioners, among other duties, deal with county ordinances on meth and other illegal substances. At the very least, local folks should be confident that their commission president isn’t selling meth and also legislating efforts to eradicate it.

Ciolli worked for the Federal Bureau of Prisons from 1976 to 2003. He served as warden of the Federal Correctional Institute in Pekin, Ill., in his last BOP role before retiring. Since then, the 56-year-old Ciolli worked as Vigo County Jail commander until 2007, when he began contract work doing audits of jails. His criminal justice experience is a welcome asset in light of Decker’s situation.

Second, Ciolli is not moving into the commissioner’s job from another elected county office. New blood can bring new thinking to county government, and Ciolli — who has never before sought an elective public post — has that opportunity.

Third, Ciolli was selected in an open forum. Vigo County Democratic Party Chairman Joe Etling deserves credit for opening last Thursday’s caucus of precinct committee members to the public. When an elected county official leaves office unexpectedly, as in this case, a caucus by that official’s party chooses a replacement. State law allows political parties to conduct those caucuses in private. Instead, Etling continued his long-held policy of conducting those caucus votes openly. That gesture lets citizens — especially those who cast votes for Decker in 2007 — feel as if their concerns haven’t been blocked by closed doors.

Moments after receiving a winning total of 44 votes from 79 precinct committee members, Ciolli shook hands and offered thank-yous in the Vigo County Annex room. Then, to those who voted for any of the other eight candidates, Ciolli said, “I hope I can earn your trust.”

His goal is refreshing.