Turning skeptics into cynics?

It sure feels like a bait and switch.

Jay County agreed to take part in a regional economic development organization first because there's a certain logic to working regionally and second because each of the participating counties was to have equal representation in its governance.

The first premise still holds water, though we could argue a greater affinity between Jay and Randolph counties than among Jay, Blackford, Delaware, and Grant.

But the second premise has miraculously disappeared.

Instead of each county having four people on the board, seats will be apportioned on the basis of population.

Meanwhile, the board has ballooned to an unwieldy 37 members.

As a result of those changes, the two more rural counties are now a permanent minority.

And an overly large board can easily be manipulated if a dedicated group works as a bloc.

As it stands, this some-are-more-equal-than-others ap-proach tilts heavily toward Delaware County, a place that's already developed a reputation for looking after its own interests first rather than thinking regionally.

Jay County Commissioners were understandably miffed when they learned of the switcheroo at their meeting on Monday.

Local officials weren't too enthusiastic about partnering with Delaware County in the first place, given its long history of cronyism and corruption.

Finding out that we're no longer on an equal footing could turn skeptics into cynics. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]