"Republicans Elected to Key County Government Positions"

The South Bend Tribune reports.  Excerpt:

For the first time in years Republicans gained appoint-ments to key positions on the St. Joseph County Council and Board of Commissioners.

During separate meetings Tuesday, the council and commissioners elected officers for 2012.

The council elected Democrats Rafael Morton and Mark Catanzarite president and president pro-tempore, respectively, and Republican Dale DeVon vice president pro-tempore. DeVon replaces Democrat Mike Kruk.

The board of commissioners, meanwhile, elected Republican Andy Kostielney and Democrat Bob Kovach president and vice president, respectively. Kostielney replaces Kovach and Kovach replaces Democrat Dave Thomas.

Congratulations to my friends and colleagues Andy Kostielney and Dale DeVon!