After county Commissioner Jim Eckstein’s election in November, I hoped that he would settle down and shoulder the responsibilities of office, and I shared that sentiment with him.

That wish was not to be.

All of us have watched his antics at the commissioners meetings. Those bizarre antics seem his normal behavior, regardless of where he might be.

In local politics, Eckstein has chosen to make it his role to be against everything and advocate nothing. He claims to have the purse strings of the county as his concern, but he would have the county pay his legal fees in defense of the defamation charges leveled against him.

Not a chance. Eckstein must take responsibility for his own actions. He needed to take the chip off his shoulder months ago. Now it’s too late.

If the charges against him are unfounded and he is able to mount a convincing defense, all charges, including his legal fees, could be the responsibility of the various plaintiffs. If the charges against him are valid and his culpability is proven, he could be required to pay all fees, costs and damages.

By no stretch could he make the actions he is accused of to be duties of the office of commissioner. His actions could cost him personally tens of thousands of dollars.

In governance, thoughtful compromise is a positive attribute that has been employed throughout the history of this country. In that spirit I offer this compromise:

1. Eckstein should resign as county commissioner.

2. The civil suits against Eckstein should be dropped.

3. Jerry Johnston, who was a Democratic nominee for one of the commissioner seats in last fall’s election, should assume what now is Eckstein’s commissioner position.

We can build a responsible government for Butler County as we put this unfortunate episode behind us.