Helen Kosa is a diminutive farm woman who ventured into politics believing she could make a difference. In the 1970s and 1980s she served as an elected Potter County auditor.

She had a common sense idea that, by now, would have saved the taxpayers of Pennsylvania millions and saved Potter County taxpayers hundreds of thousands. But she was a whistle-blower whistling in a wilderness.

Now, after decades of waste, the state has acted on Helen's idea that is guaranteed to save more than $600,000. The Pa. Supreme Court overruled the objection of the judge, the commissioners and other Potter County notables to eliminate one district judge position from our bloated and expensive county judicial system.

Until this year, Potter County had four magisterial judges -- an extraordinary number for an eighth-class county. By comparison, neighboring Tioga County, a sixth-class county, has three; McKean County has four with a population approximately three times that of Potter. Cameron, another eighth-class county, has but one.

Most significantly, as Chief Justice Cappy of the Pa. Supreme Court pointed out in a letter rejecting Judge Leete's plan to retain four district judges, the caseload for each of our four Potter County district judges was about one-fourth that of an average district judge throughout Pennsylvania.

Even now that we are reduced to three, the average caseload for each will be only 35 percent of the state average. If we had but two district judges, their caseload would still be below the state average. And not one cent in revenue will be lost by virtue of reducing the number of district judges, in spite of claims to the contrary.

This is not intended to be a criticism of the district judges, but rather of the politics that ignore the best interests of the taxpayers.

When Helen Kosa brought this up, she was ignored by judges and commissioners. She did not have the help of a solicitor to present her case. I recall vividly her standing before the court looking small and timid, but powerfully presenting her case with reason and dignity in the face of political interest that was demeaning and hostile.

The math is easy. Consider a salary of $65,000 (now much more) for a district judge plus a modest $10,000 for the bountiful benefits given to state employees. Add a secretary or two with benefits, office rents, supplies and miscellaneous expenses annually and $100,000 in taxpayer money is quickly gone each year.

Over the next six years -- a district judge's term -- we will save more than $600,000; over the past two decades, we lost millions. The issue of the cost to the taxpayers was ignored. Even the media, obsessed with waste in government, failed to confront the issue.

Perhaps because the bulk of the money came from the state, we believe we should take all we can get, even if it wastes resources. Perhaps it's because judges are sacred cows whose domains may not be disturbed.

The essence of the problem is that, whether it's pork-barrel legislation from Washington D.C. or Harrisburg, we hate government waste except when the government money lands at our front door.

That the magisterial district judge system in Potter County continues to be a government boondoggle is undeniable. We are neither being served nor getting our money's worth. Unfortunately, no one whose voice would have been heard had the thoughtfulness, concern for the taxpayers and courage to whistle the sweet melody of truth.

We should thank and celebrate whistleblowers like Helen Kosa and forever regret that we didn't listen to her tune. What is 'My Side?'

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