The Vote Fraud Task Force has had a success rate of almost 90 percent and is winding down its work in the wake of the 2003 East Chicago mayoral primary.

The task force led to charges against 53 people. At a progress report last week, Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter was glad to say, "The bulk of these are behind us."

Of the 53 cases, 38 ended in convictions, three were dismissed, one was found not guilty by a jury, one defendant died, and 10 are pending.

That's good news, but with a dark side. The state of ethics in Lake County is sorry indeed.

The time is right for local governments to join the Shared Ethics Advisory Commission -- although not, as Lake County Surveyor George Van Til has requested, by asking for additional money.

Find the dues within the existing budget, then get ethics training for public officials and employees.

A decision last week by the Lake County Board of Commissioners drove home the need for this training.

The commissioners said they will crack down on lawyers and other county employees who want to be paid as after-hour consultants or attorneys.

"This could be similar to the situation that resulted in an indictment of the former Calumet Township trustee," Commissioner Roosevelt Allen, D-Gary, said. "We don't want to run into the same problem."

Dozier Allen Jr., who served as Calumet Township trustee for three decades, and three of his former senior aides pleaded innocent to federal fraud changes. The U.S. attorney's office contends they paid themselves an additional $143,000 to administer a federal grant intended to help the poor.

The commissioners' announcement, along with a seeming epidemic of ethical lapses, show how the importance of that ethics training.

But it must not stop there. The Shared Ethics Advisory Commission is well suited to serve not just as a training co-op but also as a forum for airing ethical dilemmas and seeking the commission's advice. That will add extra value to the dues paid by member communities and agencies.

Joining this group is part of making sure all government employees -- including elected officials -- behave ethically. Accomplish that, and the message will spread throughout the communities to businesses and private citizens as well.