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Legislation to prevent 2nd mess is needed

The village of Attica can expect to be the catalyst for statewide change.

Whichever way the judge rules today as the state seeks to remove the village's clerk-treasurer from office, it would be a good bet that legislation designed to prevent a repeat of Attica's bookkeeping woes will be introduced in the General Assembly.

One such case should be enough for the state auditor and the attorney general.

At least three years' worth of Attica financial records are in such a state that they probably will never be reconciled enough to allow an audit.

It would not be surprising to see legislation that would allow state officials to step in earlier if an audit -- or preparation for one -- showed such disarray.

A change in the law to preclude a mess like Attica's should be a priority for legislators. Although the problem is not a common one -- officials say Attica's is the first of such a magnitude -- no one ever wants to see a second.

We'll look for Auditor Jim Petro and Attorney General Betty Montgomery to get together with legislators to design a plug for this hole in the state statutes.