Miller has earned full term as Elgin Township supervisor
Many a voter gets to the spot on the ballot for township offices and finds they not only don't know who those candidates are - but also don't know what those townships do.
If you live in Elgin Township, you'll also have the added dilemma of finding one candidate running for township supervisor who contends he wants to eliminate the job. Green Party candidate Daniel Kairis, who has little idea of what the job entails, says it's a wasteful duplication of services and he vows to cut the salary in half as he works to also cut the position.
Eliminating the Elgin Township supervisor post would create great hardship for many people during these difficult times, contends incumbent Supervisor Annette Miller, who was appointed to the post in December 2005. She notes one of the primary duties is to dole out general and emergency assistance to those needing some extra help. In these days of layoffs and cutbacks, Miller, running as a Republican, contends the small unit of government is more accessible than a large bureaucracy would be should townships be folded into a larger government body.
She notes the township keeps taxes low, utilizes its share judiciously and serves youths and seniors, supplementing struggling social service agencies. She wants to expand recycling efforts and improve the township's communication with residents.
Challenger Frederick Steffen, an attorney running as a Democrat, agrees the job is needed though he wants to change how it's done. He questions spending and vows to eliminate costs, yet wants to add to the tax burden by creating another layer of government for a mental health board. We certainly aren't against providing additional services but question the method.
Of the three candidates competing for the four-year post, it's clear that only Miller has true understanding of the job. We would like to see her take a stronger leadership approach and expand the township offerings like Dundee Township and Algonquin Township do.
Miller is endorsed.