Elgin erred when laying off Monell

I have been a resident of Elgin for the past 20 years. I read a recent article regarding the cuts in employees to help with the city's budget woes. Although I applaud the city for making tough decisions when it comes to budgets cuts, I have to question if there aren't other options to some of these decisions.

I have been coaching softball for more than 25 years and currently coach an 18U softball travel team with the Wasco Diamonds. Over the years many of the teams I've coached travel across this country to many sports facilities, and I used to compare those facilities to the Elgin Sports Complex, which, at the time, was far below what other towns were providing.

Ten years ago the complex named Mike Monell its supervisor and his presence made an immediate impact on things. It started with communication, dedication and the vision to see what he could bring to the city of Elgin and its sporting venue.

Girls fast pitch softball is a $1 billion industry. The city was willing to invest a lot of money to the local college for upgrades and bring a professional softball team to Elgin. That doesn't bring in money for the city like the fast pitch tournaments Monell has brought to the complex. During tournaments the coaches and teams sleep, eat and spend their money here. Did anyone really sit down and figure out the kind of money these fall and summer events bring to the city?

Monell is more than the supervisor, he's the face of the complex.

Matt Schacht

Elgin