Elgin road work could be put on fast track

Last week, workers wrapped up laying red bricks in several crosswalks in downtown Elgin.

This is just another of many, many steps in the city's long process of reconstructing downtown roads, infrastructure and beautifying the streetscape with planters, pavers and perennials.

But overall, the work won't be done until 2013.

Now, if you're into that whole Mayan calendar stuff - we might not even be here then.

While I credit the city for investing in its downtown and trying to make it better, perhaps they should have upped the pace of the work.

It's easy for me to spend other people's money, but considering the poor state of the economy, should the city consider borrowing money to double the amount of roads being done this year and next?

That could have created more jobs and acted as the city's little local stimulus plan.

Businesses are hurting anyway so it would be nice if the light at the end of the tunnel was closer.

Just a thought.

Congratulations: Mark Bettcher, director of the Dundee-Crown High School Jazz Bands and Orchestras in Carpentersville, was slated to receive the annual Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra Music Educator of the Year Award at last Sunday's final concert of the EYSO's 34th season.

In addition to his local work, he has performed with some pretty top-shelf talent. Tony Bennett, Joe Williams, Ramsey Lewis, Louis Bellson and The Temptations all worked with Bettcher over the years, according to the EYSO.

The EYSO established the award in 1980 to honor music teachers who have made a meaningful contribution to music education in the Elgin area, or for those who have supported the EYSO.

Congrats also to: Joshua Hoeg, of South Elgin's Boy Scout Troop 21, who recently became the troop's second member to earn Eagle Scout this year.

For his project, Hoeg joined South Elgin Parks and Recreation Department to create a historical representation of South Elgin's early farming community.

Hoeg is a senior and honors student at South Elgin High School.