Kaptain a better leader for Elgin

I strongly disagree with the Herald’s endorsement of Elgin Mayor Ed Schock.

Back in 2007 I exchanged e-mails with Mayor Schock about Elgin’s large illegal immigrant problem. His answer was that Elgin would not have attracted the companies it has without them.

The mayor’s pat answer when asked about Elgin’s illegal immigration is “it’s a federal problem.” No, mayor it is a leadership problem. Have you ever asked to meet with Latino leaders, neighborhood groups or a few of Elgin’s largest employers to discuss how to work together to control the large number of illegals coming here? Have you tried to form a coalition of surrounding city leaders to ask state and federal officials to help solve this area’s illegal problems? Did you ever ask to meet personally with area officials of ICE, the Federal Immigration Agency?

Look at Elgin schools — 63 percent of enrollment is low income, and our children’s education has been greatly affected. Elgin has the lowest median income of the 10 cities that surround us. Elgin has one of the highest unemployment percentages in Illinois. Elgin’s white population is now the minority and is shrinking every year.

A very high percentage of Elgin residents rate Elgin’s reputation as poor. Overcrowding is a huge problem in our older neighborhoods, which drives down home values and intimidates residents. An overcrowded home usually sends a large number of children to schools paid for by our ever increasing real estate taxes. Because of the low per-capita income population, Elgin does not attract strong retailers, which affects the sales tax base.

It’s called leadership. You don’t build a strong community with thousands of low-income residents. Elgin needs a new direction and a new leader. I will vote for David Kaptain.

David White

Elgin