Letter: City needs leader who gets things done

Characterizing leadership in her community, Annie Dillard wrote, "Caution passes for wisdom around here." I was reminded of the line when I read The Daily Herald's rationale for endorsing the incumbent in Elgin's mayoral race.

Yes, Mayor Kaptain has been around a long time and he appears to think things through. And through. And through. Nine years ago, I attended a service club meeting and heard the mayor say that Elgin's riverfront potential was the envy of other mayors. It seemed at the time as if he intended to make the riverfront development a front-burner issue. Since then, the number of dining opportunities on the Fox has decreased from one to none.

I know there are complex matters involved, and I am aware there has been some recent movement. But where is the push, the drive? I think it's time to put Elgin's future in the hands of someone who knows the difference between vision and eyesight.

Corey Dixon gets things done.

While most city leaders were wringing their hands over the "homeless problem," Corey Dixon and John Steffen rolled up their sleeves and made sure there was a way to protect all our residents from freezing to death. It is no easy task.

Corey Dixon's time is now. Having a few more years of experience under his belt (as the editors suggest) would result in a few more years of inaction for all of us.

Richard T. Carlson

Elgin