Attack misses on good of townships

Just like the cicada, Professor David Hamilton has once again appeared.

The good professor is the chairman of Roosevelt's Political Science and Public Administration Department. He is once again attacking township governments.

As a professional professor, I would have anticipated in the attack he would have got the figures correct regarding at least one of the townships. That would be Elk Grove Township, my township.

Professor states our population at 88,000 in the year 2000 census. Actually it is over 95,000.

Professor states our township employees at 27 with part time included. Actually it is 19.5 with part time included.

The professor states the ratio of employees to population at 1:3259. Actually it is 1:4872.

Professor Hamilton has been on the path to rid the world of township governments and he cites all kind of examples of how to do it.

What he never talks about is the department of General Assistance within township government. The statutes require townships to provide this service and you just can't throw out the baby with the bath water.

Two years ago, I asked Professor Hamilton to address the organization of Township Officials of Cook County.

He didn't say yes and he didn't say no. He never responded at all to the request.

If he really believes, as he seems to believe, that townships should be eliminated, why is he afraid to come out of his classroom,?

Why hide behind a newspaper article to take on the enemy, township government?

Township serves a great purpose, has a great mission and has been around since 1850. It was here before the good professor and it will be here long after.

Nanci L. Vanderweel

Supervisor

Elk Grove Township

Elk Grove Village