43rd Dist. race shows political inefficiency

As a reporter and a skeptic, I don't have much faith in politicians and government.

Some might call me cynical. I prefer the term "jaded."

But it doesn't take a doctoral candidate to understand that changes need to be made in our state government.

It's been called corrupt, inefficient, wasteful - you name it.

Aside from the alleged ethics reforms being proposed, I believe lawmakers need to change how often state representatives are elected.

Take the 43rd District, which includes parts of Elgin, South Elgin, Carpentersville and East Dundee.

In November 2008, Democrat Keith Farnham ousted incumbent Ruth Munson, a Republican appointed to the job in 2002 who was seeking another two-year term.

Munson is now gathering voter signatures get her name on the February 2010 primary ballot in hopes of winning the November 2010 election and her old job back.

I have no problem with that.

It's a free country, right?

Farnham, who has only been in office since January, now has to devote time and resources to do the same thing. Again. Already.

I am not shilling for either one of these candidates. I would be writing the same thing if the candidates' roles were reversed.

It just seems so pointless to start a campaign so early and so soon after the last election. That was the same night President Obama won. Seems pretty fresh in your mind, doesn't it?

I understand that state representatives have been elected every two years for decades. But the will of the people would be better served if state representatives were elected once every four years.

There would be less pressure to raise funds for the campaign, and, I would hope, less influence from special interests.

There would be more time for an incumbent to actually accomplish something or enact change.

And, if change comes early on in a term, the longer period gives voters a chance to see if it works or doesn't.

Pumpkins for all: The South Elgin Harvest Hustle and Pumpkin patch kicked off the fall season in style earlier this month.

Congratulations to Ed Hanson, 45, of Elgin, who ran the 7K race in 24 minutes and 24 seconds.

That's a pace of a mile every 5 minutes and 37 seconds.

Phew!

The pumpkin sale also was a success at raising money for the FUNdation, a not-for-profit arm of the village's recreation department.

Jim Reuter, head of the village's recreation department, said the sale raised $1,875.77 for the FUNdation's youth scholarship program.

Last year, the sale raised about $1,600.