Cut weeds, Elgin, make roads safer

Over the years, Elgin’s public works department has been one of my favorite operations. I’ve always known this department’s employees to be honest, caring and going above and beyond in carrying out their duties.

However, the recent response by this department to a dangerous situation at the corner of Big Timber and Hillcrest Drive, caused by overgrown weeds, change my perception of this once-stellar department.

For the unknowing, overgrown weeds made pulling out onto Bit Timber a dangerous situation as it was nearly impossible to get a full view of oncoming traffic from the east. Upon trying to get help from public works to take care of the problem, a female employee of the department chose to engage in threats and promises of fines rather than taking care of the problem and then trying to determine responsibility. This employee needs to know that it only took 20 minutes to correct the problem, but will probably take hour upon hour to continue writing letters, making more threats, while engaging in more inaction.

To those who felt disrespected by having to place their lives in jeopardy at this intersection, I hope you remember it all during the next municipal election. The residents of Elgin deserve better from their mayor, city council, city manager and public works department. Continued rhetoric and showboating doesn’t cut it — no pun intended.

Herb Weyers

Elgin