Opinion

Though his behavior since taking office in January doesn’t raise our expectations much, Gov. Pat Quinn has promised to talk with Vandalia officials this Saturday at the DuQuoin State Fair.

We hope it doesn’t trouble the governor unduly to have a conversation with Vandalia Mayor Rick Gottman and other locals who would like an audience with him.

Since Quinn early this month announced his plan to slash about 125 positions at the Vandalia Correctional Center, lot of us in this area would like to bend his ear. But no go. He’s been unavailable.

Monday was a good day for openness in Illinois government.

Though our state is widely known for its corruption and pay-for-play politics, Monday’s action is a welcome movement toward transparency and accountability in state government.

With the sounds of coaches' whistles on the football field and the whir of fans in school halls, it's undeniable that the beginning of a new school year is upon us.

In fact, most area schools will welcome students back next week. Vandalia teachers have a work day on Thursday and then welcome the students for a half day on Friday.

The start of classes in the fall is always a busy time for families, with school supplies to purchase, registration to tend to and schedules to adjust.

As the work in downtown Vandalia continues, it’s easy to get enthused about the new face we’re seeing emerge for our downtown business district.

Already, the project is more than one-third done, more than a month ahead of schedule and well under budget. Those are, indeed, cause for excitement.

But short of standing on a street corner and watching the work, there’s not much the common citizen can do to feel like they’re really a part of the project.

Or is there?

Once again, Vandalia officials are doing everything possible to preserve jobs at Vandalia Correctional Center. And, once again, local residents are encouraged to be part of that effort.

This latest tussle between the state and our community comes about five years after a local effort, led by Mayor Rick Gottman, staved off then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s attempt to close VCC. The key player in that fight was the public.

Just a couple of months into the project, we’re beginning to see signs of how the TEA-21 project will enhance our downtown business district. And beyond those visible indicators, there are facets of the project that we will not see.

Among those facets are new water lines along Gallatin Street.

Action taken by the Vandalia City Council on Monday helps to prove the worthiness of the enhancement project.

City officials knew beforehand that significant work was needed underground. Separate storm sewer and sanitary sewer lines ranked at the top of that list.

Though Gov. Pat Quinn and the Illinois General Assembly this week moved closer to a budget compromise, at least one element proposed last week by Quinn needs to be revisited.

Last Tuesday, the governor rolled out a plan that called for sweeping layoffs in a number of state agencies. In all, his proposal would cut thousands of state jobs. Many of those cuts would dismantle social service agencies that serve the most vulnerable among us. Others target correctional facilities.

It’s way past time to do something.

It was about a decade ago that the city of Vandalia had to turn to an outside engineering firm to solve the problem of odor spreading from its sewage treatment plant. City officials are now trying the same approach with its new Kaskaskia River intake.

The city council agreed on Monday to hire Gonzalez Companies to look into that problem, and that action is none too soon.

It's fair time in Fayette County!

Beginning this Saturday, the sights and sounds and smells will return to the Fayette County Fairgrounds in Brownstown. And until the gates close a week later, the fair is THE place to be.

Haven't been to the fair for a while? You'll be surprised at the variety of events and activities there. There are beauty contests, livestock judging, carnival rides, tractor pulls, 4-H project judging, a rodeo, musical performances, and races for motorcycles and ATVs. And don't forget about the food stands that offer a variety of delicious treats.