I’m just bummed it got all messed up.

BTW, your observation about not enjoying a beer at Judson reminded me of another odd aspect of this deal.

How did all that public money end up going to build facilities at a religious institution?

I ask that question with no bone to pick with Judson, its Baptist mission or value to the community. It was just odd that we never heard a peep out of the Separation of Church and State crowd who are usually so quick to pounce on any hint of public support for or even connection with religion.

Powers was always very candid in admitting that the Bandits deal was intended to direct public money into certain local private pockets. I’ve never seen the receipts for that $700,000, and maybe some of it made the “Separation” issue go away.

Just one more aspect of a very strange and troubling deal.

In sum, I’m sure the Bandits would be a much more appropriate addition to an environment like the Stephens’ family’s sketchy private fiefdom, Rosemont.

When I said don’t blame the Bandits, I really meant the team of players. They play a good game, and always have all the time in the world even for the littlest autograph seeker at the end of the line.

I was irritated that after Elgin spent their $700,000 and the team is gone, it was only Judson that was left with any benefit (there are other year round leagues that rent it and Fox Valley Sports Academy has used the field). I was narrowly thinking “man, if it were somehow connected to Sports Complex, or run by Park District…”

But you are absolutely right - Judson University is an Elgin organization, and greatly contributes to a better Elgin image. I have more of an ECC budget and forgot! LOL.

Tell it to the ghost of Mike Powers.

Don’t worry, we won’t blame the Bandits for poor attendance.

We’ll just blame them for being a “fine team” of itinerant rip-off artists who paid off elements of Elgin’s City Council (to the extent we’ll never know) for a fat subsidy, sucked precious money out of the city’s treasury, and cost a Councilman his life. In other words, an organization fully living up to its name “Chicago Bandits.”

Thank goodness, that so-called “deal” for a stadium never materialized.

At least a real, contributing Elgin institution, Judson College, got some benefit from this fiasco.

And a lot of us would like to watch a great ball game with a beer in our hands, which is impossible at Judson.

So the economy tanked, Elgin cannot follow through on their deal to build a stadium, Bandits attendance has fallen to less than 1/2. Bandits leave.

Judson is left with the facility (still a great field and indoor training facility) for their own use or to rent out for $150/ hr to other local teams. Maybe Judson will let starving artists use it for 1/2 price.

Another great move Elgin! Are 9,600 Elgin residents using our fine, new and very expensive golf courses every year?