Although we’ve never peeked beneath Adams County Justice Court Judge Charlie Vess’ robe — it wouldn’t be appropriate to do so — we’re fairly certain we’d find a large red “S” on his chest.

Perhaps comparing the mustachioed and bespectacled judge with the comic book hero Superman is a little over the top, but in a way, the comparison fits.

Vess has proven to be a hero of county taxpayers through his recent actions — none of which he’s required by law to do.

Seeing the justice court’s outstanding fines list getting bigger and bigger as more and more people said, effectively, “What are you going to do, throw me in jail?” Vess created an action plan and has begun to put that plan into action.

By volunteering to hold contempt of court hearings to try and collect fines owed to Adams County Justice Court, Vess has begun to put some fear into the people who owe debts to the county.

That fear is turning into dollars for the county, and that’s the ultimate goal of the project.

We thank Vess for his work, but we also can’t help but wonder why, apparently, Vess seemingly has to do this work alone.

Shouldn’t others in justice court be working harder to collect taxpayer money with the same zeal?