Michael,
I would suggest you cut off the elevator, including the joiner wire, then make a new joiner wire thats a little longer/shorter than the first and redrill new holes and epoxy it in. You could use a Dremel to clean it up if you have to cut it with diagonal cutters (the old joiner). Lastly I would rehinge the elevators with the pin style hinges making sure you drilled into solid wood and not a previous hinge slot. Make sure you dry fit everything then glue the new hinges in with 30 minute epoxy. Good luck and don't get down on yourself, consider it a lesson from "The School of Hard Knocks". We've all been there!!