“This is a lake crucial to the Albert Lea community and to its quality of life,” stated the Tribune Thumbs on March 16.

Thirty years ago, Fountain Lake was clean. Population: 18,000. With two interstates, Interstate 35 and Interstate 90, surely Albert Lea will grow. Today’s population: 18,000. Through the years it was if we only had a state-of-the-art high school. This was built. Still no growth. Perhaps a new courthouse and jail? This was done. Still no growth. Now it is clean lakes.

Chad Adams, Albert Lea city manager, must believe the economy is OK, allocating $5 million for sewer replacement and Broadway street improvements. Perhaps selling the Freeborn National Bank building to developers will help find buyers for the empty stores.

Susie Petersen, executive director for the Albert Lea Convention & Visitors Bureau, remarks in the Albert Lea Tribune article, “Council asks input on local sales tax”: “If we can get dredging and clean up our lakes, we are going to get thousands of jobs and people will come here.”

Ryan Nolander, executive director of the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency, stated in his article in the
Progress Edition, Feb. 23, “The biggest concern for Albert Lea is lack of workforce.”

I believe Mr. Nolander. Graduates continue year after year to leave. Why?

Fountain Lake is surrounded by homeowners. They will benefit by a clean lake, as well as Albert Lea Bayside Skiers and fishermen. It has nothing to do with new business coming to Albert Lea.

City officials hate when Albert Lea is referred to as a “retirement village.” A recent statement in the Albert Lea Tribune letters to the editor make reference to Albert Lea as a good place to retire.

Minnesota is noted for its 10,000-plus lakes. Visitors are going to come to Albert Lea to see Fountain Lake? Visitors will go to see Hormel’s Spam Museum. Enough said!

 

Bob Mares

Albert Lea