What as a community do you consider the function of city government? Do you think they should provide basic fire and police protection? Should they provide and maintain an infrastructure that is adequate for a community our size? How much in tax dollars are you willing to pay for these services and do you believe your tax dollars are being spent wisely and effectively? Do you believe city government respects you and your opinion as a tax-paying business owner or individual?

I believe we need fire and police protection. I believe we need an adequate infrastructure to support a community our size, and I am willing to pay my fair share of taxes to support those necessities.  What I am not willing to pay for and support is a highly compensated top-heavy city administration that wants to be in the real estate and commercial development business. Look at their track record in that area (e.g. a $2 million investment in the Freeborn National Bank and Jacobson buildings, and where is the return on that investment?) or the city spending tax dollars based on special interests rather than on what tax paying business owners want (e.g. South Broadways resurfacing and lane restructuring).

Do you believe the City Council and administration are being good leaders and representing your best interests as taxpayers by becoming commercial developers and landlords? A recent Tribune article suggested that the 300 block of South Broadway would be an ideal location for City Hall in the future because of its close proximity to the Freeborn County Government Center.  Really? The city claims to be so forward-thinking and also claims it is all about collaboration, then why wasn’t more thought put into putting City Hall in the Freeborn County Government Center in the first place? The Albert Lea Police Department is already housed there, and if the current location wasn’t big enough for the government center, then maybe a different location should have been looked at, that would have offered more office space and adequate parking into the future. And what is wrong with the current City Hall location?

South Broadway is being redesigned supposedly because of vehicle and pedestrian safety issues. And now you want to consider putting City Hall in that area in the future? Where will the parking be and how will that affect vehicle and pedestrian safety issues on South Broadway? Doing projects over and over because not enough thought was put into them, or not doing it right in the first place, only costs tax payers more money in the long run.

We as a community have to make our voices heard and we can only do that by standing together and holding city administration and individuals who you elected to represent you accountable for what we see as bad decisions. If you do not stand up and speak out you will be stuck with their bad decisions.

 

Gary Hagen

Albert Lea