Editorial: Thumbs

To the announcement that Bomgaars is moving into the former Walmart building.

Albert Lea’s Walmart has been empty for 12 1/2 years, so it was big news on Tuesday to hear that Sioux City, Iowa-based Bomgaars has signed a long-term lease for the building. The business plans to begin construction in the next week or two to renovate the 82,000 square feet of space. It plans to open in June after full renovations.

A manager and an assistant manager with the company’s corporate team have already been hired, and the business plans to have between 35 and 45 employees when it opens.

We are excited to see the space used, and we hope the store will add to the growth already being seen on that side of town.

 

To people who spoke out about the renewal of the Shell Rock River Watershed District’s local-option sales tax this week.

Whether you are for or against the Shell Rock River Watershed District’s half-percent sales tax renewal, it is good to see people speak their opinions and get involved in the renewal process.

The Albert Lea City Council had a public hearing at its Monday meeting about the tax and will have a second one Feb. 22.

Get involved. Come to the next hearing. Write a letter or make a call to your councilor, and when the time comes to vote on the renewal, do your civic duty and vote.

 

To fraudulent charges in the area.

It seems that multiple times a week for the last few weeks, local authorities have received reports of fraudulent charges on credit cards or from bank accounts. We urge residents to take precautions to protect yourselves from these types of charges, whether that is through getting a new card or changing online passwords.

The Federal Trade Commission advises keeping a record of all of your account numbers, their expiration

dates and the phone number to report fraud for each company in a secure place. Don’t lend your card to anyone, and don’t leave your cards, receipts or statements around your home or office. When you no longer need them, shred them before throwing them away.

Don’t be afraid to report any questionable charges to the card issuer.