City staff honors departing officials

Posted by Intheknow (anonymous) on December 9, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And they somehow blew through all the city reserve funds even while increasing taxes every year - leaving the city in horrible shape for the worst economic downturn in decades. Way to go Erdman and Marin. Fine leadership indeed. Is the city manager clueless? The staff isn't and knows what cuts are coming.

Posted by NoDFL (anonymous) on December 9, 2008 at 6:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would not be bragging up all the silly laws (rental ordinace) or what a great job they did for the city. The lack of growth, their unwillingness to listen to the people, the high taxes and lack of development, the failure of TigerHills. Should we go on? Yes one last thing in a parting shot they pass yet another stupid law and a tax increase all the while giving city workers a rasie. Yep top notch job guys.

Posted by observer (anonymous) on December 9, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Will the new city council have the ability to revisit these ordinances and raises (while the economy is plumeting at the state and national level) to possibly overturn them?

Posted by allake (anonymous) on December 9, 2008 at 11:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes, the new council can revisit the items. Here's an idea for them, stop hiring so many consultants to do what staff should.

Posted by Truth (anonymous) on December 10, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Here is an idea. First move scape the rental ordinance. The council member who pushed it is no longer on the council. Restart and do it right. Like no fees for units 4 and under. Free inspections for those who register. Wow what a great idea. Then kill the social host ordinances and follow state law. You all know that law that says it is illegal to give booze to any one under 21. (unless they are your kid)

Maybe Minnesota should be the first state to lower it's drinking age. Few years ago Cal got rid of the 55mph and soon the whole country followed. Lets do that here.

Even better let's start a movement to get rid of government in our lives. Oh what a dream.

Posted by thatsmyopinion (anonymous) on December 10, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If you think it was bad before, wait until Mr, Negative is Mayor.

Posted by Truth (anonymous) on December 10, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I would like to think that the new mayor will be way better than the old mayor. The old one never listen to the people and did just what he wanted to do. I for one am glad they are gone and hope that the new council will reverse the bad ideas of the old.

Posted by alea (anonymous) on December 10, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

When the new mayor takes office in Jan the city will take a large step backwards. It will take him at least one year to learn the "rules of the road" in this new job of which he has no experience. The second and last year will be used trying to catch up on what opportunites he missed out on year one. If any of you believe he will make that big of a difference in his two years in office you are not living in reality.

Posted by alhsgrad90 (anonymous) on December 10, 2008 at 5:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To bad the drinking age is tied into federal money for highways. So if you think the roads are bad now just wait until Minnesota tries to lower the drinking age. You could just have more bridges falling down. Yeah that is what I want.

Posted by outoftowner (anonymous) on December 10, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Since Mayor-elect Murtaugh made a comment on the budget article today, I believe he does read these posts which every city counsel member should. If you have been keeping track, the majority of the contributors here are against the rental and social host ordinances, so please revisit these issues. I agree with Truth. He has good ideas, specifically " ...no fees for units 4 and under. Free inspections for those who register. Wow what a great idea. Then kill the social host ordinances and follow state law. You all know that law that says it is illegal to give booze to any one under 21. (unless they are your kid)". There are already state statues in place for the drinking, and it will cost EVERYONE too much for the rental inspections.

Posted by Truth (anonymous) on December 10, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

alhsgrad90,

The speed limit was tied to road money as well and that did not stop states from getting rid of it. So why not take a stand. Heck tax booze more to make up any lost income. The same should be done for seatbelt laws.

Now for the bridge falling down are you serious that it was a lack of money even though every expert has said it was a design flaw that could not have been found by any inspection or by spending any amount of money. This however has become a battle cry for everyone who wants to rasie taxes. If you don't more bridges will fall down. If this is the case why haven't more fallen? Because it is a bill of goods being sold to people who do not bother to learn the issues.

Alea,
So what you are saying is that because the people of Albert Lea spoke and made a choice you don't like that this new mayor is going to fail because he has never had to play city politics? Give me break that is why he was voted in. We ant someone who will not just do what the good old boys want. We want the little guy listen to. Let's see if he does what he says. If not I will be the first to take him to task.

Posted by alea (anonymous) on December 10, 2008 at 7:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Truth - I am not saying he will fail, what I am saying is the learning curve he will have to endure will cause important direction and decisions to be sidelined for a while. I hope with everything in me that he will succeed but I have seen this sitation before in other cities I have lived and it was not a good thing for the city in general. But Mike is only "one" vote on the council and I hope the other council members do the right thing and lead Mike down the right path for Albert Lea.

Posted by Truth (anonymous) on December 10, 2008 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Which path is that? The one we are on now that is leading us to socialism and needless regulation? Or the path where the people get their government back. A government that cuts taxes and cuts regulation. Albert Lea is one bad decission form destruction and by keeping the same old policy they will destroy the city.

Posted by observer (anonymous) on December 10, 2008 at 8:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

alea,
The community spoke in the last election, we are going to see three fresh faces in the council and this is a good change. Just because your good old boys aren't there anymore, doesn't mean that the new guys will be clueless the first year. Mike will work hard to get up to speed, he is also, obviously in touch with his constituants as he does monitor these sites and is not scared to be involved with them. Where was Erdman when the citizens were voicing there opinion on this and other sites. He likely felt like he didn't have to respond because of his "good old boys club" feeling they are above the very people they are claiming to be representing. I have sent numerous emails to the councilman for the ward that I live in and recieved absolutely no response, I know who's not going to be putting a sign up in my yard when its his time.

Posted by alea (anonymous) on December 10, 2008 at 8:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Observer - I am not part of the "good old boys" never have been and never will be. But I strongly believe that I am one voice and if I have a constructive idea I will voice my idea face to face. Just remember you harvest what you sow. If you want to be proud of your city get involved. If you wanted responses from your councilman stop sending emails and put a personal touch to your comments or ideas - go visit him at home and make your wishes or comments known face to face.

Posted by Truth (anonymous) on December 10, 2008 at 8:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

observer,

I am with you. Mike will do a better job than Erdman. I talk to Erdman about the rental ordinance and he told me flat out that it was to punish the big boys. Too many people want the government to take care of them. They want a law for this a hand out for that. I just want them out of my life. I am fearful not just for Albert Lea but for America. We no longer believe that we have the right to fail. We want someone to do for us. I just wish they would leave us alone and let me keep my money. I can spend it just fine all by myself. Funny American did very well for 140 years until we came up with the idea that the government should do for us. Now the last 60 have seen some big changes and most are not for the better. That is the great thing about American give us a great idea and we can find a way to mess it up. (usual it is government doing the screwing up)

Posted by outoftowner (anonymous) on December 10, 2008 at 10:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Curious since Councilor Severtson was thanked "specifically for your commitment to the rental housing inspection." Does he own rental property?

Posted by metisman (anonymous) on December 11, 2008 at 6:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Queen Victoria needs to go. And Mrs. Tiger Hills needs to go with her.

Posted by Truth (anonymous) on December 11, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No Severtson doesn't own rental property nor does he rent so he just put forth a bad law and forced it down our throats. Now that he is leaving it is time for it to go with him. Everyone who was involved with it and the fees is now gone. It was their last attack on the people of Albert Lea before they rode off into the sunset.