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Staff

Published Saturday, October 4, 2008

UP — To the Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

People simply are tired of picking up litter left behind by cigarette smokers. This was one of the reasons the Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Advisory Board decided to address the issue of smoking in the parks. Others were the example it sets for children and the effect secondhand smoke has on people who do not smoke. We cheer the board for recommending to the Albert Lea City Council that it ban smoking in city parks. Right now, the board is working on drafting the ordinance.

DOWN — To smokers in front of Albert Lea Medical Center.

Citizens drive pass the scene every day on Fountain Street. There’s a sign informing people to not smoke on hospital grounds. But the hospital can’t regulate the sidewalk because it is public space regulated by the city. So the smokers smoke on the sidewalk right next to that sign. The City Council, when it receives the advisory board’s draft ordinance later this year, will have an opportunity to amend the ordinance to include other public spaces, not merely parks. People shouldn’t have to walk through smoke on the way to the hospital. If we want a community attractive to the health industry, let’s be health conscious. Let’s remove the smokers who give our good hospital a bad image.

UP — To Albert Lea Area Schools.

Bottle of pop: $1

Dentist bill: Hundreds of dollars

Being a teenage caffeine addict: Headaches, jitters, interruptions during classes, sleep interference, irritability, dehydration

Removing pop from vending machines in schools: Priceless

This is another step toward making an already good place to raise kids even better. Many neighboring school district have done the same. Kudos to them, too.

UP — To Face the Fats.

First, as people who enjoy words, we’d like to say Albert Lea Medical Center and Albert Lea School District made a good choice for the name of this program. It’s catchy. Second, the free program is just a good idea. Health of citizens is vital to having a vibrant community. People in attendance learn how oatmeal, Cheerios and other foods lower their fat and how to alter eating habits, among other things. It is scheduled for 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 5 at the HealthReach Campus, 1705 S.E. Broadway Ave.

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