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Council: Albert Lea is national vitality center
City will be part of project after Oct.
Published Tuesday, August 11, 2009
The Albert Lea City Council on Monday declared Albert Lea as the national vitality center, signifying it will extend the principles of the AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project past the conclusion of the project in October.
Albert Lea City Manager Victoria Simonsen said the resolution gives local leaders the framework they need to keep the project’s momentum moving forward. The project, announced in January, aims to add years to people’s lives through simple changes to their lifestyles.
So far, more than 2,000 people have pledged to be a part of the project, and national experts have met with staff from the city, the Albert Lea School District and many local businesses to help to enact positive environmental changes. Many of these changes are taking shape.
The resolution states city staff will seek funding sources to continue the project, including from governmental funding, foundations, the private sector and in-kind sources.
Then, after October, all activities tied to the project will be coordinated under Simonsen’s office, with the principles of the project being used as a guideline for all city projects.
Vitality Day
During similar action in the council meeting, Albert Lea Mayor Mike Murtaugh proclaimed Aug. 24 as Vitality Day within the city.
He encouraged everyone who hasn’t already done so to complete the project’s pledge, along with the Vitality Compass, to help reach the goal of having 5,000 project participants. He asked that people wear their Vitality Project T-shirts and bracelets as a reminder of their support.
In an effort to get more people to sign up for the project, there will be several businesses in the community who will be set up on Vitality Day to assist people in taking the Vitality Compass.
“This is really our last push to get out there and get people to take the Vitality Compass for the first time,” Simonsen said. People have until the end of August to sign up to participate.
Vitality Day will be a day for the community to show support and excitement about the project, she said.
People who sign up that day to take part in the project will receive a free AARP pedometer.
Simonsen said “Mindless Eating” author Brian Wansink has also expressed his desire to come back to Albert Lea and may do so during that week as well.
Other related activities have not yet been announced.
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