Even though the average Minnesotan may find an extra $630 in the mail box this summer, Albert Leans aren’t planning any spontaneous spending sprees.

Tuesday, July 13, 1999

Even though the average Minnesotan may find an extra $630 in the mail box this summer, Albert Leans aren’t planning any spontaneous spending sprees. That was the overwhelming response from residents shopping Friday.

&uot;I’m going to bank it for a rainy day, but I won’t believe it until I see it,&uot; said Bette Fulton. Her daughter, Sindi Fulton, also planned to put her rebate in her savings account.

Both Eloise Jensen and Alice Earnest said they, too, would deposit their rebate in their bank accounts. But Alice Ernest’s husband Ed said he’s not going to make any plans just yet. &uot;I’ll wait and see if we actually get it. You never know, the politicians might change their mind or spend all that money,&uot; he said.

Don Hanson figured he would reinvest the money, though he didn’t specify how the money would be invested.

Other residents had equally practical ideas.

Len Carter said he would take his rebate on a shopping spree – &uot;only to the lumber yard.&uot; He said he would use the rebate to finish house repairs.

Mike Fraiser also said his rebate would be invested in his house.

Amy Petersen also had practical plans for her rebate.

&uot;I’ll pay the bills that are already there,&uot; she said. She also joked about sending her daughters off to camp for a week, but they didn’t seem receptive to the idea. &uot;Probably just pay the bills, nothing too exciting.&uot;

Karen Richter plans to use her rebate to send her daughter off. The rebate will be used to help her fund her daughter’s college education this fall.

As for Gov. Jesse Ventura’s suggestion that Minnesotans donate their rebate for a new sports stadium, Albert Leans said &uot;not a chance.&uot;

&uot;I disagree with any sort of tax money to go ball players,&uot; said Carter. &uot;I like the teams, but I would rather see them go than to fund a stadium.&uot;

Ed Ernest agreed.

&uot;When you have a multi-millionaire asking us to donate money so he can build a stadium to make more money, I think there’s something funny about that,&uot; Ernest said.

His wife Alice added, &uot;I think the owners should pay and the players should pitch in too.&uot;

As for donating a portion of their rebate to the stadium, the couple laughed.