Editorial: Council denial of boat rentals was off base
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, March 12, 2002
Tribune staff editorial
Public hearings are supposed to be opportunities for the &uot;public&uot; to speak on issues that affect them.
Tuesday, March 12, 2002
Public hearings are supposed to be opportunities for the &uot;public&uot; to speak on issues that affect them. They can be an effective way for elected officials to hear what people have to say. But they only work if people actually show up to speak.
On Monday, there was a public hearing on a proposal to locate a boat rental business at the city beach on Fountain Lake. The public was invited to speak on an issue that had the potential to create more access to Fountain Lake for more city residents, especially those who don’t own boats or who don’t live right next to a lake. But except for one person, the &uot;public&uot; didn’t show up. Instead, four unidentified letter writers who objected to the proposal were able to get their way.
Giving credence to &uot;anonymous&uot; letter writers is not a good precedent for the city of Albert Lea. Those who write letters to the council about an issue should have those letters read into the record and their names should be recorded, just like it is for those who have the courage to speak out in person. Anonymous commentary removes accountabity and stifles public debate.
And as far as complaints about a boat rental operation located in a &uot;residential area&uot; are concerned, they don’t really make much sense if you have any historical perspective. Back in the glory days of the beach, before the acquatic park was built, hundreds of people would be using the beach on hot summer days. There was a diving platform. There was a concession stand. There were probably kids yelling and radios playing. What made that sort of activity acceptable in a residential area when a boat rental business with only six boats to rent is not?
In addition, the new skate park – located just yards from where the boats would be rented – caused complaints when it was being planned. Neighbors worried about noise then, too. Yet the city supported that project all the way. Why are they using a double standard?
We just don’t get it.