I like to golf. Usually those who run golf courses want you to play in a foursome, which is four people all playing the same hole at the same time. The reason they do this is to speed up play on the course.

Over the last week or so, there has been a foursome that I’m glad is together and playing for Albert Lea. The four gentlemen that have come forward to become mayor, have different backgrounds and different skills, but one thing rings true about all four of them and that is the determination to make Albert Lea a better place.

Mr. Summers, Mr. Hench, Mr. Overgaard, and Mr. Minehart, I want to thank you for stepping up for Albert Lea and putting your family and personal needs along side those of our great city. I read, watched and listened as all four of these gentleman answered questions honestly and with great thought about Albert Lea and the people in it.

We are lucky as a city to have four individuals of such distinction step up during our time of need and give of themselves.

Now, tonight the council has the difficult task of choosing between these four men for the position of mayor of Albert Lea.

I realize that the council could look beyond these four individuals and name one of their own. I think if it were going to do that, then whomever from the council should have stepped up to be counted as a mayoral candidate &045; it would have given the citizens of Albert Lea the chance to ask the same questions the four mayoral candidates answered.

It would be the only honorable thing to do. I really do not believe that our council would choose one of their own since these four outstanding candidates have come forward.

As I listened to these four individuals I kept hoping whatever the outcome of this mayoral choice that the three others would continue to serve our community in some role.

I know I am naive, but I think that when one door closes, another one opens and with the last few months being about individuals and deceptiveness, that it has opened the door for these four individuals as well as our community to come forward and say enough is enough.

Albert Lea is a great community with great people and I think that it is time to see what positive positioning can do for Albert Lea.

Mr. Summers, Mr. Hench, Mr. Overgaard, and Mr. Minehart, good luck and thank you for showing us hope and giving Albert Lea a boost when we needed it. I hope all of you continue to be involved in our community and that whoever is chosen continues to open doors for Albert Lea.