Presentation gave hope for greener Albert Lea

Thank you to all who came in spite of bad weather to the Minnesota Environmental Partnership presentation last week. My heart was touched by the young families that came with their children. This gives me great hope. It was nice to see Mayor Randy Erdman, Randy Kehr, Councilor Vern Rasmussen and his family and all who came. Thank you! The presentation was short and informative. I hope we can offer it to different groups in our community. I learned from the mayor that Albert Lea has already taken steps toward energy efficiency.

I met with the district K-12 science teachers. We discussed what they are doing in the classrooms to promote awareness in environmental issues. I am looking forward to a partnership with this wonderful group of individuals. Judy Knudtson told me the school has saved an impressive amount of energy and money in all school facilities. Steve Lund is to be commended for his work. This is a win-win situation.

So we shall move forward in Sesame Street. Kermit the Frog sings, &8220;It is not easy being green.&8221; We can ask him to change his song to, &8220;Yes, it is becoming easy and important to be green today&8221; and enjoy doing it. I plan to start green teams in our community to promote solutions to pollution anyone can join our effort to make Albert Lea a green star. Remember: Recycle, reuse, repair and reduce be part of the solution.

Clemencia Gujral

Albert Lea

Romney&8217;s allegiance was to his religious leaders

Last December Mitt Romney spoke about how his faith would affect his presidency. In it he stated, &8220;&8230; no authorities of my church &8230; will ever exert influence on presidential decisions. Their authority is theirs, within the province of church affairs, and it ends where the affairs of the nation begin.&8221; He also pledged not to disavow himself from any of Mormonisms precepts, and be true to the faith of his fathers. But this is what needs examining. It is the responsibility of a free society to enlighten and not conceal.

Within &8220;The Fourteen Fundamentals of a Prophet,&8221; former prophet Ezra Taft Benson dictated, &8220;The prophet may be involved in civic matters&8221; and &8220;The prophet and the presidency (Mormon) &8230;follow them and be blessed; reject them and suffer.&8221; Current apostle Neil Maxwell admonishes, &8220;Following the living prophets is something that must be done in all seasons and circumstances. We must be like President Marion Romney, who humbly said, &8220;I have never hesitated to follow the authorities of the church even though it crossed my social, professional and political life.&8221; Mormonism&8217;s authority is essentially limitless and no corner of a faithful member&8217;s life is exempted. This is a catalyst for blind obedience and outside the freedom of independent though, crucial to a democracy. What&8217;s unsettling about Mr. Romney&8217;s candidacy was that what he said in public about his faith was at odds with the reality of that faith, to which he ultimately would be true.

B. Kent Larson

Stewartville