My name is Mike Lee, and I would like to thank the Albert Lea Tribune for giving me the opportunity to write a column that will give you, the voters, an opportunity to read about some of the of the issues that I feel need to be addressed in this election season.

Open government

I believe in open government. Open government gives citizens the tools to see and hear government in action. My faith in this system is why I feel that all county board meetings need to be broadcast on the local public-access channel and/or placed in a webcast on the Freeborn County Web site. I strongly urge our local radio stations to broadcast the county commissioners meeting live or on a tape delay. This would give many more citizens as possible the opportunity to be informed on the issues that are affecting us here in Freeborn County today.

Safe roads

We need to do all we can to make sure that our roads and bridges are safe and well-maintained. We need to make sure that they are plowed and sanded in the winter and potholes fixed and maintenance performed. When this is done we will feel confident that we are driving on roads that are as safe as possible. We can also improve the quality of our roads we drive on by developing ordinances that mandate concrete barriers are set up whenever a road washes out. If this low cost ordinance were enacted it would be life saving. One life lost on our roads is one life too many.

It is my position that we must do more to help law enforcement improve their efforts to keep drunk and impaired drivers off the roads. Oftentimes we feel that there is nothing substantial that we can do to prevent alcohol-related fatalities. I know that we can curb drunken driving and in doing so we will make our roads safer through community efforts and active policy improvements. One example of this could be through requiring all bars to have the alcohol testing devices for customers so that they know if they are over the legal limit. I encourage all establishments that serve liquor to strongly consider placing such a device in their place of business immediately, if they have not already done so.

Jobs

As I have been out door-knocking there are two issues I have heard most. One was our roads, which I have already addressed, and the other is bringing good and quality living-wage jobs here to Freeborn County.

We can encourage the Legislature to aid in the progression of the JOBZ program by extending it out for a number of years. This will enable companies relocate, grow, and expand here. We will all be able to reap the benefits of living in a financially healthy community.

We can also stimulate economic growth through developing the area along the Bath Road and Plaza Street near 1-90. The Albert Lea Economic Development Agency owns 68.8 acres in this area. An interchange on and off Interstate 90 and the Bath Road would benefit local citizens and travelers as well. By opening up this area for development we could turn this area into a warehouse district and bring as many at 200-300 badly needed quality-paying jobs to our county. With another 78 acres coming up for sale in September, I feel this is a great area to grow and expand our economic base and could potentially add $1 million or more to the tax base.

Shell Rock River Watershed District

It was good to see so many people using our lakes to boat and fish on this past spring and early summer. I, for one, have never before seen such an appreciation for our local lakes. The positive impact that I believe it is having on our local economy is wonderful, and I know we can do more to make it even better. My concern is that the watershed district has levied a little more than $2 million so far, but we don’t really have much to show for it. I feel that it is time we the taxpayers start to see a return on our investment. Ifs time to see projects started that will effectively clean the watershed.

I love county government and value every significant learning opportunity that I encounter. I attend Freeborn County Board of Commissioners meetings, and City Council meetings, and Shell Rock River Watershed District meetings. In addition, I know that the best education I can get is from talking and listening to you, the citizens of District 5! That is why, if I am elected to the county board, I will hold town hall meetings in District 5 several times a year so that you, the citizens, can have even more opportunities to get together with me, and anyone who would like to join me, to discuss the issues that affect us all.

Mike Lee, a former Farmland packing plant employee, works at a group home for people with disabilities and is running for the Freeborn County Commissioner District 5 seat.