Last March 16, 2009, my wife and I joined many members of Albert Lea’s chapter of the Audubon Society and many fine young adult students from the “Go Green Club” of Austin High School to meet with area legislators in St. Paul regarding the 2009 Protect Minnesota’s Future initiative. 

We were determined to express our concerns on behalf of protecting Minnesotans’ physical and financial future regarding clean air, water, and land resources, and sensible fuel standards for automobiles, etc. Sen. Dan Sparks generously reserved a room for all of us to meet with him and our area representatives in the House, Ms. Robin Brown and Ms. Jeanne Poppe for us all to discuss the “Driving Innovation: Clean Cars for Minnesota,” the “Safe Mines” issue, and “Building Sensible Communities” issue.

We learned that the proposed mining operation in northeastern Minnesota would leave many thousands of acres of land poisoned with sulfuric acid! As the “Clean Cars” measure was discussed, we were all extremely disappointed to learn from Ms. Poppe that she would not vote on behalf of it, citing that “it has to do with economics.”  Well, yes.  But, whose economics?  While I think Ms. Poppe is of the party of my choice, I will not support her if she fails to take wise steps on behalf of Minnesotans’ future.  The young high school folks will be able to vote in a few short months. 

I hope they all subscribe to that wonderful African American, Frederick Douglas, who when asked what to do with our government, replied, “Agitate, agitate.”  

It’s appearing to us that Ms. Poppe’s “economic concerns” may have more to do with her personal interests rather than the public interest, which is clean air, water, land, and a safe affordable energy supply to heat our homes and propel our vehicles. 

Rick Mammel

Albert Lea