Editorial: Thumbs

To the lack of support at Albert Lea High School sports games.

The loyal parents show up. The longtime followers show up. But what’s lacking this winter seems to be the students — which is especially disconcerting! — and those community members who used to come out of the woodwork to show support of the winning programs, the people who just wanted to see good contests or show some school pride. Where is everyone? Internet? TV? Stop looking at screens for a moment and spend time in the real world. The hockey and wrestling teams are having great seasons. Get out there and rock the house!

We’ve got spirit. Yes, we do. We’ve got spirit. How about you?

To the United Way of Freeborn County.

The 2010 fund drive might not have made the goal of $650,000, but that was quite a lofty goal. However, the fact that the communities of Freeborn County gave more than $596,000 is remarkable in itself. After all, it is the second-highest amount of money the United Way of Freeborn County raised. Or, to put it a better way, the second-highest amount of money you — the people of this great place in which we live — gave. Your help is most surely appreciated, and these funds go to where they are absolutely needed. Thank you for caring.

To the state proposal of Sunday liquor sales.

Sure, it’s a blue law, the kind passed long ago to observe the Christian day of rest. The limiting of liquor sales on Sunday happened in many states, but these days they allow places like auto dealers and liquor stores to be closed without the fear of their competitors being opened. As a result, it becomes a cost savings to the owners. People generally will purchase the same amount of liquor because in Minnesota buyers are used to thinking ahead on Saturday about stores being closed on Sunday.

To the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners and the Albert Lea City Council.

Turning the soon-to-be-abandoned Union Pacific line from Albert Lea to Hartland into a bike trail is a no-brainer. Still, so many things could’ve gone wrong had the county and city not jumped on the idea right away. Kudos to the commissioners and councilors for voicing support for turning the line into a walking-biking trail from the start. Because Albert Lea has earned a regional reputation for health initiatives, this trail will serve as yet another example. No matter what happens with any vestiges of the 2009 Vitality Project, the reputation of being a health-minded community itself is worth preserving.