Editorial: Thumbs

To the short-term offenders bill.

This bill in the Minnesota Legislature calls for felony prison sentences of 180 days or less to be served in county jails instead of state prisons. This shifts the costs of housing state inmates to the counties. As a result, counties with room in the jails, such as Freeborn and Mower counties, would unfairly bear the cost burden. This is not fair to local taxpayers. County jails are for county inmates, and state prisons are for state inmates. If the state wishes to house its inmates in county jails, the state needs to reimburse the counties, just like how the federal government does when it houses inmates in non-federal lockups.

To parents who brought their children to Northbridge Mall.

Thank you for showing up Saturday morning at the annual Easter egg hunt held by the Albert Lea Tribune, Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Department and Northbridge Mall. The children were thrilled to see the Easter Bunny and enjoyed finding all the plastic eggs and candy within each one. It was a good time for everyone.

To fleeing police.

There has been a fair number of high-speed pursuits lately as a result of suspects fleeing the police. One in St. Cloud killed an innocent driver and seriously injured his pregnant passenger. One last week resulted in two men entering Freeborn County from Iowa and hiding in a field, only to be found by a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter. We have to wonder, why do they flee? The authorities will catch the suspects, and they will have additional charges to face. Just because they get away on TV or in video games doesn’t mean that it’s a good decision to make in real life. For instance, a 17-year-old on Monday who would have faced juvenile drug charges took off, according to police reports, and now the teenager faces serious grown-up felony charges. Tsk. Tsk.

Life is too good to spend it behind bars. Be good.

To the past and present crew members of the Hayward Rest Area on Interstate 90.

The Hayward Rest Area continues to perform among the best when it comes to inspections. It won the Top Interstate Award again and is at the top or near the top in competitions. The rest area’s cleanliness reflects well upon Freeborn County to outsiders who might be taking a break during their travels. Thank you for representing the community so well.