Editorial: Thumbs

To the new Edgewater Bay Pavilion.

Not only was this building largely funded through state bonding bill dollars that were part of the effort to cleanup the landfill at Edgewater Park — saving local property taxpayers the burden — it will become the place for many memories: wedding receptions, graduation parties, family reunions, company picnics and so forth. Parks are intended for all the people, not just some, and the low price per hour on such a fine facility shows the city’s egalitarian intent to make the place useful no matter the income. Kudos.

To counterfeiters.

Many crimes are downright silly, but counterfeiting has to be one of the silliest. With all the technology now built into American currency — especially in the paper itself — people considering printing fake money had better have great knowledge of what they are getting into. For instance, a simple $5 has two watermarks, a security thread, multiple colors, intricate engraving details, special microprinting locations and, of course, the serial numbers.

Last week, eight people from southern Minnesota, including three people from Albert Lea, were indicted in federal court in Minneapolis in connection to an alleged counterfeit ring that targeted businesses along the Interstate 35 corridor between the Twin Cities and the Iowa border.

Look for the U.S. Treasury to begin circulation of a new $100 bill in February. The new Benjamins will be harder than ever to counterfeit. It features images — Franklin, an inkwell and a quill — that shift when the bill moves. And the security ribbon has magnifying lenses in it that reveal the Liberty Bell when viewed from an angle. Visit newmoney.gov for an interactive look at the new C-note.

To the return of football season.

“C’mon, Tigers, show your might. We will win tonight …”

It’s nice to see the return of football season. Pigskins. Loudspeakers. Tailgates. Bratwursts. Quarterbacks. Cooler weather. Fall colors. We wish the Tigers and all the schools in the Albert Lea area the best of luck on the gridiron this season.