Near the end of every year, Tribune staff members select, in no particular order, their favorite quotations. Here are the best from 2011:

 

“I feel I could die at home just as easily as I could die here.” — Staff Sgt. Matt Moritz of Austin during his deployment in Kuwait with the Minnesota National Guard.

 

“These kids have surprised me all year. We had 10 guys quit this team, but the guys that stuck it out had work ethic and were dedicated to Albert Lea wrestling. They deserved everything they got this year. It is just amazing how everytime we wrestled they came with so much heart and it was just as impressive today. They weren’t going to be denied.” — Albert Lea wrestling coach Larry Goodnature following the Tigers’ Section 1AAA championship win over Owatonna in February.

 

“Somebody’s kid in here knows somebody who wrote this — or knows someone who knows.” — Alden Police Chief Chris Harpham March 20 about a threat found in the boys’ bathroom at Alden-Conger School earlier in the month.

 

“We had such an outpouring of community support. I can’t say thank you enough.” — National Guard Maj. Eric Di Natale on Albert Lea’s homecoming festivities when Delta Company returned from its deployment to Kosovo in 2008.

 

“I certainly will not walk into a place if I’m causing friction.” — Minneapolis real estate developer Rodney Hardy, after the Albert Lea City Council voiced opinions March 10 against working with Hardy to develop a vitality resource center.

 

“You couldn’t chase me out of this area.” — Kevin Marshall reflecting one year after the June 17, 2010, tornadoes. He said the most important thing he learned after the disaster was how wonderful the community is and how much people are willing to help.

 

“If we made changes and brought in a new instructor, it would be disastrous.” — Ray Stephenson, Albert Lea High School student, said during a school board meeting on April 19, when the board was discussing cutting teacher positions. Stephenson and about 70 people were at the meeting to protest the cutting of then-band director Peter Gepson. Gepson was ultimately cut with a group of other teachers.

 

“This is a gift. I’m happy to have the gift of being a teacher.” — Peggy Bennett, a first-grade teacher at Sibley Elementary School, on being named Teacher of the Year on April 7.

 

“He told me this year is one of the worst group of kids he has ever seen.” — Annisa Carlson, parent of a bullied teenager who ended up leaving Albert Lea High School to attend Glenville-Emmons High School, on what Albert Lea Police Department school resource officer Ted Herman told her this fall.

 

“The school and the police get blamed for everything. They are only part of the spoke in the wheel.” — Albert Lea Police Department school resource officer Ted Herman in December, saying schools cannot make bullying go completely away and saying parents who raise bullies and disrespectful children deserve blame, too.

 

“We were pretty excited, especially with the great opportunity to go against the defending national champions. It was the best round I’ve ever seen, and our kids did great.” — Mock trial coach Neil Chalmers after the Albert Lea High School mock trial program competed at the state tournament in March.

 

“What I do know is that I am just thankful and to those guys for sure. We would’ve been toast.” — Kris Schewe speaking about the rescue performed by their neighbors, the Kevin Clapper family, to save him and Beth Sackson when their Vine Avenue home caught fire in April.

 

“If you look at any American, even if what the man said had been true, you aren’t supposed to kill other people.” — Saw Morrison of the St. Paul-based Karen Organization of Minnesota speaking on Karen man in November who allegedly murdered Albert Lea resident Po Lye after finding him in his St. Paul home.

 

“A customer most likely would tell me or tell a member of the staff if there was a problem.” — Super 8 owner Mike Somaya in December on a website that publishes unverified reports of bedbugs, despite a Department of Health inspection that says the hotel is clean.

 

“It’s been going on so many years people just know to come in the back way.” — Missy Allen, the assistant manager at Godfather’s Pizza, on high water flooding East Main Street in Albert Lea in March following heavy rains.

 

“A war never really ends.” — Iraq War veteran Ryan Sabinish in October after hearing President Obama announce U.S. troops would leave Iraq by the end of the year.

 

“It’s really good if the tracks work the first time and the train goes around without falling off.” — Electric model train collector Marty Groeneweg in December on setting up extensive train sets in his basement.

 

“It was like a bolt of lightning hit me in the head. It was like, ‘Why didn’t I figure this out before?” — Shoreland Heights resident Bob Sturtz, describing what he thought when he discovered he and his wife were sick in November due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

“Tobacco-free grounds make sure not smoking is an easier choice, and it protects the health of all employees.” — Ellen Kehr, the Statewide Health Improvment Program coordinator for Freeborn County, on six Albert Lea workplaces removing smoking as an option on their grounds as of July 1.

 

“I wanted this so bad. Today my coaches had a long talk with me and told me to bear down, stick with the plan and you’ll get it. It just feels so amazing right now.” — Albert Lea girls’ track runner Chrissy Monson on winning the Class AA 1,600 meter run in June at Hamline University in St. Paul.

 

“They just got tired of cleaning up after the slobs who didn’t care.” — Ken Nelson, a longtime member of the Lakes Foundation, after the organization voted in April to disband.

 

“I love to keep score as much as anyone, but when I dealt with the death of my brother, one of my heroes, I learned volleyball wins and losses are not what life is measured by.” — Lake Mills’ volleyball coach Jim Boehmer after being named in November the Tribune’s All-Area Coach of the Year.

 

“Rock bottom is when you have no hope. This is how I’m going to die. I’m going to die alone on the street, homeless. I was there.” — Professional wrestler Perry Saturn, of Albert Lea, who in November spoke about his drug addiction following careers with the World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment.

 

“Accident Ahead.” — Signs the Minnesota State Patrol set up the morning of Feb. 17 to warn motorists on Interstate 90. What was ahead were cattle that had escaped an overturned truck near the Hayward Rest Area. One woman crashed her car into one of the beasts.

 

“We wanted it so bad to the point that it kind of hurt. And now losing I can honestly say it hurts like hell.” — Lake Mills, Iowa, volleyball senior Shelby Kuper following a season-ending loss to Dike-New Hartford in the Class 2A semifinals at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena in November.

 

“We stayed hydrated and found shade whenever we could. We had to drink plenty of fluids.” — Golfer Nick Beyer on excessive heat in July during the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing at Green Lea Golf Course.

 

“How many other businesses can do that and continue to exist?” — Administrator Steve Waldoff of Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea, speaking in July on a state budget deal that included decreased medical reimbursement funding for patients with low incomes. Reimbursement rates were set at 17 percent less than the rates established in 2002, he said.

 

“They are one of those people who, as you meet and get to know them, you see how they got along because they just thrived on each other.” — Pat Mulso in July speaking on actress Marion Ross and her companion actor Paul Michael, after Michael died at the age of 84.

 

“I am here today because I did do something that was wrong, I recognize that.” — Home Solutions Midwest owner Paul Field before he was sentenced Jan. 3 for placing a remote video camera in a vent in the restroom at his business.

 

“I find that there’s a larger story here. You can’t just let people run amuck and not ask questions — not one. These are very sophisticated people looking at data, looking at numbers that don’t lie. Nobody asked questions.” — Mankato lawyer Kevin O’Connor Green on Jan. 20 after confirming that former Freeborn County Commissioner Linda Tuttle was slated to enter a guilty plea to a charge of wire fraud.

 

“Once again his life is on hold for another month.” — Albert Lea lawyer Peggy Rockow on Feb. 2 after finding out that there was a new delay in the case against former Albert Lea City Manager Jim Norman.

 

“There’s no evidence that whoever broke in there had a personal vendetta against the teacher or the school. It appears more likely a random act by convenience.” — Albert Lea fire investigator Doug Johnson on Jan. 28, after confirming that a fire that started the day before in a classroom at Lakeview Elementary School was intentionally lit.

 

“My question is, are we going to continue to follow the plan for our entire community, or are we going to do it for just some of the community. I don’t believe we should start picking and choosing which part of the community should have sidewalks.” — Third Ward Councilor Ellen Kehr on Feb. 28 during a discussion about the installation of a sidewalk on Margaretha Avenue. Councilors ultimately voted to move forward with the projects, but without sidewalk on the west side of the street, from 14th Street to 19th Street.

 

“I think we have a real opportunity right now. A lot of people are looking at the local government aid cut as a real negative thing. I think it’s an opportunity to make some real smart decisions about what we need versus what we want.” — Dave Klatt, candidate for 1st Ward City Council seat, in March prior to the special primary election for the seat.

 

“You leave a big hole and you don’t realize it. Being at home is a lot harder than being over here.” — Staff Sgt. Raymond Tolman, of Austin, said of being deployed to Kuwait.

 

“It maybe isn’t as flashy, but it’s the things that will make the big difference.” — National Vitality Center leadership team Chairman Randy Kehr in March when asked about the progress of the vitality initiatives in Albert Lea.

 

“If you stay home, you’re letting them win.” — Alden-Conger School junior Ana Guenther about why she decided to come to school March 21, despite the school being on lockdown the week before.

 

“It’s really cool, and it is not like Albert Lea. Lots of people honk their horns.” — 7-year-old Culley Larson, describing in August what New York was like. He went there to be on “Fox & Friends” with Donald Trump following a poignant letter to the editor he penned about his bike being stolen.

 

“He’s proven to me beyond a shadow of a doubt that he can handle any obstacle.” — Second Ward Councilor Larry Baker March 26, after the Albert Lea City Council voted unanimously to offer the position of city manager to Medina Administrator Chad Adams.

 

“I look forward to building trust, maintaining trust — hopefully the trust has not been lost.” — New Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams April 1 after City Council members approved his contract to become manager.

 

“As soon as people hear the tornado sirens, it will take on a whole new experience than it did before the disaster. They’re not crazy. They’re not having a breakdown. There’s going to be anxieties.” — Former Freeborn County Crisis Response Team Coordinator Rose Olmsted in April as the anniversary of the June 17, 2010, tornadoes approached.

 

“We want to send a clear message today that companies doing business in our state must act responsibly and abide by our laws. These scams and swindles not only hurt consumers, but threaten healthy competition in the marketplace.” — Minnesota Department of Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman in May after announcing the Department of Commerce would seek civil disciplinary action against former Freeborn County Commissioner Linda Tuttle and her company Albert Lea Abstract Co.

 

“Our community is going through a time of grief.” — Northwood-Kensett Community Schools Superintendent Thomas Nugent on May 10 after hearing that 7-year-old Kadyn Halverson was struck and killed by a truck as she walked across a gravel road to board a school bus.

 

“It’s my belief justice was not served today.” — Former Albert Lea City Manager Jim Norman on May 13, after hearing he was found guilty of seven out of eight counts tied to misusing the city-issued credit card for personal purchases.

 

“I made up my mind this was not something to be bitter about. I’ve made my peace with God.” — Tornado survivor Ron Woodside in June, a year after a tornado destroyed his home and ultimately killed his wife, Kathy.

 

“In one week and a half, we went from 20 to 60. It’s just unreal. I was surprised with the economy the way it is.” — Perry Vining, reflecting on a sudden spurt in registered competitors for the Big Island BBQ in late August.

 

“It shows the process does work, that the community stepped up and clearly spoke its mind … It shows that as a community, we did a good service.” — Albert Lea Mayor Vern Rasmussen June 17 after hearing the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved about half of the revenue increase requested by Alliant Energy.

 

“I don’t know one department head or elected official who hasn’t worked on this or thought about it. It’s taking a lot of staff time for something we know very little about and that may or may not happen.” — Freeborn County Administrator John Kluever on June 28 in anticipation of a potential state government shutdown.

 

“The longer this goes, the more impact we’re going to feel to the county.” — Freeborn County Administrator John Kluever on July 1, after layoff notices were sent out to 31 Freeborn County employees whose jobs could be affected by a state government shutdown.

 

“This is starting to hurt a whole bunch of people that I don’t think anyone intended to hurt. The very people that the governor’s trying to protect are the ones that are being hurt.” — District 27A Rep. Rich Murray on July 6 after meeting with area residents about the state shutdown.

 

“It was like a death in the family. You lose your income, you lose all the friends you’ve had there, and you lose all that in one day. You just got this hollow feeling.” — Albert Lea resident John Wojszynski in July as he looked back 10 years prior to the Farmland Foods fire.

 

“If you want to get something done, you have to keep pushing it. You’ll get help along the way, but you have to keep pushing it.” — Former Albert Lea Mayor Randy Erdman in July about circulating a petition to change the city’s mayoral terms from two years to four years.

 

“We had tears and tears and tears when it was announced the money was no longer there.” — Steve Leuthold on Aug. 30, about how he felt after hearing that the $150,000 he had donated to the Freeborn County Humane Society ultimately was taken by former Freeborn County Commissioner Linda Tuttle.

 

“I said this cannot be true. I cannot believe it.” — Albert Lea resident Pamela Slette in September as she thought back to Sept. 11, 2001, when she worked at the New York Mercantile Exchange.

 

“He’s one of the people who quietly made a difference in a lot of things.” — Albert Lea Economic Development Agency Executive Director Dan Dorman in September about the late Bob Haukoos.

 

“You’re still going to be Freeborn, no matter what happens to the Postal Service. Postal service isn’t your identity. It’s you folks right here that are the identity of Freeborn.” — Mike Stevens, manager of post office operations out of Mankato on Oct. 13 during a meeting notifying Freeborn residents about potential changes taking place in the community.

 

“It was a scary experience. Three cops being called is not normal.” — Albert Lean Cathy Purdie in October about a racial incident aboard an Albert Lea Bus Co. school bus to which police responded.

 

“While I don’t believe we violated any laws, there was evidence the driver’s conduct was not up to our standards.” — Steven Jannings, chief operating officer of Agnes Corp., the company that owns Albert Lea Bus Co., after announcing in October the company had terminated a bus driver at the center of a conflict aboard Albert Lea Bus 344.

 

“Oil to gas is a 19th century fuel. This is a 21st century fuel.” — Sen. Al Franken in April during a tour of the Poet Glenville ethanol plant.

“I knew right away who he was because I had ordered his ‘Catholic Warrior’ book a few weeks ago on Amazon.” — Albert Lea blogger Brenden Troster, who in September unveiled on his blog that a pro-Catholic author owned anti-Catholic websites.

 

“We have records of her running five slot machines at a time for an eight-hour stretch.” — Kevin O’Connor Green, lawyer for former Freeborn County Commissioner Linda Tuttle-Olson, after she pleaded guilty in April to one count of wire fraud in federal court. She admitted to taking funds from escrow accounts and diverting them to her own purposes, mainly gambling at an Iowa casino.

 

“Bombastic.” — Beverly Staples, who was among several online readers who gave the Tribune a one-word response over Facebook in late March and early April to how gas prices made them feel.

 

“A lot of people died for this.” — Mary Puk, a South Sudanese refugee, speaking in February about the drive to Omaha in a blizzard she and other South Sudanese made to vote Jan. 9 for independence for their home country.

 

“It’s just plain stupid that we’re at this point. Why are we wrecking everybody’s weekend? It’s not like you have a big staff at all these parks. It wouldn’t take that much to keep it open.” — House District 27A Rep. Rich Murray on June 30, talking about how a state shutdown would force the closure of state parks and ruin plans.

 

“I guess he heard operating room and he went, ‘Bam!’” — James DeHoyas Sr. on Jan. 4 about his son, James DeHoyas Jr., who was Albert Lea’s Baby New Year for 2011.

 

“I think it was one person who was reported to the State Auditor’s Office, and there’s other evidence of similar behavior.” — Albert Lea lawyer Peggy Rockow on Feb. 8 in Mower County District Court after arguing that former Albert Lea City Manager Jim Norman was selectively prosecuted.