To Wintergreen Natural Foods.

We are glad to see this small cooperative remain open. It is a valuable resource tucked into the corner at 1442 W. Main St. People desire to get eggs from local farms and food not always found in supermarkets. This week, members voted to keep it open despite financial straits, and several new members signed up. We must note, however, that customer traffic probably would pick up if the store moved to a location that had more incidental visitors. Sure, the loyal ones can be counted on, but getting the curious shoppers would bolster the cooperative and garner new members. The present location, nevertheless, indeed provides for a low overhead expense. Still, it’s worth a good discussion.

 

To nasty political races.

There is no dismissing the fact that a few races in the local area have become negative, but the dirty tactics that exist in the Freeborn County sheriff race — by supporters of candidates on both sides — have become unnerving. If this is the depth to which some supporters go, and when some of these supporters are officers of the law, it gives the residents of Freeborn County pause about the ethics of these sworn badge holders. Many law enforcement officers feel they hold themselves to a higher standard than the general public. On-the-street comments this election season show that residents of the county feel that way, too. These dirty tactics aren’t the Freeborn County way. And this is another in a string of divisive sheriff races. We would welcome a race in four years that was more like the race between the two candidates in the Albert Lea mayoral race — above the fray. We hope the sheriff’s race takes a turn for the better. We also want to note that many of the mailers being sent in the House District 27A race are underhanded just the same.

 

To decreasing gas prices.

Thanks to increased American oil production, along with additional output in Libya and Saudi Arabia, gasoline prices around the globe are going down. Prices in Albert Lea are about a nickel over $3 for a gallon of the go-go juice. When you see stations at a dime over, they are reluctant to drop and are just hoping to squeeze a few dollars out of uninformed customers. In fact, some places in northern Minnesota already are a dime below the $3 mark. We hope it continues in this direction.