Have you really read the National Citizens Survey for Albert Lea? What is happening in Albert Lea is not good.

Quote: “…residents who had lived in the city for five years or less gave lower ratings to Albert Lea as a place to live, raise children and retire.”

Quote: “… residents whose household income is less than $49,999 were less likely to contact Albert Lea elected officials.”

Under the information for Governance General the following data is presented:

 

“Governance general: Value of the services for the taxes paid to Albert Lea”

Out of the 336 cities compared, Albert Lea ranked 299.  Put another way, it was in the bottom 11 percent — 89 percent of the cities were doing better.

 

“Governance general: Overall direction that Albert Lea is taking”

Out of the 270 cities compared, Albert Lea ranked 267.  Put another way Albert Lea was in the very bottom less than .05 percent, only three cities were ranked lower.

 

“Governance general: Overall confidence in Albert Lea government”

Out of the 121 cities compared, Albert Lea ranked 118. Put another way, Albert Lea ranked near the very bottom less than 2.5 percent; only three cities were ranked lower.

 

“Governance general: Generally acting in the best interest of the community”

Out of the 120 cities compared, Albert Lea ranked 117. Put another way, Albert Lea ranked near the very bottom less than 2.5 percent, only three cities were ranked lower.

 

“Governance general: Being honest”

Out of the 117 cities compared, Albert Lea ranked 108.  Put another way, Albert Lea ranked near the very bottom less than 8 percent. It’s hard to believe that only nine cities were worse than Albert Lea, of course 107 or 92.3 percent are better.

 

“Governance general: Treating residents fairly”

Out of the 120 cities compared, Albert Lea ranked 112.  Put another way, Albert Lea ranked very near the bottom at less than 7 percent. Again 93.3 percent of the other cities are better than Albert Lea.

How can we the taxpayer to be forced to continue to pay more and more when the city management cares little about what the taxpayer wants?

Let us make a simple five point check list for city government.

All efforts and funds should be directed to the following:

1. Repairing/replacing streets

2. Repairing/replacing sewer systems

3. Repairing/replacing storm drains

4. Reducing operating cost and expenses

5. Improving services

Anything not directed at the above items is wasting their time and our money.

Demand change, call your councilman, start consistently attending council work sessions as well as council meetings. It is your money! Make your voice and thoughts heard.  Get Albert Lea heading in the right direction.

 

Craig Havener

Albert Lea