The city officials of Albert Lea are missing a great opportunity for drawing in holiday shoppers. Now that South Broadway has been redone, with three lanes including their bike lane, it would be the perfect time to dress up that entire area south, with holiday lighting and decorations. If this area looked more inviting, shoppers may dare to venture further into the city, if not only to look at beautiful lights! And they just might stop somewhere to stop and eat, get gas and even shop while they visit! However, this is not the case, since it remains as bleak as ever! Besides this, the downtown area lacks dazzle. Sorry, but the blue garland and snowflake flags just don’t cut it.

Criticizers would probably say that area citizens have an opportunity to volunteer their services and donations to contribute to the cause. Well, guess what? When people feel they are not part of the process, they are not apt to throw themselves out there and help in other areas. This has been the trend for the last few years, as people have lost their trust in city officials making wise fiscal choices and otherwise.

 

Laura Feeley

Glenville