In the wake of a recent bicycle-automobile accident, I wonder, “How could this happen, and would a stop sign have prevented this accident?” In a Blue Zones community that promotes walking and bicycling, I believe the city and the Blue Zone leaders should do more to promote safety. Our Blue Zones leader and S.H.I.P grant coordinator has said there is grant money for signage, so why is there not more signs telling drivers and bicyclists to be alert and share the road with each other? Also, what about providing literature and implementing safety programs teaching cyclists of all skill levels, young and old alike, the rules of how to maneuver through our community safely.  We need to do whatever we can to protect our children and the citizens of this community.

Another precious commodity is clean water. We are fortunate at the moment to have an abundance of clean drinking water, but that is not the case in many parts of our country and the world. We need to be more proactive in protecting and conserving what we have.  The Watershed District is asking for a half-cent sales tax renewal in November. That request needs to be approved, so they can continue their efforts to give us cleaner surface water and ultimately clean drinking water from our aquifers.  No matter how you feel about the Watershed District’s personnel or efforts, I believe all of those concerns can be solved through better communication and accountability.

Excess water use is also an issue that needs to be addressed. Our water and sewer rates are going to be increased. We need to know why this is going to happen and what could have been done to prevent it or at least make the increase less severe. The city needs to be more up front and honest about how surplus water funds are being used and what is being done to better monitor excess water usage.

There is a lot of talk about creating a splash pad at the north end of Broadway. The Tribune is the sponsor and promoter of this project. When the committee requested permission from the city to start their fundraising efforts, they were told that they would need to have $150,000 in place before the project could begin, and by the news reports I’ve heard they currently have raised over $50,000. This is another project that no matter how you may feel about it, there is a lot of information to consider. As community members and taxpayers, we need to understand that the $150,000 fundraising commitment is only to build the splash pad and from that point on, the taxpayers of this community will be responsible for the thousands of tax dollars it will take annually for the millions of gallons of water it will use, plus the electricity to pump it and the maintenance of the pumps and the area.

Be informed and involved in all these decisions because ultimately we will all be contributing.

Gary Hagen

Albert Lea