I was born in Albert Lea Naeve Hospital in 1948 and have lived in Albert Lea my entire life. I am a very concerned citizen at the loss of our ICU unit and hospital. I was at the city meeting Monday and was glad Albert Lea City Councilor Rich Murray saw the need for this to be a top priority in Albert Lea. Our mayor and my city council spokesperson are both employed by Mayo. I do understand why they remain silent on the subject, but our council and mayor are elected by the people of Albert Lea, and they were elected to be our voice — to do what is right for our community. We need every voice we can get, young and old to help keep our hospital. We also need every business, church, nursing home leader and more to speak out. If you don’t think this will affect you, you are very wrong. I have family who live in Fairmont, and Mayo has taken over their hospital and are routing people to Mankato. It is my understanding their medical staff went from 700 to around 200 people. Last time I was there, the Sears and J.C. Penney stores were closing, and I am sure that Mayo’s decision will cripple that town. We have so many small communities that depend on our hospital. If Mayo doesn’t want to keep our hospital here, then I feel they should leave and let us bring another hospital that wants to be here for the people in Albert Lea and its surrounding communities. I don’t see how any young couple, or retired person for that matter, would want to move to Albert Lea without a hospital. I know that is one of my major considerations for my retirement. Please help support and unite with people of Albert Lea regarding this major matter for our city, and do whatever you can to help save our hospital. Thank you!

Sandra Nelson

Albert Lea