Albert Lea’s city manager recently testified that the MPCA recent mandate was not based upon scientific fact and that its inception would drive water and sewer rates to unsustainable heights.

A good example of a want or need?

My own company is plagued by the FMCSA flawed ELD mandate. Their own figures suggest as many as 500,000 nationwide shortage of truck drivers. They are leaving the industry because of loss of salary and the complexity of the hours of server requirements. Want or need?

We have here a school referendum special election asking the voters for $24 million-plus.

The dollars are to be used for facelifts for the Hammer Complex sports facility and some other school gyms, etc.

Superintendent Mike Funk would have us believe that the referendum would not have an impact upon taxes. See Tribune article on Friday, April 18.

I, myself, would love to see the Hammer Complex completed facelift. We need education as well as a good sports program.

Minnesota has been voted as one of the best places to live; we recently built a controversial new school, but our education rating was only 37. Why not closer to the top of the list?

Could this again be a case of want over need?

More than 60 percent of Freeborn County population is over age 60 and mostly retired on a fixed income.

Now we understand the Herberger’s stores are closing down and without a replacement in sight. We are losing a large tax base.

Less tax base — more taxes for the rest of us to pay.

My referendum vote at this time can sadly be a resounding no.

Joe Becker

Albert Lea