I would like to address a recent letter to the editor by Brad Kramer from June 29 titled “Find ways to be problem solvers.”

Brad and I, among many others, are members of the Lakes Foundation of Albert Lea. We meet representing other groups and organizations to have input from as many entities as possible. That being said, I write this letter as a representative of the Fountain Lake Sportsmens Club. We are opposed to the proposed location of the marina, not the marina itself, but that specific location, as it will create a safety concern with pedestrian traffic.

We are one of the groups that recommend an alternate location such as the city beach area or Pioneer Park. Both of these areas offer many of the main reasons cited as needs — such as fresh water, public restrooms, picnic areas and playgrounds.

Now, as Brad stated, boaters already have access to docks. But I disagree. If you look at our boat landings, especially on the weekends, you will see that they are usually full and busy. That tells me that those boaters don’t have their own docks; hence the need for a marina does exist.

Now the biggest needs for these boaters are the issues I addressed earlier, so that leaves the next glaring need is access to food and beverages.

Now I can see how this was a problem 20 years ago, but that has changed with the advent of technology, ergo, the cell phone. We now have the ability to place an order from our boats and have it delivered to a marina that is in a safe location. To my knowledge, all the local pizza places deliver and more and more restaurants are doing the same. I believe our new food truck ordinance will help fill that need as well. We even have a local liquor store that delivers as well, but please obey all the laws. Don’t drink and drive pertains to our lakes as well.

The Fountain Lake Sportsmens Club has been here for 40 years, and has done as much as possible with limited manpower and finances to help improve our lakes and community. We don’t want to be negative, but rather, are offering a safer solution to an idea that could potentially be a safety concern.

All ideas, big or small, have the potential to be improved upon.

Thank you for your time.

Dave Villarreal

Fountain Lake Sportsmens Club