From staff reports

A crucial meeting is planned for Monday night in Albert Lea.

Friday, January 11, 2002

A crucial meeting is planned for Monday night in Albert Lea. The city council will hold a public hearing on the Farmland building as part of the process of forcing the company to either accept the city’s deal or get cracking on site cleanup.

The company had been saying Farmland Foods president George Richter would attend, but now that apparently is not a sure thing. Some Farmland representative will have to be there, however.

Richter and the rest of the Farmland establishment have been evasive about the issue for months, refusing interview requests and stalling for time. After their Oct. 1 deadline, which it’s now clear was overly optimistic, passed, the company kept acting like the announcement was coming any time. But nothing has been announced yet – and there’s no indication that it will any time soon.

That’s why the city is trying to force Farmland’s hand. By threatening legal action and even financial penalties, the city hopes to get an answer out of Farmland. The company needs to either agree to build a new plant here and let the city clean up the old site, or turn down the offer and get the site cleaned up itself. The psychological damage to city residents and visitors caused by the half-destroyed eyesore on Main Street is reason enough to get the site cleaned up; the safety and environmental issues caused by the dilapidated buildings are still more reasons.

Farmland may well have real problems related to its insurance, thanks in part to the Sept. 11 attacks. They may not be able to make their decision yet. But that doesn’t excuse them from being forthright with the city of Albet Lea and its residents. A realistic estimate of how long this process will take is not too much to ask.

And for those in this community who are concerned about the future of the old plant or about Farmland’s future as an employer in this community, this hearing is the time to make your voice heard. The city council can put pressure on the company, but the pressure will be stronger if a large public turnout at the hearing demonstrates this city’s concern over the issue.

Maybe then we’ll get some answers.