Once again I feel it is time to question the decisions of our City Council concerning some of their recent voting. We know they propose purchasing old run-down buildings, but their last efforts make less sense.

Did we really need bike lanes where we never have anyone using them? Oh yes, we do have someone with common sense. The vote was two against them. Now they want to give permission to take more business from downtown by building another strip mall out of the city. Perhaps they should look at bringing some business back to fill the empty storefronts on Broadway now that they have spent all that money on redoing the downtown streets. Or even installing stop signs and children at play signs on streets that have no sidewalks for kids to skate and play on.

How about putting up no parking signs on the side of the street next to the pickle ball courts? There is a parking lot across the street if you can handle the walk across the street. That, too, is exercise and it may save you injury or even your life, not to speak of a few car doors. Of course our city engineer will not agree with some of these ideas, because he read a book once but has never taken the time to really look at real situations or talked to people who live in or use these areas. We still need a couple more officers to fill the ranks of our police department, so we can increase patrols on busy streets coming into the city — as I have said before — as working for safety has always been my work for all the companies I was employed with.

With these comments, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and sober New Year.

 

James Jirele

Albert Lea