To the high number of candidates running for city, county and state offices.

We are pleased to see the number of people who filed for public office during the last two weeks. It is good to know that people want to get involved and care about the future of the community.

Plus, it is always positive for people to have a choice.

The following people filed for positions on the Albert Lea City Council:

• 1st Ward: George Gillespie, Craig Havener, Harold Kamrath and Rich Murray

• 3rd Ward: Jason Howland and Roger Swanson

• 5th Ward: Robert Rasmussen, Paul Shea and Marcelino Talamantes

The following people filed for positions on the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners:

• 1st District: Ronald Jacobsen and Glen Mathiason

• 3rd District: Jim Nelson and David Shoff

• 5th District: Lynn Berven and Mike Lee

In the District 27A House of Representative race, incumbent Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, will face off against Gary Schindler, DFL-Albert Lea.

In the District 27 Senate race, Gene Dornink, R-Hayfield; and Cynthia Gail, R-Albert Lea; have filed against incumbent Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin.

We encourage people to learn more about the candidates. The primary election will be Aug. 9.

 

To all of the Albert Lea High School graduates.

Congratulations to Albert Lea High School’s class of 2016, who graduated on Friday at the high school. You have much ahead of you as you begin your lives outside of school. Whether you’re going to college, working or pursuing other endeavors, we wish you the best of luck in the future. We look forward to hearing of your successes down the road.

 

To the Adult Learning Center students who earned their GEDs.

Congratulations to the students who graduated with their GEDs this week from the Adult Learning Center at Brookside Education Center.

According to Adult Learning Center Coordinator Penny Jahnke, 190 students were served this year in the center, and eight earned their GEDs. Students this year ranged in age from 18 to 74 and represented over 10 different countries and languages.

Over one-third of the students were employed, and several came to the United States as either refugees or immigrants from other countries.

It can’t be easy battling jobs, raising families and, for some, dealing with cultural differences. We hope this accomplishment will help launch you into the future.

 

To the people arrested for illegal activity at Harmony Park over the weekend.

Multiple people were arrested for underage drinking and various levels of drug possession last weekend at Harmony Park. While this is not the first instance of drug use reported at the venue, we hope people coming to future festivals get the message that this type of behavior is not wanted in the community.

Harmony Park owner Jay Sullivan said he has stepped up enforcement at events, and we encourage him to do so further in the future.