This is a follow-up to my letter from about a week ago. Prior to my last letter to the editor, I had written the mayor, Vern Rasmussen Jr., and the two ward council members, Rich Murray (Ward 1) and Reid Olson (Ward 4), both of whose wards border on Bridge Avenue. I was asking them to respond to the issue of keeping the traffic light at Hawthorne and Bridge.

Murray called and showed interest and concern.

The mayor responded by suggesting I appeal to the county commissioners. I asked the mayor if that meant the City Council had no input in the planning process. He said they did, but that the commissioners had the final say.

I wrote all of the commissioners who had posted an email address on their website (one hadn’t). As of this date, I have not heard back from a single county commissioner, nor have I heard anything from Reid Olson.

This silence is unacceptable. Both the council and the commissioners are elected by us and must be responsive and accountable to their constituents.

As of today, the only responses were from Murray and the mayor, who passed the buck to the county.

What will it take to get the attention of elected officials: a child injured at that intersection, God forbid?

The traffic light at Hawthorne and Bridge is needed and wanted by those who elected these officials. At the very least, a four-way stop should be there, rather than what is now being planned: stop signs for Hawthorne but a flashing cross light to be pushed by pedestrians (6-year-olds?) crossing Bridge. This is an unacceptable hazard being imposed, presumably as a cost savings.

Please let your officials know how you feel about this.

George Favell

Albert Lea