Albert Lea needs to pick a mayor and stick with that person. Ousting the mayor every two years for one reason or another isn’t healthy for building statewide connections and following through on visions for community improvement.

Randy Erdman has been mayor for two years and deserves another term. He not only deserves your vote Nov. 4, he has earned it. It has been a productive two years.

You can see the changes: Katherine Island, lakeside boat fuel, Edgewater Park cleanup, Trailside Apartments, Freeborn Bank and Jacobson Building, Mrs. Gerry’s expansion, Select Foods expansion, hospital expansion, Larson Manufacturing, Artspace Projects Inc., Wedgewood Cove, new industrial park on the west side of Margaretha Avenue, park improvements such as bike trail on the north side of Fountain Lake, downtown renewal fund, to name a few.

In fact, it’s nice that companies are finally coming to Albert Lea because it is a great place to be. ITC Midwest and Rainbow Play Systems are two recent examples. They didn’t need any corporate welfare such as tax breaks or tax-increment financing. They picked Albert Lea because they like the place. That’s a sign of a city headed in the right direction.

Erdman’s opponent, Mike Murtaugh, says he would get rid of the preagenda meeting, and rightfully so.

Erdman doesn’t favor the preagenda meeting either, but, even though the mayor has the solo power to make it go away, he lets the council be part of the decision. So it remains until the council decides to nix it.

Furthermore, Albert Lea shouldn’t elect a mayor based on what viewers see on the cable-TV broadcasts alone. Erdman goes to St. Paul at his own expense and fights for funding such as the money needed for the Edgewater Park landfill cleanup. Erdman is present and accounted for at key events all over the city and all over the calendar. He has the valued experience of being a councilor before being mayor. Murtaugh does not.

Murtaugh has legitimate concerns about taxes and is a viable candidate. If he is elected, we hope the community gets behind him. However, we would prefer he had another role with the city before seeking the mayor’s seat. There are many city boards that would benefit from Murtaugh’s tenacity and work ethic. If Erdman wins, Murtaugh should remain a watchdog on city actions and apply for a board appointment.

Erdman is a businessman who understand the needs of local businesses. He has developed local and state ties. He understands the value of consensus and community buy-in. He believes in advice and input. He’s a good mayor.

Re-elect Mayor Erdman.