I have just sent letters to all five of our county commissioners regarding the proposed Albert Lea Lake dam and bridge project.

They were all in attendance at the June 19, 2007, workshop for the Shell Rock River Watershed District. At this meeting the concept plan for the new Albert Lea Lake dam and bridge project was presented. It was the consensus of all present that the concept plan was acceptable and plans can proceed to the next step.

This plan in addition to the dam and bridge included a parking lot, fishing piers and paths to provide a safe area for people to enjoy nature and fish.

Unfortunately before the plan could be put in place an individual purchased the 8 acres the county needs to complete the project plus an additional 22 acres. This was done purposely to prevent anyone access to the Shell Rock River and claiming ownership of the current dam.

Since the commissioners clearly saw this project was a good thing we need to help them understand that their current cloudy view of what they should do needs to be cleared again.

They are being held hostage by this person and they need to do the right thing.

Please contact all the commissioners and let them know you want them to go for eminent domain on the approximately 8 acres needed to do the project. The party holding them hostage will come out smelling like a rose as I am sure he will gain much more than he paid for the 8 acres.

Please know approximately $287,000 was spent already on engineering for the project. The preliminary plans were approved by the state for funding. All this will be lost if no action is taken.

Aren’t we tired of government waste and people who are voted into office by us not having the guts to do what is right for now and the future?

Carol Bertelson

Albert Lea