Editorial: Thumbs

To teen drinking.

It’s bad news that Freeborn County students report higher use of alcohol than students in neighboring counties. We hope this spurs much local support for the work of the Freeborn County Family Services Collaborative, such as the school board implementing prevention curriculum similar to what Steele, Rice and Mower counties use. But the work isn’t just up to schools and social workers. We urge parents to take greater supervision over the behavior of their children. Sure, many grown-ups drank alcoholic beverages when they were teens, but that doesn’t make it right. Curtail youth drinking.

 

To considering new traffic controls on Bridge Avenue.

The purpose of streets, roads and highways are to get people to their destination in a timely and safe manner. Automobile traffic on the north end of Bridge Avenue seems to be about at the point where it might need better controls, or it could be just another delay for drivers. A study is prudent and helps make the best decision for the long term.

 

To so many sex offenders.

We understand the crucial importance of tracking sex offenders. There is no doubt about that. But top-level sex offenders keep moving to Freeborn County for some reason. There are now three Level 3 sex offenders living in the city and one living in the county. We remember five or six years ago when there were none. Sex offenders almost always have committed their crimes against people they knew, so we suggest when you read about a sex offender moving to town, don’t get to know them.