To Bryce Gaudian and Lon Nelson.

Albert Lea boys’ cross country benefits from Gaudian, an assistant coach, and Nelson, a former assistant coach, sending in quality, print-ready photographs to the Albert Lea Tribune. They do it because they want the public to share their enthusiasm for the runners they support. It helped the Tribune particularly this past week when other teams were spread all over because postseason action. It’s hard to be everywhere. But thanks to these guys, Tribune readers could see photos of runner Jackson Goodell, who at a meet in Owatonna qualified for the Class AA state boys’ cross country meet, which will take place at St. Olaf College in Northfield. The state meet happens on Nov. 1.

 

To the Albert Lea school board.

It would make sense not to have votes on new business so that the public has time learn about what’s being proposed before votes are taken. The restructuring of the administration to name Lori Volz deputy superintendent might be just fine in and of itself, but we question the speedy way in which it was approved. The matter was brought up, and at that very same meeting, the board members approved it. Bam. Done.

The public-friendly way to do it is to bring the item up at one meeting and to approve it at the next. The school board members roundly admit they need to work on communication with the public, but then they don’t allow the public any time to figure out what they are considering. The decision on the deputy superintendent and the first hearing on the school calendar show they struggle with how to engage the public. Communication with the public means allowing time for the public to give input — to their elected officials. A sensible agenda would have a section for new business, then a section for action items. The action items usually are matters that were listed on the agenda as new business at a prior meeting.

One more suggestion: The school board shows how far behind the times it is at each meeting by not being shown on the government-access cable-TV channel, like the city and county meetings are. The school board displays its technology smarts by being paperless and using computers, but yet they can’t figure out how to get on television? C’mon. Many interested parents have children and are stuck at home. Let them watch meetings and workshops on the TV set.

The low priority for the public’s role in governance needs to change, and the second calendar hearing was a great step forward. We were glad to see that hearing’s structure. We hope the election brings with it a higher priority for public outreach with the elected officials being more visible on school board matters.

 

To Zumbro River Brand, Freeborn Lumber and Thompson Electric.

Congratulations to these three businesses for winning Large Business of the Year, Medium Business of the Year and Small Business of the Year, respectively, at the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet Thursday at Wedgewood Cove Golf Course. And congratulations go out to Ambassador of the Year Ryan Cafourek, Lifetime Member Award winner Keith Fligge and Volunteer of the Year Bill Howe. Kudos go to winners of Worksite Wellness Awards: Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services, The Children’s Center, the city of Albert Lea, Innovance and Alliance Benefit Group. And anyone who heard the talk from speaker Mark Lanterman, a computer forensic scientist, is probably requesting new numbers really soon for bank cards they use for everyday transactions. He was a fabulous, entertaining speaker. Thanks to the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce for holding a can’t-miss-a-minute gathering.