Sheriff Freitag, I agree objects hanging from the mirror can obstruct the view of a driver. Yes, it is illegal as well, but we all know the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office will not be handing out hundreds of tickets to the good taxpayers of Freeborn County because of handicap signs, fluffy dice and air fresheners. As you know sir, motor vehicle accidents are caused by not one or two reasons, but numerous factors, including human, biomechanical, meteorological, etc. The city and Tribune like to solely point to Mr. Kaasa, a stop sign and a handicap sign as the sole blame for this unfortunate accident. While those all likely played a part, certain city and other factors are seemingly neglected. I have driven down Frank Hall on a summer day before. It is narrow, bumpy, bright, without sidewalks, overgrown, packed with unsupervised children, parked cars and without an Albert Lea Police Department or Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office speed trap in sight. Any of us could have been Mr. Kaasa that day. He was not charged with any crime and will live with this for the rest of his life. Instead of exploiting a tragedy, I urge you to use your leadership to help make Frank Hall Drive just as safe and scenic as similarly trafficked streets in the county like Lakeview Boulevard or Broadway, instead of pointing the easy finger and deflecting liability.

Ricky Smithers

Woodbury