I attended the press conference of May 21 both as the 3rd Ward city councilor and the president of the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency. I believe that if Gov. Tim Pawlenty had been present, he might have heard our message in a different light.

The three mayors who spoke in support of local government aid were not complaining but rather advocating for the residents of their cities. As elected officials, they have not only the right but the obligation to be the voice of their constituents.

I will not speak for the other cities because I am confident they can speak for themselves. However, with regard to the city of Albert Lea, the facts clearly show that we are a city dedicated to finding solutions to our challenges and not ones to live in the problem.

In the last 10 years, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority has provided staff and money dedicated solely to guaranteeing affordable housing and the implementation of residential revitalization projects. In the area of economic development we have created the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency, a unique combination of both public and private resources that has given us the ability to be more competitive in this global market.

In just one day in 2001, we lost more than 500 jobs and one of our largest industries. Although we mourned the loss of those jobs, we did not complain. What we did is use the tools we had on hand and the JOBZ program provided by the state to begin the long journey of replacing those jobs. Only one county in the state of Minnesota has been more successful than we in utilizing that program and today those jobs have been replaced.

In five years, we have doubled our property taxes and decreased LGA’s portion of our budget from 51 percent to 37 percent. This has been a burden on our citizens in such a short amount of time and yet we have done what we needed to do.

In the latest project to come to Albert Lea, the AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project, it has been clearly expressed that the high level of community volunteerism and involvement coupled with strong and progressive leadership played a vital role in our selection.

I neither believe nor accept the theory that we are complainers because the facts and the spirit of this community tell me otherwise. I am proud of Albert Lea and I am proud that our leadership will speak up for what is best and fair for our citizens and those in communities like ours.

We are not asking the state to pay our way. We are asking the state of Minnesota to help us be a strong and productive community that can contribute to the growth and vitality of the state as a whole. That’s what being a state is all about — communities engaged in a relationship — a commitment and a common bond.

Ellen Kehr

Ward 3 councilor

Albert Lea