It is fine and dandy to speak out about your views on Albert Lea city government, but some folks go so far to claim they know everything that it makes others wonder why they won’t take action.

Instead of flapping their jaws over cups of coffee, they should do something. Besides, if they wish to run for elective office in two or four years, it is really smart to have experience on a city advisory board. If they don’t want to seek office, it is the responsible thing to do. Be a good citizen.

Now is the time of year to get involved. The city is taking applications for these various advisory boards:

♦ Heritage Preservation Commission

♦ Human Rights Commission

♦ Library Advisory Board

♦ Planning Commission

♦ Airport Advisory Board

♦ Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

♦ Board of Zoning Appeals

Applications are available at the City Manager’s Office or online at http://www.city.albertlea.org/boardopenings.htm. The deadline is Dec. 15.

The city advisory boards often get excellent representation from Ward 1 and Ward 2. People from other wards need to step up to the plate and get involved in their city government.

It’s not hard to get folks who want to be on the parks board. Everyone thinks they are experts on parks, right? The two panels that really need applicants are Human Rights Commission and Heritage Preservation Commission.

As a feather in the cap of the Albert Lea City Council, it indeed is doing a better job of listening to its advisory boards than its reputation of old. No system can be perfect, but it is healthy for the vibrancy of Albert Lea to have bright minds and wide representation on the advisory boards.

Please volunteer. Please lend your voice. You’ll be glad you did.