Topic: $10 Million for Jahnke Public Works Pet Project
started by: alcitizens
Posted by alcitizens on Sep. 04 2016,8:46 pm
Phase I will cost $2 Million and has been approved by the Albert Lea City Council.. Phase II will cost over $8 million if approved by the Albert Lea City Council.. (Albert Lea Tribune)
Phase two is expected to cost approximately $8.6 million.
< http://www.albertleatribune.com/2016...pansion >
“It bothers me a little bit that there is such a large concern from the community that we aren’t spending money wisely,”said Albert Lea City Sixth Ward Councilor Al “Minnow” Brooks.
< http://www.albertleatribune.com/2015...xt-year >
Director of Public Works/City Engineer Steven Jahnke got the $2 million that could have been used to upgrade the failing Virginia Pl Lift Station that has been allowed to flood residents for decades..
Posted by twingroves on Sep. 05 2016,7:33 am
look at the over stuffed chairs in their break room 
Posted by just the facts on Sep. 05 2016,9:39 am
If they do need more room and an upgrade, why don't they buy the Thermo King building ($1.1 million) or Erlandson's ($1 million)?
Posted by Self-Banished on Sep. 05 2016,11:01 am
^^I think you folks just found a new cause.I'ts been decades since I've been I either building but if they've been kept up and the square footage is there, why not.
Posted by hymiebravo on Sep. 05 2016,4:37 pm
(twingroves @ Sep. 05 2016,7:33 am)
QUOTE
look at the over stuffed chairs in their break room
I'm sure if you drove around town you could find chairs of equal quality on somebody's boulevard, curb, end of driveway or what-have-you replete with a sign that sez 'free' on it.
Posted by Common Sense For A.L. on Sep. 05 2016,5:25 pm
Let me get this straight, Virgina place was done wrong and will still be flooded, Bridge avenue is terrible and needs work, are taxes in Albert Lea are very high, and we are going to spend a min of 2 million making the city garage warm and cozy ? Also whats with all the easy chairs at the garage and three break rooms?
Posted by was1 on Sep. 06 2016,1:07 pm
Do they still have the foosball table in the break room?Building is a pit and needs updating. But, they (Engineering) have not proven that they know how to prioritize and make the best use of the tax payers $, just look at what Common Sense noted above.
Questions the City needs to ask on this project are related to life safety and overall efficiency needs of the building. Are their life safety issues? mold? tripping hazards? structural issues that could cause a failure and injury? Are their efficiency issues? do they need to move a number of vehicles/equipment to get to something they need? Are their other times wastes that could be improved by improving the building?
I'm sure we have all heard the stories of how the workers all take their morning coffee, lunch and afternoon coffee break at the shop. They can be out working by the high school, have to stop work, button up the work site, drive into the shop and then start their 15 minute break. Then, about 30 minutes later it is leave the shop and head back to the job site and get restarted. Shoot, right there is an hour of time lost, and that is just for morning coffee. I bet by making the workers take their breaks on their work site, in a couple years they will have saved enough in work time (getting more accomplished within the same time) and fuel savings to pay for their $2M upgrade. And since they all are not going to the shop 3 times a day just for breaks I bet they can make smaller "meeting" rooms and save some $.
The City needs to fix the true problems in the City, and actually fix them, not put a dress on them and call it good like they did on Virginia Place. After they prove they can actually take care of the citizens then the citizens will have no problem taken care of their work area.
Posted by hymiebravo on Sep. 07 2016,10:13 pm
In regard to the Erlandson site - That wouldn't be a very good location, location, location. Too far out and congested there.
For a city garage anyway.
Posted by alcitizens on Sep. 07 2016,11:48 pm
What I don't get is that Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams says that property taxes for homeowners will not be affected for this project yet property taxes went up in 2016 and possible in 2017.. Water bills went up 8% in 2016.. When the Albert Lea Water and Sewer Fund becomes depleted, water bills go up.. When the General Reserve Fund becomes depleted, property taxes go up..
Chad Adams makes it sound like Free Money is paying for the Jahnke Public Works upgrade.. He is full of crap.. People paying water bills and property taxes are paying for this project..
Albert Lea residents continue to be suckered by these con men, even City Councilmen..
Posted by Expatriate on Sep. 08 2016,7:30 am
When I chose to move back to Albert Lea for my retirement years several factors attracted me, one factor was low housing cost and taxes.We're not going to have low taxes long if we continue to allow our elected officials to proceed with these grandiose schemes.
What we're talking here for the utility is an office/locker-room/cafeteria/meeting room for two million dollars ( phase I ). Phase II is even more spendy.
How much redundancy do we have between the city and county garages? As taxpayers both these government entities essentially work for the residents of freeborn county, wouldn't be more cost effective to combine resources.
Not that we shouldn't spend to maintain our local infrastructure but we have to be fiscally responsible with our limited resources.
Another grandiose scheme is that new terminal at the airport or the plan for the old Farmstead site.
I knew I should have moved to the Villages in Florida!
Posted by Self-Banished on Sep. 08 2016,8:21 am
^^ but it's your patriotic duty to pay taxes 
Posted by Glad I Left on Sep. 08 2016,8:48 am
I worked for the parks dept for the summer between my Jr and Sr year in high school. This would have been around 1991.At that time the shop was looking run down and was crowded with vehicles. I can only imagine it has gotten worse since then.
I'm not sure if they have outgrown that space or what but if they haven't then I don't see why the couldn't renovate the current place for much cheaper.
Regarding the comments from was1 with breaks..
When I worked for the parks dept. the late Noel Pechechek (sp) was my boss and had an incredible work ethic. I honestly think he continued to enforce my work ethic that I learned from my parents. He was very conscious of what the public saw and made sure when we were on break it was never longer than 15 minutes and we were back to work.
I can't speak for the streets dept or others as we didn't mix with them very often, but for the parks crew it was all about the work.
Posted by alcitizens on Sep. 08 2016,2:35 pm
The City reminds me of when I started as a maintenance supervisor at an apartment complex in Atlanta.. The maintenance man working there replaced every faucet that had a drip with a new one that cost $60 when he could have just replaced the brass seat, o-ring, washer and apply high temp grease to the valve for about $2.. He was amazed at how easy it was and was also a major labor saver..Renovation..
expat- Summertime in Florida is miserable..
common sense- I would have considered the current city garage a luxury resort back in the days when most of my breaks were in hot little shops or they were freezing in the winter..
I never had a recliner..
I'm really having a hell of a time figuring out how they could possibly spend an additional $8.6 million on a glorified maintenance facility.. I keep picturing hot tubs, massages, beds with silk sheets and private garages for employee cars..
Posted by Self-Banished on Sep. 08 2016,5:37 pm
Maybe it's going to be like North St Paul's municipal garage, I delivered their lockers a few years agoEach city vehicle had its own stall with work area, in floor heat (I can't begrudge them that because it's very efficient.)The whole yard was fenced with a 8-10ft wall and all of the enclosed yard has heated concrete. Top it all off with a giant windmill for electricity.
Looked awful pricey.
Posted by alcitizens on Sep. 09 2016,2:59 am
August 9, 2015Taxes wouldn’t be raised, according to Adams.
< http://www.albertleatribune.com/2015...uilding >
December 15, 2015
The Albert Lea City Council unanimously approved a 3.3 percent increase in the property tax levy Monday night.
< http://www.albertleatribune.com/2015...ncrease >
Posted by Expatriate on Sep. 09 2016,6:34 am
I'm sure we have some issues with the old building that need to be addressed and we need some expansion and improvement.Looking at the flyer that came with the water bill maintenance seems to lacking, not only on the building on Commercial Street but throughout the city.
When KIMT broadcasts the eye in the sky view of Fountain Lake there's a view of our rusty neglected water tower only a few feet from City Hall. Things that are highly visual like Water Towers reflect overall efficiency of a successful well managed city!
Maybe we've condemned that tower and just haven't knocked it down yet, sure looks like it.
I had to go to Mankato on business yesterday, as I past the small communities along my trip I made a point of observing their water towers.
Heartland: great job nice shiny paint
New Richland: great job nice tower
Waseca: hard to see from hwy 14
Janesville: great job nice tower
Eagle Lake: nice tower well maintained
As for the cushy chairs, I'm sure these are all old chairs coming from offices at city hall. Do our city utility employees deserve a decent locker-room/shower? yes. Do they deserve a decent clean break area with a kitchenette? yes.
What they're talking about with this meeting room it's most likeley a place to assemble the troops for ongoing training! The city probably belongs to some organization like MMUA these classes cover a wide variety of safety issues etc.
We have a small mobile workforce at the Commercial Street building, we have other meeting rooms in the city that can be utilized for these meetings.
We have to stay in compliance with OSHA but older buildings can be updated. We can build one heck of a commercial style shop building on the lot north of the existing building to give the guys room to work.
Management doesn't need a fancy office complex, they're not doing their job anyway!!
Posted by Expatriate on Sep. 09 2016,7:42 am
(Self-Banished @ Sep. 08 2016,5:37 pm)
QUOTE
Maybe it's going to be like North St Paul's municipal garage, I delivered their lockers a few years ago
Each city vehicle had its own stall with work area, in floor heat (I can't begrudge them that because it's very efficient.)The whole yard was fenced with a 8-10ft wall and all of the enclosed yard has heated concrete. Top it all off with a giant windmill for electricity.
Looked awful pricey.
Each city vehicle had its own stall with work area, in floor heat (I can't begrudge them that because it's very efficient.)The whole yard was fenced with a 8-10ft wall and all of the enclosed yard has heated concrete. Top it all off with a giant windmill for electricity.
Looked awful pricey.
St Paul runs their own Combined heat and power, biomass. They're selling steam power/ hot water district heat and generating over 30 megawatts of electricity. The more steam/hot water you can utilize the more electricity you make.
I would imagine the wind turbine is to stay in compliance with Minnesota's mandate for wind power.
St Paul's making money...
Posted by was1 on Sep. 09 2016,9:54 am
Glad I Left - I'm sure there are a number of good, hard working, people there. But, I'm certain, we all know that there are ones who do exactly what I described, as I heard it and saw it. There was many a foosball tourney that took place in these "15 minute breaks".There definitely is great need for maintenance and improvements to the facility. The concern comes from who it is that is deciding what the improvements should be. Drive around town and look at the streets. Talk to others in areas that have flooding and sewage backups. Look in the catch basins around down and you can see they are deteriorated and nearly collapsing. How many water breaks and leaks is the city having each year? How many lead services and leaded pipe are still in the water system?
There are endless needs for maintaining and improving the infrastructure in town. Yes, the workers need adequate space to work out of, but lets make sure that the money is being spent wisely and that the other infrastructure needs are also being addressed.
Posted by Self-Banished on Sep. 09 2016,12:46 pm
(Expatriate @ Sep. 09 2016,7:42 am)
QUOTE
St Paul's making money...
It North St Paul and doubtful.
Posted by Expatriate on Sep. 09 2016,1:49 pm
(Self-Banished @ Sep. 09 2016,12:46 pm)
QUOTE
(Expatriate @ Sep. 09 2016,7:42 am)
QUOTE
St Paul's making money...
It North St Paul and doubtful.
You're right I'm thinking of the Plant off Kellogg that heats and cools downtown St. Paul and the Capital. They actually have a contract to sell power to Xcel. St. Paul's got a gold mine..
N. St Paul is in the power business too, they partnered with 11 other municipalities their rates are reasonably good, I'm sure their commercial rates are reasonable, 525 commercial customers, with only 5,685 residential customers. I'll guarantee they're making money..
Posted by hymiebravo on Sep. 10 2016,10:24 am
What all is done at this facility in this day and age as they?
Posted by alcitizens on Sep. 10 2016,11:38 pm
I have learned over the years that the person that represents you can improve your quality of life or not..The 6th Ward in Albert Lea needs a leader with a backbone to stand up and reveal what is going on with our tax dollars..
We don't want people representing us that are in it to subsidize their income.. We want someone that really cares..
Will the Blazing Star complex that the city wants $42 million for ever benefit you or myself? I don't think so.. Did Northbridge Mall in Albert Lea benefit the Skyline Mall? No!!
Our leadership is nothing but followers in Albert Lea.. I'm talking about the Albert Lea City Council.. They always do what the city manager wants done.. Whats the point in having a city council?
The city manager always mentions that certain buildings have outlived their normal lifespan.. The world has buildings that are hundreds of years old because they were maintained..
Posted by Expatriate on Sep. 11 2016,7:12 am
The City Council voted to support applying for bonding money, these guys are moving forward with yet another grandiose project! Just like that new terminal at the < http://cityofalbertlea.org/wp-cont...eet.pdf >
Posted by Expatriate on Sep. 11 2016,8:05 am
Front Street should be left right where it is, I happen to like Albert lea Lake the way it is, a wildlife refuge. We all have access to the lake front the way it is, the city plan would move Front Street to the North for lakefront development and block our access and views.I like the way these guys say well we don't have to repay the bonding so the money is free, well boys and girls nothing is free!
We have more pressing matters in our city, crumbling infrastructure that needs addressing and our city representatives spend our resources on some pie in the sky grandiose projects like the airport, waterfront development, and the public works building on Commercial Street.
Two of these projects are completely unnecessary spending of tax dollars, the city garage should be rehabbed but the project downsized considerably.
I realize a million dollars doesn't go far these days but we're taking 10's of millions on the Commercial Street Public Works Building, when you add cost overruns and all the accoutrements to accessorize the finished project we're talking major dollars!
Lets fix what really needs fixing before spend ourselves into the poorhouse. Lets remember we don't have the Industrial or Commercial Tax Base we had years ago, we don't have the population we had years ago!
Posted by Self-Banished on Sep. 11 2016,4:25 pm
(Expatriate @ Sep. 11 2016,8:05 am)
QUOTE
well boys and girls nothing is free!
This from the mouth of a liberal democrat, maybe there is hope.
Posted by alcitizens on Sep. 11 2016,8:31 pm
(Expatriate @ Sep. 11 2016,8:05 am)
QUOTE
Front Street should be left right where it is, I happen to like Albert lea Lake the way it is, a wildlife refuge. We all have access to the lake front the way it is, the city plan would move Front Street to the North for lakefront development and block our access and views.
I like the way these guys say well we don't have to repay the bonding so the money is free, well boys and girls nothing is free!
We have more pressing matters in our city, crumbling infrastructure that needs addressing and our city representatives spend our resources on some pie in the sky grandiose projects like the airport, waterfront development, and the public works building on Commercial Street.
Two of these projects are completely unnecessary spending of tax dollars, the city garage should be rehabbed but the project downsized considerably.
I realize a million dollars doesn't go far these days but we're taking 10's of millions on the Commercial Street Public Works Building, when you add cost overruns and all the accoutrements to accessorize the finished project we're talking major dollars!
Lets fix what really needs fixing before spend ourselves into the poorhouse. Lets remember we don't have the Industrial or Commercial Tax Base we had years ago, we don't have the population we had years ago!
I like the way these guys say well we don't have to repay the bonding so the money is free, well boys and girls nothing is free!
We have more pressing matters in our city, crumbling infrastructure that needs addressing and our city representatives spend our resources on some pie in the sky grandiose projects like the airport, waterfront development, and the public works building on Commercial Street.
Two of these projects are completely unnecessary spending of tax dollars, the city garage should be rehabbed but the project downsized considerably.
I realize a million dollars doesn't go far these days but we're taking 10's of millions on the Commercial Street Public Works Building, when you add cost overruns and all the accoutrements to accessorize the finished project we're talking major dollars!
Lets fix what really needs fixing before spend ourselves into the poorhouse. Lets remember we don't have the Industrial or Commercial Tax Base we had years ago, we don't have the population we had years ago!
I have always enjoyed that stretch of Front St that runs along Albert Lea Lake.. The feeling you get early in the morning when driving by would be eliminated for the majority.. Only the very few would be allowed to enjoy the beauty of the lake..
Keep the shoreline public and not make it private.. We deserve it..
Posted by hymiebravo on Sep. 12 2016,10:30 am
On regard to the city garage thing: I wonder how helpful several stations around the city would be instead of one giant one in one place.
You know like out at edge water they kind of have their own bit out there don't they?
Posted by hymiebravo on Sep. 12 2016,10:38 am
In regard to the lake area development - I think the city is trying to re-brand itself as something other than a hog town.
Difficult task. This isn't some posh suburb or bigger city will tons of extra cash coming in.
I think getting more access to that lake in particular is good. If money were no object and i was allowed to do whatever i wanted. I would try to make that lake almost as accessible or more than the upper part.
Wildlife would still be around. They have the State Park area. Where you see heavier populations of a lot of the birds anyway.
But as Erdma said, the water is the jewel
And getting people down on the water gets them more interested in preserving it. And not using it for a garbage dump.
Posted by was1 on Sep. 15 2016,10:16 am
As far as the airport hanger - that all comes from $ generated strictly from airport user taxes, jet fuel taxes and the like. None of the$ should have came from the City coffers. There use to be a guy years ago who would be on this site that was in the know on this stuff. would be nice if he were still around to comment.As far as the new public works facility, in my mind, all they need is a place to house the equipment and vehicles, and an area for the mechanics to work on the equipment and vehicles. A small break room, reception office area and a couple small offices for the department leads (street, utility, park). They should not need anything more than that. What is there now is in very poor condition and needs to be upgraded, but $10M of upgrades?
Front Street - leave it where it is and put any development in the Farmland site itself. Wasn't Front Street completely reconstructed like 15 years ago along here with all new concrete? There should be a lot of life left in that pavement and it would be a complete waste of $ and resources to rip it out to try and develop some lake property. One of the few things A.L. has going for it is the easy access to the lakes, why start taking that away now?
Posted by Expatriate on Sep. 15 2016,11:15 am
(was1 @ Sep. 15 2016,10:16 am)
QUOTE
As far as the airport hanger - that all comes from $ generated strictly from airport user taxes, jet fuel taxes and the like. None of the$ should have came from the City coffers. There use to be a guy years ago who would be on this site that was in the know on this stuff. would be nice if he were still around to comment.
That fellow you're referring to is Jim Hanson, Albert Lea's Airport Manager. In my many verbal duels with Hanson he used the fuel tax endlessly, this is a lame augment that's easily countered, it's a mathematical impossibility that the few pilots/airplanes that utilize the airport could generate the tax revenue or hanger rental fees to support improvements/maintenance/insurance/salaries etc.
The city took bids to build a new Terminal they came in way over budget, I think the number was 3 or 4 million, the project is still in the works.
The Airport isn't self sustaining business, it's a nice addition to the city just like the parks but it costs US taxpayers.
The current terminal was built in the 70's most of our schools are twenty years older.
Posted by was1 on Sep. 15 2016,12:29 pm
Expat - not trying to start an argument but, your are misinformed on the airport. You are right that the airport itself may not generate the $ to pay for the new building, etc. However, they receive grants from the state and feds that comes from all the $ generated from the airports overall to pay for it.
Posted by Expatriate on Sep. 15 2016,1:06 pm
Was1, 90 percent of the project will be paid for by federal funds. The State and city taxpayers will split the remaining 10%. whether Federal/State/local this is tax revenue that comes from US...Like I said it's a mathematical impossibility that the few pilots/airplanes that utilize the airport could generate the tax revenue.
The city is looking at building an approximate 4,300-square foot arrival and departure building. The project is expected to cost approximately $1.5 million.
Posted by was1 on Sep. 15 2016,2:27 pm
It's all from Airport user fees, airport fuel taxes, etc. none from the city of albert lea funds
Posted by Expatriate on Sep. 15 2016,3:20 pm
That airport doesn't generate enough revenue to cover operational costs.As for fuel tax locally, how many gallons would it take pay for that new runway @ ten million or the new terminal @ a couple million?
The FAA falls under the jurisdiction of The Deportment of Transportation a government agency reliant on our Tax Dollars, it's not an independent that survives wholly off fuel taxes. The Federal Fuel Tax hasn't been raised in what 20 years, Congress has been shoring up the transportation fund out of the General Fund for years.
In one way or another we are paying for the airport improvements like it or not, every little Podunk has an airport we're paying for, is it any wonder why we're broke..
Albert lea's share of this bill will be $ 75,000 if they can build the terminal for 1.5 million, the estimates came in double the original build price, so our share will be higher.
Hanson ( airport manager ) is a hardcore anti-government rightwinger, when we had this verbal battle in the past I suggested the airport be privatized he quit posting on the forum..
On one hand I'm not totally against government spending if we receive some type of return for the greater good, I'm not sure I see this in all these Podunk airports.
< http://www.albertleatribune.com/2015...uilding >
Posted by was1 on Sep. 16 2016,7:55 am
It is extremely rare that any local $ has to go to these types of projects. Too bad Albert Lea ends up being one of them.The funds (federal and state) for airports is separate from motor vehicle fuels taxes or your property taxes, etc.
If you don't feel having a local airport is of any benefit to the city, then get a movement started and have it go away. Keep in mind that any federal and possibly state funds that the airport has received over the last X number of years would have to be paid back by the City if it were to close the airport.
I too see little benefit for all these small town airports. There are at least 4 within an hour of one another now.
But, this isn't supposed to be about the airport. Back on topic.
Did anyone go to the open houses for the city garage? Has anyone discussed the project with the powers that be to get a better idea/understanding of why they feel such a big investment is necessary?
Posted by Expatriate on Sep. 17 2016,9:21 am
(was1 @ Sep. 16 2016,7:55 am)
QUOTE
The funds (federal and state) for airports is separate from motor vehicle fuels taxes or your property taxes, etc.
This is a link to the FAA fact sheet as you can plainly see the General Fund (our tax Dollars) is subsidizing the shortage.
So these airports are eating away at our tax revenue. It's costing each of US increased taxation in the price of passenger tickets or freight shipped
< https://www.faa.gov/about...eet.pdf >
QUOTE
If you don't feel having a local airport is of any benefit to the city, then get a movement started and have it go away.
Obviously the city feels the airport serves some greater good, they've been spending in that money pit regularly.
The conservative gentleman who runs the airport advocated for the privatization of public schools, the privatization of Social Security and Medicare, he wanted big government and taxes off his back..well he sure doesn't mind big government when it profits him!
like I said before it's a mathematical impossibility that the few aircraft owners who utilize Hanson Field could generate the tax revenues or fees to support the money pit.
Local government has the power to decommission that tar strip any time they want, but they won't so we'll all continue to pay for the millionaire boys club to play.
There may have been value in these small town airports prior to Eisenhower giving US the interstate highway system or the hospitals air ambulance system but now I can't see the need for the greater good.
Hanson has his events, there's probably an uptick in lodging/restaurant traffic but hardly worth the investment.
Posted by Self-Banished on Sep. 17 2016,10:37 am
I miss Mr. Hanson, provided most of the intelligent conversation here, especially compared to some of the idiots here like the prior poster.Go ahead, get rid of your airport, become even more of the po'dunk town between the mud holes.
Posted by hymiebravo on Sep. 17 2016,10:48 am
What do you know about the airport Self Burnished? Anything?
Bolster your argument show us how smart you are.
Posted by hymiebravo on Sep. 17 2016,10:51 am
Mason City looks like they have a pretty good airport for a small town - < http://flymcw.com/faq/ >
Posted by Self-Banished on Sep. 17 2016,1:27 pm
(hymiebravo @ Sep. 17 2016,10:48 am)
QUOTE
What do you know about the airport Self Burnished?
Anything?
Bolster your argument show us how smart you are.
Anything?
Bolster your argument show us how smart you are.
Well let's see, I suppose I could go into how small po'dunk towns don't have airports because, well, they're po'dunk hillbillies, probably inbred. That's probably pushing the boundaries of comprehension for you so we'll keep it simple. Airport=prosperity, no airport=you have a hot date tonight, with your sister.
You remind me of a neighbor kid I knew growing up, always fun to talk him into pissing on an electric fence.
Is that enough "bolstering" for you
Posted by Expatriate on Sep. 18 2016,10:57 am
(hymiebravo @ Sep. 17 2016,10:51 am)
QUOTE
Mason City looks like they have a pretty good airport for a small town -
< http://flymcw.com/faq/ >
< http://flymcw.com/faq/ >
Mason City seems to have it going on at their airport!
Two connecting flights daily to larger airports, car rentals, a shuttle to local motels, a cafe, even the Jefferson bus stops there...
Now this is the type of airport that's of more use to the local population and not just a hand full of airplane enthusiasts.
Maybe that's what the city sees long-term for Albert Lea's airport.
QUOTE
Bolster your argument show us how smart you are.
He's giving it all he's got...
Posted by Self-Banished on Sep. 18 2016,11:06 am
^^and you have nothing to give
Posted by hymiebravo on Sep. 19 2016,12:30 pm
(Self-Banished @ Sep. 17 2016,1:27 pm)
QUOTE
(hymiebravo @ Sep. 17 2016,10:48 am)
QUOTE
What do you know about the airport Self Burnished?
Anything?
Bolster your argument show us how smart you are.
Anything?
Bolster your argument show us how smart you are.
Well let's see, I suppose I could go into how small po'dunk towns don't have airports because, well, they're po'dunk hillbillies, probably inbred. That's probably pushing the boundaries of comprehension for you so we'll keep it simple. Airport=prosperity, no airport=you have a hot date tonight, with your sister.
You remind me of a neighbor kid I knew growing up, always fun to talk him into pissing on an electric fence.
Is that enough "bolstering" for you
That's a lot of po'dunks from a guy whose first kiss from a girl was probably some kind of farm animal.
Posted by Botto 82 on Sep. 19 2016,2:00 pm
Albert Lea's airport sits idle because Albert Lea is a non-destination. Anything of note that made Albert Lea otherwise is long gone. That town was circling the drain, prosperity-wise, when Austin seemed like a much better place to live. And the aforementioned rubber-stamping of everything proposed by the City Manager has been going on since Paul Sparks. THAT certainly worked out well.Back in the heyday, Owatonna and Faribault COMBINED didn't match Albert Lea's population. Now look. They boom, while this town still, after how many decades, struggles with what to do with its proximity to the intersection of two of the biggest highways in North America.
Before you can tout being a destination, you have to actually be a destination. I'm sure someone in local government will recommend some $50,000 study that arrives at the same conclusion.
Posted by Self-Banished on Sep. 19 2016,2:30 pm
^^ exactly And it's not just Faribault and Owatonna, Rochester and especially Mankato, these towns are all proof that Albert Lea has missed the bus and is grossly mismanaged.
So what the hell do you do? Is crime increasing? Are lowlife and malcontents moving in? (Hymen and Expat come to mind) Sounds like a city in desperate need of a leadership change, just like our country.
Posted by alcitizens on Sep. 19 2016,3:11 pm
(Expatriate @ Sep. 18 2016,10:57 am)
QUOTE
Maybe that's what the city sees long-term for Albert Lea's airport.
Wouldn't it be nice to see a few paintings of Albert Lea that shows what the city management envisions for this town in the year 2040?
Albert Lea Planning and Development Mission Statement:
The Division of Planning and Development is established as a service of the City Manager’s Office to promote and oversee the orderly growth, economic development, aesthetic presentation, housing opportunity, and general health, safety, and welfare of the community.
The Blazing Star Complex needs go back to the drawing board..
I would rather have a Valley Fair Complex with roller coasters and other rides, it would be Albert Lea's own Disneyland that could become a major tourist destination and create many jobs..
Great post Botto..
Posted by Glad I Left on Sep. 20 2016,1:27 pm
(alcitizens @ Sep. 19 2016,3:11 pm)
QUOTE
I would rather have a Valley Fair Complex with roller coasters and other rides, it would be Albert Lea's own Disneyland that could become a major tourist destination and create many jobs..
I actually like that idea!
Posted by Self-Banished on Sep. 20 2016,5:03 pm
^^I agree, a amusement park might be just want southern Minnesota needs.A decent one, not some half-assed attempt. Preferably privately owned.
Posted by alcitizens on Oct. 02 2016,9:58 pm
Historical flooding at Blazing Star Landing.. Lets put some residential and commercial properties lakeside..
I will continue to say that the planning done in this town continues to be a waste of money..
Albert Lea must hire people in the planning department that are really only qualified to smoke pot.. Yo Dude..
Posted by hymiebravo on Oct. 04 2016,1:27 pm
What is the only part of town that didn't flood NW? I thought I saw something like that reported at the paper site.
Posted by alcitizens on Oct. 04 2016,6:18 pm
We need this in Albert Lea..< View on YouTube >
Posted by hymiebravo on Oct. 05 2016,8:51 pm
A few months back there was something at the paper site about putting some sort of hockey facility there at that Burning Car site.
Posted by Expatriate on Oct. 20 2016,7:14 am
We're about to elect some City Council members here in Albert lea. These things would be nice but we have too many government projects planned with no real pay-back to the taxpayer. We have more pressing infrastructure matters in our city, we can't waste our resources on unnecessary luxury expenditures.
We're facing some major expenditures,
(1)The city seems to think the current fire station obsolete, unable to accommodate a new larger truck.
Cost of a new Firehouse $8.5 million.
Would it be more cost effective to remodel the current fire station to accommodate a larger truck or save the main station and build a smaller substation to accommodate a larger truck.
(2) City garage remodel and expansion 1.5 million/10 million respectively.
I've voiced my opinion here in a previous post, some work needs to be done here but lets not go wild.
(3) Airport terminal, totally out of the question...
(4) The blazing Star landing, $ 36 million new City Hall, new City Arena, new YMCA facility, new library etc.
also the relocation of Front Street on a State Bonding bill.
The City Hall building isn't obsolete, as for the rest of this pipe dream forget it, if and when the farmstead site is devolved it should be private money not a public project.
Front Street should be left right where it is, we can't afford to waste money on pipe dreams..
Same goes with dredging Albert Lea lake, forget it..
Posted by Self-Banished on Oct. 20 2016,7:26 am
^* YOU! Endorsing private enterprise?Unbelievable!
By the way Alky, great idea, maybe a little over the top, thanks for making me queasy this morning.
Posted by alcitizens on Oct. 20 2016,3:02 pm
(Expatriate @ Oct. 20 2016,7:14 am)
QUOTE
We're about to elect some City Council members here in Albert lea.
These things would be nice but we have too many government projects planned with no real pay-back to the taxpayer. We have more pressing infrastructure matters in our city, we can't waste our resources on unnecessary luxury expenditures.
We're facing some major expenditures,
(1)The city seems to think the current fire station obsolete, unable to accommodate a new larger truck.
Cost of a new Firehouse $8.5 million.
Would it be more cost effective to remodel the current fire station to accommodate a larger truck or save the main station and build a smaller substation to accommodate a larger truck.
(2) City garage remodel and expansion 1.5 million/10 million respectively.
I've voiced my opinion here in a previous post, some work needs to be done here but lets not go wild.
(3) Airport terminal, totally out of the question...
(4) The blazing Star landing, $ 36 million new City Hall, new City Arena, new YMCA facility, new library etc.
also the relocation of Front Street on a State Bonding bill.
The City Hall building isn't obsolete, as for the rest of this pipe dream forget it, if and when the farmstead site is devolved it should be private money not a public project.
Front Street should be left right where it is, we can't afford to waste money on pipe dreams..
Same goes with dredging Albert Lea lake, forget it..
These things would be nice but we have too many government projects planned with no real pay-back to the taxpayer. We have more pressing infrastructure matters in our city, we can't waste our resources on unnecessary luxury expenditures.
We're facing some major expenditures,
(1)The city seems to think the current fire station obsolete, unable to accommodate a new larger truck.
Cost of a new Firehouse $8.5 million.
Would it be more cost effective to remodel the current fire station to accommodate a larger truck or save the main station and build a smaller substation to accommodate a larger truck.
(2) City garage remodel and expansion 1.5 million/10 million respectively.
I've voiced my opinion here in a previous post, some work needs to be done here but lets not go wild.
(3) Airport terminal, totally out of the question...
(4) The blazing Star landing, $ 36 million new City Hall, new City Arena, new YMCA facility, new library etc.
also the relocation of Front Street on a State Bonding bill.
The City Hall building isn't obsolete, as for the rest of this pipe dream forget it, if and when the farmstead site is devolved it should be private money not a public project.
Front Street should be left right where it is, we can't afford to waste money on pipe dreams..
Same goes with dredging Albert Lea lake, forget it..
Are fires not on the decline with all the new safety technology? Just curious..
I agree with every word expat..
I would also sell the Farmstead property for $1.00 to an amusement park developer (corporation) to develop a great park around a great roller coaster that could be seen from I-35.. Oh ya..
Posted by hymiebravo on Oct. 20 2016,5:47 pm
QUOTE
By the way Alky, great idea,
What a sense of elation and validation it must be for him to get the resounding endorsement of a box of rocks.
Posted by Self-Banished on Oct. 20 2016,6:28 pm
^^ wow, you're really cranky lately, Lemewinks not return from the "land beyond"?
Posted by hymiebravo on Oct. 20 2016,8:40 pm
(Self-Banished @ Oct. 20 2016,6:28 pm)
QUOTE
^^ wow, you're really cranky lately, Lemewinks not return from the "land beyond"?
You're like a big bag of bargain cheezy poofs.
Real low quality and lousy.
But oh boy, there sure is a lot of it.
Posted by Self-Banished on Oct. 21 2016,4:53 am
(hymiebravo @ Oct. 20 2016,8:40 pm)
QUOTE
(Self-Banished @ Oct. 20 2016,6:28 pm)
QUOTE
^^ wow, you're really cranky lately, Lemewinks not return from the "land beyond"?
You're like a big bag of bargain cheezy poofs.
Real low quality and lousy.
But oh boy, there sure is a lot of it.
In other words like you, a total lack of content.
This is where we differ, I offer a thoughtful opinion with a few insults thrown in.
Lately you've just offered insults (crappy ones at that) with mindless drivel, pretty much since you've been back. There was that period when you returned and you were just posting pics, quite good ones at that.
I'm guessing you "fell off the wagon" and an intervention is eminent.
Take care precious, Jesus saves
Posted by hymiebravo on Oct. 22 2016,8:33 am
(Self-Banished @ Oct. 21 2016,4:53 am)
QUOTE
(hymiebravo @ Oct. 20 2016,8:40 pm)
QUOTE
(Self-Banished @ Oct. 20 2016,6:28 pm)
QUOTE
^^ wow, you're really cranky lately, Lemewinks not return from the "land beyond"?
You're like a big bag of bargain cheezy poofs.
Real low quality and lousy.
But oh boy, there sure is a lot of it.
In other words like you, a total lack of content.
This is where we differ, I offer a thoughtful opinion with a few insults thrown in.
Lately you've just offered insults (crappy ones at that) with mindless drivel, pretty much since you've been back. There was that period when you returned and you were just posting pics, quite good ones at that.
I'm guessing you "fell off the wagon" and an intervention is eminent.
Take care precious, Jesus saves
Returned?
I've commented and contributed off and on since joining. I've taken a hiatus/pause/break/interlude from time to time from all the forums I have participated in. For various reasons.
If a person takes a break from this forum these days they don't miss much. You come back six months later. The Turd is still spamming. Still showing his same three or pictures.
Thoughtful?
You the spam The Albert Lea Discussion Forum with crap.
If this forum were an email account all your stuff would be blocked and sent directly to the spam folder.
Fell off the wagon?
That's rich coming from a farm animal groper/ wife beater such as yourself.
The difference between you and me is there is no wagon and you did bang farm animals.
Jesus saves?
Doesn't that go against the grain of the phony conservative holiness making light of Jesus?
To my eyes you're just part of the divided and conquered. . .
Posted by hymiebravo on Oct. 22 2016,8:41 am
Yeah that's you jumbo generic cheesy poofs! Blech!