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Mexico Lindo site will benefit all
Published Thursday, November 5, 2009
An open letter to Roger Olson of Glenville and to the rest of the Emil Olson family:
Thank you for your generous contribution to the city of Albert Lea. Your gracious donation of the land at the Mexico Lindo site for a city park was a very generous act that will enhance our community and provide countless hours to many thousands of people.
Cleaning up and enhancing the channel area was urged by the Minnesota Design Team, encouraged in our new Albert Lea comprehensive plan and is a priority of the Shell Rock River Watershed District Board. Many other citizens have asked why we can’t move forward with a wonderful park in the channel area and connect it to the bike trail. Many have asked for safe parking, safe access to the channel for fishing, a place to launch kayaks and canoes, a picnic area and a shelter: Why doesn’t the city move forward with this wonderful idea, they ask. The answer is always, “Money.”
The Olson family will benefit from the tax benefits they will accrue from this wonderful gift, and they will leave a memorial to Emil Olson and the great business that he founded and built up on this site. Generations of Albert Leans will benefit from this wonderful gift. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I felt that this letter was necessary in view of the fact that our mayor and city council did not even offer a “thank you” for this gift and barely agreed to accept the offer. I know that many of you feel the same way I do and hope you will express your thanks to the Olson family.
Anthony Trow
Albert Lea
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Comments
Posted by Me2 (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the purchase is a good one. The timing is poor given the current financial state, but with the ideal placement across the channel from the old Farmland site, it is perfect for a pedestrian corridor from downtown and maybe connecting up with the Frank Hall Park bike path and Blazing Star trail or other public use. Though lots of naysayers say otherwise, our city has to be attractive to bring growth. And for that, $25,000 is a small price to pay.
Posted by mankind (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 1:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with the writer and would like to say Thank You to the Olson Family.
Posted by mankind (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I believe that it is sad and in poor taste that our Mayor and City Council could not even say thank you to the Olson family for this generous gift. Come on Mayor and City Council the least you could do is say thank you.
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