Letter: Time to investigate Port Authority

To the Editor:

As the Port Authority re-enters the news and I travel down Port Authority memory lane, I have come to understand that the Port is not bound by Red Wing’s vision for the future as outlined in the city’s Comprehensive Plan.

Let me give a few examples. About five years ago Port Authority Director Myron White was more than excited about the grand opportunity to sell nine acres of prime property on the riverfront to an inexperienced, would-be condo developer, despite the public outcry against this idea. Fortunately, citizen action curtailed the lame idea.

Another memory: A few years back there was more excitement from the Port director about a family run business that wanted to set up shop in Red Wing.

Fortunately, this “family run” business chose another city. Fortunate for Red Wing, that is, because that “family run” business has just shut down the last of its four outlets in Minnesota. The business? Krispy Kreme.

And does anyone recall the day Menards came to town? The Port really came through for us citizens then. But let’s not forget the small print in the deal that left the city with the responsibility of cleaning up the dirt pile after the construction dust settled. We pitched out nearly $2 million of taxpayer money for that boo-boo.

The Port Authority operates as a separate entity from city government, yet it collects city tax dollars. It need not and does not share the same vision or responsibility to the voting public as city government. A locally

appointed economic development committee whose vision would abide by our city Comprehensive Plan would better serve Red Wing.

It’s time to raise our voices as a community. The City Council should appoint a nonpartisan task force to investigate the true viability of the Port. The Port Authority has no obligation to the city’s vision for the future and continues to push the same status quo agenda with minimal results. The city deserves better than this.

Tags: opinion, port, authority