Editorial: Surprise. Port gets a new view

Soaring high: The Red Wing Port Authority desperately needed someone with a fresh approach, someone who could look at development from a different perspective.

Tom Brown, who joined the board two months ago, clearly offers just that. His proposal Monday not only breathed new life into the Falconer Vineyard project, it took everyone’s breath away.

Whether John Falconer and the Port Authority Board approve the concept isn’t the point. They and everyone else will need time to dissect Brown’s purchase/lease deal for the former Central Research property.

The point is that Brown, who isn’t mired in city politics and old grudges, figured that there must be a better way — one that looks for solutions instead of roadblocks. The early indications are that Brown is well on the way.

Soaring high: Red Wing School Board asked citizens to speak up about proposed cuts. They said loudly and clearly that they don’t want elementary arts and computers cut.

Supt. Stan Slessor listened and the board appears poised to act. He’s going to adjust his budget plan and save these programs.

Of course, many tough decisions are still ahead.

Soaring high: Goodhue County won’t have to float the state a transportation loan after all. On Tuesday, commissioners appropriately appropriated those funds to widen County Road 1.

We think funds designated for infrastructure should be spent on infrastructure — not on tax relief this year. We’ve seen what happens when officials ignore or postpone repairs. Bad roads too easily can lead to a bad economy and terrible tragedy.

Tags: editorial, red, wing, port, authority