Letter: Vote on Port Authority levy raises questions

To the Editor:

The game never changes if the players always remain the same. It is crucial for citizens to assure that the council members they elect will represent the best interests of our community.

This present Red Wing City Council has voted unanimously on the many issues with minimal public discussion.

Do they have the competency needed to prevent city legal fees costing taxpayers? Could better implementation of policy prevent added legal expenses?

Are they representing our best interests when they purchase properties for future speculations when finances dictate more services are to be cut?

A large portion of city revenues goes for administration costs. Can we afford to maintain a large city administration as staffing levels of the labor force have been reduced? Has management become top heavy and out of proportion of labor levels?

We see other local governments take action in reducing staff levels and combining departments.

The council voted to give the Port Authority a preliminary 4.2 percent increase (R-E, Sept. 15) while in the same breath mentioning a continued general transfer — and still we see no visible accountability within the Red Wing Port Authority to become solvent within legislated allowances.

Have the general transfers now become an entitlement? Is this council representing the citizenry and doing the job they were elected to do or do they take marching orders from staff who have little accountability to citizens they serve as public employees?

Possibly it is time to make way for new faces.

I urge all citizens to consider electing candidates running with fresh thoughts and ideas, who are willing to attempt to make a difference for this city and its citizenry.

Sue Oelkers

Red Wing

Tags: red wing city council, red wing port authority, opinion, letters