Letter: Fridell already a citizen advocate

To the Editor:

Erik is our son, so he will have the vote of his parents.

Ward 3 and 4 voters, however, want other reasons to vote for Erik Fridell. This letter is to explain what Erik has done for the city these past two years.

As a member of the Sustainability Commission, Erik did all the research and most of the writing of a stop-frac-sand-mining ordinance for Red Wing. Erik advocated a ban on all frac mining within the city limits. Erik worked with City Planner Brian Peterson in drafting an ordinance that the Sustainability Commission and the Planning Commission recommended to the City Council.

Erik was a key figure in drawing the attention of the City Council and Red Wing citizens to the importance of preserving city ownership of the 400-acre green space of Mississippi National Golf Links. The course is located on beautiful bluff lands.

Erik advocated keeping the golf course public to serve area golfers both now and for generations to come. Erik also emphasized the advantages of a public golf course for tourism, for Red Wing merchants, and as an attraction for people to move to Red Wing.

In his search for history and documents to help save and preserve the public golf course, Erik discovered the difficulty for a citizen to obtain city documents that rightfully belong to citizens. Erik advocates easy availability of public documents. Erik also asks the City Council to make public its negotiations to sell or close the city-owned golf course. Erik requests less secrecy from the council and city staff.

If you want to stop frac sand mining in Red Wing, Erik Fridell asks for your vote Nov. 6.

If you want to preserve the quality of life for all by Red Wing's stewardship of its golf course, parks, trails, green spaces, Erik Fridell asks for your vote Nov. 6.

If you want to advocate for open city government, want a reduction in the number of closed City Council meetings, and want council and city staff activities, documents, data and deliberations to be open and available to the public, Erik Fridell asks for your vote Nov. 6.

Gary Fridell

Red Wing

Tags: opinion, letters