Albert Lea Web Directory

September 24, 2006 on 12:28 am | In Reviews

The all new Albert Lea Web Directory features websites of businesses and organizations in Albert Lea. Of course, not all the websites are represented here, but that’s because they haven’t all been tracked down yet.

There are only so many sites a person can find when using www.google.com, www.yahoo.com, and other search engines, and occasionally an Albert Lea site doesn’t show up in search engines. This is often because it hasn’t been properly circulated on the internet. All it takes is for a site that does show up in a search engine to link to one that doesn’t. It’s that link one link that tells search engines where to find the new site. Adding a site to the Albert Lea Web Directory is one way to make sure that an Albert Lea site get’s properly distributed.

Send an email with your organization’s name and website to d-i-r-e-c-t-o-r-y-@-a-l-b-e-r-t-l-e-a-j-o-u-r-n-a-l-.-c-o-m if you’d like it submitted to the Albert Lea Web Directory. I’ve spelled out the above address that way so that spam harvesters can’t pick it up as easily. If you’re confused about how that address would be put together to make a real one, look at this example: e-x-a-m-p-l-e-@-a-l-b-e-r-t-l-e-a-j-o-u-r-n-a-l-.-c-o-m = example@albertleajournal.com. (Note: example@albertleajournal.com is not a real address.)

Investing in Albert Lea’s Future

September 5, 2006 on 8:58 pm | In News

This November Albert Lea residents will have the opportunity to vote on a referendum to stabilize District 241 education funding. It will allow District 241 to maintain the necessary pieces required to continue educating students at its current level.

According to a fact sheet distributed by District 241:

State funding does not provide our commuity with the kind of school system we want and need. Because state funding was frozen for two years, our district did not receive $1.6 million in funding. To maintain the level and quality of education currently offered, including one mile bus service, all-day kindergarten, smaller class sizes, electives, fine arts and athletic opportunities, the district must replace the current opperating levy.

Over the years, the district has diligently adjusted its budget in order to allow for reductions in the state’s funding of Albert Lea’s schools. District 241’s fact sheet continues:

Over the past 15 years nearly $7 million has been cut. The cuts included the elimination of many teaching positions, administration, clerical, and custodial staff. In order to maintain a quality education for our students, we cannot cut valuable teaching talent and educational opportunites for our children.

Below is the “Estimated Tax Impact of the Approval of the Property Levy”

Market Value of Home	Revoked Authority $497.97	Proposed Authority $957.87	Net Change $460.00	Monthly Tax Impact
50,000	-49.00	113.00	64.00	5.34
70,000	-68.00	159.00	91.00	7.59
100,000	-98.00	227.00	129.00	10.75
150,000	-147.00	340.00	193.00	16.09
175,000	-171.00	397.00	226.00	18.84
250,000	-244.00	567.00	323.00	26.92

Your contribution will make a HUGE difference in the future of Albert Lea and the future of Albert Lea’s students, teachers, staff, and all who want Albert Lea’s educational system to remain strong for years to come.