Welcome aboard

The city of River Falls train has been chugging along without key people at the controls. Now that's changed: City Administrator Bernie Van Osdale was hired less than a year ago, followed last month by City Planner Buddy Lucero and City Engineer Reid Wronski.

All three positions went unfilled for considerable periods. Meanwhile, the city and its surroundings kept evolving and growing. Leadership at the city level is now crucial.

Here's hoping the trio of new city staffers bring savvy guidance to our journey into the 21st century. Important issues abound:

Planning and building a new high school with improved roads to reach it safely and efficiently.

Traffic control through Main Street. This artery through the heart of River Falls is increasingly clogged, blocking incoming motorists from side streets. This is a safety concern as well as a transportation flaw.

Putting the final touches on the remodeled City Hall, and making effective use of the vacated ambulance space for either police or fire needs. Like the new ambulance building on Second Street, either police or fire may require a separate facility to function at peak level.

Dealing with the new land acquired along the Kinnickinnic River from the Farmers Union Co-op (Cenex). What kind of development makes sense? Should it be a new City Hall? Community Center? Combination? Maybe just extended green space, with paths, benches, and cozy lamps similar to the White Pathway? And what are the best ways to preserve and yet showcase the downtown portion of the Kinnickinnic River?

Hwy. 35 expansion, now underway through 2000. How do we prepare for the implications of massive growth and possible sprawl from the 4-lane highway on the north side of River Falls?

Recreation, the need not only for enough parks but also making them useful. Even with the addition of several new parks, Glen and Hoffman remain the only two heavily used parks. That won't suffice in coming years. Also, the issue of bike paths and a logical sidewalk system must be pursued to spur alternatives to gas-guzzling cars.

Ideas to attract more companies offering good-paying jobs so more of our citizens can work in the community, instead of making commutes to the Twin Cities, which adds to pollution, congestion and the need for more expanded roads, highways and bridges.

Other issues loom. What does your list include?

Whatever it is, there's a stepped-up need for local leadership. At least a full city staff is all aboard as the River Falls train surges ahead.