I am writing this letter in support of Al Austreim for City Council in the election to be held on Tuesday, April 9.

Having known Al for 20 years as a business person and a family man with interests in the growth of Brookings, I feel he is an excellent candidate for City Council. As a successful business owner he has made decisions to grow his own company and his experience as a business owner will be invaluable as a member of the Council. As an SDSU graduate and with a family that has grown up in the community, I know he would put the interests of the community at the forefront. I feel he has an excellent business perspective along with the ability to make sound, common sense decisions.

Everyone brings their own life experiences to the council along with new ideas and the ability to listen to each other and to the community and its needs. Al would have the foresight to be fiscally responsible, the ability to apply a business perspective to the council along with being able to apply common sense to decisions that need to be made to best move Brookings forward for everyone. Success in our community is a two-way street; the council needs to ask for input and listen to resident concerns. Brookings residents have the same duty to actively participate and be aware of agenda items. In addition, our community needs to be more involved by voting, attending Council and City Board meetings and expressing themselves to these entities. Please exercise your right to vote on April 9.