Chris, I have read and re-read your article (“When it comes down to it, who makes your bacon?” Nov. 4 column by Managing Editor Chris Baldus) and I can only feel sympathy for you and your town. You and Gary Ray and Bonnie Rietz are riding a dead horse. Austin has nothing to offer but poverty and crime. Flip the article over and you’ll see what I mean. (Writer included a clipping from the Nov. 4 Herald of the convictions and sentences weekly list.)

Yes, Owatonna does have Cabela’s. Austin has nothing: No Target, no Cashwise, no Red Cross, no Office Depot, no lumber yard north of town, etc.

So, let Owatonna crow. They earned it. I realize that your job depends on you being a “cheerleader” for Austin, but at some point, you have to wake up and admit that Austin sucks.

Steve Wilson, Austin