I saw in the newspaper that Hormel is off to a strong start in 2015, net earnings of $172 million for the first quarter. I am happy that Hormel is profitable, but as a property owner in Mower County, I do not like the fact that we are subsidizing a share of Hormel’s work force with some of our property taxes, which is supplying human resources to these workers and their families.

When I moved to the area from Illinois in 1969, Austin was a wealthy community. Workers were well paid and Austin’s home owner percent was 87 percent. The taxpayers should not have to assist workers who work for a company that makes that much profit.

As taxpayers, do we have to accept “corporate welfare.”

John Steele,

Sargeant