Thumbs Up/Down
Help for German Park is welcome
THUMBS UP: State Sen. Gary Dahms has introduced legislation to add the German Park renovation project to the state’s bonding bill. He is proposing $300,000 to help pay for the renovations to the amphitheater in the park. The current amphitheater area is built on a hillside, and the terraces have been turning into slopes little by little over the years. The project would fix this with concrete terraces and paved walkways to allow those with mobility issues to get to the seating areas.
Any help here would be much appreciated. But we also want to point out that Madelia is still waiting for promised bonding funds to help rebuild infracture damaged in the February 2016 fire. Let’s make sure they get taken care of first.
Highway 15 project
SIDEWAYS THUMB: Get ready for some inconvenience when the Minnesota Department of Transportation begins working on Highway 15 (Broadway) resurfacing in New Ulm this summer. No matter how well planned the project may be, there will be traffic diversions and slower travel times through town. MnDOT says there will be access for residents and businesses along the route.
If we’re all patient we can get through this.
World War I history
THUMBS UP: The Brown County Historical Society Museum is providing some interesting speakers and programs on New Ulm’s experience during World War I.
It was a time when anti-German sentiment was running high in the country, and the state. New Ulm, with its predominantly German population, and its close ties to relatives back in Germany, was suspect. We are approaching the 100th anniversary of when the Minnesota Commission of Public Safety removed New Ulm’s Mayor and City Attorney, and the president of Dr. Martin Luther College was forced to resign for their participation in a mass anti-draft rally in New Ulm. A local newspaper publisher was arrested, but nevery tried, for sedition.
It will be interesting to look back on the issues, the emotions and what actually took place as we approach the July 25 anniversary of the rally.
The Brown County Historical Society has proven many times over its worth as a resource and repository of New Ulm’s history.
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