Service to Ag

THUMBS UP: The New Ulm Farm-City Hub Club surprised its new Service to Agriculture award winner, Arline Klingler.

Arline, with her late husband Stanley, has been a faithful volunteer and behind-the-scenes worker for the Hub Club and its mission of promoting agriculture. It is always nice to see recognition going to those who are often “unsung” for their efforts. The Hub Club will be honoring Arline Klingler at their annual banquet on Jan. 27.

Road work ending

THUMBS UP: Minnesota, it is said, has two seasons — winter and road construction. With winter making an early appearance this week, it means that road construction season is coming to an end. Some of the more annoying road projects in New Ulm have wound up in the last couple of weeks, including 5th North Street from Garden Street to North Highland, which reopened Thursday.

That street leads to the main entryway into the New Ulm Medical Center, and there are no doubt plenty of hospital and clinic workers who are happy to have that open.

With several railroad crossings repaired and the 5th North segment reopened, all we need now is for the 7th North Street bridge over the Minnesota River to be completed. MnDOT has said that if the weather cooperates, it could open in early winter. We’ll see what happens, but that would be great if it does open.

Keep working on insulin answer

THUMBS DOWN: Gov. Tim Walz was encouraging Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature this week to keep working on an agreement on a state program to help diabetics who can’t afford the high cost of insulin. The two sides have differences, especially on how to pay for the program.

This is a serious issue, truly a life-and-death one for diabetics who need to use insulin daily to control the disease. Legislators need to recognize the urgency and get together on a compromise solution that will allow quick action to alleviate this problem.