LWV 80 years old

THUMBS UP: Congratulations to the League of Women Voters of New Ulm who celebrated their 80th anniversary this week.

The League, from its inception, has dedicated itself to educating voters, on a non-partisan basis, not only on candidates but on special issues that come before the community. That could include school referendums, new jail initiatives, anything that comes before the voters.

The League does not take sides. It simply provides a forum for the voters to get question candidates and and hear proponents and critics of issues. By educating voters, they serve the public and make democracy work better.

At their 80th anniversary event Thursday, the League also honored a long-time member, Janet Rosenbloom. We know Janet well. She was at one time the editor of this page, and possesses a both a keen interest in politics and the quick, questioning intellect to probe into the crux of issues. She represents the spirit of the League of Women Voters very well.

RENU projects

THUMBS UP: The City of New Ulm’s RENU?committee has accumulated an interesting list of projects that could be considered for funding by the extension of the city’s half-percent sales tax.

The tax, due to expire in 2020, is currently paying off the bonds for the New Ulm Civic Center, the New Ulm Community Center and the Vogel Fieldhouse, along with building a capital maintenance fund for these facilities.

Extending the sales tax could pay for the land the city needs to buy for a new National Guard Armory, and other city projects, fund improvements in the New Ulm Civic Center arena, fund grandstand improvements at Johnson Park and other Park and Rec improvements, or help the State Street Theater Co. remodel the former Middle School auditorium into a first class venue for the arts.

There are a lot of good possibilities. It is now up to the city to come up with a final list, and put it to the voters.

Spring cleanup

THUMBS UP: We’ve heard it said time and again by visitors to New Ulm – “What a neat, tidy, well kept community!”

The New Ulm Police announced this week they will be taking steps to insure that. Starting in mid-April, the police will be stepping up enforcement of the city’s public protection ordinance, which expects industrial and residential property owners and residents to keep their property clear of things that could be considered hazards – old, non-running cars, piles of tires, chunks of building materials and so on.

There’s plenty of time to get things cleaned up, and we’re sure police won’t have much enforcement to do later this month.