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Thumbs Up/Down

Infrastructure grade

Thumbs Down: Earlier this week the MInnesota Society of Civil Engineers gave its report card for Minnesota’s infrastructure. We managed to pass, but certainly not with flying colors.

Minnesota got a “C” overall for things like aviation, bridges, dams, drinking water, energy, roads, transit and wastewater. Aviation did best, earning a B. Roads did the worst, with a D+.

All along the list, the Civil Engineers note that our facilities, including drinking water, dams and wastewater, are in need of improvement, but we are falling millions and millions of dollars short in spending to maintain those systems.

Makes us wonder why it is so difficult to get a decent bonding bill through the Legislature session after session.

Busy weekend

Thumbs Up: It’s another busy weekend in New Ulm, with the second week of Oktoberfest filling the schedule with a parade, music and dancing downtown.

But that’s not all that’s going on. The United Way of Brown County is holding its annual “Day of Caring,” a program where a whole bunch of volunteers from around the county get together and take on a long list of chores and tasks for people who need a little help getting them done. A lot of leaves will get raked and a lot of windows will be washed. There may even be a little painting and light home repair going on.

With many hands making light work, the Day of Caring folks should be done in time for some Oktoberfesting. What a great weekend!

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