To the editor:

Lobbying is part of the American legislative system. It gives parties interested in a project , cause or objective an opportunity to let the decision makers know why a bill should or should not be passed.

The recent award of a Federal highway funds grant to complete Highway 14 from Nicollet to New Ulmis the culmination of over 40 years of lobbying. I was fortunate to serve as one of the Brown County commissioners from 1997 to 2017. One of my first committee assignments was the Highway 14 Partnership. Along with Mayors Schapekahm, Koelpin, Albrecht adn Beussman I attended quarterly meetings and visited our representative in St. Paul on a regular basis. Our message was always the same: Highway 14 must be a four lane from New Ulm to Rochester. REcent progress on the overall project has benefitted us on the west end. However, I am confident that New Ulm and Brown County will continue to financially support and participate in the Highway 14 Partnership until the Owatonna to Dodge Center portion is complete.

A safer road is coming soon.

Dick Seeboth

New Ulm