To the editor:

Are we getting the representation we deserve from Rep. Paul Torkelson? As a member of the House Transportation Finance Subcommittee he did very little to advance the Highway 14 expansion from Nicollet to New Ulm.

Now it’s the Highway 4 project from St. James to Sleepy Eye that can’t seem to get the financing to be a 10-ton road. The road is used by agriculture entities such as Christensen Farms, Schieffert Farms, Central Region Co-op, Cunningham Seeds, Schroepfer Transportation, plus all the farmers to move their products in and out of the area. This road is located in the heart of Paul’s district, and is one of the last roads in southern Minnesota that is not 10-ton rated. We deserve someone that is willing to work for our district’s needs.

Another area that has me concerned is the MnDOT Highway Improvement Project along Interstate 94 near Monticello that has been operating since 1994. This is the only one in the United States, as MnDOT proudly proclaims. But I’ve driven all across the United States as an over-the-road trucker and our roads aren’t any better that the other states. KARE 11 News had a report on Aug. 17, 2022 at 10 p.m. that showed the waste of time and money that is spent there. These are all things that I believe should be overseen by the MnDOT Highway Finance Committee.

Ususally, representatives with seniority can deliver things that their constituents want bu Paul Torkelson has a hard time delivering the things we need. So let’s elect someone who will make things happen, instead of someone who waits for something to happen. Vote Tom Kuster for our representative.

Jerry Guggisberg

New Ulm