David Minge: “I represent the Second District of Minnesota. It is a district that contains almost the entire length of Minnesota…”

“I represent the Second District of Minnesota. It is a district that contains almost the entire length of Minnesota River. Minnesota River flows through a broad valley. I think for many, it is known as the Valley of the Jolly Green Giant. It is very productive, it is lush, and it is noted for the table vegetables that have been grown there over the past several decades. In the valley there is a narrow river that winds back and forth and oxbows and normally is very placid. But occasionally it becomes a raging torrent. In 1997, this river carried more water than it ever has since the area was settled, over 100 years ago. The record water levels resulted in flooding in numerous communities, starting in Ortonville at the head of the river as it flows out of Big Stone Lake, required the evacuation of the community of Odessa. Tributaries flooded in Appleton, Dawson, MN. Montevideo, MN, my home community, was on the evening news for the first time in the history of the community repeatedly because of the efforts of the volunteers to try to stop the damage by sandbagging, building dikes. Their efforts were successful except for one neighborhood which could not be saved and could not be diked. Downstream, Granite Falls built dikes. It was largely spared the ravages of the flood. North Redwood Falls was affected, however, and a few homes in the community known as New Ulm.”