DM&E not just a Rochester issue

Walz’s comments on DM&E project draw criticism

By KEVIN SWEENEY Journal Editor

NEW ULM — The DM&E Railroad expansion project became more of a political issue this week, after First District congressional candidate Tim Walz met with representatives of the Mayo Clinic on Tuesday, then held a press conference ripping incumbent Rep. Gil Gutknecht for his “lack of leadership” on the issue.

Walz’s comments on the issue of whether DM&E builds a by-pass around Rochester has other rail users along the line thinking Walz and Gutknecht are focusing too closely on Rochester and not on the benefits of the whole project.

Randall Rieke, general manager of the Farmers Co-op of Hanska, is also chairman of GOTRAC (Growth Opportunities Through Rail Access Coalition), representing the Southern Grainbelt Shippers Association. GOTRAC support the DM&E project.

Rieke, in a GOTRAC statement issued after Walz’s press conference Tuesday, called for Walz and Gutknecht to “address more squarely their position on the proposed DM&E railroad rehabilitation project.”

(The whole article is here.)