To the editor:

There was a report of good news for the City of Cottonwood in the July 12-13 edition of the Independent. The city of Cottonwood needed a new city hall for some time. The city recently spent approximately $167,000 remodeling a vacant clinic building. Of that, about $92,000 came from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 passed during the Biden administration. This act passed the U.S. Congress in 2021 without the vote of one Republican. Not one. And yes, this includes our U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach.

In the July 15 edition of the Independent, there is yet another piece of good news for the City of Cottonwood. A splash pad and beach renovation project at the C.W. Reishus Park in the city of Cottonwood is more positive news. Of the $1.1 million project, $350,000 is coming from the Great American Outdoors Act of 2020. Not one of the Minnesota Republican Congressional delegation voted for this act. All of the Democrats in the US House and U.S. Senate coincidently did. It is also interesting to note that the current administration initially had frozen these funds leading to project delays and increased costs. Ultimately the previously allocated funds were properly released.

Perhaps its time these members of Congress meet in their districts explaining their votes against these bills to their constituents. Should the discussions begin on the funds distribution formula being based on local congressional support?

Tony Doom

Marshall