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International

cooperation with Aachen delegation

The recent visit of the Aachen, Germany delegation to New Ulm is a reminder of the benefit of different governments cooperating with one another. The purpose of the delegation’s visit was to discuss common interests between the south central region of Minnesota and the Aachen region of Germany. The two regions are half a world apart, but share many of the same strengths and goals. Thursday’s visit to New Ulm highlighted a shared interest in emergency management. Both regions experienced extreme flooding and are seeking methods for dealing with changing weather patterns. International cooperation like this has the potential to benefit everyone and will hopefully remain a common occurrence.

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Hermann project

viable

The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) approved a reconstruction approach for the Hermann the German Monument. The monument is in need of repairs for, but because the monument is a historic landmark moving forward with has proven challenging. For years, city staff have recommended disassembling the monument and deconstructing it with as much reusable material as possible.

Disassembling the monument piece by piece would also allow the city to create a blueprint for the monument to aid future generations with repairs. This approach is unusual. Typically, SHPO does not receive proposals to reconstruct a monument that is still standing, but this a unique monument. SHPO’s approval of this unusual reconstruction method is good news for Hermann’s longterm future.

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Bold, artistic proposal for city ash trees

A unique idea for New Ulm’s ash trees was proposed at a recent city council work session. Instead of cutting down all the ash trees infected with emerald ash borer, what if a section of the tree was left standing and local artists were allowed to paint, carve and decorate it?

Instead of a bunch of tree stumps, New Ulm could have an outdoor gallery with the former ash trees serving as a canvas.

This proposal is still in the planning stage. No city board or commission has approved it yet and there are several details that would need to be worked out before ash tree art became a part of New Ulm.

However, it is a fun idea. The ash trees need to come down anyway, the city might as well take advantage of the process and have a little fun with it. This is also a great way to commemorate the ash trees New Ulm will be losing.