We have the opportunity to elect for the first time in more than 50 years a state senator who actually lives in Carlton County. The last time that happened, the district included Carlton, Aitkin and Crow Wing counties and we were represented by Norman Hanson of Cromwell.

Michelle Lee would have voted for the bonding bill with Rep. Mike Sundin that would have paid for a waterline from Carlton to the Interstate 35 area at Minnesota Highway 210.

Our senator, who doesn’t live here, did not support the bonding bill. As a result, he also did not support the funding that would help the Carlton...