Highway 8 tribute to founding fathers

The city of Lindstrom officially marked the Highway 8 reconstruction project as complete, with a ribbon cutting. Invited guests included longtime U.S. 8th District Congressman James Oberstar, who was in office many years ago when a major push to make safety improvements to the highway corridor began. Oberstar served as chair of the House Transportation Committee. Some Hwy. 8 Task Force members, active in lobbying for highway projects, returned to celebrate the ribbon-cutting as well. The triangle where the statues (see other photos) are located has been named in honor of Oberstar. Pictured cutting the ribbon at right are: Ann Marie Brink and Bill Schlumbohm, sr, current Lindstrom council members with Curt Flug, Mayor Keith Carlson, task force member Nora Holt; (in back center) MnDOT official Ed Boytim; former mayor Sig Stene (in light colored overcoat), and Jim Oberstar; with Congressman Rick Nolan’s staffer Rick Olseen, former council member Jim Singer, and task force member Chisago City Mayor Bob Gustafson.