By james art SIOUX FALLS, SD (Dakota News Now) – On the same day that Sibley, Iowa cut the ribbon officially becoming part of the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System, the community of Madison is looking back at the same achievement it accomplished in August.
President Joe Biden released part of a phone call today he had with the mayor of Madison noting the importance of the project.
Audio call: “Mr. Mayor Can you hear me? Yes, Mr. President, I can hear you very well. Welcome to Madison, South Dakota.
As a longtime resident and now mayor, Roy Lindsey has seen the project in action for nearly 35 years.
“It was a trickle, moving forward at a snail’s pace. Having this bipartisan infrastructure bill has made a huge difference,” Lindsey said.
Lindsay says the key word there is bipartisan, which is why it’s marked on the tower itself.
Call Audio: “That sign right there says the project is funded by Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law,”
“It takes both (sides) to act and react to get something done, and then it takes the endorsement of a president to be the last step along the way,” Lindsey said.
Lindsey says the conversation with President Biden lasted about 5 minutes and happened in September, but its release on Monday was no accident.
“As of today, Sibley, Iowa was connected and is the 20th and final member to receive water from Lewis and Clark,” Lindsay said.
Now that the Lewis and Clark project is over, Lindsey is grateful that his citizens are a part of it.
Audio call: “An additional million gallons per day of clean water benefits Madison citizens and Madison businesses and enables us to continue economic development.”
“We’re making a big difference, we’re making people’s lives better, and you’re doing a great job, Mr. Mayor.”
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