In the Grand Forks Herald, Adam Watts reports in Visiting site of truck-train collision, Gov. Dayton urges statewide rail safety upgrades:
Gov. Mark Dayton visited the site of an explosive train derailment here Saturday, praising townspeople and first responders for their fast actions while using the situation to illustrate why he's pushing to upgrade rail crossings statewide. . . .
Upon visiting the Callaway crash site, the governor was surprised at how quickly the tracks were repaired. . . .
Dayton was complimentary of local leaders, singling out the local fire departments who worked together to extinguish the fire. It took 21 fire departments—most of which are staffed by volunteers—and 1 million gallons of water to put it out.
"How do you find 21 fire departments?" Dayton said. "They must have come from a long way."
The governor made sure to recognize all of the city and county officials and firefighters and first responders in attendance at City Hall for the meeting. He was complimentary of how the collision was handled and started several rounds of applause for individuals. He emphasized that they all deserve recognition even though they may be too "Minnesota modest" to accept it.
And if readers don't believe that, Brian Basham of the Detroit Lakes News snapped this picture of the governor pointing his finger, just like his adversaries always say.
Photo: Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton talks with citizens of Callaway, Minn., during a town gathering at the Callaway Event Center Saturday afternoon. The Governor was in town to tour the site of Thursday's train-semi accident, derailment and subsequent propane explosion. Brian Basham/DL Newspapers via the Grand Forks Herald.
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