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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- President Obama made a remark about the government fixing potholes in his speech Tuesday in Ottumwa.  The audience responded in laughter as the president continued on.

President Obama’s said, “Government does some important things, like making sure you have clean drinking water, and that your roads aren’t full of potholes, and that ... you know, I am not saying it’s always succeeding now.”

In response to this comment, our Fact Finder Team looked into the “success” of filling Ottumwa’s potholes.

Ottumwa Public Works Superintendent Steve Edgington told Fact Finder he is working three crews on potholes everyday the weather permits.

 “This is the worst I have seen due to climate and the amount of moisture we got this winter and type of it.  We have more potholes this year than I have ever seen in the past,” Edginton said.

Edginton said a new injection patcher allows the city to start work sooner.

 “We have a new injection patcher which is helping that process along. We’re not dependant on somebody else for materials so much on the injection patcher.  We were able to start patching earlier because we didn’t need to wait for the asphalt plant to open,”

Edginton said.

Even with an earlier start this year, it will be a while before roads are smooth.

“I don’t expect to get done with potholes. Potholes are a year-round type of deal almost and with the amount we had created last winter I’m assuming we’ll be doing it all summer,” Edginton said.

Edgington also told Fact Finder the budget is fine and funding pothole repairs should not be an issue.