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Dear Neighbors and Friends,
This week I’d like to highlight the county’s draft Climate Action Plan, which was released to the public on Monday. You'll see more below — we encourage you to attend one of the online community meetings, provide feedback via the online form, or reach out to your commissioner to share your reactions.
Last week I published my annual letter reflecting on the past year and detailing my guiding values and priorities for the year ahead. I hope you’ll take a look. Achieving this vision is impossible without you, and I thank you for all the ways we work together. Please continue to be in touch with your views, priorities, hopes and aspirations for our region. It is a privilege to serve you.
My best,
Last week I sent the digital copy of my annual year in review letter and my guiding values for the year ahead. If you haven't had the chance to have a look, check out the full letter here. Below I've included my governing vision for 2021.
It is my firm belief that government, at its core, exists to steward the common good and provide a safety net for those who need it. Now, more than ever, this responsibility is falling squarely on local governments, Hennepin County included. No jurisdiction has a greater day-to-day impact on the opportunity gap and social safety net than the county. It is imperative that we continue to critically
examine our systems and structures to ensure that this responsibility is carried out in a way that is just, equitable, accessible, and transparent.
These beliefs have led me to focus on the following work in the new year:
Justice
- Advancing the Hennepin County Climate Action Plan
- Continuing to push for justice and public safety reforms with a focus on reducing racial and economic disparities
- Continuing county leadership to ensure the health, safety and fair treatment of immigrants, and partner on the same at the federal level
Ongoing crisis response
- Collaborating with colleagues and community stakeholders to pursue more affordable housing for our region
- Assisting with Minneapolis’ continued recovery from the civil unrest of last summer
- Ongoing leadership to address impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in our communities
An eye to the future
- Partnering with community stakeholders to develop a vision for Hennepin County’s transit future
- Championing new initiatives focused on the wellbeing of county-connected youth
- Exploring opportunities for Hennepin County to lead on single-payer health care
Community input and feedback continue to be a driving force in my policymaking. County visibility, transparency in our decision-making, and co-governance with our communities is critical if we are serious about our goals. This kind of partnership is not only expected, it is how the work will be successful.
Hennepin County has released it's working Climate Action Plan. This yearlong planning, robust draft brings together interdepartmental stakeholders to set goals that mitigate the damaging impacts of climate change and better prepare the county to be more resilient as climate change presents new challenges to the region.
Please send all your feedback to our office as the board and county staff work to finalize our Climate Action Plan.
Like bikes? A seat has recently opened up in District 3 (our district) on the county's Bicycle Advisory Committee. Apply to serve!
This would be a formal platform to increase and improve biking infrastructure in Hennepin County. By serving on the Bicycle Advisory Committee, you will:
- Play a role in building the county's bicycle infrastructure
- Bring your experience and knowledge to bicycle projects as they are being planned
- Be in a position that officially advises the county's commissioners and staff on matters relating to bicycling
Apply by February 17: https://bit.ly/3rkXpSt
Hennepin County Sheriff David Hutchinson announced a new educational initiative on the dangers of the opioid addiction epidemic, which continues to grow in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) will soon offer a new online class that will cover the dangers of opioids, signs of addiction, treatment options, the proper administration of
Naloxone, and more. This class will be offered multiple times for free and is open to all.
These sessions will include training on how to properly administer Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan®, a prescription medicine that reverses an opioid overdose.
Minnesota State law allows anyone at risk for having or witnessing a drug overdose to obtain a prescription for naloxone. Upon completion of the online training, the HCSO will mail the participant a supply of naloxone, free of change.
To join a session of the opioid awareness class or request a free Deterra drug disposal bag, send an email to drugdisposal@hennepin.us.
If you or someone close to you is struggling with addiction, resources are available. Call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or reach out to Hennepin County social services at 612-348-4111.
Don’t get fooled by COVID-19 scammers. Hennepin County Attorney's Office identity theft and fraud expert, Assistant County Attorney Diane Krenz, has you covered with information to help you avoid becoming a victim of vaccine scams.
Here are a few helpful tips:
- You can’t pay anyone to get in line early for the vaccine,
- You will not have to pay anything to get your vaccination, and
- Always check with your healthcare provider before taking any treatment.
Click here for more information.
Keep Safe While Waiting for Vaccinations
With the welcome news that vaccinations have begun against the coronavirus, we also know the demand for vaccine far outpaces the supply. The entire distribution process will take time.
While we wait throughout this process, public health experts remind us to keep protecting ourselves, our loved ones and our neighbors by doing what works:
- Wearing a mask, washing your hands, maintaining social distance, and staying home when you feel sick.
Getting a free COVID-19 test. Testing is encouraged and available to everyone, whether or not you have symptoms. It’s one of the best ways to stop the spread of COVID-19 and help prevent exposing your loved ones to the virus. Find more information about how to get a test on the Hennepin County COVID-19 Website.
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Share what would help you waste less food
We love food, which is why most of us hate seeing it go to waste. By taking steps to reduce food waste, you can ensure the money you spend on your food and the energy, land, and water it takes to grow it and get it to you doesn’t go to waste. Reducing food waste is also one of the most important actions we can take to address climate change.
Help Hennepin County understand more about food waste so we can work together to reduce it! Take the 5 minute survey to provide insights into how you interact with food – from shopping, storage, cooking, and finally disposal – and how the county can support you in preventing food waste. Your responses will be used to create better resources that help residents reduce food waste.
This survey is open to all Hennepin County residents, with a special focus on getting responses from people living in multifamily housing. So if you live in an apartment building, please share this with your neighbors or ask your property manager to distribute it!
The survey is open until March 1. Take the food waste survey now.
Contact us
Marion Greene
Commissioner, 3rd District
612-348-7883
Elie Farhat
Principal Aide
612-348-7125
Laura Hoffman
District Aide
612-348-0863
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