A message from Mayor Brad Wiersum
Minnetonka residents:
It has been a while since you received a “Message from the Mayor.” Communicating from a city platform amid a municipal election campaign did not seem quite right. I missed you and it’s good to be back.
COVID-19 continues to dominate the headlines. Delta is waning and Omicron is raging. When it comes to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the underlying message is more important than ever. Vaccinations are the most potent weapon in stopping this virus. More than 81% of Hennepin County residents have received at least one vaccine dose since we first began offering them exactly one year ago. The challenge is to ensure everyone gets a booster. So far only 45% of Minnesotans have done that.
While Minnesota ranks 2nd in the nation for booster shots, that number needs to grow quickly to avoid a full-blown public health crisis. This fall our hospitals and healthcare workers were often pushed to the brink. This weekend some local activities were canceled or postponed because of COVID-19. When you get a vaccine, wear a mask and socially distance, you protect yourself and the friends and neighbors who stay on the job and make our world work in continued challenging times. This is important. We have the tools to bring this pandemic to an end. Please do your part. Get vaccinated and boosted. Here is a link to the latest data and information on how to get vaccinated. It is the kind, respectful and smart thing to do.
Public safety has been on our collective minds as well. Police Chief Scott Boerboom shared an excellent overview of what has taken place this year. Serious crime has not increased in Minnetonka, but auto thefts and burglaries have. Violent carjackings have also happened in nearby communities. Last Friday, I joined our police chief and acting city manager for a meeting with leaders from neighboring communities to discuss crime and how cities can work together to keep our cities safe. When one city experiences an increase in crime, it affects all of us.
This partnership will lead to a stronger response to crime across the metro area. Increased patrols and data sharing have already led to some arrests and we will work together to better understand how these cases are managed and prosecuted. We will share news of progress in the days and weeks ahead, including during my upcoming State of the City address.
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas! Please be safe, be kind and be well. You are in my thoughts and prayers...every day.
Sincerely,
Brad Wiersum
Mayor
City of Minnetonka
bwiersum@minnetonkamn.gov
612-723-3907
COVID–19 updates and resources
Visit the city's website to find COVID–19 information, updates and resources, and to sign up for email or text updates.
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