Patch Candidate Profile: Brad Wiersum For Minnetonka Mayor

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles over the coming weeks.

William Bornhoft • Posted Wed, Oct 27, 2021 at 10:21 am CT • Updated Wed, Oct 27, 2021 at 10:23 am CT • Source

MINNETONKA, MN — Next week, Minnetonka residents will vote in a crucial city mayoral election. Mayor Brad Wiersum is running for reelection this fall. He is running against challenger John Kuhl. Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles over the coming weeks.

Brad Wiersum

Town of Residence: 68

Position sought: Minnetonka Mayor

Party Affiliation: Non-affiliated

Family: Spouse: Karen, married 38 years. Four adult children, Jennifer, 36, Amy, 36, Matt, 34, Andy, 32

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No.

Education:

B.A. Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI.

MBA, University of Minnesota Graduate School of Business.

Occupation:

Mayor of Minnetonka (3+ years), Minnetonka City Council (15 years), Retired after a 40+ year career as a senior executive in the Food and Ag products industries.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Minnetonka Mayor (3+ years), Minnetonka City Council (15 years)

Why are you seeking elective office?

Minnetonka is an outstanding city and I am honored to lead it. The past eighteen months have been among the most difficult times in our history. The COVID-19 pandemic and the issues of justice and equity for all residents have challenged leadership to critically examine how our residents are served by the city.

Much has been accomplished in my time as mayor. Among these accomplishments are construction of a new, state-of-the-art public safety facility, addition of new trails and park amenities, implementation of the Minnetonka Sustainability Commission, establishment of a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force.

I am most proud of providing leadership to navigate Minnetonka through the treacherous waters of the past eighteen months. I am committed to keeping the city of Minnetonka on its path of excellence and to provide the experienced, proven and non-partisan leadership that our city of 54,000 residents needs and demands.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The most pressing issue facing Minnetonka is having strong, experienced leadership as the city continues to deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and deals with the change that has accompanied the past twenty months. The impacts have been physical, mental and economic. Helping our residents and businesses move forward successfully is essential. It is about people. Public safety is a critical aspect of this. Following the unrest in our region, and the pandemic, our city needs to self-evaluate and determine how we can work to improve public safety so that residents and visitors, of all races, religions and creeds feel safe and welcome in Minnetonka. I intend to listen well and pursue policies and improvements that reflect on the city's strong commitment to excellence and to fairness and inclusion. We cannot be satisfied with our past. we must work to continue to learn and improve. I am committed to doing exactly that.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The essential difference is that I hold five election certificates and I have held elective office for more than eighteen years. The experience gained working on city issues in Minnetonka and in making connections in our region and across the state and nation is of incalculable value. When Minnetonka faces challenging issues, I have both experience and relationships that can help the city develop strong, objective solutions that work. I am non-partisan, in my role as mayor, but also personally. I have no partisan affiliation. I seek to do what is best for all of Minnetonka. I do not see being mayor as an opportunity to promote a partisan agenda. I see it as an opportunity to serve all residents of Minnetonka honestly and objectively.

How do you think local officials are performing in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

As mayor, I worked to strike a balance between hope! and danger! Minnetonka residents needed to hear encouraging, positive words from their leaders. At the same time, I worked to encourage our residents to heed public health recommendations and to take action to be safe. The pandemic is not just about me. It is about all of us, and as a leader I worked to share accurate information and to share appropriate recommendations on how to be safe and how to keep others safe. We all must be respectful of others.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

My campaign theme is "PROVEN LEADERSHIP FOR MINNETONKA." I offer that more than any candidate in the race. I offer the voters of Minnetonka EXPERIENCE, PROVEN LEADERSHIP, and a NON-PARTISAN perspective. My goal is to always do what is BEST FOR ALL MINNETONKA RESIDENTS.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Leading Minnetonka through the CCOVID-19 pandemic. Maintaining a fiscally responsible management approach and the city's Aaa bond rating. Expanding the Minnetonka trail system with a focus on connection within the city. Supporting Minnetonka Police and Fire and investing in and completing the new public safety facility. Demonstrating a commitment to the environment and sustainability. Having the city go 100% solar, and getting the Partners in Energy program completed and establishing the Minnetonka Sustainability Commission are significant. Providing strong steady leadership with a new and less-experienced city council is something that provides significant evidence of my ability to handle the job.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

"If a problem can be solved with money, it is not a big problem." For me, that really puts issues and challenges in perspective.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a people person, and I have compassion for fellow human beings. I have four kids, two of whom have severe physical and mental disabilities. My twin daughters, and my wonderful wife, Karen, have taught me more about the importance of love and compassion and joy than has any other experience in life. I am fortunate.

Source: https://patch.com/minnesota/minnetonka/patch-candidate-profile-brad-wiersum-minnetonka-mayor