WOOD LAKE (KMHL) – The mayor of an area small town has written Gov. Tim Walz urging the governor to re-open small businesses across the state.
Wood Lake Mayor David Stelter says the decision to close “non-essential” businesses has caused real life consequences for small businesses, employees and the small communities they are in.
“As a result of the emergency executive orders and EE020-48, our bars, casinos, restaurants, salons, fitness centers, daycare providers, churches, small retail businesses and many countless individuals have been seriously and irreversibly affected by the resulting economic slowdown,” writes Stelter.
Stelter went on to say that these rural communities can easily comply with Minnesota Health Department and CDC guidelines for mitigation strategies.
“The big box stores have somehow fallen under ‘Essential’ and are allowed to be open,” writes Stelter. “There are more folks in these stores in nearby towns then we have in the entire city of Wood Lake! These local small businesses most certainly contribute less risk to the health of the community then the ‘Big Box’ stores that we are forced to utilize in their stead.”
Stelter closed his letter to the governor questioning the constitutionality of the executive stay at home order and asked the governor not to ignore the request.
