We, the undersigned residents  of Inver Grove Heights, write to express our formal lack of confidence in the leadership of Mayor Brenda Dietrich. A mayor’s primary duty is to protect the public trust, foster open communication, and prioritize the tangible economic and community needs of the city. Under Mayor Dietrich’s administration, we have seen a troubling shift away from collaborative governance toward a pattern of oppositional behavior, unilateral decision-making, and the active silencing of public input.

For many residents of Inver Grove Heights, our city council meetings have become a source of frustration and disbelief. As community members who believe in participating actively in our city’s governance, it has been disheartening to witness multiple instances where public comments have been unjustly shut down by our mayor. This consistent behavior not only violates the principles of transparency and open communication but also undermines our faith in the leadership meant to represent us.

A functioning local government relies entirely on the voices of its constituents, yet the current administration has repeatedly treated public feedback as an obstacle rather than a necessity. This pattern was vividly illustrated during a highly contentious City Council meeting concerning massive local data center developments. Rather than allowing residents to voice valid concerns regarding a critical zoning moratorium and large-scale industrial proposals, Mayor Dietrich and the council abruptly voted to adjourn the meeting before a single resident could speak.
To further evade accountability, the meeting was aggressively rescheduled for a Friday morning—a time when the vast majority of working-class residents are entirely unable to attend or participate. This tactical use of sudden adjournments and daytime scheduling is a direct effort to dodge public oversight, suppress local opposition, and shut out the very community the council is elected to serve.
 
Prioritizing Rhetoric Over Public Safety and Anti-ICE Concerns
Mayor Dietrich’s oppositional behavior is not limited to local zoning disputes; it extends to how she handles complex broader political matters, creating unnecessary friction within the community. When residents and advocates have raised concerns regarding municipal interactions with federal immigration enforcement (ICE) and sought clear policies to protect vulnerable local neighbors, her response has been marked by defensive, dismissive, and oppositional posturing.
Instead of addressing these anxieties with a unifying approach to public safety and human rights, the administration has weaponized the issue to signal partisan alignment. By treating valid anti-ICE humanitarian concerns as political attacks rather than legitimate community anxieties, the Mayor has alienated a substantial portion of the community and fractured trust between residents and city leadership.
 
Oppositional Governance and Ideological Distractions
While our city faces crucial infrastructure, utility, and economic choices, Mayor Dietrich has routinely engaged in an oppositional style of governance that favors divisive political posturing over practical leadership. Her heavy-handed push to revert the municipality to the retired 1983 state flag design stands as another prime example of choosing ideological battles over local progress.
Critics, including regional business networks like the River Heights Chamber of Commerce Voter Guides, have continuously highlighted that this focus on symbolic, partisan debates distracts from addressing sustainable economic growth. By treating dissenting opinions—from both the public and fellow council members—with hostility and avoidance, the Mayor has fostered a toxic, non-collaborative environment in chambers.
 
 
Our Call to Action
Inver Grove Heights deserves leadership that welcomes public feedback, respects the open meeting process, protects all residents, and works strictly to improve the community's economic well-being. Because Mayor Brenda Dietrich has repeatedly chosen political maneuvering, oppositional behavior, and executive avoidance over transparent public service, we petition for immediate accountability, structural oversight, and her removal from the office of Mayor.Inver Grove Heights deserves a leader who is receptive to the ideas and concerns of all residents, fostering a collaborative and respectful environment. The hallmarks of effective governance include openness to dialogue, respect for citizen input, and a commitment to serving the community’s best interests. Unfortunately, these values are currently not being reflected in our city’s administration.

By removing the current mayor, we have the opportunity to restore integrity and responsiveness to the mayoral office. We need leadership that truly listens and responds to the community's needs, a leader who encourages community participation rather than stifling it.

I urge you to sign this petition to demand change in our city’s leadership. Let us come together as a community to advocate for the transparent and collaborative governance that Inver Grove Heights deserves. Your signature is a step toward a more inclusive and accountable local government.