Eagle Scout project completed for Hopkins

• Tweet
• 
• 
• 

• Tweet
• 
• 
• 

After more than 50 hours of work in the span of two weeks, Minnetonka High School student Garrett Leatherman completed his Eagle Scout project this past August.

Not only will this project help Garrett achieve his Eagle Scout status, but it also provided a civic benefit to Hopkins.

Earlier this year, Garrett, of Troop 346, approached the city and proposed a project that would entail redoing the community bulletin board near the entrance to city hall, said Hopkins Assistant City Manager James Genellie.

“We were happy to oblige him because that board had been there probably at least as long as I’ve been here, which means it’s been there for a long time,” said Genellie, adding that the old bulletin board was in rough shape.

Garrett and his father, Steve Leatherman, bought materials from local businesses to replace the old, green bulletin board. Garret also built a shingled, overhanging roof for the new bulletin board to protect posted announcements from rain and snow and other inclement weather.

Garrett, his father and other friends and Boy Scouts helped with the project, logging more than 175 total hours Aug. 17-31.

Hopkins Public Works assisted in removing the materials from the old board, but Garrett was responsible for the bulk of the work.

For his efforts, Garrett was recognized at the Oct. 16 Hopkins City Council meeting for his contribution.

Though his Eagle Scout project has been completed, Garrett has to wait a little while longer before becoming an Eagle Scout.

“As soon as I’m done with my board of review, I’ll officially be an Eagle Scout, but that’s going to be in 90 days or so,” he said.

At the Oct. 16 meeting, Garrett expressed his appreciation to the city for working with him on his project.

“I just wanted to take the time to thank Mr. Genellie and the city of Hopkins for giving me this opportunity to prove myself as an Eagle and also helping out the city of Hopkins,” Garrett said at the Oct. 16 meeting. “So, thank you for that.”

“I know a Scout is supposed to be prepared, but I don’t exactly know what else to say besides that,” he continued, eliciting laughs from the council, city staff and meeting attendees.

“You did a really nice job,” Mayor Gene Maxwell told Garrett. “We’d like to thank you very much for your time and effort and congratulations.”