Roger Reinert Sworn In As Duluth Mayor

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s been slightly less than a year since Roger Reinert announced that he was running for mayor.  And on Tuesday, it was the culmination as he was sworn in as Duluth’s 40th mayor.

In the rotunda area of City Hall, with other elected officials, including former mayor Emily Larson, city council members, and the general public in attendance, Roger Reinert expressed his thankfulness for becoming Duluth’s mayor and spoke about what it means to him.

Reinert said, “You have entrusted me with Duluth’s next chapter, and I do not take that responsibility lightly.”

In his address, the new mayor talked about past mayors and a little of the history of this, the third city hall building,  and that he’s looking forward to his State of the City address.

“There will be other opportunities to speak more directly to taxes and the budget and city services, talk about streets and utilities and public safety, our parks and our libraries, and our community centers to discuss housing and tax base development and city infrastructure in downtown Duluth,” said Reinert. “We will do much of that and my State of the City speech somewhere around the 100-day mark.”

The need for all community members to have a greater sense of pride in the City was touched on.

“Well, I mean, part of what now is trying to, to make sure that I’m igniting that civic pride that we want to have this community, you know, on election night, I said, don’t wait to be asked, right? Don’t ask permission. If you see something, get after it,” said Reinert.

Reinert gave an example of everyone pitching in saying that when he came into city hall last week there was some paper on the floor. He took it upon himself to pick it up and throw it away.  He said it was not a big deal it didn’t move the needle but was an example of working together.

“So let’s be proud of being Duluthian’s, let’s be deep in that civic pride,” said Reinert. “And in that place, find the commonality that allows us to work across other differences. To help move our community forward.”