2 January 2024
DULUTH Roger Reinert became the city’s 40th mayor Tuesday afternoon as he took his oath of office before a standing-room-only crowd gathered in the lobby of City Hall.
Four past mayors were on the scene as well: John Fedo, Gary Doty, Don Ness and Emily Larson, whom Reinert defeated in November by garnering nearly 60% of the vote.
“It is with great honor and humility that I step into this role as your 40th mayor of the city of Duluth,” said Reinert in his inaugural address.
Reinert reflected on how Duluth’s past mayors have left a lasting mark on the city.
He told Fedo, who served as mayor from 1979 to 1992: “You showed us the value of thinking outside the box, in reinventing ourselves.” Reinert credited Fedo for seeing past the shoreland salvage yards of the day and helping to transform the area into today’s Canal Park, which he called “a premier destination in the state of Minnesota and a favorite place to visit for both tourists and locals alike.”
Reinert thanked Doty, who served as mayor from 1992 to 2004: “You showed us what it looks like to focus on business and our economy and how to be mindful of our tax burden.” He noted that Cirrus Aircraft, now the leading manufacturer of piston-engine airplanes on the planet, brought its headquarters to Duluth under Doty’s leadership.
As for Ness, Reinert said: “You showed us what it looked like to lead in really difficult times, to confront challenges that many said could not be solved and to find tangible practical ways to move our city forward.” In particular, he cited Ness’ work to rein in runaway health benefit costs for retired city staff and to install the necessary infrastructure to stop sewage overflows that threatened the health of local waters.
Finally, addressing Larson, who left office after serving two terms as the first woman elected to be the city’s mayor, Reinert said: “You showed us what it looks like to lead with compassion, to be a community where all are truly welcome, and to bring the heart of a social worker to the all-too-often unfeeling and dispassionate halls of government.”
Reinert got a bit choked up remembering Herb Bergson, who served as mayor of Duluth from 2004 to 2008, becoming the first and only person to be elected to the top city office on both sides of the bridge. “Herb wore his heart on his sleeve. And if you spent any time at all with Herb, any time at all. You watched him give that heart away over and over and over again.”
Bergson died of cancer complications in 2022. “Herb, you are missed, and I know that your spirit is with us,” Reinert said.
He said he will wait until his State of the City address, approximately 100 days into his administration, to lay out his plans and priorities in greater detail.
“But days like today are meant to be marked, to be a bit ceremonial, to appreciate time, to appreciate history and to appreciate place,” he said.
“My fellow Duluthians, this place is special. Our community is special. The city we get to call home Duluth, Minnesota is special. The greatest port on the greatest of the Great Lakes,” Reinert said.
“I stand here today in this place, filled with hope and excitement and a sense of profound responsibility, the responsibility that comes with this office,” he said.
“We spent months talking about the work, and now we get to do it. You have entrusted me with Duluth’s next chapter, and I do not take that responsibility lightly,” Reinert said.
“We have work to do, and we all have a part to play in that work. So, now, let’s go get after it,” he said.
Reinert has been quick to reshape his leadership team, replacing City Administrator Noah Schuchman with David Montgomery, who has come out of retirement to serve in that role on an interim basis. Montgomery served as Duluth’s chief administrative officer for nine years under Mayors Ness and Larson before temporarily retiring.
Reinert also has replaced City Attorney Rebecca St. George with Jessica Fralich, a referee for the 6th Judicial District Court.
Schuchman will receive six months’ pay and benefits as part of a $111,332 severance package. St. George will receive four months’ pay and benefits, amounting to just over $59,000, as she leaves her post.
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