Internet Explorer 11 is not supported

For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.

Hail to What's His Name

There was no fanfare, no Supreme Court justices sitting on their hands, no heroic figures occupying a place of honor next to his wife. Nonetheless, ...

There was no fanfare, no Supreme Court justices sitting on their hands, no heroic figures occupying a place of honor next to his wife. Nonetheless, George Tourville, the mayor of Inver Grove Heights, gave the first State of the City address in his town's history last week.

According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the occasion was part of a growing trend of small city mayors offering such reports on very local conditions. "The role of the mayor has become more of the role of communicator with the public and more of the identity figure for the city," Kevin Frazell of the League of Minnesota Cities told the paper. "It's more important for that office to give those reports as well."

About 20 people showed up for Tourville's maiden effort, although more may have watched on cable. "It's nice a few people showed up," he said. "I do think people care."

Alan Greenblatt is the editor of Governing. He can be found on Twitter at @AlanGreenblatt.
Special Projects