David Drew’s 5 Questions With Hermantown Mayor Wayne Boucher

All week long the 'Our Town' feature has focused on the great city of Hermantown. We've learned interesting facts about the city, revisited some sports highlights and more. Now it's time to sit down and talk to the man who in charge of this growing city.

Mayor Wayne Boucher was gracious enough to break away from a busy schedule to answer my questions:

Hello Mayor Boucher. Before we begin with my actual five questions, I just wanted you to know that my dad grew up in Hermantown and I spent a lot of time in the city with him and my Grandpa growing up. He graduated from Hermantown High School in the early 50’s and he used to sing a fight song that went ‘Hermantown, all hail thee we salute our blue and gold’….Do you remember that old song?

I believe that is an old school song. I am not familiar with it but anything that bolsters school sprit will also strengthen community spirit. I think we should all learn and sing it!

Thank you for validating my dad's claim about that being an old fight song. Dad, you are right and you are not insane. Now, on to my questions.

Q:

Hermantown is a booming city, what are you most excited about in the near future for your city?

A:

I am excited about the involvement of the entire community in the “Advance Hermantown” Initiative. The community has the opportunity work together for a well planned future. There are many goals and objectives (destiny drivers) that require good planning and sustained efforts to be achieved.

Q:

That sounds great! What are the biggest challenges you face as Mayor or that he city faces?

A:

The biggest challenge by far is how to provide quality services to our residents with shrinking or stagnant revenue sources. We have around 9500 citizens that deserve quality services like:

Police and Fire protection
Utilities like sewer and water.
Good roads and streets.
Useable parks and recreation facilities.

We are doing our best to provide these services on a meager budget. (The City budget is around $4 million per year. A small amount compared to other cities of our size)

These city services are demanded even more as our business and residential areas grow. The only way we will be able to increase city services is by finding a way to pay for them.

Q:

Paying for things is always a pain. Now, on to the pressing issues. What are your 3 all-time favorite
songs?

A:

Back On My Feet Again – The Baby's

Na na na na, hey hey hey - Steam

If I should fall from the grace of God - The Pogues (from the Subaru commercial)

Q:

If you could be one of The Avengers, who would you be and why?

A:

I would choose to be Captain America because he has endured and held true to his values for many years! Many people have tried to replace him but Steve Rogers IS Captain America!