Luverne Mayor Pat Baustian was honored with the President’s Award from the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) on July 28 during the Coalition’s three-day summer conference in Red Wing.
The award marks the culmination of Baustian’s tenure as president of the CGMC.
During his year-long term as president, Baustian led events such as the CGMC’s “Lobby Day” at the State Capitol and served as the organization’s primary spokesperson through numerous guest columns and interviews with state and local media.
He has also been active in efforts to recruit and maintain relationships with CGMC members and increase the strength of the organization.
CGMC Executive Director Bradley Peterson said Baustian has been a vocal advocate for legislative priorities such as Local Government Aid, clean water infrastructure, economic development, funding for city streets and highway projects in Greater Minnesota and exploring solutions to the workforce housing and child care shortages.
“Mayor Baustian has all the qualities you want in a president,” said CGMC Executive Director Bradley Peterson.
“This year brought on a lot of challenges, but he tackled each problem head-on. There were days when he was inundated with phone calls, letters and emails, but he handled each one with thoughtful consideration. Mayor Baustian’s steady leadership helped guide Greater Minnesota cities through a tumultuous legislative session and prepared us for the critical challenges still ahead.”
CGMC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization representing more than 100 cities outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
The Coalition educates legislators about issues important to Greater Minnesota.