Cloquet Mayor Bruce Ahlgren was recognized by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) Aug. 19 at the Coalition's three-day summer conference in Winona, Minn., for his excellence in service to greater Minnesota.
The Excellence in Service Award is given annually to a city leader who demonstrates knowledge, leadership, and active participation in CGMC program areas over the past year.
Since being elected in 1999, Ahlgren has been a strong advocate for greater Minnesota cities. During the 2010 session, Ahlgren was a regular attendee at the state Capitol, lobbying members and participating in CGMC press conferences. Ahlgren was also appointed to serve on the statutorily-created Local Government Aid Study Group, where he is poised to represent CGMC interests and improve the state-local partnership moving forward.
"Mayor Ahlgren has demonstrated outstanding leadership over the past years and has continuously given his time so that rural communities have a strong voice at the state Capitol," said CGMC President Timothy Strand, mayor of St. Peter. "Mayor Ahlgren has driven down to the Capitol, served as the spokesperson for the CGMC, and defended cities against deeper cuts that would have resulted in higher property taxes and reductions in critical local services. Mayor Ahlgren deserves a huge 'thank you' for his commitment to his community and rural cities across the state."
CGMC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization representing 75 cities outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Coalition educates legislators about issues important to greater Minnesota.
