A model leader who laughed, listened and lifted others up

The following column originally appeared in a number of APG of East Central Minnesota newspapers during August and September, 2024 including SunthisWeek,  the Press and News,   Monticello Times and Union Eagle.

 

A model leader who laughed, listened and lifted others up

 

As we consider who to elect this fall, let’s remember the legacy of George Latimer.

Latimer, who passed on Aug. 18 at age 89, was elected St. Paul’s mayor four times, 1976-1990, longer than anyone in history, because people loved him.

 

F

George Latimer – photo copyright St Paul Pioneer Press

While a DFLer, Latimer listened to a wide range of people. Ella Thayer, his administrative assistant for many years remembers, “he was so positive. Businesspeople and Republicans respected him because he’d compromise, and significantly expand businesses, which meant more jobs.”

Latimer was also courageous. In the middle of a mayoral campaign, Latimer was asked to block the placement of a Job Corp Center near the State Fair. Some neighbors thought the young people who would live and be trained there might be dangerous. Latimer listened to them and the people planning the program. Despite vigorous, even vicious attacks on him, Latimer concluded that strong security arrangements were in place. He approved it. The program is still there today. It’s helped thousands of youngsters.

Another time, there was a controversy about a “porn shop” located on University Avenue. Many nearby residents wanted it gone. Latimer, a believer in free speech, felt that the store had a right to be there. Community residents asked to meet with him.

Latimer recalled, when we talked about this years later, “one of the people, a mother, explained that when she and her daughters walked near the store to catch a bus, men made lewd remarks and asked them if they were for hire.” That mother asked Latimer, “You’re married and have daughters. Would you want them to have to endure this?”

Latimer understood. The city bought the store, closed it, and replaced it with a public library.

Deb Henton, then a St. Paul Public Schools administrator, met with George and his wife Nancy, a foundation official who strongly promoted quality early childhood education. Though in declining health, Nancy helped St Paul create one of Minnesota’s first district early childhood programs. Henton, now executive director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators, says he “was a devoted husband, affable and… he just radiated positivity and hope.”

Latimer made people of all ages, and backgrounds feel important. Kent Pekel recalls how he gave a speech at his high school graduation. Early the next morning, Latimer called. When he got out of bed and took the call, Pekel says Mayor Latimer boomed: “That was a great speech. Send it to me immediately!”

The mayor was there because his son Tom also graduated that night.

Pekel, now Rochester Public Schools superintendent, remembers:

“My 18-year-old self thanked the mayor and went back to bed, thinking I could put a copy of the speech in the mail later because the mayor really wanted to reread it someday when he had some extra time. A couple hours later, however, the mayor’s assistant called back and said the mayor wanted a copy of the speech right away.”

So, Pekel took the speech to the mayor’s office.

The next morning, “the Pioneer Press reprinted a large section of the speech.” Pekel learned that Latimer had called the newspaper’s editor and urged them to print it.

I knew Latimer because as a public school teacher, I taught his oldest daughter at a K-12 innovative district public school option. Latimer, a St Paul school board member at the time, helped convince the district to offer this as an option. It has won awards and is still operating.

This was the beginning of a 53-year friendship. Among other things, I managed two of his mayoral campaigns.

Latimer didn’t always succeed. He ran for Governor against Rudy Perpich, and lost, badly. He laughed and went on to be Dean at Hamline Law School. Bill Clinton made him a national advisor on affordable housing. He was always trying to elevate others.

Henton, who also served as North Branch Area Public Schools superintendent, told me, “I am a better person for having known and lived in a city led by George Latimer.”

In a 2017 essay published in the Pioneer Press, Latimer wrote, ‘An important part of the mayor’s job is to be a bridge builder between… communities.” Here is a link to that story.

Here’s a link to a 2023 Minnesota Public Radio interview with Gary Eichten and Latimer:

As we consider who to elect this fall, I hope we’ll look for compassionate, open, courageous, bridge-builders like George Latimer.

Joe Nathan, PhD, formerly was a Minnesota Public School educator and PTA president.  He currently is co-director of the Center for School Change. Reactions welcome, joe@centerforschoolchange.org