New City Councilor: Patrick Boyle

Second District Duluth City Councilor Patrick Boyle has long been active in the community: He was one of the founding members of the Friends of the Lakewalk, and is active in the Duluth Preservation Alliance, Peace United Church of Christ and as a volunteer at the Damiano Center, among other things.

Boyle, who has a Master of Arts degree in nursing from the College of St. Catherine, works as a nurse practitioner for the Fond du Lac tribe.

He and his wife, Jennifer, have two daughters, Mary and Clare.

Budgeteer: What are you hoping to accomplish as a city councilor in 2010?

Boyle: I am excited to work with the Planning Committee for the city of Duluth in updating the zoning codes, something which has not been tackled in over 50 years. This is especially important in the Second District regarding college housing. Another important goal for this year is to continue improving infrastructure. This includes continuing the plan of 100 miles of new street improvements in five years, and to continue to improve lateral sewer lines.

While you were door knocking and talking to voters before the election, what issues did you hear about the most? What do you think are the top issues for Duluthians?

It took me over five months, but I was able to door-knock the entire Second District. This gave me valuable information on the unique stresses affecting the different neighborhoods within the district. The major issues included college housing and the “300-foot rule,” street improvements and maintaining vital city services such as police, fire and snow-plowing.

How do you plan to communicate with your constituents while you’re in office? Will you be holding regular meet-and-greets, things like that?

Keeping an open line of communication is vital to being a city councilor. I will be very accessible via e-mail (write to pboyle

@duluthmn.gov) or by calling me at 728-4185.

I always enjoy meeting face-to-face with neighbors over a cup of coffee to

discuss city issues.

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