By J.B. Fitzsimmons | Gloucester Correspondent
GLOUCESTER — The votes are counted, the oaths are administered, and Paul Lundberg is now officially the 67th mayor of Gloucester — and he is embracing the number in an effort to reach the city’s youth.
“This is Mayor Six Seven reporting for civic duty,” Lundberg announced Thursday morning in a 10-second TikTok posted from the Harbormaster’s Office parking lot. In the clip, he stares solemnly into the camera, then says: “No cap. Day one finna hit diff.”
In advance of the formal ceremonies, Lundberg strode into City Hall wearing a black hoodie reading “#67inYoHeart #1InYoAgenda.” He greeted staff with a round of fist bumps and a solemn “let’s get this bread.”
Lundberg’s inauguration was streamed on Twitch, complete with a “Victory Royale” graphic and a lo-fi beats playlist. His oath of office was followed by a Fortnite emote.
“First order of business,” he said in a brief press statement. “Make City Hall less cringe, more based. Also, fix potholes.”
When asked about his broader municipal priorities, Lundberg responded, “We’re talking big vibes only. Coastal resilience, housing affordability, and no more NPC energy at the Council table. Real ones only.”
In an effort to involve more diverse — and younger — voices in city planning, Lundberg has launched a City of Gloucester Discord server, where residents can share feedback via emoji reacts and participate in the weekly “Let’s Argue” VC (voice chat).
The mayor’s first official memo, posted as a Snapchat story, outlines several planned initiatives:
- The Rizz Garden: A new urban green space downtown with solar benches, selfie mirrors, and charging ports.
- Operation Fix Yo Roads: A youth-led audit of local potholes using GoPros and scooters.
- Glo Up Gloucester: A proposed digital rebrand campaign with the tagline “Come Thru 01930.”
Reactions to Lundberg’s unique approach to youth outreach were mixed.
“This guy speaks like TikTok and a white Monster Energy had a baby,” said GHS junior Sadie Rodolosi, who voted in the election as part of a mock student government project. “But like… in a slay way?”
“I wish him well,” said former mayor Greg Verga. “But I also hope he realizes that emoji policies are not binding under the Massachusetts General Laws.”
“At one point during a meeting, he dabbed after someone seconded a motion,” said one city councilor, speaking on condition of anonymity. “I don’t know what to do with that.”
Whether Mayor Six Seven is ushering in a new civic renaissance or just spamming the group chat with cringe remains to be seen. As his first day wrapped up, Lundberg stood outside City Hall sipping an oat milk latte and gazing at the harbor.
“I’m just a small-town guy with a big-town rizz,” he said. “Gloucester’s about to glow up. We’re taking this city from cod-tier to god-tier.”
The Dogtown Reader 