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JEFF HORWICH: Like so many small Minnesota towns, the Saint Joseph phone book features an abundance of family names, like Kline and Loso, that stretch back more than 100 years. Local legend Peter Loso founded this town in 1854. Friendships and disagreements here can be dated in decades. But Saint Joseph also has an average age of 22. Strictly by the numbers, that would make 23-year-old Mayor Larry Hosch, middle-aged.

LARRY HOSCH: Well, you couldn't ask for a better evening.

JEFF HORWICH: Mobilizing student votes from the College of Saint Benedict and nearby Saint John's University helped unseat a two-term mayor and sweep Hosch, a Saint John's graduate the previous spring, into office last November. Two of four council seats went to the mayor's roommate and a grounds manager from the college.

LARRY HOSCH: Nice to meet you.

JEFF HORWICH: To many, the shift was only a matter of time, maybe even overdue. To the former mayor and some older residents, it felt like losing control of Saint Joseph. To Hosch, it's still something of an adventure, like the dedication this week of a new entrance to Saint Benedict's Monastery.

So was a ribbon cutting for you a special occasion, or do you have those every week?

LARRY HOSCH: This is my first one, so it's neat.

JEFF HORWICH: Hosch begins his day at 5:00 each morning to combine full-time work as a roofer with 30 hours a week as mayor. City Council members agree, working hard and listening closely have helped the Coon Rapids native gain some ground with skeptics. Hosch recalls an exchange with an older resident, furious about a zoning change the council was backing.

LARRY HOSCH: After that, she said that she didn't vote for me. She thought I was going to be horrible for the community. And then, she said, but next time you run, I'm voting for you, though. And I think that's happened for a lot of people, that they've realized that the rumors weren't true.

JEFF HORWICH: The main rumor that dogs Hosch, both among some of his fans and his detractors, is that his agenda favors partying students and bar owners over other law-abiding townspeople. Former Mayor Ken Hemans, who didn't want to speak on tape, says he's still flagged down in public by citizens who feel defeated, outnumbered, and afraid. When the police chief resigned without explanation this month, it added fuel to that fire and has given Hosch his first major public relations challenge.

Many believe the chief was pushed out by the city because of overzealous enforcement of speeding, noise, and alcohol violations. Former Mayor Hemans and his supporters think the chief was doing just fine. Hosch is legally prevented from commenting on the decision, but says the town's laws will continue to be carried out fairly and consistently.

Some prominent descendants of the town founder say they want to give their young mayor a fair shake. Dick Loso owns Loso's Store downtown. He likes to keep his nose out of local politics, but he says Hosch is a good kid who seems honest and well-meaning. And his age?

DICK LOSO: It has nothing to do with it. I mean, because you can have somebody with 40 years experience in world living and still be a door knob. I mean, age doesn't dictate that you're bright, or you're not bright. I think, like I said, time will tell how they do.

JEFF HORWICH: Bob Loso, Dick's cousin, many times removed, is the veteran member of the city council, and now, suddenly, at 49, Saint Joseph's elder statesman. He and Hosch don't always agree, but they get along. Loso says Hosch has had to find his way like any new mayor, but now brings more authority in order to city meetings than he's seen in years.

BOB LOSO: The first couple of meetings, just sitting back watching, giving him the benefit. I mean, you've got to learn somehow. He fumbled a little bit. but overall, he's doing good.

SPEAKER: Wonderful.

[SINGING] Hallelujah. Amen.

JEFF HORWICH: The crowd at this week's ribbon cutting was not the toughest group Hosch will meet. He's backed here by a large number of nuns, and a handbell choir. But he's got stickier issues ahead, many of which involve Saint Joseph's larger neighbor, handling the flow of growth from nearby Saint Cloud, directing the growing flow of Saint Joseph's sewage into Saint Cloud, deciding on regional efforts to spur affordable housing. While he works on solutions, the young mayor plans to stick to his formula of making friends, listening closely, and doing his homework. Jeff Horwich, Minnesota Public Radio, Saint Joseph.