I tried to stir up some controversy over the latest annual literacy survey put out by Central Connecticut State University that ranks St. Paul 12th in the nation, behind such literary enclaves as Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

But St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman’s office and the city library director wouldn’t bite.

Kit Hadley, St. Paul’s library director, noted that nothing really has changed in the city since 2009 and 2010, when St. Paul was rated No. 7.

And as to any concerns that the listing means St. Paul has somehow fallen from literacy grace:

“We clearly live in an age of hyperbole when being the 12th most literate city in the U.S. qualifies one for the stone age,” she said, in a most literate statement.

And the response when I asked mayor’s office for a quote about the outrage of such a ranking:

“No comment on it. We’re pretty busy over here with other stuff,” said Clarise Tushie-Lessard, the mayor’s press secretary.

Maybe I could have gotten a more Gingrich-like reaction if I’d mentioned that Minneapolis is third on the list.

Or that Washington, D.C., is first.