By Tom McClimon
December 7, 2009

"Learn from your other mayors and put their ideas to work in your own community" was one of the messages given to new and newly'elected mayors at a seminar for new mayors held at Harvard University. Eighteen incoming mayors'elect or new mayors from larger cities from across the country gathered at the John F. Kennedy School of Government for a three'day seminar on exercising leadership and promoting effective public policy.

The 18th biennial Seminar on Transition and Leadership for Newly'Elected Mayors, co'sponsored by the Conference of Mayors and the Institute of Politics, was held November 18'20. The newly'elected mayors participated in a number of sessions led by current and former mayors, academicians, and practitioners. Participation is limited to new mayors who represent cities over 75,000 in population. Focusing on training for new city leaders, topics included transitioning from the campaign to city hall, budgeting and finance, ethics, marketing your city and press and public relations.

Participating new and newly'elected mayors were: Linda Balzotti, Brockton (MA); Bryan Baum, Longmont (CO); John Curtis, Provo; John Dickert, Racine (WI); William Flanagan, Fall River; Bill Foster, St. Petersburg; Ted Gatsas, Manchester; Harvey Johnson, Jackson (MS); Tom Norton, Greeley, (CO); Joe O'Brien, Worcester; Judy Paul, Davie (FL); Andre Quintero, El Monte (CA); Todd Rogers, Lakewood, (CA); Robert Sabonjian, Waukegan; Dayne Walling, Flint; Setti Warren, Newton; AC Wharton, Memphis; and Mike Winder, West Valley City, (UT).

Conference of Mayors President Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels led the list of current and former mayors who participated as faculty members for the program. Nickels challenged the new mayors to "lead by example" particularly when it comes to establishing climate protection policies for their cities. The mayor also encouraged the new mayors to "take other mayors' ideas and trademark them as your own" and to learn from other mayors' best practices.

In addition to Nickels, four other past Conference of Mayors presidents served as faculty members for the program. Past Presidents Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer, Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson and former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz served on a panel dealing with challenges brought on by the national economy. Abramson also participated on the "Transitioning from the Campaign to City Hall" session. Additionally, Past President Akron Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic participated in the session on "Marketing and Branding Your City."

Conference Vice President Burnsville (MN) Mayor Elizabeth Kautz welcomed the new mayors at the opening luncheon by congratulating them to the "most exciting job in the world" and encouraged their participation in The U.S. Conference of Mayors. Other mayors who served as faculty members were: Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch who participated in the transitioning session; Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and Providence Mayor David Cicilline participated in the marketing and branding session; Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett shared with the mayors his views on press relations; Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro led the discussion on improving your local education system; and Rochester (NY) Mayor Robert Duffy shared with the new mayors his thoughts on dealing with public safety and police issues.

Philadelphia Mayor Mike Nutter joined with the Conference's leadership of Mayors Nickels and Kautz in a public forum for students and faculty on the challenges faced by cities in today's economic climate.

Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran and former Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell, who is the current director of the Institute of Politics, served as the seminar's moderators.

An evening event was held at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, where the mayors and newly'elected mayors were able to view the museum as well as for the first time be able to gather in the family's personal quarters. Dan Fenn, former staff assistant to President John F. Kennedy, and Founding Director of the Library shared with the mayors some of his personal reflections of the past president.

Back row left to right, USCM CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran, Institute of Politics Director and former Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell, Worcester (MA) Mayor'Elect Joe O'Brien, Lakewood (CA) Mayor Todd Rogers, West Valley City (UT) Mayor'Elect Mike Winder, Provo (UT) Mayor'Elect John Curtis, Racine (WI) Mayor John Dickert, St. Petersburg (FL) Mayor'Elect Bill Foster, Waukegan (IL) Mayor Robert Sabonjian, and Longmont (CO) Mayor'Elect Bryan Baum. Front row left to right, Brockton (MA) Mayor'Elect Linda Balzotti, Jackson (MS) Mayor Harvey Johnson, El Monte (CA) Mayor'Elect Andre Quintero, Memphis (TN) Mayor A.C. Wharton, Flint (MI) Mayor Dayne Walling, Davie (FL) Mayor'Elect Judy Paul, Greeley (CO) Mayor Tom Norton, and Fall River (MA) Mayor'Elect William Flanagan.