By Tom McClimon
December 8, 2003

"There is no book to read to learn how to be a mayor, you learn by doing the job" was a piece of advice offered by Conference of Mayors President Hempstead (NY) Mayor James A. Garner to new and newly-elected mayors who gathered November 19-21 at Harvard University. This program, "Seminar on Transition and Leadership for Newly-Elected Mayors" sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the Institute of Politics at the John. F. Kennedy School of Government, brought together newly-elected mayors with experienced mayors, Harvard faculty, and senior executives from public and private organizations to discuss issues that will be facing the new mayors as they assume office.

New and newly-elected mayors participating in the program were:Bill Euille, Alexandria (VA); John Callahan, Bethlehem; Yvonne Scarlett-Golden, Daytona Beach; John Hickenlooper, Denver; Frank Cownie, Des Moines; Vicki Barnett, Farmington Hills; John Peyton, Jacksonville; Bill Haslam, Knoxville; Jack Engebretson, Livonia; David Cicilline, Providence; Kathy Keolker-Wheeler, Renton; Joseph Curtatone, Somerville; Charles Ryan, Springfield (MA); John Marks, Tallahassee; Kevin Burke, Terre Haute; Jeanette McCarthy, Waltham; Lois Frankel, West Palm Beach; and Carlos Mayans, Wichita.

A forum "Local Leadership in Times of Crisis" was held for Harvard students, faculty, and the new mayors. Participating in the forum were Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley; Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell, past Conference President and former Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb, and former Juneau (AK) Mayor Fran Ulmer. Dan Glickman, Director of the Institute of Politics and former Congressman and Secretary of Agriculture served as moderator for the forum.

Many of the Conference of Mayors leadership officials served as faculty for the seminar. Conference of Mayors President and Hempstead Mayor James A. Garner welcomed the new mayors at the opening luncheon. Conference Past President and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Jackson (MS) Mayor Harvey Johnson gave the new mayors their advice on budgeting and finance. Conference Past President and Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe along with current Providence Mayor David Cicillini led the discussion on "Transitioning from the Campaign to City Hall." Past Conference President and former Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb gave the keynote address at the opening dinner. Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley shared with the new mayors his city's "Citistat" program which helps the mayor better target the community's resources to address problem areas. Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz and Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy shared their experiences of being mayors and the impact of the job on their private lives. Laredo Mayor Elizabeth Flores gave the new mayors advice on ways to promote business and economic development. Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman presented his insights into ways mayors can avoid ethical and legal dilemmas. Conference executive director Tom Cochran moderated a number of sessions and gave his insights on intergovernmental relations, metro economies, and crisis management. Rhonda Spears, Director of Communications for the Conference of Mayors participated in the "Mayors and the Media" session.

An evening event was held at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library where students who participated in the joint Institute of Politics and Conference of Mayors "Summer in the City" internship program reflected on their experiences.