By Tom McClimon
December 12, 2005

A diverse group of nearly twenty incoming mayors-elect from large cities across the country gathered at John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University for a three-day seminar on exercising leadership and promoting effective public policy.

The 16th biennial Seminar on Transition and Leadership for Newly-Elected Mayors, co'sponsored by the Conference of Mayors and the Institute of Politics, ran from November 30 through December 2. The newly-elected mayors participated in a variety of sessions led by academics, practitioners, and current and former mayors. Focusing on training for new city leaders, topics included transitioning from the campaign to city hall, leadership, crisis management, ethics, development of public and private partnerships, and press and public relations.

Participating newly-elected mayors included Ed Pawlowski, Allentown (PA); Ron Tussing, Billings (MT); James Harrington, Brockton (MA); Byron Brown, Buffalo; Kay Halloran, Cedar Rapids; Michael Bissonnette, Chicopee (MA); Ed Winborn, Davenport; Jun Choi, Edison (NJ); Joseph Sinnott, Erie; Harry Price, Fairfield (CA); Virg Bernero, Lansing (MI); Frank Guinta, Manchester (NH); Scott Lang, New Bedford (MA); Richard Moccia, Norwalk (OH); Clarence Phillips, Pontiac (MI); Bob Duffy, Rochester; Chris Coleman, St. Paul; Kim Driscoll, Salem; and Jay Williams, Youngstown (OH).

Conference President Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill headed up the list of current and former mayors who participated as faculty members for the program. Stating that “…all mayors speak the same language,” O’Neill, who participated in number of sessions, urged the new mayors to become the “beacon of hope” for their cities and to “plant the seeds” to let ideas flourish in their communities.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was the featured presenter at a JFK, Jr. Forum held for Harvard students, faculty and new mayors. Speaking on the subject “The American Mayor: Challenges and Opportunities,” Villaraigosa stated that the “… future of progressive politics in America rests largely with the mayors’ offices around the country.” He challenged the new mayors to “think big” in dealing with their urban challenges. “Our mayors can truly lead this nation if we have the confidence to scale the highest hills,” concluded Villaraigosa.

Many of the Conference of Mayors leadership served as faculty for the seminar. Conference of Mayors Past President and former Knoxville Mayor and current Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe helped lead the discussions on “Transitioning from the Campaign to City Hall” and “Leadership.” Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan also participated in the “Transitioning” session and former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk also participated in the “Leadership” session. Two Conference of Mayors Past Presidents, Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino led the discussions on “Developing Private and Public Partnerships.” Gary Mayor Scott King shared his insights into ways mayors can avoid ethical and legal dilemmas. Beaumont Mayor Guy Goodson and former Mobile Mayor Michael Dow gave the new mayors advice on managing their cities in a time of crisis. Conference of Mayors Executive Director Tom Cochran moderated this session. Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone talked about budgeting items in the financing session. Rhonda Spears-Bell, Director of Communications for the Conference of Mayors, participated in the “Mayors and the Media” session.

The Institute of Politics Director Jeanne Shaheen, former Governor of New Hampshire, served as the seminar’s co-moderator, along with Cochran.

An evening event was held at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library where Fellows at the Institute of Politics, including former Florida Senator Bob Graham and former Member of Congress Martin Frost (TX), who shared their views on the state of American politics.