Trevor Jones at Wicket Local reports that Robin Clemens of West Newton has thrown her hat into the ring for the race to fill the two at-large seats representing Ward 3 on the Board of Aldermen.
That means there are now three candidates for the two at-large seats (incumbent Ted Hess-Mahan and James Cote) from that ward. This is from Jones’ post on the TAB Blog…
Hess-Mahan also is running for mayor. And while he previously said he would drop out of the aldermanic race if qualified candidates stepped up, he told the TAB he’s going to wait on that decision at least until both candidates get their nomination papers in.
Should Hess-Mahan abandon running for alderman?
So, who is Newton’s Gustavus Adolphus and can what transpired at Langley and Beacon be compared, in any way, to losing the flagship of a powerful navy?
Ted should definitely stay in as Alderman. If voters feel he deserves a “municipal employment upgrade” to mayor, then more power to him. (Literally)
A person should not run for two offices at the same time. Ted needs to decide what he really wants and go after it 100%. Hedging his bets isn’t fair to the voters. If he can’t make a decision about this, how can he make a decision should he be elected mayor?
It looks like I posted my comment to the wrong post. I’m strongly supporting the Mayor’s reelection, but I hope Ted can find some way to keep his name on the ballot for his Ward 3 seat whatever decision he has made about the Mayoral contest. You don’t have to agree with everything Ted says or does to commend the way he articulates and promotes the issues he feels passionately about and the way he elevates issues for public discussion that might otherwise not get raised. I’ll never criticize anyone for running for any office because they have done something that I never have.
Hey, Barry, I agree with you on this one. I do believe he needs to choose and really go after that option.
Though running for both is permissible, I think it ought not to be.
And now that there are 2 other candidates, I don’t believe it ought to be HIS judgment as to whether the candidates are Qualified;” that’s for the voters. Using that argument is a transparent hedge.
I think THM should run for both positions. Just because 2 people are now running doesn’t mean they are qualified for the BOA.
So now that we have 2 people running we should just appoint them? I would rather have an election not a crowning.
I read what the Tab had to say about Robin Clemens and with all due respect – all I came away with in that article is that she moved specifically to Newton at a doctors recommendation so that her son would be allowed to go to a private special needs school. I am confused at what qualifications she has for BOA. If anything she should be running for School Committee in Ward 3 since she seems to be well versed in sped issues. But we wouldn’t want any contested SC races now would we.
So, to those who think Ted should run for both, what’s the limit? Can he in addition run for Ward alderman and for School Committee at the same time?
What’s the limit on how many offices one can run for at one time?
I think that, if he thinks he can win as mayor, then that’ it. If he doesn’t, then run for alderman. It seems to me that’s what others did during the last mayor election, like Ken Parker and Paul Coletti. But Ted doesn’t want to risk being left out of Newton politics. He thinks he’s too important.
The Globe columnist Yvonne Abraham has an article in today’s paper regarding Charles Yancey running for both Mayor and his city counselor seat. It could just as easily have been about Ted Hess-Mahan.
She ends it with, “The voters of District 4 will surely send him back to the council. But even Yancey’s most ardent fans should think hard before wasting a mayoral vote on a candidate who is less than all-in.”
Should Newton voters feel the same way?
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/07/25/charles-yancey-run-for-real/3dBwcaDNeP5GBFhilcKwqN/story.html
JHolden — Actually, the article is pretty unfair to Mr Yancey. He’s been in gov’t since Hector was a pup and earns $90,000/ann. on the council. He’s been honest to say the mortgage needs to be paid.
I’m not sure what the big deal is. If someone feels THM running for both offices is totally unacceptable, then don’t vote for him for either one.
(a) I don’t think the law should allow candidates to run in more than one race. They can’t possibly serve in more than one office, and it’s unfair to voters. Unfortunately, it appears that this is legal.
(b) The fact that Ted wants to do this to his constituents indicates a character flaw in himself. He should be decisive and tell his constituents, “I will be a good mayor”, if that’s what he wants, and run on that. What he is saying is “You probably don’t think I’ll be a good mayor, so I want to be sure I have something after you reject me. Meanwhile, as a mayoral candidate, I can be a thorn in the side of Setti Warren and people will listen to me.”
@Barry – you are being way too harsh.
#1 – Did you speak with Ted to find out if “he thinks he’s too important” to not serve? If not, don’t speak for him.
#2 – The law is the law. I agree with Charlie, let the voters decide.
#3 – You think Ted has a “character flaw”. Guess what. We all do. Nobody is perfect. Ted, rightly so, IMO, thinks he can contribute to Newton politics. That’s it. And, he’s been doing it for over 10 years, so why not try to contribute more?
When I interview for jobs, I interview for many at a time. I think most people do this. Try to look at what Ted is doing as looking for a way to serve in the best capacity he can.
David
#1, my observation that someone who wants to hedge his bets like this thinks he’s pretty important. just a kind of facetious description of someone who would do this to his constituents.
#2, yes, this is the law, and it shouldn’t be
#3, everyone has character flaws. This one is affecting an election. I think Ted likes to be heard, as is evidenced by his record-breaking lengthy posts, and as a mayoral candidate he is heard by more people
This is not like interviewing for a job, unless you also are trying to be facetious. If that were a good analogy, then, as I said, can he run for every office on the ballot, since he doesn’t know what we’ll hire him for? Seems stupid to me.
Read the Yvonne Abraham column that was linked by JHolden. It’s on the money. Also, as I said, Ken Parker and Paul Coletti didn’t hedge their bets.
This is wrong, but I understand that there are people on these blogs that like Ted and will try to defend on his behalf a position that I consider indefensible.
I’ll start a new thread with the Yvonne Abraham column.
David and Charlie, I have to agree with Barry here.
I’ll read the article. Thanks.
Don’t know who Jim Cote is? Meet the Candidate James Cote. On this coming Sunday, my wife and I, will be hosting a “meet the candidate” barbecue in our backyard at 934 Watertown Street in Newton. The time is from 12Noon to 4PM and this is a great opportunity to meet me and some of my family (there are actually 10 kids).
Please take this opportunity to get to know who I am, tell me what’s important to you, and meet one of the future faces on the Board of Alderman.
You may RSVP to [email protected]
See you on Sunday!!
@James Cote, thanks for posting this, and for having the event. I will plan on on stopping by. You would sound a little overconfident, were it not for the news on the other thread. 😉
Great idea!