The four candidates for mayor just completed their first and only debate before Tuesday’s preliminary.
Share your thoughts here.
VIDEO: Newton mayor debate
by Greg Reibman | Sep 12, 2013 | Newton | 54 comments
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I’ll start.
Interesting preview of what a general election debate between Mayor Warren and Alderman Hess-Mahan might look like. Hess-Mahan talks soft but clearly isn’t above throwing a verbal punch. (Same with the other two candidates — with varying degrees of success and embarrassment). Warren is skilled at pretending this stuff doesn’t bother him, even though I bet he wished he had some ibuprofen imported from Canada about 20 minutes into this.
Hess-Mahan was clearly trying to make “trust” the theme of his campaign. I’m not sure it will stick. If voters didn’t trust Setti Warren they never would have approved his overrides.
As for the debate format itself, I was happiest when the moderator let the candidates talk to each other. However, I felt Jenn Adams was underutilized. I kept wishing she had a bigger role.
Greg, In any other part of the country, a Mayor with the following record would not be a “rock star mayor” on his way to reelection but rather a lame duck.
1. Raising taxes by $11.4 million annually which results in annual compensation spending increasing by $11.4 million the year the tax increase takes effect
2. Giving himself a 28% pay raise
3. Running for Senate less than 18 months after getting elected
4. Revolving door leadership changes
5. Centre Street’s problems
6. The Deviant Trio (Steve Chan, David Ettlinger and Peter Buchanan)
7. Police Department shenanigans (Framingham Five, Downing/Aucoin)
8. The Engine 6 contretemps (I was surprised that Newton would be considering spending tax dollars on that proposal in the first place)
9. A School Department that uses placeholder estimates for school building project costs and which throws out numbers months and months in advance before they’ve done the due diligence.
I thought Newton had a “strong mayor system”?
JEN ADAMS, A NEWTON TREASURE, WORKING IN THE MUDDLE OF NEWTON CHAOS IN PROGESS
in no city would setti warren, literally lost in incompetency be a contender for reelection….
setti warrens’ answers were an embarrassment to the mindset of newton…
Jenn Adams in her way of exacting reality, lets setti warren to slink away from a horrific debacle of his own making.
Such are the fruits of an of epic incompetence.
the only thing that was shown certain, candidate warren in not only an embarrassment but a clear danger to any solution to newton’s issue.
the now bankrupt tab’s former publisher who supported the “rock star” to shame as mayor and defeat by MA voters, has no insight as to the classic ‘peter principle’ leading newton to this venue of chaos.
THIS ELECTION IS NOT A GAME! It will begin to deal in a sound and intell way with all the challenges… beyond setti warren’s capacity…
THE FRUITS OF SETTI WARREN’S INCOMPETENCE IS EVERYWHERE…the now unsealed federal law suit which i believe warren may have wanted hidden. reveals allegations, if true, that show the toxicity of the warren office..
one year out of newton for his failed disgraced candidacy for senate trashed by MA voters, his trip to Las Vegas, DC via with your campaign dollars or the city’s , indeed shows a ‘rock star’ while newton needs leadership that warren has proved to a moral certainy is out of his reach…
this is not a game, it’s wake up time, newton, usa..unp
Greg,
I think it will be an interesting race . . . I think Mayor Warren has put accountability back in the office for the small things. I have called his office numerous times regarding the little things (street lights out and nothing happening, promises about picking up missed trash, Newton Lower Falls Community Center construction, etc.). His office has returned my call EVERY single time, and gotten answers and results. I can’t say that about past administrations. I use the 311 system, alot, and have gotten good results.
I am interested to hear how both will handle the city’s retirement funds and health insurance for employees. I have an open mind, however, right now I believe Mayor Warren has done a good job. What would THM do with fees in schools? What would THM do regarding employee’s health insurance? I know what Mayor Warren has done.
I don’t think it was smart for Mayor Warren to run for another office while serving as Mayor (after he said he was in it for the long term), however Mayor Warren has put into place, people who care, and will return phone calls. In the past a voice mail, was never returned.
I am not perfect. Mayor Warren isn’t perfect, but I am willing to give him another vote.
Joshua and Jordan,
Criticizing Setti Warren so severely may fit your personal agenda, but, be careful what you wish for. The most likely alternative is Ted Hess-Mahan. That is not an improvement. As only one of a board of 24 aldermenm he has no real record to pan so severely, so he can sit by and watch the vultures pick at Setti’s corpse. As I’ve said, I don’t want him for many reasons, but someone who wants invite to settle in Newton a confirmed member of a terrorist group from Guantanamo, while not caring about the safety of the residents of this city is a nightmare. Think Tamarlan Tsarnaev. He sits and smugly criticizes Setti, but he’s hiding a black agenda that you’ll truly regret if he’s elected.
I still await Ted’s explanation regarding one-third of the City’s work force leaving this year because they were demoralized…
Erstwhile, it’s one thing to claim that you can be trusted to run the City of Newton, but it is quite another to demonstrate that. I thought that Setti framed that issue very aptly when he asked the candidates what they would do if they received the 3 AM phone call. If you have a deer in the headlights moment when asked in a calm setting, why should voters trust you in a real crisis?
If a train crashes do you close streets? What do you do during a bomb scare? If someone calls in saying they saw a swimmer not emerge from Crystal Lake? This all happens, and it involves judgment, management, and choices about putting employees, residents and resources at risk. And you have not seriously thought about this?
Next week is the preliminary, and my take-away from this debate is that the voters really have not been offered a serious alternative vision, or operational or funding plan (yes, these concepts cost money).
Come on, emergency response is not a Mayor’s job. Never will be. What would Setti have done if a tanker overturned while he was looking for votes at a Springfield donut shop? What did his friend John Kerry do about Egypt while sailing off the vineyard? False image of what we are electing.
Barry, when I saw you comparing me to Jordan Lewis Ring, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes back in my head.
If you read my research reports about Newton’s structural spending problem, that should help you see a difference. I write thoughtful, analytical inclined, research oriented reports highlighting Newton’s $1 Billion (yes, that’s Billion with a Capital B) debt and liability problem. Jordan writes rambling blog posts.
I wasn’t criticizing Setti Warren as much as I was countering Greg’s usual deification of his “rock star mayor”.
Joshua –
Greg never called Mayor Warren a “rock star mayor.” I did.
My reasoning behind that label — that I think I only used in that one column but others like you have chosen to perpetuate — was that as soon as he was elected mayor, he gained so much media attention across the country. If Ruth Balser had won — even though she would have been the first woman mayor of Newton — it’s highly unlikely the New York Times would have written a story about her. I doubt Emily Rooney would have even invited her on her show. Certainly, the president wouldn’t have called to congratulate her.
Being a rock star mayor is all about fame. But he probably appreciates that every time you call him that in a blog post, you increase the google hits for “Setti Warren” and “rock star mayor.”
Joshua, you weaken all of your arguments when you make equivalent arguments for things outside of the mayor’s control.
I am interested in the turn-over debate. I’ve generally thought the city has been running well, but there seems to be a theme of Setti Warren is a bad mayor because so many of city employees are leaving. Does anyone have thoughts if these departures are due to his management style or if some of it is just weeding out folks from the old regime.
Joshua,
Are you endorsing someone?
Barry, I’m nothing like Jordan Lewis Ring. That explains why Bill Heck wanted me to serve as the NTA’s spokesman and work towards creating a unified organizational voice. That explains why David Spier charged me with the responsibility of articulating big picture visionary objectives for the NTA. That’s why when Susan Huffman introduced me to a group of people at an event in Dedham, she said “I can vouch for Joshua. You’ll like Joshua. He’s a force to be reckoned with”.
If I was anything like Jordan Lewis Ring, the override would have passed with a 75-25 margin. Barack Obama got 71% in Newton and Mayor Warren was more popular than Obama. Mayor Warren didn’t have as many warts as Obama and he eased spending growth with the new contracts (or at least before the override passed). Half of the leadership of NFFR backed Mayor Warren’s override and the pro-override outspent us by the usual amount. We didn’t even have an organized campaign until the end of January and only Colleen Minaker and Joanne took us seriously when we formed. I culled a collection of quotes from Newton Democrats (albeit NDCC members not associated with the Old Guard) and those quotes show the following:
1. They recognized that they won a narrow victory, but no landslide or mandate
2. Some people require more reforms before they agree to raising taxes
3. The anti-override people weren’t blanket “no-tax” absolutists this time
4. The anti-override people raised valid points which were backed up by verifiable data
5. I understand Newton’s financial position very well and it would be a major challenge for people to make a knowledgeable and intelligent argument to counter me on that
6. It’s time to move municipal and educational services forward instead of the financial advancement of unionized government bureaucrats
7. City government shouldn’t rest on their laurels
8. City government shouldn’t ignore the thoughtful fiscal concerns of the anti-override activists
Appropriate clarification Gail.
“Rock star mayor” was more about the the buzz surrounding Setti Warren and not about Setti Warren himself.
fignewtonville, Newton has a strong mayor system. Setti Warren is the mayor. He’s been mayor for four years and it would be difficult for him to use the “It’s David Cohen’s fault” argument since he’s a registered Democrat (as was Cohen). It would be difficult for him to blame the Republicans since the NRCC has only run one mayoral candidate since 1993 (Bill Heck’s 2 month campaign in 2009).
Newton mom, the NTA is not endorsing anyone this year. As for me personally, I’m not formally endorsing anyone either. I know who I have encouraged my friends and family to vote for and why.
Who wants to go first?
Wait…maybe I misunderstood you Joshua. Are you saying that Mayor Warren can’t blame the former mayor because he would never publicly find fault with another Democrat or because one Democrat’s mistake is another Democrat’s mistake (which is how I initially took your comment). I do agree that after four years it starts to look pretty bad for him to blame the previous administration for current problems, even if he’s painting an accurate portrayal of events.
Wait, he’s not actually a rock star??
Gail, Greg was your boss when you released your column about Setti. Plus everyone knows that Greg was your mentor at the Newton TAB.
http://www.wickedlocal.com/newton/news/x1704639886/Spector-Leaving-this-side-of-the-paper?zc_p=1
I have no problem with Gail and Greg deifying Setti Warren. I agree with Setti when he does something right (easing compensation growth, ostensibly supporting naming rights and deciding to pull the plug on the Engine 6) and disagree with him when he does something wrong (raising taxes to underwrite more compensation spending, running for Senate 16 months after getting elected as Mayor and allowing his school department to throw out placeholder estimates months and months in advance before they’ve done the due diligence on school building project costs).
Joshua, It doesn’t matter that Greg was my boss or my mentor. He didn’t write my columns and he didn’t have veto power over anything I wrote. If he did, I wouldn’t have worked for him. And…he wouldn’t have hired an editor for the Newton TAB who would have allowed him to have final say over anything she wrote. What fun would the job have been for either of us if we couldn’t disagree?
OMG Josh. I don’t know what kind of people you like to work with (if indeed you have a job) or spend time with (if indeed you have friends) but I prefer bright, independent thinkers who will challenge and inspire me. Gail did both and still does.
Your pettiness is neither challenging nor inspiring.
I find it disgusting that a great community like Newton, a politically smart community that cares about the down and out keeps bring forward the former mayor’s name as if he was a war crminal. I’ve only met the former mayor at 4th of July events – like most many people — but I do know he served Newton from the days when Bobby Orr ruled. Can’t good people move on and let a man has his dignity back?
Joshua,
You seem to have missed my point, or you just had something you wanted to say. Maybe I wasn’t clear enough, but it seems obvious when I re-read my post. I suggest you do that also.
Gail, I’m saying that although municipal government is ostensibly non-partisan, Newton’s municipal government has been dominated by registered members of the Newton Democratic City Committee since 1994 and those people have governed according to their left-wing agenda of more taxes, more spending on unionized government bureaucrats and more borrowing. Their record has led to the following results:
1. Newton has racked up $1 Billion in unfunded debt and liabilities due to their governance
2. Newton’s rotting infrastructure
3. Newton’s school budget has tripled over the last 20 years and yet Newton parents need to hire math tutors as well as pay new fees for programs and services that they want.
4. Newton’s school system’s declining results despite benefiting from a 20 year spending surge
http://www.greatnewtonschools.org/needs-improvement.html
If this is their idea of effective governance with results, they should just stop right there.
I understand that there are some reform-oriented reformer Democrats who tried to challenge the status quo, but they are a small minority plus the NDCC Old Guard circles the wagons whenever one of their own is challenged.
Barry, I understood your point perfectly. You didn’t want me to criticize Setti lest you think it would give Ted Hess-Mahan an advantage. The likelihood of Teddy beating Setti is smaller than you think. I’m not worried about Setti losing to Teddy, I’m more worried about Setti Warren’s second term being a repeat of David Cohen’s second term.
Setti Warren has a huge advantage against Ted Hess-Mahan in terms of fundraising, political organization and incumbency. I think the Preliminary results will come in as follows:
Setti Warren: 63%
Ted Hess-Mahan: 34%
Tom Sheff: 2%
Jacqueline Gavreau Sequeira 1%
So relax, don’t worry.
Joshua,
Will you be voting on Tuesday?
Hoss: Actually, dealing with emergency conditions is in fact part of the job of Mayor. As is managing the City’s operations and finances. The larger point about Setti’s question is in the way that it exposed the level of seriousness that that these challengers bring to the race.
fignewtonville: Speaking of seriousness, you are right about a “theme.” However, it is important to distinguish between what we know is true and what has been claimed. Yes, Ted has made claims and tossed out numbers in his Op-Eds as well as on the blogs regarding ever so many things. But until he provides some evidence to justify his claims (and one would be well-served to examine that as well, such as yesterday’s citing of a Boston Globe article), I would treat it as just that: a claim.
Bill Brandel — I appreciate that “seriousness” in this context means this ain’t an acting gig, it’s a real job with real responsibilities (and very little reward). But I do like it that new voices get to shine for 15 minutes in our form of gov’t. One new voice yesterday was Jackie G. She got me thinking about housing for seniors. What if you and I got into one of those life situations where we needed a subsidized place to live in our retirement years? I grew up in a community that had very noticeable senior housing situations — they were ugly high-rises, massive buildings. What list do we get on in Newton for subsidized housing and it is there enough space such that we both have a chance to get an apartment? It’s the same level of seriousness as the 3am question — just a different perspective.
Hoss, explain how you go from David Cohen to war criminals.
My only concern about David Cohen and the NDCC Old Guard is that of Newton’s 33 elected officials, 32 are Democrats. Of those 32 Democrats, 20 of them had been part of David Cohen’s government. Of the 12 Democrats that were not part of David Cohen’s regime, 11 of them were supported by NDCC Old Guardsmen like Rob Gifford, Claire Sokoloff, Brooke Lipsitt, Jonathan Yeo, Lisle Baker, Anne Larner, Sydra Schnipper and others.
My only criticism of David Cohen and the NDCC Old Guard is that things have not changed from David Cohen’s government to Setti Warren’s government and even people like Kevin Dutt have said so. The reason why things don’t change is because the same political clique continues to dominate the City of Newton’s government.
Joshua,
Your insistence on linking together all Newton Democrats who have been interested in city government begs the question:
Would you then agree that the following statement is true?
The reason that Newton Republicans have not been able to gain any traction is because, over the years, they too have been represented by people with the same political DNA: people like you, Brian Camenker and Len Mead.
If the Dems are one and the same, so too are the Republicans.
For the record, I think both statements are inane.
Joshua,
YOu have been great at letting us know who not to vote for . . . but the election is Tuesday. Who should I vote for if I am for fiscal soundness, supporting schools and social issues?
Joshua Norman — My question was “can’t good people move on and let a man has his dignity back?” Notice that words “good people”.
Hoss: I very much agree with your last post.
Greg, the reason why you don’t like me is because I don’t deify your political heroes like you do and I don’t try to satisfy all of your petty little litmus tests.
Newton mom, I will be voting on Tuesday, and I will be thinking long and hard about who to vote for.
@Josh: Nope that’s not it.
Newton mom, the only city wide race next Tuesday is between a Democrat who enthusiastically promoted the 2013 override, a Democrat who enthusiastically supported the 2002 override, a Democrat who enthusiastically supported other left-wing Democrats and a former Democrat who wants an OPEB override.
So please forgive me for being unable to come up with a quick answer to this question. I have to think long and hard on this one.
Joshua,
We have taught the kids that thousands of men and women have died for this country . . . . and the right to vote is part of why we went to war. It is my duty and every other citizen to vote on election day. I remember Weld vs. Silber and I did not like either. But I went and I voted. My kids ask if I don’t like who runs, why I don’t run? Good question! But I have to vote for the best person for the office . . . . . and right now I am not running for Mayor, but I have to figure out who to vote for on Tuesday.
What is the difference between #1 and #2 in your mind? To me they are the same.
Gail, I disagree wholeheartedly with your statement that I have linked together all Democrats interested in city government. Janet Sterman isn’t part of the Old Guard’s clique.
Neither was Jeff Seideman. If I was running the TAB, I would have never endorsed Sydra Schnipper or Verne Vance over Jeff Seideman.
Olivia Mathews was a liberal Democrat who I never would put in the camp of the Old Guard. She was a bright, personable person who would have been the only School Committee member who had actually worked in a public school system had she been elected in 2009. Olivia didn’t make her campaign about fiscal issues, she made it about education issues and was a refreshing contrast to Claire.
Newton mom, with regards to figuring out who to vote for on Tuesday, I’m still trying to make that decision myself.
The turn out for the election will probably be very low. For me I would never vote for any of the candidates. Setti Warren has done a reasonable job as mayor but made a very big mistake by mis leading the voters that we need such a huge increase in taxes. What we need is a leader who is more realistic about how money is spent in Newton.
All levels of gov’t are significantly out of touch with the heavy burden placed on tax payers. Promises made 10 years ago when the economy seemed to be in a boom phase will never be met.
Obama Care will break the back of our economy in the next few years. Even now people are scrambling to sign up with a PCP because they fear that finding a doctor will be a very difficult task.
Health care costs will continue to soar and pension plans will die a quick death.
Joshua is correct to be very worried about this nation and this city’s financial future. Setti isn’t worried though he thinks raising taxes is the easiest solution and many taxpayers are fooled by his arguments.
Gail, As for Newton Republicans, neither Len Mead, Brian Camenker nor myself lead or led that organization. John McDermott ran that organization for 25 years and his lack of interest in grassroots party-building was responsible for the weakened condition of the NRCC. The Newton Taxpayers Association is a non-partisan organization and I don’t look at things through a partisan political angle. Only in Newton would you have a registered Democrat (Jeff Seideman) leading a fiscal responsibility organization for three and a half years.
The Newton Republicans had absolutely nothing to do with the 2013 anti-override campaign because they didn’t want to make the issue a Democrat versus Republican issue. Unfortunately, they didn’t realize that the NDCC Executive Committee supported the 2002 override and the NDCC Co-Chairman published a guest column highlighting his support of the override.
I was surprised to hear you say that Brian Camenker was a Republican considering his criticism of Republican candidates and his work in derailing Mitt Romney’s 2008 presidential bid.
I am surprised to hear you say that I’m a Republican considering I am the biggest critic of the Newton Republican City Committee in this town. You don’t know my personal political orientation.
I don’t know what your problem is with Brian Camenker. He reluctantly led the Newton Taxpayers Association when Len Mead moved to Westborough. Even Former NTA Presidents Jeff Seideman and Al Cecchinelli recognized that Brian Camenker and the NTA did not deserve the bad press the TAB gave the NTA when he was running it.
I’ve just embedded the video from last night. Thanks to NewTv for sharing and for all the amazing work they do,
Perhaps we can now refocus the conversation about the debate itself….
Joshua,
I don’t have a problem with anyone. What I have a problem with is labels. Because one person supports something that you don’t support, you label him and refuse to see past the label.
In the spirit of Yom Kippur, I’m embarking on a 24-hour Josh Norman fast and repenting for all the things I forced Gail Spector to write and believe when I was her overlord.
Catch you later this weekend folks.
Okay, I’ll start. What did you think of the videotaped questions?
@Bill: When I see that kind of thing on national debates, I think they’re more gimmicky than constructive. but I thought these were well done and thoughtful.
And I applaud the decision to include someone from the business community. 🙂
Frankly, the next 45 days isn’t important in this contest — it’s the next 60 months. I’d give Ted Hess-Mahan the edge in a statewide legislative contest. He’s smart and integrity is not a silly concept to him, not in the least. Go for the statehouse Ted. Mayor works well for Setti Warren as would any administrative roll. Ted’s faults in a Newton contest is that I wouldn’t want to wake up and find that he’s replaced all police cars w electric Priuses just because he found an internet article of a small California town doing it, nor would I want expensive lots to be used for charitable purposes when other lots could be used for a greater local need. Setti’s faults are that he loves political-speak; he caught himself last night saying that Newton was 100% renewable energy — replacing that word w electricity mid-sentence (renewable electricity of course doesn’t get to Newton, but it’s a word game, our donation as taxpayers… we can’t use this political speak to to our spouses but we can say them to our neighbors, go figure). Setti also said 80,000 issues were addressed in the 311 emails. Could that be 8,000 and multiple follow-ups? Fine individuals both of them – just need to find the right boxes.
Gail, I can’t begin to tell you how wrong you are. I shouldn’t have to dignify your sophistry with a response.
Before Jeff Seideman moved to Waltham, he told me that “If you spend enough time in this political arena you’ll learn that today’s opponent is tomorrow’s ally. He also suggested that I try to identify and reach out to those who are known for reform-oriented activism.”
Other former alumni of NFFR and Newton 20/20 have confirmed my observations regarding who are genuine reform-oriented activists who share my interests in moving Newton forward towards fiscal responsibility and educational/municipal excellence and whose rhetoric doesn’t match up with reality.
As for seeing past labels, take Brian Yates. Brian is as liberal as the day is long yet I can see why Brian is so adored by the residents of Upper Falls, including Susan and Jan Huffman.
Ed Prisby may be as left-wing as the day is long but unlike you and Greg he has a sense of humor.
I have a positive regard for Ken Parker even though he supported all three of the overrides.
Even though I don’t agree with Tom Sheff’s calls for an OPEB override or an MIIA Tax Surcharge, I find him to be a very thoughtfully concerned Newtonian.
However, I despise dishonesty and loath hypocrisy.
I will point out when candidates claim to have no pre-set agenda after being recruited by the Old Guard to run against reformers.
I will ask why the Co-Chairman of the NDCC who lives in Ward 6 endorses an unenrolled left-wing extremist for Ward 1 Ward Alderman when there are two blue-collar moderate Democrats running on the ballot and when the NDCC Ward 1 Ward Chairperson strongly supports the moderates.
I will ask questions when a candidate conducts an aldermanic campaign in which he demands aggressive expense management and then support a big tax increase package less than one year after taking office and when annual expenses will rise by $80M six years after he took office.
I will call shenanigans when bloggers ask where the next generation of Newton’s leaders are after compiling a track record of endorsing Old Guard candidates against reform-oriented challengers.
I won’t ignore when a candidate demands that the city increase taxes to “fund maintenance and infrastructure” while refusing to even discuss offsetting those tax increases by repealing the $3M/year that Newton spends on “open space projects” as part of the Community Preservation Act Tax Surcharge.
I will definitely highlight when the head of an activist group demands compensation cuts in 2009 only to support tax increases three years later when compensation spending has increased AND THEN accuse his opponents of wanting to slash city government when they were calling for no such thing and he was demanding cuts to the most sacred of sacred spending cows.
Greg, we’re going to miss your snarky sarcasm.
Joshua, thanks again for all the excellent financial research. I have learned much from the ongoing analysis. I sure hope many voters are reading your work in preparation for future calamities.
I know many people out here try to demonize you as you provide “truth to power”. Of course they have personal agendas to promote and thus try to stop your voice. The truth is we need your contribution. Without it we have no democracy, only authoritarian rule.
Our local leaders fear criticism as it holds them accountable and lessens their power to spend irrationally. I wonder some times if they would spend so recklessly if their salaries and pension benefits were at risk. When people fail in the private sector there is no automatic tax increase to bail them out of failed spending policies.
@Colleen – yes, Joshua has been doing lots of useful financial research and raising issues worth discussing.
But really now – the only thing between us losing our democracy and slipping into authoritarian rule is Joshua !?!???? Whew!
It sounds like what you mean by authoritarian rule is the citizens electing leaders or supporting policies that you don’t support. That’s still democracy.
As far as I know, the upcoming elections will still be held with or without Joshua’s contributions.
So what did you think of the debate?
Considering his job performance was the under the microscope. Setti Warren did a pretty good job. As expected, he uses rhetoric frequently and likes to tell the same story (even with inaccurate numbers) over and over and over. Broken record works in politics with a big smile like his! Despite many of his answers being full of poop, he is still the best PR guy in town. Setti has a way of making someone he loathes feel like he ‘hears their pain’.
Tom Sheff is a caring and intelligent guy who really gives the issues serious consideration. He’s not going anywhere (i.e. Washington) and is someone with genuine heart. (We could see he felt sincerely felt let down by Setti Warren after Warren was elected into office. It makes me question how genuine a friend Setti really was to Tom, all those years ago.) Sheff has some good ideas, but I am not so sure he is the best guy to implement them.
Ted Hess-Mahan really hit it out of the park. So Hess-Mahan’s mantra this campaign is the Norman Rockwell/Carl Hess story and with insertions of great quotes from historic Democratic figures (like JFK). Beyong that, when it came down to the serious questions – whether he was asking or answering, Hess-Mahan was well prepared. I vote for someone for one of two reasons… (1) I either feel the candidate will best represent my positions and/or policies on ISSUES while serving public office; or (2) I TRUST the candidate will be true to what they say (despite any gaping holes in our agreement of the issues). Yes, this candidacy MAY actually be about TRUST.
Did anyone else notice, the only two peeps who actually ASKED for your VOTE were Gauvreau-Sequeira and Hess-Mahan?
Colleen, thank you as always for your kind words and encouragement.
Jane, I think Janet Sterman really hit it out of the park with her evaluation of the debate and the mayoral candidates.
Jerry, thank you for agreeing with Colleen about my financial research and raising issues worth discussing. I think Colleen was trying to say is that America’s Constitutional Republic and strong democratic tradition relies on dedicated citizen activists like me. I’d also give credit to Bill Heck for his spur-of-the-moment mayoral run in 2009 and the citizen activists who made up Moving Newton Forward With Fiscal Responsibility as well as those who have continued on as part of the Newton Taxpayers Association.
Just a quick note – by using the term broken record I did not mean to infer Setti Warren has a broken record. Some terminology does not carry well through political conversations. ‘Broken record’ is a euphemism likening a scratched phonograph record that repeats the same brief passage over and over.