Setti Warren has yet to announce if he will seek a third term as mayor of Newton in 2017 but you have to know that there are a number of would-be candidates who are anxious to see what he decides.
Do you think Warren should or will run again? And regardless of his decision, who else do you hope (or predict) tosses her or his hat into the ring?
Perhaps the Charter Review Commission will have suggestions on term limits for the votrs to consider by then (I know their review won’t be done by November)! If Setti retires, I vote for Jerry Reilly! Or Elmo (the one we all know from Sesame Street, not the one who is aka Elmo on Village 14).
+1 vote for Tom Davis
He could make a great candidate: He’s younger, he has a great personal story coming out of Newton, he has campaigning experience from the last election. Seems like a lot of people could relate to him.
I have no idea if he’s even thinking about running, I just know he would be someone I would highly consider voting for and telling my friends to consider as well.
Thanks for the vote Sallee but its way too late for that. My story at the last Nomad Story Slam a few weeks ago was intended to permanently rule out ever running for any public office – ever. Hint: it involved mescaline and midgets
Everything hinges on whether Uncle Bernie upstages Hilary. Besides, who in their right mind would want to be in the corner office having to deal with people like me?
I no longer have “to pretend to be nice to people I don’t like.” – Barney Frank
Ok so Sallee and Harry (and kind of Jerry, although I’m looking forward to the video) seem inclined to take this thread off track. Cyrus, at least has an earnest answer (while not particularly plausible in my mind).
Any one care to answer this question seriously?
If Mayor Warren does not run, I expect Scott Lennon and Rick Lipof to run. I’m guessing that Ruthanne Fuller would seriously consider it. I hope Ted Hess-Mahan does not run again, only because I think he’s one of our most effective aldermen.
The bigger question is…Will the mayor run again? People talk like they expect him to, and the last time I spoke to him about it (which was quite awhile ago), he still loved his job. Assuming nothing major changes between now and November 2017, I believe he’d get re-elected again pretty easily. Someone will challenge him but I’d be surprised if Lipof, Lennon or Fuller did.
For all the complaining that we read on this blog, I think the average Joe Newton is happy with the job he’s doing.
Most obvious question: Will Ted Hess-Mahan run again?
Fair enough, Greg. How about Amy Sangiolo, a creative maverick who has come up through the Aldermanic/Council ranks, appreciates the importance of compromise, and who would likely further communication between the Executive and Legislative branches, yet continue to hear the people who voted for her? She might even be able to repair the intellectual chasm between the extremes of political philosophies in Newton.
here’s my top 3 candidates in order:
1. Mike Striar
2. Ruth Balser
3. Ruthanne Fuller
I don’t think Setti should run again. He’s already looking for his next opportunity. I understand if Setti doesn’t run Lipof, Lennon, Laredo and Fuller are in.
@Sallee: Thanks for the kind words and support.
Councillor Sangiolo: So are you ready to make your campaign announcement here on Village 14?
I can definitely see myself voting for Amy or even Bill Heck.
In case the 3 above don’t run.
@Greg: I thought we spelled Councilor with one “l”. : )
Councillor Sangiollo: I reserve the double L spelling for councilors who duck my questions.
Many thanks for the vote of confidence, Cyrus. Although I haven’t put too much thought into it, I’ve been honored by the fact that a broad spectrum of respected Newton residents have privately encouraged me to get in the game. (And on a more important note, I hope your freshman year is treating you well!)
All I do know for sure at this point is that there are substantive reasons for anyone to challenge the establishment, and I’d look forward to debating Mayor Warren on these issues.
GoTom!!!
You definitely have a perspective that deserves to be heard
Did I miss the debate regarding the spelling of council(l)or?
The dictionary has the ll as British, single l as as American yet Boston (at least from this url) would have ‘ll’
http://m.cityofboston.gov/citycouncil/councillors/
@Simon – it looks like the same situation as,with theater/theater. In this part of the country (New England) a lot of people use the British spelling. Blame it on PBS
Jerry and Simon: Let’s meet in Newton
CenterCentre some time and discuss!As for the question at hand, I’d expect that the Newton Villages Alliance folks are looking for an anti-growth candidate. Perhaps City Councilor Norton? Maybe Kathleen Kouril Grieser?
Greg, there is a difference between low density growth, high density growth, growth that is outside of normal zoning, and growth that is within normal zoning. We are never going to have a serious discussion if you use pejorative language to pigeonhole people. On top of this, Norton and Grieser are very different. My sense is that Grieser has big-picture issues with high-density growth that requires a departure from current zoning. My guess is Norton considers things on a project-by-project basis and is very considerate of her ward’s needs.
Don’t say that if they want to defend themselves from name calling, they should jump on your blog!
By the way, you are on to something. I predict that the mayor who follows Mayor Warren will be a women.
A message to all candidates for mayor. A priority for Newton should be a sister-city arrangement with a city in France. Our sister city should be Beaune. Since Beaune is in the heart of Burgundy, Newton will need a consultant to represent us. This person needs to appreciate wine, have an understanding of international finance, business, and economics, and be an advisory editor for the Journal of Wine Economics.
Great idea, Jeffrey! Since 1982, I have been Executive Vice President of Regulatory Research Corp., a firm that consults on regulatory economics and statistics; I have recently returned from a sea voyage to southern Europe (Rome to Lisbon) and I know the currency of Italy, France, Spain, Gibraltar and Portugal; my husband subscribes to the Wine Spectator Magazine that I flip through before recycling; I am always game for a glass of wine. I would change the Sister City to Aix en Provence and gladly volunteer to represent Newton there!
Don’t you also think a woman should be chosen for that dangerous duty, too?
I’d be surprised if the Austin Street discussion carries over to a mayor election by producing a direct NVA candidate like the ones Greg mentions. The mayor may be unpopular at times on this blog, but judging from my neighbors, a lot of folks are still supporters, and just because they are frustrated with the mayor doesn’t mean they’d support the politics of either of those candidates. If anything, there is a large group of folks frustrated because Setti hasn’t lived up to his promises in the other direction (Engine 6, etc.) as well.
So my original point holds. This discussion is somewhat moot until Setti tells us he is or is not running. If he is running, I think he wins unless there is a very strong candidate, and none of the folks mentioned thus far would be that candidate. That isn’t a pejorative statement, that is the reality of an incumbent.
Sallee. Great information. Maybe we should have two sister cities and two representatives. I would vote for Chateauneuf-du-Pape over Aix-en-Provence.
With all due respect to you wine enthusiasts, I would rather establish a sister city in Scotland where they make a fine single malt scotch whiskey, and which is close enough to visit the annual Edinburgh International Book Festival while on official business.
And, what fignewtonville said.
Ted, its a deal. If I become mayor, I will try set up Bowmore, Islay as our sister city, but don’t forget to give me some quid pro quo when you become mayor.
I appreciate the kind words directed at me on this thread. Here’s the reality… no one is beating Setti Warren if he runs again. No one!
But I would throw my hat in the ring if Jeffrey Pontiff’s proposal comes to fruit-ition. [hehe, I’m not above a bit of word-play]. I’d like to announce my candidacy for the Ambassadorship to Chateneauneuf-du-Pape. Hopefully it’s a lifetime position.