Why your Neighbors are Supporting Setti for Mayor
John Stewart
"I have seldom seen a candidate with as much potential for fruitful leadership as Setti Warren."
I have been involved in politics my entire adult life and in Newton for 37 years. I have seldom seen a candidate with as much potential for fruitful leadership as Setti Warren. He is that rare combination of a thoughtful, detail-oriented, action person and a man who would bring out the best in all those citizens working to do what is right for Newton. The old and tired ways of running municipal government must be replaced by new and energetic leadership!
Sima Kirsztajn
"Setti... would make a great mayor of Newton."
It is my pleasure to write enthusiastically about Setti Warren whom I have known as a neighbor for many years. Setti grew up across the street and my earliest memories are of a very pleasant young boy always ready with a smile and a wave. Our paths did not cross often as he went through Newton North and B.C., however I do know that he was an activist in both schools and then later on as a member of the Foundation for Ethnic, Racial and Religious Equality. Although I heard about his successes working for both President Clinton and Senator Kerry, it has only been recently that I've become "reacquainted" with Setti as an adult and I am so impressed. In discussions regarding the challenges a mayor of Newton must contend with, Setti comes across as definitely informed and very clear in his plan of how to address the issues. Setti Warren is a smart, warm and dynamic person who would make a great mayor of Newton.
Matthew and Lillie Jefferson
"...we will support Setti if he decides to run for mayor of Newton."
Lillie and I have known Setti for over 25 years. He is known to give any undertaking his undivided attention with the assurance that the outcome will be positive. His leadership skills are outstanding which inspire others to follow him. Knowledge of the city, imagination, and leadership skills are some of the ingredients that are required to be mayor, and ones that Setti has in abundance. That is why we will support Setti if he decides to run for mayor of Newton.
Arthur Magni
"I am very excited about the prospect of Setti becoming the mayor of the city I love and call home."
I've known Setti since he was the class president at Newton North. Even then, Setti exuded confidence and leading came natural to him and he continues to stand out in any endeavor he chooses. Setti's dynamism has clearly not waned since then as his impressive positions with FEMA and in Senator Kerry's office attest. In these positions, he has shown that his leadership is rooted not just in winning a popularity contest – but in his competence, trustworthiness and judgment.
Another key to Setti's charisma, in addition to his intellectual acumen, is his sense of humor and hearty laugh. When you talk to Setti, you know not only that he's listening intently to you, but more importantly, that he actually enjoys your company. He truly enjoys people and wants to know their stories and understand what's important to them.
Setti's combination of brains, leadership experience and genuine concern for people is hard to improve upon when thinking of ideal qualities in a leader. Furthermore, his commitment to the welfare of Newton is unquestionable, as he has strong roots in the Garden City and real love and passion for the place.
I am very excited about the prospect of Setti becoming the mayor of the city I love and call home. It's time for an energetic, dynamic, and competent leader like Setti Warren to take over the leadership of this proud, but currently struggling city.
Kenneth L. Horak
"...the citizens of Newton will be very well served by Setti"
I had the privilege of working with Setti Warren during his tenure as the Regional Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, where he was responsible for coordinating emergency preparedness, mitigation and disaster response and recovery programs in the six New England states. In that capacity, Mr. Warren managed and directed a staff of 75 permanent full time employees and a reservist workforce of over 400.
With an energetic and personable management style, Mr. Warren implemented a number of innovative management practices, including a new performance management system linking individual employee work plans with strategic goals that stimulated creative approaches of program delivery and customer service while setting new standards of accountability at the same time. The result was a much more productive workforce with significantly higher morale.
Mr. Warren also exercised effective fiscal stewardship of the annual office operating budget of $500,000, and directed over $20,000,000 in program assistance funds to the New England states. When two of our region's states were impacted by major floods resulting in Presidential Disaster Declarations, he oversaw the timely and effective delivery of over $5,000,000 in federal disaster assistance funds.
In short, I can personally attest that with his management expertise and his energetic and inspirational leadership style, the citizens of Newton will be very well served by Setti Warren as their Mayor.
Howard Haywood
"Setti loves our City... "
My decision to support Setti Warren as a candidate for Mayor of the City of Newton is based on my love of the City and my trust in Setti’s integrity, intelligence, leadership skills and his life long commitment to public service. My support for Setti is not a repudiation of the commendable service that Mayor Cohen has given to the city but it is time for new leadership that can rekindle the interest and participation in civic responsibility to the residents of Newton.
I believe that Setti’s love of and commitment to the City of Newton are the ideal experience factors that he brings to the office. Serving in other elected offices should not be the standard of experience for persons seeking office. What is more important is a person’s integrity, vision and knowledge of the community they will serve. Setti loves our City and I have no doubt that he will serve it well as our mayor.
Andy Stern
"Setti is a true civic leader..."
Setti and I served on the Community Preservation Committee. He impressed me right away with his quick analysis of the important issues. His dynamism and enthusiasm always lit up the room. He offers real hope that the City can and will do better. His intellect, his passion for public service, his ability to inspire people to be engaged in making the City better, and his vision of the City's future make him an intriguing and exciting candidate. You've got a winner when you combine those great qualities with his nuts and bolts experience in making government work as Regional FEMA Director (when it was an effective and respected agency under President Clinton), his current small business and constituent services work with Sen. Kerry and his White House experience. Setti is a true civic leader--someone who's able to motivate people to think about the public good and who is able to attract talented people to a management team. I'm proud to be with Setti.
George and Laurie Bower
"Setti Warren will be a great mayor."
Setti Warren will be a great mayor. His background, character, maturity and experience in government and politics make him uniquely qualified to meet Newton's many challenges. He knows our city and cares deeply about its direction. He'll bring a strong combination of positive political savvy, youthful optimism, vigor, compassion and common sense to the office of mayor. He has the capacity to make tough decisions and implement them. He will be a visible, active symbol of Newton's professional, educational and administrative excellence. Setti has our enthusiastic support.
Ari Fertig
"Setti has a proven record of leadership."
Setti Warren will be a fantastic mayor of Newton because of his proven aptitude for leadership and his commitment to service. Throughout his life, Setti has a proven record of leadership: as a class president in high school, New England Regional Director of FEMA, and as an intelligence specialist serving our country in Iraq. More, he'll be fiscally responsible, and he has experience handling over $20 million dollars in program funds. This election isn't just about finding another manager of the city. It's about finding a mayor who can inspire us to serve with excellence, and lead us through fiscal trouble. Setti's life encompasses all that it means to serve our city, region, and country. He will be a leader who brings back not only the services we need, but the values we share.
Dave Sokolove
"When times get tough Setti steps up and gets the job done."
I support Setti Warren for Mayor because this city is crying out for the kind of decisive leadership Setti has been providing his whole adult life. Whether it’s serving his country in Iraq, leading the Federal government’s relief efforts when natural disasters struck New England towns and cities, or leading President Clinton’s advance team, when times get tough Setti steps up and gets the job done. With our public infrastructure crumbling, our public schools stagnating, and our new High School project hanging in the balance, Setti will be a leader who brings Newton back to the fantastic public services and great quality of life that has always made our community special. I hope you’ll join me in supporting Setti Warren for Newton’s next mayor.
