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Study Groups Spring 2007

21st Century American Cities: Why Cities and Mayors are Important Again

Led by Mayor Bill Purcell

9.27.07: All Politics is Local, Really Local

Why Cities and Mayors are Important Again: After 50 years of decline American cities are again at the center of policy and political life. We will discuss why Speaker Tip O'Neill's description of our political system is more true today than ever.

10.04.07: Public Safety: Crime

If a city is not safe people will not come and certainly not stay: After a decade of reductions in crime nationwide, national crime statistics are now worse almost everywhere. Why is this happening and what are the implications for our cities - the frontline of homeland security.

Guests: Ron Serpas, Chief of Police, Metro Nashville; formerly Chief of the Washington State Patrol; and Assistant Superintendent of Police and Chief of Operations New Orleans Police Department.

10.11.07: Education: Mayoral Leadership

Education is the most important thing a city does. Mayors increasingly understand that the success of their city is dependent on the success of their education system. So, what's a Mayor to do?
Bob Baines - former Mayor of Manchester, former High School Principal; now President and CEO of Chester College of New England.
Carol Johnson, Superintendent of Schools, Boston Jane Campbell, former Mayor of Cleveland

10.18.07: Governing the City

The role of the Mayor in setting the agenda and getting it done. Honorable Thomas M. Menino, Mayor of Boston.

10.25.07: Juvenile Crime

Children killing children and the sudden rise of juvenile crime - In every city in America young people ages 16-24 have begun committing incredibly violent acts in numbers never before seen. Can anyone explain what appears to be an epidemic?

11.01.07: Quality of Life

New York is the Big Apple, Chicago The Windy City, Nashville is The Music City. How does the branding of a city convey the quality of life in the place to citizens and make the world want to join them there?
Kix Brooks, Grammy Award Winning Performer and Past President of the Country Music Association Colin Reed, President and CEO, Gaylord Entertainment

11.08.07: Managing the City - The Jobs, the Work, and the Payback

With a large workforce and larger budgets, cities are complex enterprises with Increasingly broad reach. We will discuss the work of the people who manage our cities, with special attention to the employment and career opportunities for Harvard students.
Bill R. Phillips, Former Deputy Mayor and Chief of Staff, Nashville (1999-2007), Deputy Director of White House Personnel (1990-1991), U.S. Dept. of Education, Chief of Staff (1989-1990), CEO Republican National Convention ((1987-1988), Republican National Committee, Chief of Staff (1983-1986), Chief of Staff, Governor of Nevada (1979-1982).
David Manning, Former Finance Director, City of Nashville (1999-2007), Finance Commissioner State of Tennessee (1986-1994) during which time Tennessee was twice ranked the best managed state in America.

11.15.07: The Future of Cities

The relationship of cities with state and federal governments, especially in a presidential election year. We will recap the duties and obligations of local governments and what is required if they are to remain central to policy and public life.