Education
Harvard College; Harvard University.
Harvard College; Harvard University.
Based on statistics reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Newton under Mayor Cohen"s leadership was the nation"s safest city during 2003, 2004 and 2005, and the fourth safest city in the nation in 2006. The designation is based on crime statistics in six categories: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and auto theft. Cohen did not run for re election in 2009.
Cohen"s final term ended with controversy over the city"s new Newton North High School.
With a price tag of nearly $200 million, the school is the most expensive in Massachusetts. He said he chose not to run for a fourth term because he did not want to harm efforts to override Proposition 2½.
In 1997, Cohen defeated incumbent Mayor Thomas Concannon, Junior. to win his first of three terms as mayor. Cohen decided not to run for another term in 2009 and left office on January 1, 2010, replaced by political newcomer Setti Warren, who won a close race against State Representative Ruth Balser.
Cohen was a member of the Newton Board of Aldermen from 1972–1979 and a state representative from 1979–1998.