Word: maher
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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...Maher wins, someone on the present Council must go. The who is the question that no one can seem to answer. Mayor Crane, Councillor Walter J. Sullivan (normally the vote-gettingist candidate), and CCA-endorsed Mrs. Cornelia Wheeler are usually conceded to be safe. Al Vellucci is safe, though his security isn't as well-established as either Sullivan's, Crane's or Wheeler...
...what makes the 1965 race exciting and tight? A man named William Maher. "If Maher weren't in it," says one politician, "there wouldn't be a campaign...
...Maher was narrowly defeated for the Council in 1963 (he was 10th), but that's only half his story. Maher is--or was--a cop. Back in 1963, he was a detective. After the election, Chief Daniel J. Brennan transferred him to traffic duty, and Maher charged the change was political revenge. The City Council held a public hearing, but that was all, and Maher continued waving on the cars. This summer Maher asked the chief for a six month leave of absence in order to run for the Council again. Chief Brennan refused the leave, and Maher resigned...
From the two years of simmering controversy, Maher reaped a bonanza of free publicity--and probably sympathy. The incident has provided what is probably the only issue (though largely a silent one) of the campaign: whether police should be active in politics. Legal and practical sense may counsel against activism, but a good many voters may be moved to vote indirectly...
...Maher," explains one political pro, "has done his work." Work means two years of making and solidifying friendship--winning votes. This prorates Maher a sure bet for the Council. Others aren't so sure, but even the cautious give him a 50-50 chance of gaining a seat...