Clinton did not openly charge the council coalition with making an illegal political deal, but he was quick to point out that Corcoran was the first city manager in the history of Cambridge to be relieved of his duties without asking for a public hearing.

Danehy was more daring. At a council meeting he told a story of a woman who asked him about Corcoran's connection with the coalition. "She asked me if the councilors made a political bribe with Corcoran in order to pacify him," Danehy said.

Danehy avoided charging "bribery" himself, and repeatedly said it was only the woman who had suggested political bribery.

His comments irked his fellow independents. Russell said no deals were made with Corcoran and warned that if Danehy "mentions this again, I will take him to Third District Court."

The council coalition raised the manager's salary to $45,000 ostensibly to bring the city executive's salary up to par with salaries elsewhere in the state. But Mayor Sullivan revealed later that James Sullivan had stipulated that he would come to Cambridge only in return for a $50,000 salary. "We had to compromise to get Jim Sullivan," said the mayor, who is not related to the city manager.

War between the independents ensued during the first week of James Sullivan's term that began April 1. In his first order of business, Sullivan fired acting Budget Director Robert J. LeBlanc on the grounds that LeBlanc was too closely affiliated with Danehy and "could not be trusted to do a professional job."

LeBlanc reportedly served as Danehy's campaign manager in past elections and became a city official during Corcoran's administration. Danehy called LeBlanc's firing a "political move" and said LeBlanc is merely "a friend who votes for me."

Alfred Vellucci appears to have assumed the role of peacemaker in the last month by encouraging the independents to present a united front on such issues as the planned Kennedy Library and development of Kendall Square.

In late March Vellucci gathered the independents, including Danehy, to a pre-council meeting tea in the mayor's office. There he convinced his colleagues to draw up a resolution endorsing construction of the Kennedy Library in Harvard Square.

He brought a photographer to take pictures of the five independents together, holding a copy of the resolution. Danehy showed a weak smile while Vellucci joked and praised the independents for their ability to "get together for the benefit of the city."

At council meetings, Vellucci has become more critical of the liberals, especially councilor Ackermann, sniping at her and mocking her legal vocabulary.

Vellucci read a resolution to City Clerk Paul Healy in a recent meeting and was interrupted by Ackermann, who asked that Vellucci re-read sections of the resolution. He then spoke at an extremely slow pace. Ackermann interrupted again and said he did not have to be so deliberate in his reading. "I know you can't hear things well," Vellucci retorted. "So I'm going to re-read this so that even you can understand it. I know you're a little slow at these things."

Such exchanges, which are common now, enable Vellucci to refocus city council battles from within the independent group to the larger arena of independents and liberals. Yet Danehy persists in fighting Sullivan and Russell and he hampers Vellucci's efforts to mobilize an independent majority on the council.

The city council chamber has been an arena for colorful politicians for some time. Where Vellucci has been the traditional celebrity, Danehy is the rising star.

But in the battle for the spotlight, needless debate over procedures, politically-oriented resolutions and unnecessary exchanges of insults do the citizens of Cambridge no good. Perhaps Danehy's post-mayoral election anger will subside soon. Then the council can get down to the pressing business of running the city