But other CCA councilors said Vellucci had already pledged during the campagin to protect rent control and condominium restrictions, and that it might take more in the way of concessions for him to receive their support for mayor.

Former mayor Francis H. Duehay '55 said there had been "casual conversations" about the mayoral possibilities among CCA members, adding, "I think everyone though it might come to this."

"I have no reason to believe his [Vellucci's] position on housing issues would change whether or not he was mayor...He has always supported these regulations," Duehay added.

Asked whether concessions on condominiums would be enough to win Vellucci the mayoralty, councilor Saundra Graham said, "I wouldn't sell myself so cheaply," and stated that housing policy "shouldn't be an issue for negotiation."

"It has to come down to how he really feels about condominium and rent controls," Graham said.

Graham said other important bargaining chips would include school issues. The mayor serves as the seventh member of the school committee--currently split 3-3 between the CCA and the Independents--and it must decide in the next two years whether or not to try to retain minority teachers as it makes budget cuts to meet Proposition 2 1/2. The continued success of the city's desegregation process is also an issue, Graham said.