When the city's roughly 40,000 registered voters head to the polls Tuesday, they will be faced with 22 City Council candidates (listed below in alphabetical order).
Under Cambridge's city manager form of government, nine members are elected to the council and receive a salary of $18,129 per year. The council is responsible for setting policy direction, hiring the city's chief executive officer and overseeing an annual budget in the neighborhood of $170 million. Though a largely ceremonial position, Cambridge's mayor is selected from among the nine councilors and controls his own budget of more than $245,000.
Lewis Armistead, Jr.--34, attorney, former chair of Cambridge Democratic City Committee, former assistant district attorney for Suffolk County, former aide to Speaker of the House Thomas P.O'Neill Jr.
Armistead, an Independent challenger propose a comprehensive study and redefinition of the city's housing policies; supports changes in rent control to protect low-income and elderly tenants; wants to develop greater cooperation between the police department and every neighborhood.
Francis Budryk--43, liquor store owner, president of the Cambridge Street Business Team Association, former president of the East Cambridge Planning Team, chairman for Cambridge's 350th birthday parade, board member, Cambridge Economic Opportunity Commission.
The East Cambridge resident who is an Independent says he's in favor decontrolling the city's housing stock, restoring property rights to homeowners, condominium conversion, and making local universities pay a $500 head tax for non-resident students.
Elio Centrella--40, hairstylist, active in boy scouts and little league baseball; member of the Italian Heritage Committee. Centrella, an Independent, did not respond to Crimson inquiries.(?)
Daniel J. Clinton--47, lifelong Cambridge resident, assistant superintendent of buildings for Middlesex County; 12 years as an Independent on city council, one school committee term.
Clinton says his most important accomplishment is chairmanship of city council's cable television committee; he also wants a sensible zoning pattern for the city to make it livable; and will work toward resolving traffic problems as well as reform the city's current rent control laws.
Thomas W. Danehy--56, pharmacist, served nine terms on city council, Independent mayor in 1978-79, chairman of Ward 11 Democratic Committee.
A lifelong native of North Cambridge, Danehy says he discovered that the Arthur D. Little research firm was testing nerve gas agents in his neighborhood; he wants to reform rent control laws to permit owners to occupy their units; and will encourage economic development through, the creation of more blue collar jobs.
Vincent Lawrence Dixon--33, free lance journalist, taught at home by parents, the only Republican running.
Dixon emphasizes "Common Sense for a Change" and a practical moderate agenda; also a municipal environmental health policy, more efficient transit service; cites "the need for a partnership for jobs and economic development between business, higher education, government, and neighborhoods."
Francis H. Duehay '55--52, public official, current mayor endorsed by the Cambridge Civic Association (CCA) who has served seven terms on the city council and four terms on the school committee; former administrator, Harard Graduate School of Education.
Duehay supports the establishment of a comprehensive plan for private and public partnerships to create new housing, education, and employment opportunities for Cambridge residents; also proposes an accelerated capital improvements program to deal with the city's aging streets, sewage, water treatment and solid waste systems.
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