"He has a different style of politics than theCCA does," says City Councillor David E. Sullivan."He's less concerned about cosmic policies than heis about helping people."

Although his positions often coincide withthose of the CCA-backed councillors, Velluccifiercely maintains his independence. He bristlesat the suggestion that he votes along with theorganized progressive slate.

"They vote with me," he says. "Younotice how they write in the paper, 'And Mr.Vellucci votes with the CCA.' It isn't 'and Mr.Vellucci.' The CCA votes with Vellucci."

"It's a question of perspective," saysSullivan, a CCA councillor who is also leaving thecouncil next year. "The fact is that we agree on athe issues and we vote with each other. I'll leaveit to the historians to determine who got therefirst."

Nonetheless, there can be little doubt thatVellucci has propped up the CCA since 1973, thelast year in which it held a majority on thecouncil.

Although Vellucci's vote has never been a surething for the city's younger progressives, manysee his departure as one of the greatest dangersto their agenda.

"Although his rhetoric is independent, hisvalues are CCA," says CCA Executive Director NoahM. Berger '89. "Like us, he supports honestcompassionate government and affordable housing."

But former Councillor Barbara W. Ackermannnotes that in her time, Vellucci's powers ofpersuasion were often sufficient to carry amajority of councillors along with him.

"Once or twice I convinced him to vote ourway," says Ackermann. "But more often, if one ofus changed our minds, it would be him changing mymind."

At council meetings, Vellucci presents a markedcontrast to his predecessor as mayor, longtimeIndependent Councillor Walter J. Sullivan, Jr.,who would open and close meetings strictlyaccording to the rules, never saying anunnecessary word.

Vellucci delights in unnecessary words. He cantalk for hours at a stretch, and will oftenbewilder speakers by "reminding" them of eventsthat occurred decades ago.

At times Vellucci can look like the onlydefender of real people's interests in the city.At times he seems an infuriating bully. In eithercase, other councillors tend to listen, becauseIndependents and CCA alike look to the mayor forhis swing vote.

But the mayor's rough-hewn style can provokeangry responses. At one recent council meeting,Councillor Francis H. Duehay '55 accused the mayorof trying to "smear" speakers by digging up thecity's ancient history.

"That was 30 years ago," Duehay snapped inresponse to one of Vellucci's reminiscences. "Mostof these people weren't even born."

"I had some bad fights with him," saysAckermann. "I think sometimes he gets irritatedwhen people see things differently from him."