"It adds to the cynicism about government thatthe public has," Duehay adds. "Politicians arealready held in low esteem, and this kind of thingaffirms it."

But Councillor Michael A. Sullivan, who voted"present" on Monday, says Walsh's crime hasnothing to do with his work on the council.

"The big tell-tale sign for me was thequestion...if the impropriety was directly tied inwith his activities as city councillor," Sullivansays. "My vote might have been different had thisbeen a case directly in relation to his activitiesas a city councillor.

Community Opinions

Since his conviction, Walsh has justified hisdecision to remain in office by saying it is hislegal right, and by arguing that he can still lprove his innocence.

During the council's Monday meeting Walshdefended himself for more than 15 minutes. Hisprimary argument was his right to try to prove hisinnocence.

"As tough as it is to stay and fight," he saidat the meeting, "I will do so. I am innocent. Ihave to fight to vindicate myself."

But the councillors that have pushed forWalsh's resignation say their convicted colleagueshould not try to prove his innocence at theexpense of the council.

"He can pursue his constitutional rights on hisown time," Triantafillou says. "He should notcontinue to embroil the council in what is hispersonal life."

"He is attempting to use his office and theprestige that goes with [it] to try to get anappeal and a new trial," says Geoffrey Gardner, amember of the Cambridge Tenants Union who spoke atMonday's council meeting. "It completely taintsthe prestige of the council."

Walsh has also defended himself by pointing tohis supporters in the community. He says he hastalked to between 70 and 80 of his constituents,all of whom he says have asked him to remain.

"I believe my constituents want me to stay,"Walsh says,

"Walsh is positively in the minds of manypeople the best councillor," says John F. Natale,a member of the Small Property Owner's Associationwho spoke at Monday's meeting. "He is the onlyreal councillor up there earning his pay."

Walsh says that he does not consider theopinions of his opponents' constituents.

"Not one of their constituents ever voted forme, " Walsh says of Born, Duehay andTriantafillou.