Bohn-Hayden says she believes that "Duehay should get it because he's level-headed, not radical."

But others believe there is nothing unusual about this year's mayoral standoff.

Four-time mayor Alfred E. Vellucci says the selection process has taken "as long as 14 months," although he adds that they did not occur in any of his terms.

Vellucci says the selection of Cambridge's mayor is typically a long and complicated process and that no stigma should be attached to voting for oneself, as Reeves is doing.

"Many times I voted for myself and [the other council members] got tired of me and [would] throw four votes my way," says Vellucci.

Does It Matter?

City Council members object to the notion that Cambridge is a city divided, emphasizing that the lack of a mayor is not cause for crisis.

"Don't read too much into it," Born says of the current situation. "Based upon the fact that we haven't elected a mayor [yet] does not mean that this city's divided."

"No one at either side is prepared to make a major concession at this point, [but] that can't go on forever," she adds.

Triantafillou attributes this delay to amiable differences which could be overcome with time.

"People are just having a hard time deciding who to be mayor, and no councillor has a majority right now," she says.

Deuhay, who is currently serving as acting mayor, chairing City Council and School Committee meetings, emphasizes that elected officials are still taking care of basic city business.

"We're at the moment divided over opinions," Deuhay says. "It doesn't mean we're divided as a city."

"I'm acting mayor," he adds. "The mayor's job is being done. The longer this goes on, the more regrettable it will be, [but] basic [city] decisions are being made."

The key issues that Deuhay or a new mayor will have to deal with this coming year include taxes, education, affordable housing and approval of the city budget.