James M. Kelly (Boston politician)
James M. Kelly | |
|---|---|
Kelley in the 1980s | |
| President of the Boston City Council | |
| In office 1994–2000 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Menino |
| Succeeded by | Charles Yancey |
| Member of the Boston City Council from District 2 | |
| In office 1984–2007 | |
| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | Bill Linehan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1940 |
| Died | January 9, 2007 (aged 66–67) |
| Resting place | Cedar Grove Cemetery (Dorchester, Boston) |
| Nationality | American |
James M. Kelly (1940 – January 9, 2007) was an American politician who served on the Boston City Council for 23 years, representing South Boston, the South End and Chinatown.[1]
Biography
Kelly was a graduate of South Boston High School and was a sheet metal worker before entering politics.
Kelly was first elected to the Boston City Council in November 1983, and served from January 1984 until his death in January 2007. He was the council president from 1994 through 2000.
Kelly represented the second district, covering much of South Boston.[2]
Kelly had, before joining the council, been one of the leading opponents of court ordered busing to achieve racial integration in public schools during the 1970s.[2] He continued to fight such plans as a member of the city council. He also attacked mandated housing integration and affirmative action.
In 2000, Yancey influenced the linkage fee arrangement that the city agreed to with the developers of a hotel and convention center project in South Boston. He received criticism. over this deal, being accused of directing an unfair share of the linkage funds to South Boston.[2]
After serving seven consecutive single-year terms as council president beginning in 1993[3] (the longest tenure of any council president),[2] it became clear that Kelly had insufficient support among fellow councilors for an eighth-consecutive term as council president. A group of councilors opposing his re-election backed Brian Honan for president, remaining steadfast in their refusal to back Kelly and producing a deadlock.[4] In a surprise move, Kelly backed Charles Yancey to serve as the next council president.[3] Yancey had no prior knowledge that Kelly was orchestrating to elect him council president. Yancey and Kelly had previously been at odds numerous times over the years over matters of race, sometimes exchanging expletives. Yancey had previously characterized Kelly as being a racist, something Kelly denied.[4] Due to Kelly's maneuvering, Yancey was elected the new council president on January 1, 2001.[3]
See also
- The Soiling of Old Glory, Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph taken in 1976 that includes Kelly
References
- ^ Lovett, Chris (January 10, 2007). "Jim Kelly: Identity and Politics". Civic Boston. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Boston City Council Elects New Leader". Daily Hampshire Gazette. The Associated Press. January 2, 2001. p. 18. Retrieved September 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Tufts Alumnus Elected City Council President". The Tufts Daily. March 31, 2001. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- ^ a b Ebbert, Stephanie (January 3, 2001). "Keeping His Own Council; Yancey, the Unexpected President, Delays His Committee Picks". The Boston Globe. pp. B1 and B5.
- Ebbert, Stephanie (January 3, 2001). "Keeping His Own Council; Yancey, the Unexpected President, Delays His Committee Picks". The Boston Globe. p. B1. Retrieved September 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- Ebbert, Stephanie (January 3, 2001). "Yancey Delays His City Council Picks". The Boston Globe. p. B5. Retrieved September 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
Further reading
- "Black Flags in Boston Protest Gay Group". The New York Times. March 20, 1995.
- James M. Kelly, long-time city councilor and South Boston icon, dies. Boston Globe, Jan 9, 2007.
- James M. Kelly, 1940–2007. Boston Globe, Jan 10, 2007.
- notes to Oral History interview of James M. Hennigan Jr.
External links
- Profile at cityofboston.gov via Wayback Machine
- The Boston Globe obituary of Kelly via legacy.com