By Patrick McGroarty
News Editor

With less than two weeks until primary voters will elect a new state Representative in the Sixth Suffolk district, former BPD Deputy Superintendent Billy Celester has pledged to improve public safety in the district and pursue aggressive reform of the Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) law, while his opponent, retired city employee Willie Mae Allen has focused on the need to improve the district's public schools and promised to advocate for families in need. Both candidates have years of experience as leaders in the district and are relying on well-established networks of community activists to mobilize supporters.

The race to fill the seat that will be vacated by Representative Shirley Owens Hicks when she retires at the expiration of this term drew widespread attention when the 63 year-old Celester, who has a well-known criminal record, formally announced his candidacy in May. Celester spent two years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of fraud for abusing public funds during his six-year tenure as police director for Newark, New Jersey.

"Those of you that read the papers know that my skeletons are already out of the closet, so I'm not worried about it," Celester said during a debate against Allen at the Great Hall in Codman Square last Thursday. "I don't believe that my skeletons are worse than so many people's in this community."

Allen, 69, who worked as a community liaison in the Office of Neighborhood Services and has been a member of the Democratic State Committee for over 20 years, said she decided to leave her retirement to enter the race after hearing from neighbors and community leaders concerned that an elected official with Celester's record would mar the district's image.

"I heard from many people who were afraid they wouldn't get the representation they deserved because of the baggage Billy would bring to Beacon Hill," said Allen. "They wanted someone to represent them who had worked in the community, and had a spotless, or should I say very good, record."

On June 8, the Reporter wrote that Allen owned two properties on the city's list of abandoned homes. Allen says that the homes fell into disrepair because she could not secure a loan to refurbish the properties, and that she is now in the process of remodeling both houses.

"I want to open one of the houses to women's programs, as a place where single parents can come for resources," said Allen. "I know how hard it is to raise children and support a family as a single parent."

Both Allen and Celester have sought to paint the blemishes on their record as evidence that persistence can lead to success even after major setbacks. Allen has drawn the support of many groups associated with women's rights, and says mothers are some of her most fervent supporters.

"I think it's important generally for qualified women to run for office," said Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral, who has endorsed Allen. "I know that she is very well known in her district because she has always been an effective community activist."

Celester, meanwhile has found supporters who are willing to look past his missteps in New Jersey to his days with the Boston Police Department.

Clarence Cooper, president of the Caribbean American Political Action Committee (CAPAC), said that he sees crime as the most important issue facing the district and remembers Celester as a responsive and involved police commander.

"Whenever you had a problem, whether it be a disagreement with some of the policies of the police department, Billy always had a willing ear," said Cooper. "I remember one time in the 1980s, crime was so rampant in Dorchester and Roxbury, and Billy created an organization of community activists, which included me, to rally against crime. That, as far as I'm concerned, was the impetus for community policing in Boston."

Asked if Celester could effect any real change to the BPD in his role as a state representative, Cooper said he might be even more effective than an officer or city elected official because he would not have to answer to any authority but his constituents.

At-Large City Councillor Steve Murphy, who has endorsed Celester, also defended a state representative's ability to influence the city's police department.

"State reps have a unique ability to affect city institutions because they have the power vested in their job to put line items in the state budget," said Murphy, whose father served with Celester in the BPD. "Through funded mandates from the state, a rep can maneuver to get his district needed resources beyond what the city can provide."

Mabel Graham, president of the Mattapan Civic Association, said that her decision to endorse Celester had been complicated by her close personal friendship with Allen, but that she chose Celester because of his commitment to CORI reform and his relative youth.

"I thought, she's retired, why would she want the job? You and I know that Billy can't get a job, and maybe he can get something done to help young people who have a record get jobs, too."

Graham also suggested that the untraditional background of the candidates was indicative of a weak district.

"The district is so broken up. Nobody knows where the borders are, or understands who is running or that they're even in the district of this race," said Graham. "I think that's going to turn into a light turnout for both. Whoever gets into office, they're really going to have to do some work."