Buckley vs. Sullivan

Voters in Middlesex County, which includes all of Cambridge face a clear choice for Sheriff in Tuesday's election. Republican incumbent John J. Buckley has been a progressive and independent public servant. Buckley has instituted a series of impressive reforms in the County's penal system, including conjugal visits, inmate furloughs, and vocational training.

Buckley is also a leading proponent of gun control--he has called on the state to limit the possession of handguns to police and the military.

Buckley's Democratic opponent is Cambridge Mayor Walter J. Sullivan, traditionally the top vote-getter in City Council races. Sullivan opposes Buckley's gun control stand, arguing instead for stricter enforcement of present gun laws, which leave a dangerous amount of firepower in private hands.

At the same time, Sullivan is deeply involved in local politics, as a leader of the City Council's conservative bloc. His election may serve to introduce partisan politics into the Sheriff's office.

And, if elected, Sullivan would be a part-time Sheriff, dividing his energies between his new office, his job as Vice-President of the Charlesbank Trust Company, and his duties as Mayor, which include his post as Chairman of the School Committee. Sullivan's failure to deal effectively with Cambridge problems in his two terms as Mayor and his time on the City Council indicates that he can ill-afford to take on another job.