Walsh Prevents Council Discussion

Cambridge City Councillor William H. Walsh drew the ire of other councillors by using a legal technicality to prevent the council from discussing the issues on its agenda yesterday, as he continues to push his rent control campaign a week before the election.

Under parliamentary procedure, any councillor has the "charter right" to postpone discussion on any issue the first time it is brought before the city council.

Walsh has now invoked this right two weeks in a row, preventing discussion last night of most of the measures on the council's agenda.

Walsh said he would continue doing the same every week until the city council modifies its rent control policy to help property owners affected by it.

"I'm going to re-introduce this every week and get some relief," Walsh said.

City councillors criticized Walsh for taking away their ability to act on the issues on yesterday's agenda until next week's meeting. Councillor Francis H. Duehay '55 termed the move "very destructive," and Councillor AliceK. Wolf referred to Walsh's behavior as"outrageous."

Councillors also questioned Walsh's motives intaking this action now, just one week before CityCouncil elections.

Mayor Kenneth E. Reeves '72 referred to Walsh'sbehavior as "the pre-election something." Wolfsaid she was outraged that Walsh was holding upcity business "for his own game and his ownpurpose."

Last week, Walsh proposed a series of changesto existing rent control policy which woulddecontrol some units and allow property owners whopay a certain fine to live in their "ordinance"condominiums--a type of condominium which ownerscannot legally occupy.

The council did not pass Walsh's proposal lastweek, nor would it hear testimony from about 50property owners who attended the meeting. Walshthen proceded to "charter right" the rest of theitems on the council's agenda.

John F. Natale, one of the founders of thecity's Small Property Owners' Association, said hesupported Walsh's actions. "Until the City Councilfaces rent control squarely and does something forme, I'd just as soon it come down to a God-damnedgrinding halt," he said

Councillors also questioned Walsh's motives intaking this action now, just one week before CityCouncil elections.

Mayor Kenneth E. Reeves '72 referred to Walsh'sbehavior as "the pre-election something." Wolfsaid she was outraged that Walsh was holding upcity business "for his own game and his ownpurpose."

Last week, Walsh proposed a series of changesto existing rent control policy which woulddecontrol some units and allow property owners whopay a certain fine to live in their "ordinance"condominiums--a type of condominium which ownerscannot legally occupy.

The council did not pass Walsh's proposal lastweek, nor would it hear testimony from about 50property owners who attended the meeting. Walshthen proceded to "charter right" the rest of theitems on the council's agenda.

John F. Natale, one of the founders of thecity's Small Property Owners' Association, said hesupported Walsh's actions. "Until the City Councilfaces rent control squarely and does something forme, I'd just as soon it come down to a God-damnedgrinding halt," he said