Sixth Suffolk race down to the wire for candidate

Serghino René

As the only two candidates running to replace retiring state Rep. Shirley Owens-Hicks, William Celester and Willie Mae Allen are campaigning as much against their respective pasts as they are against each other.

The election is considered crucial for the development of the Sixth District, long known for its disappointing public schools, drugs and crime.

Allen and Celester made another attempt to gain more voters last week as they debated during a forum at the Great Hall in Codman Square sponsored by the Civic Engagement Initiative, a non-partisan voter participation project.

The candidates struck similar notes on the need to improve public education, reduce youth violence, provide affordable health care, address immigration reform and stimulate economic development.

Neither candidate has experience in public office. But both stressed their ability to lead a community that is seemingly at the bottom of the political food chain.

Celester started off with a brief overview of his life and experiences as a high school dropout — and how he turned his life around by joining Boston’s police force.

“I’m a proud member of the community and there are kids out there who were just like me,” Celester said. “All I needed was someone to guide me.”

Celester built his reputation in the midst of Boston’s escalating crime spree during the 1980s and early 90s. The former police commander played a key role in reducing youth violence and implemented the controversial “stop and frisk” policy.

Allen has a different story. She introduced herself by describing the one consistent theme in her life — political involvement and activism.

A Mattapan resident for 38 years, Allen has had her share of experience on the political playing field. She has religiously attended every Democratic National Convention as a delegate or alternate, and is presently serving her 20th year as a Democratic State Committee member.

She authored the Willie Allen Amendment, which ensures minority representation in each ward in the state during Massachusetts Democratic State Conventions. In 1993, she was elected to the Massachusetts Electoral College pledged to former President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore.

“I have more experience than you can realize,” Allen said. “My dedication, experience and trustworthiness says a lot. I know I am the better candidate.”

On public education, Allen said she would work diligently with the legislature to ensure proper funding is given to the community. She was unable to explain how she would accomplish that goal.

Celester also said he wanted the state to provide more funding, but he too was short on details, except for saying that he would work with educators.

“They are the educators,” Celester said. “Let them guide us. That’s what a state legislature does. We listen.”

But education is not Celester’s strong suit.

With nearly 40 years of police experience, Celester knows a thing or two about implementing community policing. Before rising to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of the Boston Police Department, in his early years Celester reached out and formed groups like Afro-American Police Association, now called the Massachusetts Association of Minority Law Enforcement Officers (MAMLEO). He also coordinated rallies like the Community Coming Together Against Crime in the late 1980s, where over 50,0000 people gathered at Franklin Park to address community safety.

Celester had a step-by-step plan on how to build a relationship with the police.

“We need to look at civil service and how [servants] are assigned,” Celester said. “We need to figure out how the police relate to the community and how the community relates to the police.”

“Other communities know nothing [more] about black people than what they see on television,” he added. “We need to relate better than the way we are doing.”

Allen was unable to match Celester’s experience when it comes to arguably the most pressing problem in the Sixth District. With the exception of building a house dedicated to helping women become better parents, Allen could only rely on a cliché.

“We need to start building a village because it takes a village to raise a community,” she said.

The room got heated when the candidates were asked to address the skeletons in their closets. Though Celester’s troubles are well documented, Allen has not been immune from receiving her share of negative publicity.

Earlier this summer, it was reported that two Dorchester properties owned by Allen — a three family home at 517 Harvard Street and a three family home on 7 Estella Street — made the state’s abandoned properties list.

She told the Banner that she had trouble securing the money at the time and was once turned down for a loan. The financial problems have since been cleared and the homes are now undergoing renovation.

“I wasn’t about to sell my property because that was my sweat and tears,” said Allen.

Upon discussing her difficulties with attendees at the debate, she said, “I think I have come out of the closet.”

Celester’s past problems are all too well known. He served a two-year jail term on a conviction of using public funds for personal expenses during his time as director of the Newark (N.J.) Police Department.

That part of his life is behind him now. He’s confident that voters are smart enough to look past that and judge him on his ability to do the job right.

“I don’t believe my skeletons are worse than anyone in the community,” Celester said. “I’m not ashamed of anything. All I’m ashamed of is letting you down.”

Both candidates have received notable endorsements.

Allen has been endorsed by the local branch of the AFL-CIO, former City Councilor Maura Hennigan, state Rep. Liz Malia, Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral, former candidate for Sixth Suffolk District Wayne Wilson, the National Association of Social Workers and the Greater Boston Labor Council, among others.

Celester has been endorsed by City Councilor Chuck Turner, former WBZ-TV news reporter Sarah-Ann Shaw, former state Sen. Billy Owens, Minister Don Mohammad; Mable Graham, president of the Mattapan Civic Association, retired Police Deputy Superintendent Willis Saunders, the Boston Police Patrolmen Association and, most recently, Bruce and Royal Bolling.

Natalie Carithers of Dorchester attended the debate. She didn’t say for whom she was voting, but explained that she wanted someone who was honest, hardworking and, most important, able to get legislation passed to better the community.

“In order to get anything to pass, you need to be upfront and persistent,” she said.