Thursday, 4:30 PM
Cancer-stricken Kelly could get name on bridge
By Donovan Slack, GLOBE STAFF
In South Boston, he is a beloved figure, seen as a political warrior who repeatedly defended neighborhood interests against outside forces and as a standard bearer for Southie’s native culture. But in other parts of Boston, he also has been viewed as one of the city’s most divisive forces: He was on the front lines against school busing, fought gays who wanted to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and fought a bitter battle to prevent outsiders from getting affordable housing in his neighborhood.
Now suffering brain cancer, Councilor James M. Kelly could soon be honored with a permanent reminder of his life in public service. A group of elected officials want to name South Boston’s Broadway Bridge after him and have introduced legislation that could be approved as soon as next week.
"I think what we fail to do in our society is honor people while they’re still with us," said state Senator Jack Hart, who introduced the bill.
Hart, a Democrat, has been working with Mayor Thomas M. Menino and two fellow South Boston politicians, state Representative Brian Wallace and City Council President Michael F. Flaherty, to find the right piece of public property to name after Kelly. They said the bridge, recently reconstructed as part of the Big Dig, seemed ideal.
Kelly, undergoing treatment since 2003 for colon and later brain cancer, was resting at home Thursday. "It’ll be a tremendous honor for me," he said in a telephone interview. "I’m indeed grateful to the elected officials and to the people of South Boston."
The bill is scheduled to be introduced in the House Friday and could be passed and on the governor’s desk by Monday, Hart said.
South Boston natives seemed to favor the proposal that the bridge be named after him. Ronnie Croake, a bartender at the Quiet Man Pub next to the Broadway T station, said the renaming was a great idea. "It works for me. It’s a fine Irish name," said the lifelong South Boston resident. "He deserves it while he’s still alive."
"I’d go along with that because I like James Kelly," Terry Foley chimed in, between sips of beer. "He never forgot where he came from and he’s a good guy. Whatever they name after him, I’d go for."
At least one person was in opposition, albeit for a somewhat more practical reason. Sitting in a T bus at the Broadway station on his break, Ash Abe, said changing the Broadway Bridge’s name would cause traffic problems. Abel has driven the No. 47 bus through South Boston for 10 years.
"If you call it something else," he said, "people might get confused."
Globe correspondent Michael Naughton contributed to this report. Donovan Slack can be reached at dslack@globe.com.
