Malden politics runs in the family for Fallons, Luceys, and Spadaforas

"If her last name was Smith, I don't think the outcome would have been the same," said at-large candidate David D'Arcangelo, who finished fourth behind Fallon in September's primary. "That's not sour grapes, that's just calling it like it is."

Deborah Fallon is proud of her father's legacy."He really did try to improve the city," she said.

The current City Council president, Craig Spadafora, also has several relatives in local government. His family's Canal Street restaurant, Anthony's of Malden, is an upscale establishment with multiple ballrooms, wedding packages, and funeral spreads available. It has also hosted many political fund-raisers, including the annual Democratic City Committee Summer Barbecue in August.

"Some people say "Oh, they're trying to take over the city, these families,'" Spadafora said. "But I say it's the opposite. The reason why you're seeing more and more of us staying in the city is because we want to make the community better."

Craig Spadadora

His grandfather, Police Commissioner Anthony Spadafora, 85, earned just under $5,000 last year on the job, and his uncle Anthony made roughly $49,000 as a public buildings custodian.

Craig's cousin, John Spadafora, sits on the volunteer Planning Board, and John's wife, Angela, made $2,310 last year as a substitute teacher.

Another uncle, former city councilor William Spadafora, served for about 14 years before losing his Ward 3 seat to Paul DiPietro in 2006.

Spadafora - who is also national sales director at the Lynnfield-based Investors Capital Corp. - finished second in the primary. He’s served in the council since 2002, earning $17,500 last year, the going rate until members approved a slight pay cut at the end of the session.

Despite his pedigree, the council president said he felt like a fish out of water during his first campaign eight years ago.

"Running for citywide office the first time, you don’t know what to do," Spadafora said. "It's such a huge undertaking, with mailings, going door to door. It was kind of a whirlwind for the first couple weeks of the campaign, until I felt a burning flame in my stomach that I could win this thing."

City Councilor Greg Lucey - who finished first in the at-large primary - is the president of an insurance company in town. His father, Ed, lost his seat in the state House of Representatives and then served on the council from 1980 to 1989, and as mayor from 1992 to 1996. He was ousted at the polls by the current mayor, Richard Howard.

Greg Lucey

The younger Lucey - who also served three terms on the School Committee - said he honed his skills as a campaigner while stumping for his father.

"Back then, we used to have elections all the time,'' Lucey said. "They were very active campaigns, because people used to vote a lot more.''

Lucey's wife, Marie, earned about $55,000 last year as an administrative assistant in the School Department.

Inevitably, the families are intertwined, or on opposing sides.

Christopher Fallon

Kathryn Fallon, who makes about $71,600 a year as city solicitor, is handling a legal dispute involving the promotion of two Malden police officers.

The opposing counsel? That would be her uncle, state Representative Christopher Fallon, the top lawyer for the Malden Police union and a former School Committee member.

Craig Spadafora's sister Alicia is Representative Fallon's chief of staff on Beacon Hill.

Voters will sort all this out on Nov. 3. The other City Council at-large candidates are former councilor Jeffrey Donahue, D'Arcangelo, a former Planning Board member, and Brian O'Boyle.

Bob Miller, head of a citizens' group leading a charge to repeal a controversial trash fee in town, said all three families are involved in "90 percent" of what goes on locally, though he wouldn't switch places with them.

"I don't envy them because of what politics can take out of you, and they're not afraid to enter the arena," he said. "Do they have an easier time [breaking in]? Absolutely."