Downfall of 'dapper'

Almost unnoticed in the national media's coverage of the elections last month was the curtain failing on the political career of one of Boston's most durable, outspoken politicians, Albert (Dapper) O'Neil, who narrowly missed reelection to the at-large city councillor seat he has held since 1970.

Beginning as a driver for legendary Boston Mayor James Michael Curley (D.), O'Neil has been a fixture in Beantown politics for most of his 79 years. He was best known as a leader of the opposition to court-ordered school busing in the 1970s and for his unique sandpaper-like personality. Whether someone was black, Hispanic, homosexual or overweight, Dapper said precisely what he thought in language that could be characterized only as "politically incorrect."

Copyright Human Events Publishing, Inc. Nov 26, 1999
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