City Bitties

It's not every day--or even every year--that city councilors get to dine at Harvard's official President's residence (17 Quincy St), but in what was admittedly an effort to case perennial town-gown tensions. President Bok and several University administrators hosted Cambridge's nine city councilors and school superintendent last Wednesday night.

Bok opened the three-hour session with a quote from the well-known children's book "Where the Wild Things Are," by Maurice Sendak A little patronizing, perhaps, but the sentiment accurately characterized the evening to come.

"Let the wild rumpus begin!" rallied Bok And so began the Cambridge officials trade against Harvard's expansionist real estate practices. From the stuffed filet of sole entree to the Queen of Sheba chocolate cake, councilors were unrelenting in their criticisms during the closed meeting

It appears that the match was equally stimulating for both parties. Said Associate Vice President for State and Community Relations Jacqueline O'Neill, the community's main link to the University, "Derek loves the chance to roll up his sleeves with the community."

State Democrats have begun preparing for their spring Issues Convention to be held May 17 and 18 in Springfield, Mass.. Five Cantabrigians will be there to put in their two cents worth.

Appointed last week by State Party Chairman Chester Atkins, the five will serve on the Demecrats's Platform Committee.

They are Elizabeth Dunn. Democratic State Committee Member, Kenneth Goode, an aide to State Senator George Bachrach (D-Watertown); John St. George, a former City Council candidate; David Sullivan, city councilor and State Committee member; and Alice Wolf, city councilor and State Committee member.

Before convening in Springfield, the Platform Committee will hear testimony from local Democrats at SIX public hearing, beginning March 5 in Worcester.

Seven participants in last June's antinuclear protest of an AVCO Systems plant went to court last week on charges of trespassing. Cambridge resident Susan L. Redlich was among the seven, who are the first of O people arrested in the incident.

Redlich was acquitted of trespassing because she was thrown on the AVCO property, and another acquitted due to a police officer's improper identification, but five were convicted of the charges.

The protesters represented the New England Campaign to Stop the Euromissiles and chose the AVCO site, because that company allegedly produces components for the Pershing Missiles. Redlich said the protest was an effort "to prevent the land from being used to create a nuclear oven."

The Middlesex District Attorney will try in the coming weeks 23 more protestors who did not admit to trespassing.

At last night's City Council meeting, Councilor Alfred E. Velluccil introduced an order thanking President Bok for establishing a $1 million fund to support undergraduate involvement in community service projects.

"Ordered: that the Cambridge City Council go on record thanking. President Derek Bok of Harvard University for the establishment of a 'one million fund' to endow student community services," read the proclamation. It noted the strength of already existing programs in the areas of tutoring, services to the mentally retarded and the handicapped, and Phillips Brooks House projects in particular.

But, though the former mayor called the establishment of the endowment "a step toward good town/gown relations" in the resolution. Vellucci described the fund as a ploy to calm city anger towards Harvard. "The town/gown [relationship] is falling apart. The Corporation put pressure on President Bok and he was happy to respond." Vellucci said last night