Sheila Russell To Leave City Council Position

Sheila Russell, a 14-year member of the Cambridge City Council and former Cambridge mayor, announced last week that she is stepping down from the council and retiring from Cambridge politics.

Her announcement has opened a number of questions as to her potential successors, as well as to the future of council politics.

"She has been the glue that holds the council together," said Preceptor in Mathematics Robert Winters, the publisher of the Cambridge Civic Journal, a monthly political newsletter.

"She became one of the binding agents that builds a bridge between the different factions," he said.

Her decision comes only three weeks after Cambridge Mayor Francis H. Duehay '55 announced his retirement. Russell maintains that her decision to retire was "absolutely not" related to Duehay's decision.

"I made the decision entirely on my own," she said, and did not cite any specific reasons for her decision.

Their departure, however, leaves some Cambridge residents concerned about the ability of the council to forge compromises between opposing factions.

"A lot of people at City Hall are very concerned about Sheila and Frank leaving," Winters said.

Winters said that in 1994, when the issue of rent control sharply divided the council, Russell and Duehay played a crucial role in helping to reach a consensus.

"[Rent control] was the jihad of Cambridge politics," Winters said. "[Russell and Duehay] at least tried to be compromisers."

Russell was first elected to the council in 1985, when her husband, former Mayor Leonard Russell, died. She served as mayor from 1996 to 1997.

An Independent, Russell became known as an advocate for elderly residents as well as for residents of West and North Cambridge, Winters said.

According to the Boston Globe, Russell's tenure saw the opening of the Cambridge Citywide Senior Center in 1995. Russell also helped establish the North Cambridge Anti-Crime Task Force.

Russell said she hopes to be remembered for "bringing people together," as well as her efforts to help senior citizens. She said does not expect to leave any current projects unfinished when she leaves the council at the end of this year.

According to the Globe, Russell's departure leaves uncertain the fate of City Manager Robert W. Healy, whose current contract expires next summer.

The city requires that a city manager have support from at least five councillors. Russell and Duehay supported Healy, but once both retire, only three councillors will support hiring Healy for another term.

Russell's retirement also raises questions about her successors. According to the Globe, David P. Maher, a school committee member, will likely run for her seat. Marjorie Decker and Jim Braude, both first-time candidates, may also benefit from the vacancy her retirement creates.

Winters said Russell's decision "wasn't a momentous thing" in her own mind. "She's been telling me every year for six years [that she may not run for re-election]," he said.

"I don't think she has ever looked forward to the campaign aspect," Winters said, adding that many of Russell's top campaigners are "getting older."

Russell said she has no plans for her retirement yet, but that she looks back on her career fondly.

"It's been a pleasure serving the people of Cambridge," she said.

Russell, who is 63, made the announcement on April 27.