OP-ED; Old foes return to haunt new DA

Thomas M. Keane, Jr.
779 words
22 February 2002
Boston Herald
All Editions
027
English
(Copyright 2002)

Who is Dan Conley and why is everyone saying all these terrible things about him?

Acting Gov. Jane Swift has just appointed Conley to be Suffolk County's district attorney, filling the slot left by 10-year veteran Ralph Martin's resignation. But instead of the customary good press and congratulations all around, Conley comes to the job amidst a storm of criticism. Senior prosecutors are threatening to resign, the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association has denounced him, and other politicians snipe at him, calling him untrustworthy.

Worse, and more substantively, many fear he'll bring back what they think of as the bad old days of Newman Flanagan. Flanagan, a long-time DA before Martin took office, had an us-vs.-them view of the world that made for a sharp contrast to Martin's much lauded, partnership-oriented crime fighting.

DA may be the only political job in America where qualifications actually matter and Conley would seem to fit the bill. For 10 years an assistant district attorney, he had a reputation as a tough prosecutor with a talent for winning in court. He then served for eight years on the Boston City Council. A political moderate, he at times took surprisingly progressive positions; he was, for example, a key vote in passing domestic partnership legislation for gays and lesbians in 1996.

Some of the disparagement coming Conley's way is probably just politics as usual. A number of politicians and one former assistant DA had been vying for Swift's nod. But Conley's credentials combined with his electoral strength - $340,000 in his campaign account and a strong base in Hyde Park and Roslindale - made him an early favorite. As a result, the dime-dropping was fast and furious.

Moreover, despite his years on the council, Conley was never comfortable in the role of politician. He's not the kind of guy who is quick with a slap on the back. Nor is he good at compromise, the oil of everyday politics. Serious in demeanor, he sees issues in terms of principles and does not form alliances easily. Consequently, he made few friends on the council.

And as for the criticism from the Patrolmen's Association: Conley is in good company. The association opposed Thomas Menino when he ran for mayor and vociferously campaigned against Martin when he ran for DA. Conley alienated the association when he questioned the lucrative benefits granted officers under the Quinn bill. It may not have been politically shrewd; he was right on the merits.

Ralph Martin's genius was to make public safety a collaboration. To do that, he reached out to those communities - mostly poor, mostly black or Hispanic - that had been hardest hit by crime. African- American himself, Martin enlisted the aid of the black churches and worked effectively with community leaders. The results were startling: crime declined while racial tensions eased considerably.

Many in the black community had wanted to see another African- American in the job. Conley, who was originally hired by Flanagan, did not even support Martin when he ran, instead endorsing his Democratic rival, Gerard Malone.

That was a serious misstep and it has fanned concern that Conley lacks understanding of and is unsympathetic to the needs of minority neighborhoods. The worry is he may undo the progress achieved under Martin.

Conley disputes that charge vigorously. He notes that the communities he represented while a councilor are among Boston's most diverse. He vows to reach out to and work with Boston's minority community leaders. "I have no intention of letting the gains of the 1990s slip away," he says.

Those are good words, sincerely meant. However, the proof will be in Conley's actions. Lucky for hin, he has the time to offer that proof. He faces election in the fall and doubtless there will be many running for the seat. But he's already the favorite, for one reason: He's the incumbent.

Voters like to keep those doing a decent job. As Conley says, `The best campaign would be to run the office professionally and well."

Still, winning battles in the courtroom is not enough. Conley thinks of the DA's office as a "professional law office for the people." That's true but too narrow. Ralph Martin's success as DA was measured not in the number of convictions he obtained, but in the peace he brought to Boston. That needs to become Conley's standard as well.

Tom Keane can be reached at tomkeane@tomkeane.com.

Graphic: CONLEY: Vows to reach out.

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