By Brian Wallace

     I called Jimmy Kelly’s house on Sunday December 18 at 6PM. Ever since Jimmy was operated on, I have kept in touch with his family to find out how he was doing and if he needed anything  They have received hundreds, if not thousands, of similar calls, so I try not to call too often out of respect for Jimmy’s condition need for rest.

When I called that Sunday night, his son Jamie told me that he was glad I had called, because his father wanted me, Jack Hart and Mike Flaherty to meet with him on Tuesday at 10 at his house. I had a speaking engagement at the State House, which I quickly cancelled.

     I arrived at Jimmy’s house on Bantry Way about ten minutes after ten; and I really didn’t know what to expect. I can honestly tell you that what I saw was not what I had expected. Jackie and Mike were already seated at the kitchen table, and they were already kidding Jimmy about his new hairdo, or lack thereof. Jimmy was laughing the hardest and told us that his grandkids thought he looked better this way. “You at least won’t have to worry about the wind now, Jim.” Jack Hart said and Jimmy couldn’t contain his laughter. It was so good to see that laugh and the smiles that followed.

     Jimmy Kelly, I quickly determined, was the same Jimmy Kelly, minus some hair, that we elected over 23 years ago to represent our community. There were scars on his head but his spirit wasn’t scarred in the least. As usual, with Jimmy, what you saw is what you got and that was fine by me He had been through a lot, but that was nothing new for Jimmy Kelly.   

     I knew of Jimmy Kelly long before I actually knew him personally. His reputation has never changed. He is a man who is tough but fair. He is also a person you don’t want to mess with or take lightly. That certainly has not changed.

     One of my very first meeting as a sworn-in State Representative took place in the incredibly ornate Senate Reading Room, which Jack Hart had reserved for us. Jimmy, Jack, Michael and myself were scheduled to meet with developers, who owned some waterfront property and were getting ready to develop it. We made small talk for ten minutes or so and Jimmy said, “OK, guys, what have you got to show us.” With that, one of the developers began to pass around two pieces of paper for us to look at while another went and got an easel. He then unveiled a drawing which made the four of us shudder. It was a 370-foot building on the wrong side of Congress Street.  Jimmy bounced out of his chair with the two pieces of paper already rolled into balls of paper in his right hand. He threw the first one at the President of the company and the second one at the Vice President. “You will never build anything like this in our neighborhood,” was the kindest thing he said. I can’t repeat what else he said, as he bounded out of the huge room and slammed the door for emphasis. “I don’t think Jimmy’s with you on this one,” I said, but they didn’t laugh.

     I knew about his tenacity but that was the first time I saw it as an elected official. I found out about his sense of humor a few weeks before. Jimmy, Jack, Michael and myself were asked to attend a meeting at the Marian Manor which we thought was about Medicare reimbursements. I had not even been sworn in yet, but I was invited because Jack Hart had already assumed the Senate seat and we had no sitting Rep.

As the meeting was winding down, one of the Manor staff said, “We have just one more item to discuss.” We just looked at each other. Like the developers, he brought out a huge drawing which he placed on an easel in front of us. On top of the color drawing which was very professionally done were the words MARIAN MANOR AT QUARRY HILL. We were shocked. “What is this?” Jimmy demanded. “This is something we have been thinking about,” was the answer he got back from the person making the presentation. “It looks to me like you’ve been doing a lot more than thinking about this,” he said, as only Jimmy Kelly could say.

     They got the message. Nobody had to tell us what an impact it was going to have on our community. Jimmy turned to me and said, “Wallace, you’re not even sworn in yet and we’re already losing Marian Manor.”

     I have had the pleasure, and believe me that is what it has been, to attend hundreds of meetings with Jimmy over the past three years as an elected official . I have never met a harder worker. He is at every meeting. He takes a stand on every issue, and whether you like his stand or not it is based on his strong beliefs - not subject to change depending on poll numbers or newspaper editorials.

We have never had another City Councilor from District 2. 

     After leaving his house last Tuesday morning, believe me, Jimmy Kelly is going to be in that seat for as long as he wants. He is one of the toughest, most resilient men I have ever met. He had us laughing at ourselves, at his stories, and his hospital experiences for close to two hours.

Then he wanted us to fax him details on all the issues and developments we had been working on since his hospitalization.

     I left Jimmy’s house feeling a lot better than when I walked in. It was a day I will never forget, one I will treasure for as long as God lets me stay on this earth and I know Michael and Jack feel the same way. We have our buddy back, and that made my Christmas a lot brighter.