'Bagel man' schmears into race

'Bagel Man' schmears into race

After using his bagel cart as a podium for human rights, Dan "The Bagel Man" Kontoff of Brighton is running for city councilor again.

Sporting more than 75 political buttons on his hat spanning issues and decades, ranging from supporting the homeless to anti-Vietnam War pins, he promises to give government back to the people.

"Government should be there for the people, and right now government is not doing a good job all over the country," said the 44-year-old Chestnut Hill Avenue resident.

A self-described antiwar candidate, he chooses to take on more national issues in his campaign. He talks passionately about the depleting ozone layer, the war in Iraq and the disappearing rain forests.

If elected, Kontoff said he will work to lower rent costs, add more funds to education and make health care accessible and affordable for all. "I will always have my door open and walk amongst the people."

Running under the umbrella of the Green-Rainbow Party, Kontoff is a regular candidate for the Boston City Council seat from Allston-Brighton. He lost to Jerry McDermott in 2003 and received only 18 percent of the vote. He also ran for state representative against Michael Moran last year.

Born in Framingham, Kontoff grew up in Newton. He attended six different schools during his childhood and dropped out of Northeastern University after one year.

Worked for Greenpeace

After several jobs and some volunteering with Greenpeace Inc., he headed to Washington, D.C., seeking some excitement. There he got more politically involved and started volunteering at the Washington Peace Center in Dupont Circle.

He worked as a waiter in a restaurant and squatted an apartment with his cat during one year. Then his political ideas sent him to Miami to protest the testing of nuclear weapons. This also led to a nine-day stint in jail.

Having attended Vietnam war protests with his mother and siblings, Kontoff said he has been involved in politics since childhood.

His politicking has often got him into trouble, from being caught while protesting at the DNC to being too political a vendor while selling bagels at Park Street. But Kontoff's political career was officially launched in 1999, when he ran for City Councilor At-Large in Boston.

Dressed as casually as they come, in colorful T-shirts with messages, beads, earrings and badges, Kontoff said he lives simply and runs a poor people's campaign.

He has no money but wants to make a difference. "It's an ongoing process," he said. "It's about being there for the people."