The Somerville News Blog

Desmond sets his sights on clerk of courts job

Desmond sets his sights on clerk of courts job
By George P. Hassett

An alderman-at-large who once lost an election by one vote has declared his candidacy for the Middlesex County clerk of courts position.
   Bruce Desmond, who lost to Alderman-at-Large William A. White by one vote in 1999 but came back in 2001 to win a spot on the board, said he is looking forward to the county-wide race and the job he could win.

News talk for the week of March 29th

News talk for the week of March 29th

We hear through several  sources that there may be some kind of “sexual harassment” lawsuit filed against the Somerville Housing Authority by one of their own employees.  We can’t confirm it, but there was a lot of excitement down there these past couple of weeks, so much so that SHA Director Joe Macaluso has had meetings regarding certain porn related materials laying around the offices. Like we said more then one source but to be honest not a good source, and not enough time to go snooping, plus our staff didn’t have time to assign the story for this edition.   

Aldermen approve additional $12 million for Lincoln Park school

Aldermen approve additional $12 million for Lincoln Park school
By George P. Hassett

     The Board of Aldermen this week unanimously approved adding $12.3 million to the $23.4 million bond already planned to rebuild the Lincoln Park Community Park school.

Enforcement of Assembly Square decision postponed until June 1

Enforcement of Assembly Square decision postponed until June 1
By George P. Hassett

   Land Court Judge Alexander H. Sands III postponed ruling on two motions by the city Monday to amend his judgment that the zoning that paved the way for a strip mall to be built at Assembly Square is unfair and invalid.
Sands ruled March 7 that the zoning the Board of Aldermen approved for Assembly Square conflicted with state laws requiring uniformity. In press releases from the city’s communications office, lawyers claimed Sands’ decision was based on a technicality that could be easily addressed.

Sullivan declares for state Senate

Sullivan declares for state Senate

An alderman-at-large from East Somerville today declared for the Senate seat expected to be vacated by Jarrett T. Barrios, D-Cambridge.

Dennis Sullivan said he took out the neccessary papers from the secretary of state's office and plans to run for the seat.

Developing...

Desmond pulls papers

Desmond pulls papers

Alderman-at-Large Bruce M. Desmond said this week he will run for the vacant Middlesex County Clerk of Courts seat. The seat has been held by Edward Sullivan for the past 48 years. Sullivan's nephew Michael, the former mayor of Cambridge, has also declared for the seat.

Read more about Desmond and his quest to become the next Middlesex Clerk of Courts in Wednesday's edition of the Somerville News.

Capuano endorses Patrick for Governor

Capuano endorses Patrick for Governor

By George P. Hassett

   U.S. Congressman Michael E. Capuano today announced his support for gubernatorial candidate Deval Patrick at Patrick's Charlestown headquarters.

   "It is my great pleasure to endorse Deval Patrick for governor of Massachusetts. He is a candidate who shares my dedication to the core values that define the Democratic party. Massachusetts will truly benefit from Deval’s desire to bring economic prosperity and growth to all residents of the Commonwealth," said Capuano.

Masons donate equipment to city

Masons donate equipment to city

The King Solomon Masonic Lodge of Highland Ave. donated two emergency defibulators, worth $3600, to Acting Police Chief Robert R. Bradley and Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone this week.

Tufts students bring home College Emmy

Tufts students bring home College Emmy

By Benjamin Witte

       For a group of Tufts students whose recent film project about “grease cars” just netted them a College Emmy award – and with it an all-expenses-paid trip to California – third place never looked so good.
       On Sunday, the Los Angeles-based Television Academy of Arts and Sciences honored seniors Phil Martin, Emi Norris and Assaf Pines, and freshman Sean Malahy with third place in the documentary category for their film “From the Fryer to the Freeway.”
     The College Emmy, a first for Tufts University, is a huge accolade. It also came as a huge surprise for the inexperienced foursome. Two of the four had never made a film before.

News Talk for the week of March 22

News Talk for the week of March 22

We heard a good one the other night. How would you like to be on the receiving end of this water bill? The law firm of Sillari & Glines on Highland Avenue received a bill for slightly over $11K! That’s right $11,000.00, and all they have is a bathroom sink and toilet in the building. At least they don’t have to go too far to make an appeal. Evidently there’s still problems over at the Water Department. If you received a bill larger then expected let us know.
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Still no results on the Traffic & Parking missing money taken almost 2 months ago now. We hear  recently appointed Captain Charles Femino is in charge of the investigation or, rather, lack of investigation. Rumor around town is that the good captain stopped doing the lie detector tests after interrogating only four people.  It is his job to investigate, but as you can see, there is still no resolution to the matter. We bet that Mayor Joe would like to finally get this problem behind him.

New head master for high school announced

New head master for high school announced

Anthony Ciccariello was announced as the next head master of Somerville High School today by Superintendent Anthony Pierantozzi. The school committee unanimously recommended Ciccariello, a longtime Somerville school department employee, and Pierantozzi, who makes the final decision, followed their lead.

Ciccariello had been vice head master at the school since 2002.

More than pizza on the menu at the Paddock

More than pizza on the menu at the Paddock
By George P. Hassett

   Patrons of the Paddock Restaurant were treated to more than a meal Thursday night, when a police pursuit went through the dining area and into the kitchen, ending in two arrests, including the restaurants’ owner.
   The incident began when police responded to a report of a domestic dispute on Gilman St. The victim at the scene allegedly told police that her boyfriend, John Reid, had slapped and threatened to kill her after learning her roommate was a man.

Juvenile behavior leads to four arrests

Juvenile behavior leads to four arrests
By George P. Hassett

   A Somerville police officer was assaulted by four juveniles in Winter Hill Friday night.
Police said Officer Marcos Freitas approached four male juveniles about a noise disturbance they were causing in front of 457 Medford St. and, after identifying himself as a police officer, was allegedly struck from the side by one of the juveniles.
   Freitas then fell to the ground, striking his head on the concrete, and was repeatedly hit in the face by the other juveniles, aged 14 to 16, causing cuts and scrapes, said police.

News' arts editor to read at Cambridge art gallery March 27

News' arts editor to read at Cambridge art gallery March 27

Doug Holder, the arts editor of The Somerville News, will read from his new chapbook "Wrestling With My Father" at the Out of the Blue art gallery next Monday night at 8 p.m. 

Mayor: Wal-Mart isn’t welcome

Mayor: Wal-Mart isn’t welcome
By George P. Hassett 

   Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone has joined the growing ranks of elected officials to speak out against Wal-Mart’s employment practices, and to recognize its destructive effect on healthy local businesses, said a local union this week.
   In a recent City Hall meeting with the Greater Boston Labor Council, Curtatone made clear that he would vigorously oppose any effort to put a Wal-Mart in Somerville.
   “I want you to know that I will resist Wal-Mart here in Somerville, not only because of the company’s labor practices, but because of what they do to local merchants,” said Curtatone. “I’m not about to let Wal-Mart come in to wreak havoc on our local workforce and business community.”

Off the Shelf by Doug Holder for the week of March 22

Off the Shelf by Doug Holder for the week of March 22

The Beat Face of God: The Beat Generation Writers As Spirit Gudes

I remember picking up a copy of "On the Road," by Jack Kerouac at a bookstore in Downtown Crossing, Boston 30 years ago, and being unable to put it down. At the time, I was in my early 20's and struggling to define who I was. This book spoke to me like no other. After devouring it, I was like an addict, I had to read everything by Kerouac and the "Beats." "On the Road," spurred me on to more reading, and eventually to an advanced degree in literature, poetry publishing, etc... When I read "On the Road" now at 50 I don't feel the same way I did then, but I can remember that seminal rush. Stephen D. Edington's,( who I met at a reading at the Squawk Coffee House in Harvard Square,) new book: "Beat Face of God..." writes:

Lyrical Somerville for the week of March 22

Lyrical Somerville for the week of March 22

Why are the oceans, the tide, the changing landscape, so often used as metaphors in poetry? I think poet Jane Etzel answers that question in her compelling poem: “Shifting Sands.” To have your work considered for the “Lyrical,” send it Doug Holder  25 School St. Somerville, Mass. 02143  dougholder@post.harvard.edu.

Shifting Sands

You say your life is changing
Sand castles falling down
Shifting, drifting
Crumbling walls
Tides in
Time’s upside down.

Reality Bites by James Norton for the week of March 15

Reality Bites by James Norton for the week of March 15

TV commercials for laundry detergents always show you how well their product takes out bloodstains.  It’s my opinion that if you have a t-shirt with bloodstains all over it, that maybe your laundry isn’t your most pressing problem

Recently, I have been mulling over whether to write a book or a screenplay (or maybe both).  I have a number of ideas for both – some I would write on my own and others I would definitely need to collaborate with at least one other person.
The titles flash in my mind and I can’t help but laugh at them – and myself.
For now I’ll keep the titles to myself, but if you’ve ever read anything of mine before this, then you can be certain there will be a treasure-trove of autobiographical, self-absorbent, pseudo-cathartic drivel about something that’s happened in my past.

Cambridge man hangs himself from Holiday Inn

Cambridge man hangs himself from Holiday Inn

By George P. Hassett

A 49 year old Cambridge man hung from a Holiday Inn ledge yesterday, dying before police arrived on the scene.

Police have not yet released the man's name because they are still notifying family members, said Lt. Paul Upton.

At approximately 12:45 p.m. Wednesday police received a call to the Holiday Inn. Upton said upon arrival, police found a man who had been deceased by hanging.

Upton said the investigation into the man's death is ongoing.

Blue State Blues: A book review by Doug Holder

Blue State Blues: A book review by Doug Holder

  I met David Slavitt when he ran for office against State Rep. Tim Toomey, in the Cambridge/Somerville area, back in Jan. 2004. Slavitt, at age 69, was a political novice. For the past 40 years he made his reputation as a poet, novelist, translator, academic, and Newsweek movie critic. Slavitt, was interviewed by The Somerville News reporters at our usual Friday morning meeting and I thought that this Republican/Poet/Politician would make a good subject for my Somerville Cable Access TV show: “ Poet to Poet: Writer to Writer.” Slavitt, who is a product of Yale University, is a fascinating study; with his caustic wit, his erudite intelligence, and, as he described it to me his “Built-in shit detector,” a much needed tool in the shoals of politics. Slavitt decided to run, with the help of his son Evan, to address the “problem” of the Democratic-dominated House and Senate, and politics in general. Slavitt doesn’t fit the profile of your typical Republican. He supports gay marriage, and abortion, but he is decidedly conservative when it comes to fiscal and public service matters.