The Somerville News

Boston development 'steals view' from Somerville neighbors

By George P. Hassett

The hill on Crescent Street had gone untouched since James O’Leary’s family lived in the neighborhood – 70 years. Beyond the hill, Crescent Street residents enjoyed a view of Boston and the Charles River. Then one day O’Leary looked out his window and saw bulldozers tearing through the hill and ripping up its vegetation. That was the first he heard of the six unit, three story residential building being built across the street from his Somerville home.

Capuano: Feds ignoring noise complaints

By George P. Hassett

 
Three times as many planes are flying over Somerville in 2007 compared to last year and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials are ignoring noise complaints from city residents and their congressman.

U.S. Rep. Michael E. Capuano, D-Somerville, said when he tried to meet with FAA officials about the complaints he received from constituents they “stiff-armed” him and refused to acknowledge his concerns.

Pero to city and residents: Remember Veterans Day

By George P. Hassett

The alderman for Ward 4 said this week that he was disappointed with the low citizen turnout at a Veteran’s Day celebration at the VFW Dilboy Post.

“It was the choir speaking to the choir,” said Alderman Walter Pero. “There was no substantial citizen support of the event.”

Desmond: Max Pak developers not informing neighbors

By George P. Hassett

Alderman-at-Large Bruce  Desmond is criticizing KSS Realty, the developers of the old Max Pak factory site, for not providing enough information to neighbors about environmental testing being done there.

“Neighbors and community members worked hundreds of hours to get the zoning for the project done correctly, then out of the blue a notice with very little information is dropped on their doorstep saying there will be some environmental testing done in their neighborhood,” Desmond said at last week’s Board of Aldermen meeting.

Newstalk for Wednesday November 28th 2007

Sources close to City Hall have told us that there is a movement afloat to get rid of another appointee in the Mayor’s office, we hesitate to mention names but last time we said this Mark H. was out of a job. 

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Meanwhile, at the DPW yards, we hear that “Torpedo Lady” has been out on “Comp” again for the holidays - this has become somewhat of a ritual we hear - at least for a few years now. Probably needs more time for all those gifts for all the special friends at the union. That’s what we think but then again we’re not sure.                                                                          .

Immigration policy reform part 5: Long term solutions

By William C. Shelton

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

Illegal immigrants have been blamed for slowed U.S. wage growth, our shrinking middle class, rising healthcare costs, poor schools, and many other ills. I do believe that immigration law should be strictly enforced. But imagine that you have god-like powers and you can simply will that no immigrant ever again reside in the U.S. illegally. Do you think it would make any difference to these problems?

I don’t. I believe that the cause of these problems is the same as what causes the illegal immigration explosion: federal policies that systematically promote the interests of an elite against those of everyone else.

Mystic Avenue development gets largest publicly funded renovation in state history

Workers at the Somerville Housing Authority (SHA) put the finishing touches on a $3 million landscaping project designed to showcase the SHA's $30-million redevelopment at the Mystic River Family Development. The renovation is the largest publicly-funded renovation project in Massachusetts affordable housing history, and is widely considered a model for future renewals, said SHA Director Paul Mackey.

New play has an atmosphere of Somerville minimalism

Off  The Shelf by Doug Holder

Comp. By John Shea. (Boston Playwright’s Theatre. Boston University) http://www.bostonplaywrights.org

Coming back to the Boston University campus after many years can be shocking. Walking with my companions for the evening I noticed the Agganis Sports and Entertainment arena, several theatres, a huge gym with students cycling on bike machines (generating enough energy to light the city of Somerville), and huge crowds parading down the sidewalk. This was quite different from the gone-to-seed armory I passed everyday on Commonwealth Avenue as a BU student in the early 70s. What brought me back to my seminal stalking grounds was Somerville playwright John Shea’s new play “Comp.” presented at the Boston Playwright’s Theatre at Boston University. Shea, a Magoun Square resident, and graduate of Boston University’s playwriting program, has written a play set in Somerville, and centering around the conflict between two brothers over a work-related accident. It seems that one brother Kevin played by Michael F. Walker was involved in an accident that left him a cripple. His brother Marc played by Benjy Schirm was supposed to work that shift, but Kevin filled in because Marc imbibed a bit too much the night before. The brothers have come back to the family home to boil in a hotbed of resentment and recrimination resided over by an archetypical Somerville Catholic Mom expertly portrayed by Marina Re.

TV star helps Somerville kids beat the drums

By Keith Howard

A network television reality show star last week presented Somerville High School students with a scholarship to pay for renovations to music facilities at the school.

David Olsen, 28, master of Somerville’s Freemasonry Lodge and star of the television series, “Beauty and the Geek,” appeared before the Somerville School Committee on Monday evening to offer $10,000 to Somerville High School.

Step away from the giblets

On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

I love the turkey napkins, the turkey bowls and the horn-a–plentys. I love the little Pilgrim figurines, the plastic turkey tablecloths, the pies and the cranberry sauce.

Thanksgiving is supposed to be a time of…well, thanks. We gather with our loved ones and eat like pigs until we can’t move. Then we watch football and someone starts snoring.

Everyone thinks I’m gross because I like the giblets, heart and liver – I got that from my dad, who used to eat ALL the parts.

A Showcase for good ideas-wherever they come from

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

This past weekend, the Boston Globe began a series of editorials on how to rebuild the cities and towns that provide the foundation for the state’s economic, social and environmental performance. It is a crucial topic, and I am glad that they have taken it on.

Last Sunday, they started with an overview of Lawrence, which has long ranked as the poorest city (by per capita income) in Massachusetts. Lawrence is working hard to create economic development, improve its schools, rebuild its infrastructure, enlarge and enhance its parks and expand its stock of affordable housing. They’ve made progress, but they face serious challenges from a shaky economy that has created a sharp rise in foreclosures and a retreat from commercial investment in at least one key redevelopment project.

Brickbottom artists open their studios

Photos by Ethan Backer

 

Students bring "Immigrant City" into classroom

By Elizabeth Bernardi

The Somerville Museum hosted a conversation about incorporating immigration issues into city classrooms Saturday as part of the “Immigrant City: Then and Now” exhibit currently on display.

“Exploring the Immigrant Experience in the Classroom” consisted of presentations by five Tufts University students, along with comments by Somerville High School teacher Adda Santos and Director of English Language Programs and Services Sarah Davila.

“In the discussion about immigrant groups in our country, there is this big disconnect between people’s real lives and the dialogue . . . that turns them into faceless immigrants,” said Warren Goldstein-Gelb, introducing the program. Goldstein-Gelb is the director of the Welcome Project, a 20-year-old organization dedicated to easing the transition for new immigrants who reside in Somerville.

Somerville Kiwanis Provide Memorable Thanksgiving for Seniors

On Tuesday evening November 13th the Somerville Kiwanis Club had the honor of serving 120 Somerville Senior Citizens with hot turkey dinners (with all the fixins), apple pie and coffee at the Somerville High School Culinary Arts Restaurant. Upon finishing their meal the seniors were serenaded by the Somerville Karaoke Singers and $250 in cash prizes from the Kiwanis were awarded to the seniors.

According to club President George McLean, this annual event, sponsored by the Somerville Kiwanis Club, represents various groups from the community coming together to provide an enjoyable Thanksgiving event for our seniors.

The View From Prospect Hill

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday for family and friends to come together, spend precious time away from the doldrums of life and work – to give thanks for what we have and be optimistic for the future. We at The Somerville News have our own personal thanks this season, and of course we have some public thanks to share with the readers of our tome.

We are thankful for the opportunity to run our businesses and reside in this very special city, which enjoys a wonderful combination of the trappings of urban life and the closeness of a tight-knit community where people know their neighbors next door as well as across the city.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Nortons, Tauro's, staff, editors, writers and contributors.

Don't forget the Somerville High Football Game is in Arlington at 10 a.m.   

Newstalk for Wednesday November 21st 2007

Happy Birthday greetings to long time Somerville business owner ED LYNCH founder of Wayside Trans Corp, who just celebrated with his club members at a recent Somerville Lions Club Dinner, his 90th birthday - and the celebration of 75 years in a business that he started here in Somerville!  Ed opened Wayside Trucking on Somerville Avenue in 1933, the same year FDR was inaugurated as our 32nd President, which also just happens to be the same year as the founding of the Somerville Lions Club. Congratulations Ed - best wishes from all your friends and us as well. Also congratulations to the Somerville Lions Club members, who do great work in the city - one of the three services clubs here in Somerville.    

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Seems that Mayor Joe was pretty excited with the recent elections and wanted to show his appreciation by taking ALMOST everyone on the Board of Aldermen to dinner after the last meeting on Nov. 8. Everyone that attended Limoncello Restaurant in the North End that night enjoyed themselves.   

Suspect in Broadway rape caught

By George P. Hassett

A 16-year-old Somerville boy who allegedly robbed and raped a store clerk at gunpoint on lower Broadway Sept. 16 was arrested by police Sunday night.

The boy, whose name police are not releasing because he is a juvenile, committed the “outrageous” rape against a clerk who was opening up for business at 7:15 a.m. on the Sunday morning in September said Acting Police Chief Robert R. Bradley. After the crime he fled on Broadway toward Sullivan Square with an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect had been described as a young black male, 16 to 19 years old, 5 foot 9 to 5 foot 10 wearing a black hooded sweat shirt, light color jeans, and clean cut.

Lafuente gives News the silent treatment

By George P. Hassett

Failed alderman-at-large candidate Tony Lafuente told a Somerville News reporter today that he will not speak to the paper. "I'd rather not speak to the News," he said. When asked why he was refusing Lafuente said, "For various reasons."

Lafuente has twice run for city office in the last four years. He lost to Joseph A. Curtatone by less than 5 percent in a race for mayor in 2003 and finished 38 votes behind Bruce Desmond in last week's city elections for alderman-at-large. He has formally requested a recount which is set to take place Dec. 1 in City Hall's aldermanic chambers.

Immigration policy reform part 4: What might work

By William C. Shelton

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

Vast expenditures of taxpayer funds on border maintenance and fence building are excellent means of delivering pork to supporters in the pubic and private sectors. And they are mildly useful in winning loyalty from reactionary voters. But they are useless when it comes to controlling illegal immigration. 

Over the period that the federal border enforcement budget has increased seven-fold and the number of enforcement agents, more than tripled, undocumented immigrants living here have doubled. Moreover, 40 percent of undocumented immigrants don’t cross the border illegally; they overstay temporary visas.