News Talk for Feb. 21

News Talk for Wednesday, February 21st 2007

Rumors are flying around the city regarding this year’s race for Mayor…we hear that former mayoral candidate Tony LaFunete is being promised over 100K - some are saying it’s actually 180K – apparently by a large segment of the Portuguese community here and in Cambridge, we hear he’s lining up his troops.  We also hear that a lot of his support from three years ago isn’t there now, so this should be interesting.  This is going to be a good election year for Somerville…we also hear that various wards around the city are also going to be seeing some races.  The best ones that we have heard so far are - Joe Lynch, the well-known Magoun Square resident, has been lining up his support very quietly – don’t look for the same kind of race like two years ago.  We’re still hearing that former candidate for Alderman at Large and resident of Ward 4, Stephen Glines, is considering a run in that ward and we wonder what former Ward 2 Alderman Kevin Tarpley might do now that he lives in Ward 4 as well…we’ll have to wait and see but some low on the radar grapevine rumor has him running for something.   
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The race is official for the Special Alderman at Large Election race - now we know there will be a Primary.  Progressive candidate (or is he really?) Marty Martinez and former Alderman from Ward 6 Jack Connolly are both in the race with a third person – a spoiler if you will - long time resident Robert Daut who is a former Middlesex County ADA…it appears that he in particular may have some very strange and interesting support from various camps around city who might not like either of the other two candidates.  Keep in mind that the first “Candidates Night/Debate” will be in Union Square at the Independent Restaurant on March 5th and it will be sponsored by The Somerville News.
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Lieutenant Paul Kelly of the Somerville Police Department will be wrapping up a 30 year career this coming Friday, February 23rd with a retirement party at the Mount Vernon Restaurant. We wish him well and thank you for a job well done!
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We hear that the well-known and established ElGuapo’s Mexican Restaurant, which is owned by Billy Johnson and his family, was recently sold for a whopping $1.4 million dollars.  The new owner is the guy from “Sound Bites” - the breakfast place next door - who is originally from Syria…is this going to continue to be a Mexican Restaurant or a combination of Mexican/Syrian food?  And what about the liquor license? 
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Somerville Red Sox Night tickets are being sold fast for this years games - especially now the list of talented players that will hopefully bring another (doesn’t that sound strange) World Series Championship title to Boston.  Tickets are easy to purchase, just email bobpublicover@aol.com or call 617-290-6842 and ask for Bob - the three dates for “Somerville Night at the Red Sox” are June 12th, June 15th & September 1st.  Hurry, because they are going fast.
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The Somerville High School Adult Education classes are beginning and they are accepting registrations for various courses being offered, including the Real Estate License course…call 617 625-6600 and ask for Jane Cummings, the Principal of the Evening School for details.
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Don’t forget the Guns & Hoses hockey game this Sunday February 25th at 5pm at the Somerville Veterans Rink – proceeds and donations to benefit the Somerville Youth Hockey Association.  Come on out and support both the dedicated professionals who work for the Somerville Police and Fire Departments
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Comments

[Ward5Born]

Just say the word Lynchie, just say the word. We've had enough of this pompous, do nothing O'Donovan.

[ward2]

I also hear that the progressives are going after Hueston...appears that they are testing the waters with some folks to see who wants to take a shot at her. Seems like she doesn't play nice with Gewirtz and Jehlen so they are coming after her.

[Alderpeople]

Seems like even the local elections are starting earlier and earlier. With all the hoopla about Clinton, Obama, Edwards, Romney, and the other 40 candidates running for President in 2008, do we really need to start speculating about who will run for Mayor and Alderman later this year? Even if some people like Lynch are thinking about it, they should keep that to themselves until they're ready to announce.

[The Mole]

Boy you talk about having the developers in your pockets.

The new resident on Warwick St, AKA SOD, found it disturbing to have construction trucks going by his house.. What does the Ward 5 Alderman do to help HIS situation, he orchestrates a deal with KSS to send all the truck traffic up and down the unfinished portion of the path. For free. No mitigation to the city, nothing to the abutters.

Now isn't that a wonderful thing to do when you have the control and powers these fathers have in our City.

The Mole

[City Hall Nose]

Well, well, well. If anyone has driven by the “House of Mold” you may see a blue tarp hanging over the side of the building. Take a peek at what contractor trucks are around doing the work.

This is the second time out of three, that the Mayors’ brother-in-law has landed a lucrative contract with the City. Seems G C Contractor is shoring up a wall along side the building. Why they may be doing this is beyond some when they should be taking care of the health of the occupants. If anyone can remember back to last year, the same contractor worked side by side with the City’s Parks Dept redoing the “Doggy Land Park” Nunziato Field, to allow a more convenient ground cover for the paws of the City.

Of, by the way, the third contract G & C Construction did was not for the City but was to completely landscape Boss Hog’s home in Winchester. New retaining walls, cobble stone type driveway and a lot of curb appeal went into the frontage and back of the residence.

You scratch my back and I will scratch yours. I wonder how this bid/contract, for the City, was awarded or even if it were advertised. Someone should be asking the questions our eyes see. Someone~~~

[Max Warwick]

to the mole, ya we read the story in hte journal about the new road being built to help KSS. funny how that only got done after Sean bought his house on warwick. not to worry. some of us over here have a little housewarming gift for our new neighbor the Alderman from ward five.

[Ron Newman]

There was also a Somerville News reporter at Tuesday night's Bicycle Committee meeting, so I expect we'll see an article here soon.

[City Hall Nose]

Gee, did SOD submitted at the January 25th meeting of that board proposing an amendment to the Zoning Ordinances to create a PUD-B1 zone, and re-zone the KSS Maxpak site as PUD-B1 zone. This was sent to Land Use and Planning Board which probably made the access to the bike path available to KSS.

If not that, was this a reassurance of what the Alderman may have pulled back a few months ago?

Too many behind closed doors actions Sean. It is time for a change to get TRUE representation for the Citizens of Ward 5.

[Ron Newman]

Anyone interested in the KSS/MaxPak issue should be sure to attend the public hearing at City Hall on March 1, starting at 6 pm.

[John East]

Probably the wrong year for a Mayor to forget that citizens don't like to walk on icy sidewalks, and elderly people like it even less. :)

[Ice Ice Baby]

I can't remember a worse job by the DPW on any snowstorm. Even worse storms had better cleanup. This time the DPW seemed to give up before they even started. You could barely get down any streets. You couldn't park anywhere and there are still cars who haven't been able to get out of the ice piles that the plows plowed them into. While the DPW trucks weren't clearing the streets, I saw a DPW truck Clearing the driveway entrance to a private home!!! What is that about??

I guess Stan doesn't care if our streets are clear since he doesn't live here.

[DickyBird]

Come on down to me there is no snow or ice. The HOG can wallow in his own ****?
(fill in your blanks) the Mayor can sit on his hill and clean GENIE can shovel his snow. Don't they make for a smart trio,and if you need more, throw in Tom Tom the pipers son who sometimes forgets to shovel just ask his wife.

P.S. how many ticket's for not shovelling any on Howe St?

[Fool on the Hill]

To Matt Stone:

You have more insight, wit, and artistic talent than the Farm Team's cartoonist. When I saw this week's contribution, I thought that the guy standing next to the mayor was Bob Trane. But a friend said that it was Tony Lafuente. Can you clear this up?