The Somerville News Blog

Somerville Theatre presents beer and wine

By Pete Corbett                        

                               

Salty, movie-theatre popcorn can now be washed down with a cold beer at the Somerville Theatre in Davis.

For the past three weeks, the Somerville Theatre, has been offering beer and wine to complement their entertainment experience. The establishment, which is a landmark to the community, presents live entertainment as well as current films.

“It was very much a request from people who came for live events,” said Ian M. Judge, general manager of the Somerville Theatre.

Judge went on to say that many acts chose not to perform at the Theatre specifically because they did not serve alcohol. Comedy acts in particular expressed this sentiment, he said.

Studying In-State Tuition Policy

By Andrea Gregory

Somerville legislators are speaking out on behalf of a new proposal that would allow the children of illegal immigrants to pay in-state college tuition. While some argue lacking legal citizenship should not afford them the luxury of a cheaper education, a new study suggests it could have benefits for the commonwealth.

Extending in-state tuition prices to the children of illegal immigrants is expected to generate an additional $2.5 million for the state, according to a study that was approved by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education last week.

   

Meters will now take 12 quarters

By Andrea Gregory

Davis Square has always been a hot spot to take in dinner and a movie. However, after enjoying a night on the town some people would return to their cars only to find an orange parking ticket strapped to their windshield.

The problem was a two-hour parking constraint in the metered lots.

Thomas P. Champion, spokesman for the city, said sometime people come to enjoy Davis Square nightlife, but just don’t run back out to the meters. 

Hot problems at local fire stations

By David Taber

With reports of leaky roofs, crumbling walls and unreasonably cramped quarter, the Board of Aldermen’s Public Health and Safety Committee recently toured city’s fire stations.

Aldermen-At-Large Bill White and Dennis M. Sullivan, and Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero, who sit on the committee, were already aware of the many issues affecting the Somerville Fire Department. They were aware inadequacy of the trailer Union Square’s Engine 3 has been operating out of since Christmas Eve 1998, said White who is chairman of the health and safety committee.

Firefighters assigned to Engine 3 were stationed in the basement of the Public Safety Building on Washington Street until it flooded and became uninhabitable more than eight years ago. 

Warning to females in Somerville

By Andrea Gregory and George P. Hassett

The city plans to warn the female community in West Somerville of a sexual predator possibly lurking in the neighborhood.

Newstalk for Wednesday April 25th 2007

It appears that Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero spearheaded the Veterans committee on a resolution asking no further buildings or squares be named after living people, which we could understand, but then he goes ahead and proposes that former Alderman Vito Vaccaro (nice guy by the way – we like him) has a square named after him.  Well unfortunately we hear he’s not getting that Square now.  Those progressives are funny aren’t they?  Sounds like something the Ward 6 Alderwomen would do, doesn’t it?  You know, vote on something, then forget you voted on it.

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JANICE DELORY from the Mayor’s office is leaving after three years of service to the Mayor and the City - she did a great job and we know a lot of people will miss her and we wish her the best of luck in the future.  MIKE BUCKLEY is heading back to the Mayor’s office where he started out - he’s probably the most loyal supporter of the mayor and his administration and on top of all that he’s a nice guy as well…we at Newstalk wish him best of luck too.

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Working man gunned down at Good Times

By George P. Hassett

Ferdinand Saintville, 25, had been anticipating his violent end. His girlfriend, Dianesse Berberena, said Saintville was preparing to die ever since he was shot one year ago.

  “He used to tell me what he wanted to happen if he died. He was making plans. He knew he was going to die soon,” she said.

After leaving the Good Time Emporium just before 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, Saintville, of Everett, was shot for the second and last time.

Aldermen stand with striking billboard workers

By David Taber

The Board of Aldermen last week took a stand in support of striking billboard workers, unanimously requesting the city to cease any efforts to accommodate Clear Channel Communications. The company owns at least 32 billboards in the city.

“This is a multibillion dollar corporation that is not paying a fair days wage for a fair days work,” said Ward 6 Alderman Rebakah Gewirtz.  The board unanimously passed a resolution, proposed by Gewirtz, calling for an amendment to the municipal code punishing billboard maintenance violations with a permanent revocation of permits.

Additionally, the resolution requests that inspectional services investigate the structural integrity of city billboards and the certification status of out-of-state workers who have been flown in to replace the 25 striking members of the Sign and Pictorial Workers Union Local 391. “Inspectional Services is very responsive to these types of things. I expect they will start right away,” Gewirtz said. She plans to follow up with them by the end of the week. 

And if the law department is forthcoming with language for the amendment, Gewirtz is confident the permit revocation amendment will make it through the legislative matters committee quickly and meet with approval from the board, she said.    

Mayor's chief of staff resigns

The mayor's chief of staff resigned this week to address family concerns, said city officials today.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone said he has, “with great reluctance and great gratitude,” accepted the resignation of Janice Delory.  In a letter dated April 19, Delory indicated that she and her husband had, after the death in late March of her father-in-law, made a joint decision to move full time to their Harwich home to be near her husband’s mother, who also lives in Harwich. 

Somerville Steps it up

On Saturday Somerville joined over 1,400 communities across the country in calling on Congress to take action to reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050.  Locally, the Step It Up climate action rally attracted over 200 residents to Statue Park in Davis Square.  Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone took the occasion to announce a new sustainability initiative:

“ …I am pleased to announce to all of you here today that we’ve drafted and will soon be releasing the city’s first Environmental Strategic Plan.

 

Aldermen discuss possible change for open seats

By Andrea Gregory

The primary election is over and the city is preparing to vote one more time to fill a vacant city for alderman-at-large. However, one board member said officials should start talking about possibly skipping a stop at the polls next time a vacancy opens up. 

The proposal came from William A. White, alderman-at-large, and has been sent to the legislative matters committee for review. The idea is to have the fifth place candidate in the regular election to fill a vacancy if one appears. It would take a charter change, requiring the assistance of the state legislature, and it could end up as a question on a citywide ballot to see how voters feel.

White said he was approaching the process from a financial standpoint when he asked his fellow aldermen to review the process.  “I proposed discussing it,” said White.

Man murdered after leaving Good Time Emporium

By George P. Hassett

A Randolph man is under arrest in connection with this morning's shooting death of Ferdinand Saintville, 25,  of Somerville.

Marquis Williams, 20, of Randolph, has been placed under arrest and will be arraigned  Monday morning in Somerville District Court on charges of accessory after the fact of murder, said prosecutors. The matter remains under active investigation.

Cop pepper sprayed in the face at Good Times

By George P. Hassett

A Somerville police officer lost his department issued pepper spray to a drunken patron of Good Time Emporium and was sprayed in the eyes, mouth and throat with it Saturday morning.

Sgt. John Vozella was on a paid detail at “New England’s largest indoor amusement center and sports bar” when he was asked by the staff to escort an intoxicated group of four males and two females out, police said.

Increase in needles on streets linked to change in state law

By Andrea Gregory

A simple stroll around the neighborhood has turned into a game of don’t step on the needles for the residents of Ten Hills. The problem first appeared about two months ago. Neighbors of the residential community, nestled between two major roadways, started seeing discarded syringes left on the sidewalk or side of the street. Many residents were surprised and frustrated.

Sheila Crean has lived in Ten Hills for less than two years. She said the area came highly recommended as one of Somerville’s “best kept secrets.” With its quiet streets and friendly feel, Crean knew she had found home.

However, Crean may not have felt the same way if she had seen dirty syringes tossed to the edges of the quiet neighborhood.

News Talk for the week of April 18

The primary was very interesting but didn’t have a surprising result - there are a lot of people speculating what the votes mean in a special election…did Marty get all his votes out?  Did Jack get his?  Is that the best we can muster out of estimated 40K registered voters - only 4500???  Considering it’s an election that will only attract friends/acquaintances and organizations out to vote, wasn’t it a surprise to see new comer Bob Daut get 308 votes, wonder what his next move will be, some are speculating he’s going to endorse Marty, and some are saying he’s staying out of it, we’ll see, just an interesting night last week wasn’t it?

Barrios helps raise readers

By Keith Howard

Sitting in a child-size chair, Sen. Jarrett T. Barrios read the words on the page out loud. He held the book up so his audience could see the pictures. There were more than a dozen kids sitting at his feet. They all looked up, staring at the page and attentively listening to Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats.

Barrios spent Thursday morning reading to children at the Capuano Early Education Center as part of a program to promote early literary skills amongst middle- to low-income and second language English students.   

“I can’t imagine a more sound way to promote reading for children from disadvantaged backgrounds,” said Barrios.

A Somerville High Senior speaks on his experience with gang violence

(Editor’s note: Terrell Walton told his story at Saturday’s (April 7, 2007) Youth Peace Conference from a wheel chair.  He let his classmates know the reality of gang life and was greeted with a standing ovation at the end of his speech. Here is his story in his own words.)

Hello, my name is Terrell Walton.  I’m a senior at Somerville High School.   Four years   ago, when I was living in Dorchester, the kids I hung out with had problems with people from other neighborhoods.  There was a lot of violence going back and forth that led to a guy from a rival neighborhood being killed.  Because I was a known person from my area I was shot in retaliation.

Car break-ins skyrocket, police respond

By George P. Hassett

Car break-ins have tripled in Somerville since 2005 and police officials say GPS devices, satellite radios and iPods are the big targets.

In 2005 between Jan 1 and April 8, Somerville police reported 56 motor vehicle breaking and entering incidents. In the same time period in 2006, police said 88 such crimes occurred, while in the first four months of 2007, the number of car break-ins have skyrocketed to 184.

“Crime is down but this one category is killing us,” Capt. Paul Upton said.

Water & sewer changes

By Andrea Gregory

Long lines to pay off a bill could soon be a thing of the past if more residents take advantage of the city’s move to streamline the process.

Taking care of water and sewer bills can now be handled via the Internet. It is the latest in the city’s online payment options. Only a few people have taken advantage of it so far. But over the past few years, an increasing number of residents have turned to the Internet to pay taxes and bills.

“I think a lot of people will use it,” said Bill Fowler, treasurer and collector. “I expect this to be used by the same people paying property taxes online.”

Somerville residents organize to oppose bigger ocean

By David Taber

Pondering what the future held for her three-year-old son convinced Heather Heimark she had to take action. 

“I was looking at him and thinking I want him to have all of the richness that we have in our world,” she said. 

Hearing about the Step It Up campaign on the radio is what gave her an outlet.  Heimark signed up at the national campaign’s Web site and was put in touch with a handful of other local residents.  The group has been organizing local Step It Up’s event for a national day of action on April 14. The Step It up Somerville Climate Rally will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Statue Park in Davis Square.  Close to 1,300 rallies will be occurring in all 50 states on the day with the goal of convincing Congress to mandate an 80 percent cut in greenhouse emissions by 2050.