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?
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It was interesting at the BOA meeting Thursday evening; our favorite Ward 6 Alderwoman was at it again. Rebekah asked that an item be severed from the licensing and permits report. Apparently the item was a parking lot permit for Kevin Douglas, a local business owner, whose business isn’t even in her ward…now there are some on the board and around who were present and speculated (off the record of course) that Rebekah was thinking politically (we can’t believe it) as Kevin Douglas has been a strong Jack Connolly supporter in the past…On another note at the board…Rebekah requested from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Safety a report on the elevator over at Ciampa Manor which was mentioned in a story last week that we broke – some people still want to say they don’t read our newspaper…apparently someone does.
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Congratulations to the following from the Somerville Fire Department on their promotions this past week: Peter St. Clair to Deputy Fire Chief, Patrick Sullivan III to District Fire Chief, John Norton and Robert McCarthy to Fire Captain and Matthew Wall, Stephen Ortolani and Robert MacLaughlin to Fire Lieutenant (Matthew Wall’s promotion is subject to verification of his exemption from the residency rule by the Director of Personal). These brave men have been elevated as a result of their commitment to a job that helps keep the rest of us safe and we here applaud them for their success.
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We see by their website that the Progressives are having their annual meeting this month on Tuesday April 24th at 6:30pm sharp – the location will be the VNA on Lowell Street. Now that’s a meeting that would be educational to attend and just observe. Hopefully its open to the public…the meeting is to elect their officers - can anyone join? How much does it cost? We heard Bob Trane wanted to join the little clan but was turned away because he wasn’t evil, oops we mean liberal, enough.
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Remember when the Farm Team used to keep a running tally of how many days the Lowell Street Bridge had been closed? Well we have a new one here: how many days can state Rep. Carl M. Sciortino go without shaving before showing the slightest sign of a beard. Right now, we hear he’s at eight. Keep going Carl!
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Talk around town is that Bill White will lead an insurrection against Mayor Joe this Summer and run for Mayor. A lot of the haters (the usual suspects, you know them) are excited about Joe having an opponent, but we’re starting to think Bill isn’t even going to run. We don’t know what Tony LaFuente is planning to do but we think he already had his shot and could never beat Joe now.
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To the crazy lady who keeps calling the News office and cursing at us: please stop, we do not have any affiliation with The Alewife newspaper. Thank you crazy lady.
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Speaking of crazy, doesn’t the air in Somerville seem cleaner and more refreshing now that the Divestment Project whackos have left town. Yesssssssssssss breathe in that divestment-free air.
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We hear Ward 3 Alderman Tom Taylor is making a leap into the music business. He has some bands that he is pushing and promoting throughout the area, we’ve heard. Do you think Tom’s bands are gangsta rap? We could see it.
Martinez should go out and get as many of the Daut votes on his own and forget about seeking or accepting Daut's endorsement.
Posted by: Somerspeak | April 18, 2007 at 01:35 PM
Come on Jack, you got the MAYOR, Clean Gene, you are a sure bet to loose again. You know what they say three strikes your out. Just get used to it you are a hack, its about time to buy you own insurance, are you not an agent?
Posted by: DickyBird | April 18, 2007 at 06:27 PM
P.S. Don't the sun shine here anymore I should have stayed south, but how could I really stay in that sun?
Posted by: DickyBird | April 19, 2007 at 09:20 AM
I see that new Lt. Matt Wall's promotion is subject to verification of his exemption to the residency rule. you can get an exemption? HE LIVES IN WORCESTER!!! What about M.G.L. Chapter 48 Sec.99A? Or does that only apply to the Somerville Police? I guess his buddy Lt. Gov. Murray (D)WORCESTER will take care of that for him. Then it will be all smiles in the Worcester Hills.
Posted by: O'Sullivan | April 19, 2007 at 07:08 PM
I see that new Lt. Matt Wall's promotion is subject to verification of his exemption to the residency rule. you can get an exemption? HE LIVES IN WORCESTER!!! What about M.G.L. Chapter 48 Sec.99A? Or does that only apply to the Somerville Police? I guess his buddy Lt. Gov. Murray (D)WORCESTER will take care of that for him. Then it will be all smiles in the Worcester Hills.
Posted by: O'Sullivan | April 19, 2007 at 07:08 PM
Don't turn your back on Jack yet. He is an old somerville boy and there's nothing better than a good ole' fashion fight. Jack may surprise you.
Posted by: Jackattack | April 19, 2007 at 11:11 PM
I love this newspaper...the content, the timeliness, the relevancy - you have really stepped up your game and you are all bringing excitement back to the local scene. Keep up the good work at The Somerville News!
Posted by: TSN is the best! | April 19, 2007 at 11:31 PM
I've been dealing with post traumatic stress disorder on and off since I came back from Viet Nam in 1968. I think that Bill Shelton's column this week says more about the subject, in less space, than anything I've ever read. I would like my nephew who is serving with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in Anbar Province to read it. Would you post it online?
Posted by: Greatful Vet | April 20, 2007 at 01:19 PM
Seems there are a lot of people leaving this Administration. Mayor’s Aide, Janice D.L. will be leaving as soon as next month due to family reasons. This exit taking place just after she got that incredible salary increase. You may not be so surprised to see who fills those stiletto heels when she goes.
Also sending in his resignation will be the Treasurer, Bill F. Seems Billy wanted to go back to his old spot with the union but the Mayor says “No Way Billy Boy”. If you’re out, you’re out completely. This isn’t sitting too well with Billy from what I am hearing. Time to speak up Bill. What can you tell me?
Oh, look who is walking in those red stiletto heels. None other than Mr. Buckley, ex-Mayor’s Aide, currently Lights & Lines/Highway Superintendent, who by the way, has no license to cover anybody in the Lights and lines Office. You talk about stepping into a bucket of Chit, now there is another good raise for you Mike. It is amazing how appointees in this administration can work as they do without the proper licenses. Just ask the Superintendent of ISD. He should know.
Who will be next? Time will only tell.
The Mole
Posted by: The Mole | April 20, 2007 at 03:18 PM
“Please stop the rain from falling down on me”! This was a popular tune back several years ago but is coming back to the hit parade at the Academy Room in the Police Station.
Word has it since the last two rain storms water has been infiltrating still inside the building where Italian Design; alias G & C Construction, performed the work to fix an ongoing problem with water in that room.
I wonder if the Mayor or Boss Hog will call Italian Design back to correct the problems they did not fix? I tried goggling and calling directory assistance to find out Italian
Designs phone number but they don’t seem to exist. Maybe they should just call Gino, the Mayors’ brother-in-law?
The Mole
Posted by: The Mole | April 23, 2007 at 09:46 AM
It seems the ward 6 Alderwoman has become a nasty bit of work. It was a very transparent move on her part to attack a businessperson’s lively hood so that she could stifle his support of a candidate that she does not support.
Where is the outrage of the so-called progressive posters on this site? I guess it is ok if it is one of the progressive team using dirty tactics to trample the first amendment.
Posted by: Truth B Told | April 23, 2007 at 03:13 PM
You know the old adage, 'do as I say, not as I do'. The Progressives are really good at it!
What exactly did she do?
Posted by: What did the 'Progressive' do in the name of 'transparency'? | April 23, 2007 at 03:30 PM
Yes, I too congratulate the Firefighters getting their promotions. But don't forget, that was the Mayors first step with the Police Department in making a deal to take the Chief's position out of Civil Service.
Posted by: brickbottom | April 23, 2007 at 03:56 PM
Before you drag your favorite progressive whipping girl back into the virtual woodshed for another round, could it be too much to ask *why else* Gewirtz might be stepping on Kevin Douglas' toes? What business does he own? Why might there be an issue over a parking lot?
Could it have anything to do with another business? Russell Disposal? (Some time ago, a blogger here guessed Douglas' business owned Russell, which someone else stated was incorrect) Do Russell and Broadway Brake have some kind of kiss-kiss deal?
Please, a little more digging to go with the dirt.
Posted by: Tricky | April 24, 2007 at 01:11 PM
Buckley........blahahahaha........sexist pig. The Mayor just might have a good old sexual harassment suit on his hands if Buckley gets that job - oh oh oh and he will have his drinking partner back.
As for "The nose" in Ward 6 I didn't know she could read.
And that Martinez guy.........geez....I think I'm going to throw up.
Posted by: MoonOver Somerville | April 24, 2007 at 03:49 PM