News Talk for Wednesday August 8th, 2007

   

A report came in early Sunday afternoon to the police station when a Murdock Street resident noticed a Mercedes Benz parked on the street was sprayed with bullet holes and had a flat tire. According to the luxury car’s owner, the car was a victim of a drive by shooting a couple of nights before. Guess someone doesn’t like Mercedes.

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Congratulations to Alderman Bob Trane for finally beating Alderman-at-Large Dennis Sullivan on the golf course. Dennis is quite the golfer we hear. Apparently this is the very first win for Bob. Maybe it’s because there was an alleged wager on the game that inspired Bob, we’re not sure. 

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Here’s another one for the books…apparently after three years on the Board of Aldermen Princess Rebekah doesn’t understand the rules of order for the board. While the board was conducting a public hearing on Nstar, just as the vote was being taken, she got up and left the room and came back as soon as the vote was finished. And then she asked for “reconsideration,” which you can’t ask for if you weren’t part of the original vote. All that time in the hearing doing work for her constituents, like the other aldermen, and when it came time for the vote she just leaves the room. We’re not sure if she knows the board operates under Robert’s Rules, but maybe someone should give her a copy to study just in case. Leaving the room isn’t unusual for aldermen just before a vote, but what was unusual was the fact that she asked for “reconsideration,” which you have to have been part of the original vote to ask for that.

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Davis Square shoppers had a special treat last week when a Blue RCN cable Truck parked in the front of the T station in the square was passing out free ice cream to everyone around. It was part of an RCN promotion for their Cable TV, telephone and Internet Service.

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This past week, another life long resident - David C. Lewis of East Somerville - who was 45, passed away from a lengthy battle with an illness. To his mother Florence and his entire family, we extend our sympathies. David was a member of King Solomon’s Masonic Lodge here in Somerville, and he was also a Senior DeMolay.   Another passing as well was life-long resident Marie E. Valente, who was a young 64. Marie worked as a nursing assistant. Our sympathies from The News to both families.

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So the Progressives sent out a questionnaire to be filled out, giving the candidates less than a week to fill out, and then they were going to endorse… then about 15 met and gave endorsements. We hear that NOW (National Organization for Women) and the Sierra Club have both sent out questionnaires as well to some of the candidates. In particular, we hear that they sent to candidate Charles Chisholm, which is fine, but it seems like the Progressives weren’t going to endorse anyone other then Rebekah in Ward 6 since she’s the co-founder of the PDS. But both NOW and the Sierra Club have also already endorsed Rebekah even before the questionnaires went out to candidates. So we hear that candidate Charles Chisholm is wondering what is going on. Charlie, don’t you know that the so-called Progressives don’t do as they say? They do as they accuse others of. Well, at least it appears to be like that. We’re wondering how you can send out questionnaires after you give endorsements and why. Oh, we long for the good old days of SUN and CPP. At least then you had real progressives and voters doing it the right way.   

   
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Candidate Joe Lynch for alderman in Ward 5 is working hard and not letting the summer heat get in his way. He’s been knocking doors every day, and we hear he’s getting a great response.

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Mayor Joe’s annual Boston Harbor Cruise was another success. Everyone had a ball, but a quick count of department heads left a couple missing. We’re wondering what the excuses were the next day. Mayor Joe’s headquarters in Ball Square will officially open on Aug. 14 with an open house from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Hopefully, those missing department heads will be there.

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By the way, has everyone seen candidate Scirocco’s headquarters in Ball Square at the old animal clinic? Signs on sticks sticking out of the fence? The best is that in over 40 years in local politics, we can’t find anyone that put “office hours” on their headquarters. Some say his candidacy is similar to former candidate Bill Rafferty and Mary Sogliero back in the early 70s. Now watch all the newbie political geniuses run to find out who those two candidates are.   

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We hope that local popular electrician and nice guy Steve Mirabella’s knee is getting better.

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The Committee For A Response to AIDS still has a few tickets left for the Sept. 1 Red Sox vs. Orioles game at 7 p.m. for $75. Call Chairman Bob Publicover at (617) 290-6842 ([email protected]) to reserve your tickets for “Somerville Night II”.

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The Little Sisters of the Poor needs your help with donations for their elder residents.  Right now they need cranberry juice, cookies, a coffee maker, coffee and postage stamps.  Items can be dropped off at 186 Highland Ave. Other donations are always welcome.  The Publicover Foundation recently sent eight folks from the Little Sisters to a winning Red Sox game.    

Comments

[Ron Newman]

Rebekah Gewirtz has been on the board for a year and a half, not "three years". This is her first term, and terms last two years. Surely the News understands this?

PDS sent questionnaires out to all candidates for Mayor, Ward 6 Alderman, and Alderman-at-Large. If Charles Chisholm or any other candidate decided not to return the questionnaire or speak at the PDS meeting, that was the candidate's choice, not PDS's.

[Somerville Resident]

More lame and slimy propaganda by SN & SP. Ah, and remember to stick with Curtatone or the planes will keep flying over your house! Needless to say, we need a more balanced web site for Somerville discussion.

[white?]

I think that it was proven with this round of endorsements that PDS truly is a group of hypocrites. When Alderman White ran for Senator against Queen Jehlen they tried to have a few members of the BOA removed from the cities Democratic committee. They said that they were pushing the issue because Mr. White was a Republican. Now that he has switched to become a Democrat he is "with them"???? We all know that he switches based upon the party of the Gov so he can be a judge. I digress.... someone needs to explain to me with just a change in party (not ideals) why he is so great now? Keep in mind PDS had NOTHING good to say about White during the Senate race. Newman?

[Ron Newman]

I can't and won't speak for PDS. But I've voted for Bill White in every election except for the one where he ran against Pat Jehlen. I don't consider this to be inconsistent behavior, and neither does Bill White.

Four years ago, Bill White got a majority of votes for alderman-at-large in a PDS endorsement meeting, but not the super-majority required for an endorsement (then 80%, later lowered to 66%).

[Truth Fan]

You don't have to be a "Progressive" to see that Bill White is the smartest and hardest working member of the Board of Aldermen, but maybe progressives are more perceptive. I know progressives who voted for White in the Senate race. He's the only one on the Board with the courage to speak inconvenient truths about the state of the city. For his truth telling as chairman of the Finance Committee, he was removed from the committee.

[Democracy]

I agree. I like Bill White and would vote for him.

[Please Reconsider]

Somerville Resident,

It's only the Neww Talk section that is, partisan, uninformative, ignorant, self serving and badly written. Why not just skip over it? Don't throw the baby out with the publisher.

[Ward5Born]

While the blog is on the subject of smart politicians and would be politicians, we had a chance to have a long conversation with Joe Lynch at a cookout last week. We've read about him and have attended several greenline meetings where he spoke, and have spoken to him on other occasions. His knowledge of the city, the history and current issues was impressive. We thought he may have been another one issue candidate. But he impressed us with his passion for all the subjects we talked about, and not just Magoun Square.

Finally, this ward has a candidate who atually gets it. He'll get our vote.

[Willy Wonka]

Dennis and Paul spend alot of quality time together. Are they both single middle-aged men? Hmm

[Willy Wonka]

oops, Bob Trane.....wrong hack !

[Somerville Reader]

Honestly, the "Princess" Rebekah comments are getting to be a bit much. They're sexist and they attempt to make a slur out of her gender and her age. If you want to judge her on her record, fine. I suspect her real crime around here is being on the council while being young and female, though.

She doesn't fit the typical Somerville political mold of being a lifelong resident elected by lifelong residents. But, her Ward isn't populated by lifelong residents. It skews young, educated, very liberal, and more affluent than Somerville in general. They don't want old politics and she's giving them what they want. I'd be surprised if she doesn't get reelected.

[Get Over It]

Hasn't anyone ever made a mistake before in filling out a form for work or misspoke during a meeting or something similar? Seriously, accidents happen. She is human, after all.

I mean she probably had to use the restroom and wanted to attempt to be involved in the debate where she had been left off. Most of the other Alderman would have just let the issue go off without attempting to retrace their steps and represent their constituents. That isn't being stupid, that is being responsible and she should be commended for it.

And I agree that the Princess Rebekah comments are flat out sexist. This whole time she has been representing an age group that has been underrepresented in Somerville politics. What is wrong with being young and wanting to get involved in the community? I would like to see more young women get involved in government. Rebekah is a leader who sometimes makes mistakes (like everyone else), but learns from them. If you've ever spoken face to face with her like I have about the issues that concern her district, she knows exactly what she is talking about. That matters more to me than whining about someone who accidentally raised their hand to speak.

[Craig]

Remember, this really isn't "news" talk...it's one person's opinion, and it's not even remotely logical or eloquent.

[Philip]

Wow - The Somerville News is sexist and petty? What a shocker. Anyone with half-a-brain knows that The Somerville News is a weekly PR puff piece for ERA Norton and Pat's Towing.

My question is - if they are going to bother to come out of pocket (what ad revenues? They're all free ads for Norton's real estate robots) to produce a newspaper and website - why do it so half-arsed?

The paper has apparently never heard of spell-check - a lot of their headlines contain typos for crying out loud, not to mention the articles. I'm not the best speller, but even this message board corrects my typos - why don't they even bother for their print product?

And their website? Guys - when someone posts a comment to your site, it is called a comment, not a blog. You sound hopelessly antiquated.

And then their whole News Talk defense argument - "it's people from the community calling in, it isn't us." Everyone knows that News Talk is used to hammer any potential enemy of the ultra-paranoid Somerville News crew - rival real estate offices, Ball Square business owners, any Somerville resident that hasn't lived here for 30 years.

And don't even get me started on the delusional ramblings of a certain "crown-prince" of Somerville real estate and opinion columnist. Not since Poe and Lovecraft have I read such disturbing and chilling words. At least when they find the bodies they'll know who to look for.

I wonder how long this "blog" will last? Hey Somerville News - get ready to return to the tar pits like the rest of the dinosaurs.

[Philip]

Wow - The Somerville News is sexist and petty? What a shocker. Anyone with half-a-brain knows that The Somerville News is a weekly PR puff piece for ERA Norton and Pat's Towing.

My question is - if they are going to bother to come out of pocket (what ad revenues? They're all free ads for Norton's real estate robots) to produce a newspaper and website - why do it so half-arsed?

The paper has apparently never heard of spell-check - a lot of their headlines contain typos for crying out loud, not to mention the articles. I'm not the best speller, but even this message board corrects my typos - why don't they even bother for their print product?

And their website? Guys - when someone posts a comment to your site, it is called a comment, not a blog. You sound hopelessly antiquated.

And then their whole News Talk defense argument - "it's people from the community calling in, it isn't us." Everyone knows that News Talk is used to hammer any potential enemy of the ultra-paranoid Somerville News crew - rival real estate offices, Ball Square business owners, any Somerville resident that hasn't lived here for 30 years.

And don't even get me started on the delusional ramblings of a certain "crown-prince" of Somerville real estate and opinion columnist. Not since Poe and Lovecraft have I read such disturbing and chilling words. At least when they find the bodies they'll know who to look for.

I wonder how long this "blog" will last? Hey Somerville News - get ready to return to the tar pits like the rest of the dinosaurs.

[TO JN's Defense!]

Phil,
Sorry to rain on your parade, but refer to dictionary.com:

blog (blŏg) Pronunciation Key
n. A weblog.

intr.v. blogged, blog·ging, blogs
To write entries in, add material to, or maintain a weblog.

It clearly says that to 'blog' is to write entries in a weblog, like the Somerville News. That's how I understand it and that's how just about everyone else understands it. Except of course for you.

Say what you want about the paper, the blog, Norton ERA, or Pat's, but if you're going to disagree with someone's point of view, at least have the intellectual integrity to make an argument with regard to HOW their opinions are wrong. Don't scurry like a rat and call then Sexist. Pointing out Princess Rebekah's well known status as moron does not make the Somerville News sexist, it makes them observant.

'Bekah is one of the most book smart-street dumb people I have ever met. Let's be honest, she has no idea what she's doing and is clearly in way over her head. Again, that's not sexist. The News and I would agree that Denise Provost was one of our best Alderman, clearly undercutting your argument about sexism.

We like to engage in deep intellectual discussions here (at least most of us do),so give it a rest.

[Democracy]

Bingo! Others have noticed the sexism as well. She'll beat evil old CC to a pulp.

>>
I suspect her real crime around here is being on the council while being young and female, though.

[Virtuality]

This blog is on its way out (as it is its aborted son, Somerville Politics); a cool group of much brighter people than these amateurs are developing new ideas and contributing funds and expertise for the next phase of productive Somerville online discussion. Stay tuned.

[Philip]

To JN's Defense -

If that is the only quibble you have with my post, then it speaks volumes.

Also, I checked the dictionary.com definition of blog, and yours is correct. But ask anyone who actually blogs and/or posts to message boards and they will tell you there is an obvious difference. To blog is one thing, which the Somerville News is basically doing with their website - when you post a comment, you're not blogging, you're commenting.

You aren't the whale, you're the krill swimming around the whale's mouth (sorry, I went to the Aquarium recently).

Again, if semantics are your only objection to my post, thanks for the implicit approval.

[Ron Newman]

> if you're going to disagree with someone's point of view, at least have the intellectual integrity to make an argument with regard to HOW their opinions are wrong

I agree, but you seriously undercut your own statement above when you follow it with this:

> Princess Rebekah's well known status as moron

[Democracy]

Ron, sharply put, as usual. Keep up the good work. Hey, are you coming on the 14th?

[Ignatius J Reilly]

Virtuality, when will this "cool group of much brighter people than these amateurs" launch their bestest-greatest-in-the-whole-wide-world site/blog? I take it only moonbat, liberals will be allowed to play in the new treehouse. You all will have a great time talking to the crickets.

[Virtuality]

Any hack can put together a POS like Somerville Politics or this place. It takes time. Don't worry, we'll give you a chance to participate because I know that you won't be able to resist. Up to you and to your behavior whether you will want to stay or not.

[Virtuality]

Oh, I forgot, and it's not just "Progressives". It's a broad coalition of bright and experienced people with disparate political views who are sick of idiots running the show.

[Defense]

Ron,
Sorry. I wasn't arguing a point with anyone when I said she was a moron. I was stating my opinion. Take my advice though and tell me how my opinion on her intelligence is wrong. Go ahead, Ron. Tell me something that she has done that during her term on the BOA that will change my opinion of her. Name one worthwhile piece of work that she has moved through the BOA.

Philip,
You are correct, we are arguing semantics. An argument you brought up and I showed you in writing how you were wrong. To comment on a WebLog is to "Blog." Move on, man.

[Philip]

I'm all for a site that will allow Somerville residents to voice their opinion in a forum that isn't lorded over by people who don't know the internet from the interstate.

This site for instance. Click the refresh button in your browser from this page, and you are redirected to the main page. Why is that?

A while back, The Somerville News made a stand against people posting outgoing links on their message board. Something about how they don't want to lose eyeballs to other sites out there. Foolish. These may seem like small things to the internet-rookie, but to anyone under 30 they are amateurish and pitiful.

I think the problem is too many people believing that this forum is the only option when it comes to Somerville. Give me a week and 7 pb & j's and I'll get a site up and running that will blow away The Somerville News.

[Philip]

Defense -

Ask one of the grandchildren hanging around your weekly bridge table the difference between blogging and commenting. You are doing yourself a disservice by arguing an obviously wrong point - ask around.

[Blogging]

Only the owner of the blog blogs. Everybody else COMMENTS on the blog. Clear?

[Kate]

Defense - You are commenting on a website. Look just above: it reads 'Post a comment'.

[Kate]

Defense - I should have said, "look below".

[Solh Zendeh]

To me Princess alludes to JAP - not only demeaning to women, but specifically Jewish women. It's demeaning with a wiff of racism. I guess it's just a matter of taste - to me it's a little funny - same with those drunken Irish comments - so I give it a pass, but I definitely understand how someone might feel a little pissed about it.

I do object to the defense that "Princess" is not insulting, but somehow a legitimate description. It's an insult, don't make excuses - own it!

[Solh Zendeh]

Hey, what's the news with the Green Line? The journal has a front page article on it being delayed until 2016 - wtf?

So, when can we start charging a cancer toll for non-local people who drive through our town on 93 and McGrath? Let the free market work - if you are going to kill me, you need to pay me for it.

[Kate]

Solh - Regarding the royal title bestowed upon Rebekah, you articulated what I've been feeling. As you point out, the use of 'Princess' obviously IS meant as an insult and as a way to be dismissive of her position as alderman. I'm glad that she is not a Somerville 'lifer'; it's always good to add new blood to local politics.

[Indepedent]

I'd vote for Rebekah any time. If nothing else, because she's brave. I'm sure that the old boys are doing all they can to make her life difficult by acting like high school bullies. Of course, the old boys won't last that long precisely because, ahem, they are old and the chance of a stroke gets higher each day (especially given that the old boys like to drink and smoke and eat pork). Screw them.

[Sexist]

So Independent,
You don't like older men, huh?

Now who's the real sexist?

[Indepedent]

I don't like old boys. They stink of death, nothing about sexism. They just need some help in accepting the fact they are washed up.

[All is Well Bulletin]

>>>--------- All is Well Bulletin ---------->>--------- End of Bulletin ---------------<<<

[Somerville Reader]

To To JN's Defense:

Say what you want about the paper, the blog, Norton ERA, or Pat's, but if you're going to disagree with someone's point of view, at least have the intellectual integrity to make an argument with regard to HOW their opinions are wrong. Don't scurry like a rat and call then Sexist. Pointing out Princess Rebekah's well known status as moron does not make the Somerville News sexist, it makes them observant.

'Bekah is one of the most book smart-street dumb people I have ever met. Let's be honest, she has no idea what she's doing and is clearly in way over her head. Again, that's not sexist. The News and I would agree that Denise Provost was one of our best Alderman, clearly undercutting your argument about sexism.

No, it doesn't undercut my argument about sexism, because I'm arguing about the label, not the alderwoman. The label "Princess" is the sexist part here. If you want to call her Moron Rebecca, fine. Moron demeans her intelligence. It's a legitimate thing to judge her on. Princess demeans her gender, her age, and maybe has hints of demeaning what may or may not be her religion. None of those are fair game in assessing if she is or is not a competent alderwoman.

I'm not certain if she is or is not a good alderwoman. I am certain that I will not learn that from this "newspaper". The reporting here rarely involves times, dates, places, or actual positions when it comes to Somerville politics. Instead, it focuses on minor gotchas (like her asking for reconsideration or someone else forgetting to file some paper or something), vauge hints of cronyism and scandal and nostalgia for the Somerville of old.

This site is an interesting read about how some citizens see our town, but it's not news. It is, however, sexist.

[Democracy]

I agree with all you say, Somerville Reader. Somerville needs such a site.

[JARfromWard3]

Mary Sogliero... now there's a name I haven't heard in a while.

I remember her sitting out on the stoop on Highland Ave. when I was coming out of Davis Sq. News Agency with my papers in the afternoon. That was in 1969 or '70. I stopped to chat with her one day (actually, she stopped me) and ended up hearing her life's story, all the while having 50 or so Record Americans, Herald Travelers and Globes in the bag destined for Spring Hill. I had a sore shoulder that evening!

That led to a number of other similar incidents since I had no way of avoiding her unless I went all the way around via Willow, Hawthorne and then Cutter, or walked the tracks down to Ellington Rd.

After a month or so, I guess Abe Lerner (Davis Sq. News Agency's owner) figured I was reliable enough that he had his guys drop the papers in a bundle on my porch. That saved me the trip down to the Square and also saved me from getting into a daily coversation. It also got the papers to the customers on time!

Rafferty, IIRC, was a bus driver or some such for the T. I remember his 63 Rambler Classic all painted up (and it was HAND PAINTED--no posters or bumper stickers) with "The Working Man's Candidate" and other such slogans.

They just don't seem to make candidates like that any more--colorful characters indeed and people who, at their hearts, loved Somerville.

Thanks for reminding us TSN.

73
JAR

[Charles Chisholm]

I have asked anyone supporting me to speak respectfully of Alderman Gerwitz, as I have done, especially on those occasions when I have met her personally. I would hope her supporters and/or defenders would extend the same respect to me. I am not "evil." I know the "ism associated with that description. I may be technically
"old" but I still downhill ski in Utah, so I suspect I might die hitting a tree before I die of a stroke.
I no longer smoke (quit 27 years ago), rarely drink,
and refrain from eating meat, not for religious reasons but for health reasons. I decry ageism, whether it is directed against the young or the old. For forty years,
I served society as a mathematics teacher, when I could have had a higher standard of living in another profession. Rather than "smell the stench of death, as suggested, I relish in the satisfaction of a noble career well served. I hear words of thanks routinely from my past students, and those words drown out the cheap comments one has to tolerate as a candidate.

[A Noble Career]

Good for you Mr. Chisholm. Thanks for your service.

[Joe can you flex for us a bit? Love Misty from "The Gray Haired Ladies Club of Somerville"!]

Why is it just because Lenny the Cleaner couldn't land a job with the Curtatone Administration some time ago he is pushing this Bafoon/lowlife career criminal Rick Shirocco to run for mayor and also by bashing Joe with down right lies via his girlfriend "the Miss Senior USA"? If Joe gave Lenny the job that he wanted back then or any job as a matter of fact, Lenny would have corrupted any post that he would have been in charge of! Good for Mayor Joe for doing the right thing by making the right call of seeing through the smoke screen and not putting a madman in power even though he helped very much with his campaign. Thank you Mayor Joe for doing the right thing. Us ladies at Cobble hill just adore you! Keep up the good work sonny!!!.
Misty from "The Gray Haired Ladies Club of Somerville"!
PS: Dennis Sullivan do get jelous, we love you [email protected]

I think it might be a stretch to assume that the term 'Princess' demeans someones' gender, and ethnicity. Everythings' a 'hate crime'. To me, the term Princess refers to her state of mind. The 'I'm special' and 'I can do whatever I want' and 'Everyone loves me' mentality. Haven't you ever heard someone comment about a demanding 3 year-old that 'she's a little princess' or 'she's treated like a princess'. It simply means you expect to get whatever you want, and you usually do, and noone (PDS) will say no to you. If I'm wrong, I guess I better take away my daughters' Disney Princesses dolls - to quote Joel Grey (with a little license) "and they don't look Jewish at all".

[Kate]

No-name poster - so you think that you can read Rebekah's mind? This is about condescention toward a woman by whom many men feel threatened or emasculated, due to their own insecurities. Insecure men don't like women in positions of authority and/or power. That's why they, that do, call her 'princess' - it's a criticsm to dismiss and devalue her position on the Board.

No, everything (work or act) is not a hate crime, but, about those that are, why the sarcasm -- that's blaming the offended party for being offended, rather than blaming the offender.

[Leschar Holmchis]

During my long career as a wannabe, I learned that the only effective way to attack my enemies is by proxy.

[Democracy]

Kate, I agree with you. These guys still live in the 50s. Only a matter of time, as others here have pointed out.

[Ron Newman]

A candidate's age should not be a reason to vote for or against him or her.

[All is Well Bulletin]

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[360]

Wow what a shadow image , I heard of do as I do but in this case we have a do as I say.When Mike Capuano was mayor old racoon eyes Alderman Curtatone was preaching open goverment , equal treatment,accountablity , support unions ,lower taxes, less hacks , ect ,ect, Now that old racoon eyes is mayor is motto now seems to shift to raise taxes ,break unions,screw everyone in unions but people kicking in,give all hacks huge raises .