Newstalk for Wednesday October 24th 2007

Seems pretty quiet with the alderman at large race and even though we have even seen Tony LaFuente out there working hard, as well as Fred Berman, we don’t see these two upsetting the present incumbents - Desmond, Sullivan, White and Connolly. It has been a while since an incumbent alderman at large was voted out of office – the last being Vinny Ciampa – and before him we can’t remember the last one.      

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Ward 5 candidate for Alderman Joe Lynch is causing quite a stir with his Web site and the videos about his opponent - Alderman Sean O’Donovan. We have to admit we didn’t think Sean was that big of a developer here in the city - it doesn’t make him a bad person - but now we understand why he defends certain developers. Check out the videos for yourself at www.lynchforalderman.com

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Now in Ward 6, the Princess just might pull it out this time - she’s so confident she was overheard telling someone that “we have the numbers to win in Ward 7” -  apparently she does know Ms. Heller and is openly supporting her candidacy against Ward 7 Alderman Bob Trane. Seems that Rebekah feels it’s all done in Ward 6 and she can now butt into another ward. Will this mean if Heller wins we will have two Princesses? Isn’t it popular amongst “Royalty” to refer to themselves as “we”? Rebekah, don’t count Charlie out yet, he’s been quietly working very hard on the campaign trail and has a web site - www.chisholmwardsix.com - remember what happened to Marty in the special with Jack coasting into office because the so-called Progressives got overconfident?      

      
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Ward 7 Alderman Bob Trane hosted a huge fundraiser Monday night at PJ Ryan’s in Teele Square and it was a success - a very mixed crowd of long time residents and newcomers…which is what we need to see more of these days. For over three hours people from all over the city and the ward in particular showed up to give their support to Bob - he’s a gentleman and has a great family with all the Nancy’s to back him up. 

 
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We mentioned this last week - hopefully Rick Scirocco will take down his signs now that he has lost the primary - and we urge all candidates to take their signs down immediately after the final is over. There should be an ordinance in the city passed that if you run for public office and you have signs up, they need to come down within seven days after the election.

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Speaking of signs, here’s a good one - we promised we wouldn’t use the names here, so you will have to use your imagination a little bit. It seems that a new Winter Hill resident from a very old old Somerville family bought a house and moved in about four months ago on a street between Central and Marshall. His neighbors are pretty strong supporters of Mayor Joe and live a couple of houses down from this new neighbor. Well, the new neighbor went door to door trying to find out who owned a couple of the houses that has Curtatone signs on the fences – he wound up finding the owner – part of a family that has lived there for 60 or more years – and asked him to take the signs down. The owner told this new neighbor politely that they were on his property and when the election was over he would take the signs down. At first we weren’t surprised by this story, because it happens all the time, but when we found out what two families were involved, it was shocking to say the least – anyone want to take a guess at who they were?

      
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Happy Birthday this week to Donald Norton, publisher of The Somerville News on Thursday…also, well known resident Richard Hart and Mama Emily Tauro are also celebrating their birthdays this week – Emily still has people convinced that she is only 39!

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Best wishes to Ms. Ruth Buonomo, the mother of Register of Probate John Buonomo, who spent the better part of last week in the hospital - we wish her well and a speedy recovery. 

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Recent copy of the “Poets and Writers” had a front-page picture and inside story of Somerville poet and Bagel Bard member Affa Michael Weaver. Great article about him and it was very interesting - the reporter referred to Somerville as a “gentrified suburb of Boston.” Affa is the author of the newly released poetry collection “Plum Flower Dance” and was in the Somerville News Writers Festival in 2005. Job well done. Speaking of the Writers Festival, we hope everyone knows by now
that it has been moved to the George Dilboy Post at 371 Summer Street just outside Davis Square for Sunday Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. Go to the www.thesomervillenews.com and click on the link to the events Web site.

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For all the doubters out there, we’re now averaging between 1,100 to 1,300 unique hits to our web site - www.thesomervillenews.com - that’s up from 800 to 1,000 just a month and a half ago…for five weeks now we haven’t gone below 1,100 during the week. We’re still growing both in print and online.      

Comments

[Tricky]

I have no idea the Martinez-Connolly race bears the slightest resemblance to the Ward Six tilt; Connolly picked up most of his voters between the primary and the final election in Ward One, no doubt aided by his infamous mailing. There's no such divisive issue currently lurking in Ward Six.

Unless it's gambling? Casino Charlie has the following buried on his website:

"Exploration of the feasibility of a regional casino commission (Boston/Cambridge/Somerville) or the creation of a casino/hotel complex near the North Point development"

...which would lower property taxes, yadda yadda. But unless there's some deep pool of scratch ticket aficianados who didn't vote in the primary, the Professor is in deep water.

No wonder the incumbent is confident. I'd like whatever she's smoking in regards to Ward Seven, though...

- - -

But what's with telling someone to take down Curtatone signs, though? It's got to be a beautification issue, doesn't it?

[Mr Magoo]

lets nominate the biggest and best eyesores. I say the Curtatone for Mayor sign on the store 24 in Davis Sq. Its the size of the building. I'm surprised the Mayors photo doesn't grace it.

[Don't]

You all must remember his rolling billboard that circumnavigated the city with visual pollution, it was Ed Beanie Baby's idea was it not? By the way where is the Beanie Baby its time to come out from under that rock.

[Ron Newman]

I don't remember that, but I do remember Tony Lafuente on the back of a flatbed truck with a New Orleans-style band playing. This was four years ago, when he ran for mayor.

[Election]

Got a well-made flier from the LaFuente campaign. I'll vote for him again. Seems like a hard-working and decent person.

[Ron Newman]

At this week's Democratic City Committee meeting, all of the alderman-at-large candidates showed up to give speeches and take questions, except for Bruce Desmond.

Other no-shows in contested races: Mayor Curtatone, Bob Trane (ward 7), Charles Chisholm (ward 6), Sean O'Donovan (ward 5).

[whatacroc]

I for one would like too see a least 1 incumbent voted out of office, my choice being Desmond.
The current BOA are far to comfortable with each other personally, as well as, too close to Curtatone.
Even if you don't like or agree with Rebecca, at the very least having an outsider on the board keeps the rest of them sober until after the meetings.

[Objective]

I think Mr. Chisholm is wetting his pants as we speak.

[Somerspeak]

The race in ward 5 is still pretty much up in the air. Lynch's aim at O'Donovan was pretty accurate from what I've observed. O'Donovan has been propped up by Koty and Curtatone for many years. O'Donovan performs very little for much of his term and only when the election is in sight does he call his friends at DPW and city hall to bail him out.

I did some digging about the alderman's real estate deals. The information is accurate. Although not a violation of the state or city ethics laws, I agee with Lynch. It is a very bad idea for O'Donovan to be dabbling in real estate while in elective office.

[Lynch invented the internet]

I just saw Lafuente's video, a whole lot more professional than Lynch's. At least it's better than OD, who doesn't know what a computer is, never mind the 'net!

[it *is* funny]

Where'd you see Lafuente's video?

And Somerspeak - agree. Nothing against the law with So'D buying properties in the 'ville. Just explains why he's so friendly with developers. Ward 5 voters, think about it.

Go Lynch!

[Lynch invented the internet]

On his website. I forget the url, but you could easily google it. You might have to, as they took down a post with it, so I don't think they like that kind of stuff. I heard OD was expanding his law office and buying the Powder House. Must be doing great litigating all those tough slip-and-fall-in-the-Bickford's-parking-lot cases!

[All Wards]

Speaking of Lafuente, I just got a slick piece in the mail from him. I live in ward 4 & there is a page especially for my neighborhood. Did he send this to all wards?

[Credit where credit is due]

Yeah - I'm in Ward Six .. Lafuente's piece has a section for my ward. It is a nice piece of mail. His web site is pretty good too.

[Truth B Told]

Thats some mail piece Lafuente has sent out. If it is true that it is changed for every ward it must be the most expensive piece of campiagn lit every sent out in a city race.

[Curt and Tony]

We got 3 pieces in the last week. One from lynch, nice, lafuente, nice and expensive, and o'donovan, yikes!

[Banky]

I got the Lafuente mailer today too (ward 2). Real nice piece. Not quite as good as the Mayor's - I might have to frame that huge map of Somerville - but pretty slick for the Alderman race. I'll probably throw Lafuente a vote this year, almost certainly at Desmond's expense. But regarding Tony's plans for Ward 2...if he can get traffic to flow through Union Square, I say we make him President. Anyone who can fix the traffic in Union could definitely fix the mess in Iraq!

[Banky]

Oh, and Lafuente's site is xxxxxxxxxx.xxx (edited by JN - deal with it). Definitely one of the better local politician sites, although flash always bugs me.

[Curt and Tony]

Hey bonehead, at least you could give us the RIGHT address. The lynch and chisholm websites are mentioned in the newstalk section. If whoever writes it wanted to mention the other web sites, they would have.

[Credit where credit is due]

or

www.joecurtatone.com

Why won't the News give us a list of everybody's web site?

Anyone know anyone other candidate sites??

[Credit where credit is due]

Exactly Curt & Tony

[somerville guy]

What's the deal on the At-Large race? Is it Jack or Bruce going down in flames? I don't think Tony can be stopped, Bill White-knuckle notwithstanding. In Ward 5, Sean O'Dunce'avan is in a real fight. We'll see how much the ward has changed with this election.

[James Norton]

Credit where credit is due -

You know not for nothing, but how many times have you been on this site? Are you going to try to say you don't know JN's rules? Say to Google it is all good, but post a link, and I will not only unpublish it, I will ban your ass (if you do it again, I am fair if nothing else). This isn't a government funded, equal rights weblog - I don't have to give equal space to anyone I don't want to, unless of course you will take ONE WEEKS worth of my bills - I guarantee you would choke on them. Enough said - I am going to refill my glass - the rest of you enjoy your night. How about I post my own website - www.ward4som.com - so the world (or this microcosm of it anyways) can get a glimpse into what is going on with me personally. Deal with it.

JN

[Ron Newman]

You have never explained why you do not want links. Also, this is not a link: www.somervillema.gov . It's just the name of a web site. If it were a link, you could click on it, and you can't.

[James Norton]

Ron -

I guess I need to explain in greater detail at some point. I appreciate your input, along with the other people on here. As to the person who just posted under your name on here (but whom I not only unpublished but also banned) - you can kiss my ass.
Have a great night everyone!

JN

[Banky]

Wow...I didn't mean to offend, I didn't realize that links were inappropriate. I mean, this is the *internet*, right? That's what it's for - hyperlinking! It's not like people are trying to drop links for the Farm Team paper in here or anything. The Dude abides & all, but I think you're freaking out over nothing. If people want to link up some of those truly awful campaign sites, it'll just give us all a nice laugh!

[Ron Newman]

Indeed, you would do a great service to all voters if you published a complete list of all campaign web sites.

[Credit where credit is due]

Yep - I had no idea that you can't put links on - I thought that this was a blog. And, yes Ron - great idea, a list of all those campaign web sites would be great.

[I'm for TL]

I'm in Ward 5 and I got the friggin Video from Lafuente's web site as a mailer. How cool is that?

[I'm for TL]

Anyone that would like to borrow my video sent to me explaining the legal buys' of SOD and the not so tasteful way as an Alderman these were purchased, meet me a the Lowell Street Bridge in a 1/2 hour.

[golfn]

For the tony lafuente web site just google his name or type tonylafuente dot org into your browser.

[somerville guy]

Enough about whose web video is better (Lafuente's by a mile), what's up with Rebecca moving in on the Ward 7 race? What has she really done in ward 6, other than paint a mural, let the Someday Cafe close, and try to change the parking regs during a snow storm? Why did she put her friend Rachel "Ugly Betty" Heller in the race against a good ward alderman in Bob Trane? H emight be out there, but he returns phone calls Rebecca!

[Credit where credit is due]

I thought that Rebecca was in Ward 6 - what has she got to do with the Ward 7 race?

[He's the Traniac!]

Somerville guy, are you kidding me? Trane is a good alderman? He puffs up his chest, acts like a bully, tries to talk over and intimidate people, and that makes him good???

What does he do when he's not acting like a bully? Does anyone really know??

His nickname is the Traniac for a reason! Or is it Trane-wreck? Whatever you get my point.

And don't go so low in personal insults .. not cool.

[Imux]

You know I've accidently posted a link a couple of times (I forgot the rule, plus I drink), but I don't see a big deal with the policy. I mean you can quote from an online article and just say "...I recently read this in a newsweek article...". What's the big deal?

Ron, I know you and your buddies think you invented the Internet and all, but can the rest of us use it too?

James, what would have been an instant classic is if whilst slapping Ron across the side of his mutton head you posted:
"Ron has dishonored himself and dishonored the forum. I have tried to help him. But I have failed. I have failed because YOU have not helped me. YOU people, have not given Ron the proper motivation! So, from now on, whenever Ron f%$#s up, I will not punish him! I will punish all of YOU! And the way I see it ladies, you owe me for ONE HYPERLINK! NOW, GET DOWN ON YOUR FACES!"

...the rest of us wrapping soap in towels....waiting for Ron to doze off.

[Imux]

His nickname is the Traniac for a reason! Or is it Trane-wreck? Whatever you get my point.

And don't go so low in personal insults .. not cool.

Posted by: He's the Traniac! | October 27, 2007 at 11:26 AM

Bob's a decent and good guy. If you spent anytime in the city you would know that. That wacko Rachel has a better chance of seeing God than getting elected in Ward 7.

Rachel is another on of those PDS'ers who thinks that she knows what is best for us. I bet she doesn't even know where PJ Ryans is. You will also never see her quote how long she has lived here. I've taken dumps that have seen and done more in life than she has.

[Credit where credit is due]

Yes - Bob Trane is a decent man & a good Alderman. Ask his constituents in ward 7 - he does the job, returns the calls and keeps in touch. I am sure that Rachel whatever-her-name-is is a nice person, but where did she come from?? Imux is right - she would get lost driving around west Somerville. Trane will dispose of her handily.

[James Norton]

Imux -

Love the Full Metal Jacket snippet - very appropriate. I wish I could enjoy my Kubrick-esque life more. In this particular instance, I would venture to guess that if Ron is Pvt. Pyle, then you would be Pvt. Joker and I would be Gunnery Sergeant Hartman. Only difference is I would wear kevlar under the wife beater.

Enjoy

JN

[Imux]

Love the Full Metal Jacket snippet - very appropriate. I wish I could enjoy my Kubrick-esque life more. In this particular instance, I would venture to guess that if Ron is Pvt. Pyle, then you would be Pvt. Joker and I would be Gunnery Sergeant Hartman. Only difference is I would wear kevlar under the wife beater.

Enjoy

JN

Posted by: James Norton | October 27, 2007 at 11:58 AM

James, yeah....Full Metal Jacket and Resovoir Dogs - they play at my house 7 x 24. The kids and I can quote from both at the drop a hat!

Sadly, it seems you do have to go all R. Lee Ermey in here to control some of the fools and moonbats who think they own - cough, Ron, cough - the forum and paper.

Private Joker? Me? "Well they call me the Joker."

[Alderperson]

Speaking of fools and moonbats, Joe Curtatone just lost at least one vote this election. I read the latest O'Donovan literature just now. It looks more like a Curtatone love letter to his "hardest working alderman".

Mayor, with all due respect, what are you smoking? Do you honestly think the voters who pay attention to this stuff are that bleeding stupid? To say nothing of the fact that most of the brochure is pure fiction.

Mayor, you have tried to keep the city moving. I appreciate that. But if you are going to try and force O'Donovan on Ward 5 for another two years of embarrassment, forget it.

You lost respect for yourself and for the folks in Ward five. You also lost my vote.

[The Mole]

Alderperson, you have been around long enough to understand why Mayor Joeycakes is creaming up O’Drinkavan’s literature. Sod is on the Land Use Committee, chairperson I believe. There is so much development in and around Ward 5, which is it essential that Joeycakes keeps Ward 5 intact. Just go to Mr. Lynchs’ web site and you will see why when you click on his informative video clip.

O’Drinkavan and Joeycakes need each other for Max Pac, The Armory on Highland Ave, the Green Line(green is associated with hard cash) and other projects within the Ward. So YES, Absolutely Joeycakes is going to show his lips all over O’Drinkavans’ literature.

Listen carefully to the chock-full video clip Mr. Lynch has on his web and you will soon understand and realize who is running this city and our tax dollars.

The Mole

[Tom Paine]

Alderperson,

That letter is part of the compensation package for being Joe Curtatone's catamite. When the Ward 3 slot was contested in the last election, Joe Curtatone wrote a letter saying that everything positive that had ever happened in Somerville was because of Tom Taylor.

That's the deal. The developers own Joe and Joe owns a majority of the aldermen. If Ward Aldermen do what they're told, their wards get city services, and they get mayoral support at election time.

It's the Somerville way.

[God]

Now let me get this straight, Joey Cakes helps Tom Tom the pipers son Taylor he gets re-elected.So should read Little Boy Blue Come Blow his Horn. Now he helps S O D and that should read He Put In His Thumb And Pulled out WHAT? I guess Clean Clean GENIE can just wash his hands like PONTIUS PILOT.

[somerville guy]

To "He's the Traniac" Do you have any idea what it takes to be a ward alderman? Apparently not. Who cares if he puffs up his chest, he gets the job done. Unlike Rebecca, Marty-if he was ever elected-and Bill White. You are obviously like the old Boston City Council, who liked to debate issues like divestment and human rights violations that really had no place in the function of a municipal legislative body. And the "Ugly Betty" reference was not a low blow-you fool-she does look like the lead, and it's hit show. Plug in your nano-drive!

[Ron Newman]

You don't think Bill White does his job effectively?

[Election]

Why doesn't JN organize a little gathering for all the people who post on this site? Seriously. It could be some drinks after work at some pub, or something like that. Davis Sq has plenty of places for this. Ron, would you come? Bill? I'd definitely go.

[Ron Newman]

Sure, I'd come to a meetup. Just pick some place where we don't have to yell at each other over loud music. (The one thing I hated about Blogtoberfest at the Pour House this week.)

[Bill Shelton]

Sure, Election. It would be interesting to see which identity certain posters would come as.

[Truth B Told]

I have done some checking on the Trane/Heller contest and I am going with Trane. Heller does not have a clue. She has lived here for less than two years, has no grasp of the issues we face here and she wants to raise my propertu taxes to pay for more housing for illegal immigrants. Not my cup of tea

[Ron Newman]

"wants to raise my propertu taxes to pay for more housing for illegal immigrants. "

Where does she say this? Is it in a printed leaflet or on her campaign web site?