Newstalk for Wednesday October 31st 2007

No major predictions here (our crystal ball is on the fritz) but it’s probably safe to assume the incumbents are all going to return to office. It’s hard to defeat someone already in office during a controversial election, never mind a boring one. We predict all four at-large incumbents will return, despite the good intentions of Lafuente and Berman. Ward 5 looks to be the closest race in the city; Ward 6 and Ward 7 will see both incumbents return to office and the sticker one in Ward 4 will be close. Fortunately or unfortunately we see no surprises. We wish everyone the best!

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Congratulations to our own Boston Red Sox for making it a great October here in Red Sox Nation, now we can all focus on the Pat’s and watch those Celtics come alive after 15 years of basketball misery. Speaking of the Sox, there was a Champion sighting at Melo & Son’s on Cross Street last week, seems like David Ortiz was spotted dropping off an Antique Chair to be done over.

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The Somerville Little League will be holding its annual meeting to elect members of the Board of Directors for the 2008 season. The meeting is scheduled for this Thursday, Nov. 1.  All members in good standing are encouraged to attend the general meeting, to be held at the Stop & Shop public conference room, in East Somerville.

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Yesterday the VNA (Visiting Nurse Association) broke ground for their new complex up at the old Conwell School site. They will build 90 new units of affordable housing and the Somerville Housing Authority, headed by Joe Macaluso, and his great staff will add 90 more new units in a complex right next door.

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Don’t miss the annual Fall Bazaar at the Little Sisters of the Poor coming up on Nov. 10 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at their home on Highland Avenue. You can find many great things from homemade pastries and Christmas gifts to their homemade and famous Beef Stew. All are welcome to begin their Christmas Shopping season and of course to help the Little Sisters raise some money.

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Elections are this coming Tuesday, and although its a relatively quiet election season we certainly hope that everyone remembers to go out and vote. There will be a lot of activity in Ward 4 with the sticker campaigns of Jamie Norton and Charlene Harris, we know that Jamie will have stickers at the polls for everyone, we assume Charlene will as well, we certainly hope that one of them gets elected so the city won’t have to put up $25 to $30 grand for a special election. They need over 100 stickers or write-ins each to be counted to be eligible to win.

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The Central Hill Memorial Park will be getting a complete make over funded by a State grant with the blessings of the Governor’s office!  Somerville is slated to receive $500K for the renovation project. Did you know Central Hill was the city’s first public park?

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November 3 from 4 to 7 Union Square Acupuncture will hold an open house. All are welcome to attend and enjoy appetizers, beverages and discount coupons for acupuncture, massage and Reiki. Call 617-718-7555 to learn more.

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Another holiday event coming up this Friday Nov. 2 at Somerville Hospital from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Somerville Hospital Ladies Auxiliary will hold their event, these fine and often unheralded ladies put in thousands of hours volunteering at the hospital every year. We say bravo!

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You can have a great night out at “Soul Responsibly”, a fundraiser for RESPOND a group working to end domestic violence against women. The night of fun and 70s music will be held at Dilboy Post on Summer Street this Friday Nov. 2 beginning at 9 p.m., the cover charge will be $10.00. There will be a silent auction, entertainment and raffles.

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Another successful year of ArtsUnion has ended. The Somerville Arts Council and Union Square Main Streets worked together to put on some great events (our favorite was the disco under McGrath Highway) that brought some great attention to Union Square. This series is making Union Square a destination point and highlights some great features of the square. Good job ArtsUnion! 

Comments

[Election]

They don't sound as bad as the Nazi-ville and KKK-ville you envision.

[Imux]

They don't sound as bad as the Nazi-ville and KKK-ville you envision.

Posted by: Election | November 01, 2007 at 11:26 AM

You dumbass, I'm African-American.

[Truth B Told]

From the Somerville News: Endorsement

Bob Trane – there are very few people who would argue against the statement that Bob Trane is the most perfect example of what a “constituent services” kind of alderman should be. His example of what a hard working and dedicated ward alderman should be is truly the benchmark for all members of this board for years to come. Some don’t appreciate his rough and tumble attitude sometimes, but we sure do – and he listens and responds to everyone no matter what their political proclivity whenever his phone rings. Bob Trane is arguably the hardest working ward alderman on the board and he deserves your vote to send him back to fight the good fight.

From the Somerville Journal: Endorsement

Bob Trane is our pick for ward alderman in Ward 7. He is the model for what ward alderman should be-he just doesn’t answer emails and phone calls about problems, he shows up at the door, trying to come up with a solution, even when it’s about a poor plowing job during a Patriots game. He’s there at the first noise complaint about Tufts students, and has forced the university to come up with ways to confront its large partying population. We like his interest in renewable energy, and his recent spate of independent thinking is a trend and not an aberration.

[Election]

Pedro, IF so, you are a Nazi- and KKK-loving AA.

>>You dumbass, I'm African-American.

[James Norton]

Truth B Told - you forgot the best one from The Somerville Journal!

"Schools

When an incumbent for office cannot turn in enough signatures on time to get on the ballot, we wonder if she has the ability to other facets of the job. Our kids deserve more.
Which is why we're looking around for a candidate for the open seat in Ward 4.
The only person, except the incumbent, to publicly announce his or her intention to seek that office is Jamie Norton, editor of the Somerville News.
He has talents that could be put to use on such a board, hamstrung as it is by the Education Reform Act of 1993, which bascially lets the School Committee hire a superintendent, and that's it. And since no real damage could come to our educational system by having one loud advocate for ripping up the whole system, we feel Norton is the man for the job.
He's passionate - as part of an entity oft derided in his "news" columns, we can attest that Norton has great feeling for the city of Somerville. He has children, so presumably he has an idea of what children need, and he has just as much or more experience in managing budgets than other School Committee members when they were first elected.
Unlike running a newspaper, pontificating at School Committee meetings needn't be fact-based, so even if Norton isn't so hot at his day job, we think he might be just right for this one."

You HAVE to love it!

JN

[Election]

Somerville Journal SUCKS! :)

[Imux]

I realize now that I am gay.

Sorry for my previous comments!

[Election]

It must be hard to hate yourself so much, Imux.

>>

I realize now that I am gay.

Sorry for my previous comments!

[Imux]

James, if I lived in Ward 4 you'd have my vote. Knowing that, what are the chances you can un-endorse some of the PDS candidates? They're going to take this city down the hopper and fast.

Election, you've gone well beyond clown-ville now that you've again lost track of who your posting as. You're such a fool. Is Ron still there nestled between your thighs? If so, tell him to get up as there is a bunch of illegals over in Foss Park who need a ride to steal, rape and pillage some more. We hear he likes to give them a hand(job) every once in a while.

[Election]

Imux, again, stop fantasizing about little immigrant boys and girls. Bad for your health.

[Ward5Born]

Lynch gets the News and Journal endorsement. Sweet!

[Imux is an illegal immigrant]

Someone deport his ass!

[Election]

Funny, Imux posting against himself so then he can whine he is a victim. Poor Imux.

[Tricky]

Seriously. Imux now has told us he's an African-American who both owns a home and a business in Ward 7.

If he's not a figment of his own imagination, he shouldn't be that hard to identify.

[Election]

Of course it's a figment.

[it *is* funny]

Sadly all the conjecture about who Imux is (I couldn't care less) has taken focus off of the election, the endorsements, and what really matters. Perhaps that's his/her plan in the first place. Stay focused people.

[Tricky]

Speaking of endorsements, where are they? Joe Lynch's website is reporting he receieved the Ward 5 endorsement from the News.

Maybe whoever adds items to the website these is trying to keep a straight face trying to type up an endorsement for Casino Charlie in Ward Six? (I haven't seen the print edition yet, but don't think it's a stretch he'd get the nod, based on some of the irrational behavior the incumbent gets here...)

[Imux]

Sadly all the conjecture about who Imux is (I couldn't care less) has taken focus off of the election, the endorsements, and what really matters. Perhaps that's his/her plan in the first place. Stay focused people.

Posted by: it *is* funny | November 01, 2007 at 04:03 PM

Shit4brains, I have only posted as myself, but some other pussnut (Election) has been posting random crap all day as me, as someone pretending to be me, as someone not even on this planet, etc. Election is the old nutjob called "Somerville Resident". She/He/It is just off the meds this week.

Wake up, morons.

The issue:
ATTENTION: DO NOT VOTE for LYNCH, HELLER, BERMAN, WHITE or GEWIRTZ

A vote for any of the above is a vote for more illegals, more terrorists, teaching our children to be anti-God, more drugs on the street and an end to the working and middle class in Somerville.

[Ron Newman]

"no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States". Imux may not recognize this sentence, but I bet most other people here do.

And yeah, right, Joe Lynch is in favor of terrorists.

[Imux]

"no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States". Imux may not recognize this sentence, but I bet most other people here do.

And yeah, right, Joe Lynch is in favor of terrorists.

Ron, where did I say you have to be a Christian and believe in God to RUN for office? It would be better, but that is just my opinion. Godless, moral-less moonbats can run all they want for office. All I'm saying is let's not elect the deviants in.

Say NO to all the PDS candidates (Heller, Lynch, Gerwitz, Berman, White). These are NOT your daddy's democrats. They are the pieces of excrement that we fought against in WWII, Korea, Vietnam andnow in Iraq (facists, commies and islamofacists).

[Ron Newman]

"Joe [Lynch] was born in Somerville, served eight years in the United States Air Force, was educated at the Community College of the Air Force, the University of New Hampshire, the American Banking Institute and Boston University. After seventeen years in the banking industry, Joe left Bank of Boston as a Senior Vice President. He now operates his own small business consulting in historic home restoration."

Yeah right, a communist.

[Election]

Imux, when the commies are in power they'll hunt you down! Be prepared to run, buddy.

[somerville guy]

Why is I-whatever his handle is-still allowed to post this trash?
Does the News endorse such low-budget hate-mongering? You guys have enough problems with some of your endorsements.

[Credit where credit is due]

Let's Go Red Sox!!

[Bob Langill]

I have no problem when people attack ones political views. Posting an attack on ones characture while hiding behind a pseudonym is cowardice. I have seen this type of attack before. It happened against Alderman Thomas Taylor. Attacking Joseph Lynch like this is disgusting. If you have something to say against Sean O'Donovan or Joseph Lynch stop hiding and be brave enough to post using your real name.
Bob Langill, Wilton Street

[Here They Come]

When it gets too hot in the kitchen the slanderous remarks surface. A strategy by someone trying to deface the character of Mr. Lynch. He must be doing something right to warrant these blogs about his character.

Their tactics will not work for one; I will now cast my vote on Tuesday at the Brown School for Mr. Lynch.

[Election]

Uh oh. Bob Langill, Imux and his KKK vigilante's squad from Roxbury will come and get you one night.

[Bob Langill]

Election, what are you talking about? How do I get thrown in with Imux and the KKK. I posted here to show my disgust with the attacks against O'Donovan and Lynch. Come out little boy and post using your real name.

[Ron Newman]

I think that was just a very poorly written sentence by 'Election'...

[Bob Langill]

MR. NORTON I DID NOT POST THAT AND WOULD LIKE IT REMOVED.

[lifelong res]

Whoever is posting under other people's names, please stop it! Can't you act like adult(s)? Bob Langill used his real name to show that he was not afraid to stand up for what he posts here. Too bad you all couldn't act more responsible. I usually enjoy reading the back and forth foolishness but it's getting harder and harder to come to this site and read this bullshit. MR. NORTON PLEASE TAKE NOTE THAT THINGS ARE REALLY GETTING OUT OF HAND -- WITH THE THREATS, ETC.

[James Norton]

Bob -

I don't sit around policing the weblog - but I am usually available. The only thing I hate more the CAPS LOCK sentences is Imux. I banned Imux's usual IP address last night, he just used another one seldom used by him, which is now also banned. I can't help it if people decide they want to temporarily steal someone else's identity on an anonymous weblog. I try my best to keep some kind of balance and harmony and when I see it getting out of hand I do take care of it, but, I also try to maintain a modicum of restraint in order to preserve people's right to free speech.

Hope this helps.

JN

[Election]

Bob Langill, to clarify, my previous post was sarcastic and about Imux's authoritarian tendencies (at least, based on what he posts here).

[Election]

I see how my previous post got misconstrued. What I had in mind was:

"Bob Langill (addressed to you),
Now that he knows your name, Imux and his KKK vigilante's squad from Roxbury will come and get you one night."

[Bob Langill]

Mr. Norton I am sorry for "shouting" in the room. After reading that comment I hope that you can why I did so.

[Bob Langill]

Thank you for the clarification "election". Earlier a post was made using my name. This was a very distasteful, hate filled attack. I asked Mr. James Norton to remove it and he has done so. Thank you Jim. I came here today with one thought in mind and it was turned into something very sickening.

[Ron Newman]

This kind of abuse will continue until JN finally realizes that this site needs a user registration/login system.

[it *is* funny]

I agree that a registration system is long overdue, but banning Imux's multiple IP addresses is a big step in the right direction. Thanks JN.

[Election]

It would be interesting to know why the News does not adopt a basic login system based on e-mails. Most serious blogs have that (heck, even the abc blog requires some login). Is it mostly that the News staff does not have the time or expertise to do it? Or is there some ideological reason (dunno, privacy, since you'd know the e-mail address of the user). This method would prevent people from using other people's names.

[Ron Newman]

In the past, JN has claimed that the newspaper's lawyers advised against a login system, to protect the newspaper against liability. This makes no sense to me, as many many other newspapers have such a system.

I don't think it would require any expertise whatsoever, as it is an optional feature of the TypePad.com site that now hosts the blog.

[Election]

Oh, I did not know it was an option in the software they already use. But I agree, most blogs use a login system.

[Imux]

JN - I know in the past I have accused you of blocking/banning people who disagreed with the SN, but now I see I was wrong all along. You are right in banning me, because I am a racist and a complete chucklehead. Thank you, JN, for being so wonderful and I wish you the best of luck on Tuesday as a write-in candidate for School Committee in Ward 4.

[Imux is leaving?]

Hooray. Ban Imux. I'm all for it. No one ever agrees with him. He is like one of those 12 year old forum trolls who gets excited when he hears the word "poop". He never has anything constructive to say, and is forcing himself among others to try and sway voters. Thank YOU JN.

[John Q Public]

"... in order to preserve people's right to free speech..."

James, so you banned Imix? Hmmmm...how progressive of you. Seriously, why did he get banned? He didn't threaten anyone or post under other's names -- at least from where I'm sitting. Banning people is the last resort for fools who can't refute the issues/facts he presented.

The guy seemed like the strongest voice for the silent majority in the city who have had it with the PDS taking over this place. Plus, he was a funny bastard and he did kick some serious ass. The entertainment value of this board just went to zero.

[ward 5 resident]

I think that the News should start requiring passwords to make comments. It is too easy for some one to use a program like Tor to scramble the IP address and get around being banned.

[somerville guy]

Ron Newman and Election are correct when they state that most news/blog sites require up-front log-in. But I think that's what makes the News blog much more interesting. JN was correct in banning I-no-more, he went over the line. John Q. Public, don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

[Ron Newman]

"More interesting" is an ... interesting .... way to describe a blog where anyone can impersonate anyone else at any time, without penalty. Does this really contribute to civic discourse?

[Election]

Sorry, but how would that prevent one to simply create a new login? It wouldn't. It would only prevent people from using other people usernames. Have you ever used Tor? Unless you pay a monthly fee, the sucker can be quite slow...

>>
I think that the News should start requiring passwords to make comments. It is too easy for some one to use a program like Tor to scramble the IP address and get around being banned.
>>

[Ron Newman]

"It would only prevent people from using other people usernames."

That would still be a great improvement over the current situation.

[Election]

Ron, one should also consider the possibility that facilitating civic discourse is NOT the main purpose of SN. Right? Why should it, when you think about it? Out of generosity? The main purpose is to get hits. If you get hits because people like to see a bunch of idiots bickering then the goal is achieved. Just laying out the possibilities here.