Newstalk for Wednesday November 14th 2007

We are asking everyone to please remember the Little Sisters on Highland Avenue - they do a great job and are in need of donations, especially during the holiday season. Also, the Somerville Housing Authority is collecting toys and donations to be given to needy families in the projects - please consider helping these and other fine charities that feel the pinch at this time of the year.

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Did everyone see or hear about the Channel 5 investigative report on the various yacht clubs around the state that are private to members only, but are located on STATE OWNED land? The very first one they brought up was our own Winter Hill Yacht Club and how they owe back rent to the state and refuse to pay it. The Governor is supposed to be on a mission to collect the rent due. We wonder if it’s in the way of the Proposed Assembly Square Development and if so, why is the City letting them? Former Alderman and State Rep. Vinny Ciampa was seen being interviewed by Channel 5 since he used to be in office and he also docks his boat there as a member. Channel 5 did a great job and now that it has brought this issue to the attention of everyone, maybe just maybe, the yacht club can pay the back rent due and either move or open its membership to all Somerville Residents. The days of private clubs residing on state-owned property is silly.

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The election is over and looks like there will be a recount with Tony Lafuente and Bruce Desmond Saturday Dec. 1, at City Hall - it should be an interesting time for all - this is Desmond’s second recount, but this time he’s up with a 38 vote difference. Last recount for Desmond had him down 1 vote with Bill White  - this time looks like the results will be different for him.

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Two local guys, David Sidoti and John Carlino, both of Somerville - have fulfilled their childhood dreams and opened up “Exchange Street Bistro” - a very nice restaurant located in Malden! Great to see local guys do well!

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Secret Squirrel (aka Herb) was out working on Election Day for his friend Tony LaFuente and was later seen at Mayor Joe’s time where he was eating some of the delicacies - some were wondering why he didn’t bring Tony there with him.

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Rumors are already flying that Rep. Carl Sciortino and the Queen of the PDSers’ Senator Pat Jehlen are going to have some serious challengers this coming year - we predict, and you heard it here first, that these two legislators will more than have their hands full. It’s apparent that the PDS isn’t interested in working with anyone – they’re just interested in taking over at any cost. The recent nasty election in Ward 7 against Bob Trane is an example – even the Journal and The News both endorsed Bob. Remember, nothing is impossible in this district - if a Republican can win the Senate here over an incumbent Democrat - anything is possible…remember Charlie Shannon beating Sal Albano.

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Seems like there is a bad smell coming from a possible gas leak around the Garrison Avenue neighborhood! According to a representative from the gas company – they think there are no leaks and he isn’t even sure if there are any health risks involved! Ward 7 Alderman Bob Trane isn’t satisfied with that answer and wants the problem fixed ASAP and he says he won’t take any chances – to get the situation resolved safely.

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Seems like the Cambridge Chronicle and Somerville Journal (both edited by Kat Powers) have done an interesting story on our former editor - Neil McCabe - who is also the publisher of the Cambridge monthly newsletter The Alewife and now a small newsletter named the Powderhouse in Somerville (hey we know it’s not spelled incorrectly – that’s how he spells it). Seems he has court dates for habitual driving offenses in two courts and he has told the court that he’s indigent. We find that hard to believe, since he owns two newsletters/publications and since he likes to brag about having investors - Thomas P. O’Neil III - who had admitted he is an investor and now we heard a RUMOR that the newly elected Senator from Cambridge - Senator Gallucio himself - is an investor along with some restaurant owner in North Cambridge. With access to so much money, we’re wondering how he can tell the court he’s indigent and get away with it?    

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With all the problems lately over in Cambridge with their Traffic and Parking Department, we can thank our lucky stars here in Somerville that we don’t have the same mind set with our Traffic and Parking personnel.    

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Right before our deadline Tuesday we heard a steam pipe leak at City Hall forced the elections department to move to another room in the building. Nick Salerno, the elections commissioner, promises us no ballots were compromised but you have think the Oliver Stone’s of the city are
going to have a field day with this one. Wheels within wheels, wheels within wheels. City
officials say the damage is in excess of $25,000 and election department workers are now doing their jobs in another room usually used for lunch breaks. So now where do they go for lunch?

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We hear Fred Berman was being comforted by his progressive supporters after his election
day loss for alderman-at-large. Carl Sciortino, Denise Provost and Pat Jehlen all offered words of encouragement to Fred (what Hugo Chavez couldn’t make it?). Of course Fred may be the reason Tony Lafuente didn’t get into office – we heard all Tony’s progressive friends sold him down the river and gave Fred a bullet vote.

Comments

[Ron Newman]

Are you sure Kat Powers is also editor of the Cambridge Chronicle? That's not what the newspaper's web site says. Since the Journal and Chronicle are part of the same chain, they occasionally use each other's news stories.

[Ron Newman]

Also, it's a bit insulting to call Mr. McCabe's publications "newsletters" instead of what they are, newspapers. You don't have to like them, or their publisher, to call them by their proper name.

[namwen nor]

Don't worry, JN, Ron has your back!

ron_newman
2007-11-07 03:36 pm UTC (link)
You need 100 signatures. For whatever reason (and she says there was some sort of family emergency), she either didn't return enough of them, or didn't return them on time.

However, I think electing the editor of the Somerville News to this position is a HUGE mistake.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[Otis]

I'm sorry if this been answered before, but can someone tell me the specific contents of the "orange flyer" that was distributed by the Heller campaign in Ward 7. I live there and did not receive one.

I think it's great that people want to challenge the incumbents - democracy is healthy!

[Somerville]

I am hoping that we get rid if Carl and Pat as soon as possible. Why wait for the election? What is the impeachment process? They were obviously involved in election fraud (helping Heller run her dirty campaign). Why hasn't hearings and a police investigation been started yet?

[Otis]

What was the "fraud" and how were Sciortino and Jehlen "obviously involved"?

If the fraud is this orange flyer...I still have no idea what it said...

[Somerville]

Otis, there 3 bullets INSIDE the orange newsletter (on the outside it said to the effect in BOLD letters BOB TRANE LETS DEVELOPERS PROFIT OF THE COMMUNITY).

Bullet #1: Said that he supported the developers in the Assembly Square process that wanted XYZ and not ABC and somehow that hurts low income people.

Bullet #2: Yapped about the new condos at 1188 Broadway being LUXURY and that somehow or another he was paid off as his former employer is selling some of the units.

Bullet #3: Trane lets 3 condo developments into the city and he didn't attend the affordabel housing hearing. They're smearing him as not caring.

BOLD LETTERS AGAIN: BOB TRANE VOTES FOR DEVELPOPERS.

TOTAL SMEAR JOB and HELLER SHOULD BE IN JAIL.

[The Squirrel Hater]

The Secret Squirrel has a nerve. After spending most of his time campaigning for Lafuentez he shows up at the Mayor's party to fill his fat squirrely face. This guy doesn't quit. GET A LIFE SQUIRREL!!!

[Otis]

Hey - I hate political smearing and negative campaigning as much as you, Somerville. But I'm not sure there was anything illegal about what the Heller camp did, therefore I'm not sure anyone should be going to jail.

If what was printed in the flyer was untrue, than Rachel Heller should be ashamed. But that shame is about all the punishment she should get. As for the politicians that endorsed her, they have nothing directly to do with the tactics Heller used in the campaign and should not be associated with them.

[Wishful Thinking]

"Rumors are already flying that Rep. Carl Sciortino and the Queen of the PDSers’ Senator Pat Jehlen are going to have some serious challengers this coming year - we predict, and you heard it here first"

What a crock! Rumors? What rumors? Made up rumors in the Somerville News "newsroom"?

How desperate to try and circulate rumors that are unfounded.

Pat Jehlen will be a Senator for as long as she wants to be. There is no viable candidate that I can see coming from the cesspool that is called Somerville poliitics.

Name me one candidate that could give her a run for the money? Just one.

I thought so!

[Ron Newman]

What specifically is erroneous about those three statements?

Even if one or more of the statements is false, how is it 'election fraud' ? What would the police have to do with it?

[Grog29]

Ron -

You will also go to jail for asking stupid questions.

-Grog29

[somerville guy]

Wishful thinking . . .
You are a gobshite-

[Credit where credit is due]

Heller doesn't belong in jail - she just doesn't belong as Ward 7 Alderman either. She ran a dirty race and lied about her opponent, even though she promised to run a clean campaign.

And Jehlen lovers, don't forget that Queen Pat scraped through Somerville against a REPUBLICAN. Put up any decent Democrat and we will see what happens.

As for Carl, what pension will he collect once he loses next year?

[On Broadway]

Hmmm, heard many times on this blog that the orange flyer contains "lies", yet no one can point to a single fact in the flyer that is untrue. The only ones lying are those that claim the orange flyer contained factual falshoods -- that includes this paper, or shall I say "newsletter".

You mean elitist yacht-owner and perpetual bigot Vinny Ciampa is part of a club that's bilking the state for money? What, he couldn't cheat the state out of enough money through his cushy job to the sheriff's office? Thank goodness we threw that hack out of office.

Wow, Fred Berman was given words of encouragement by the elected officials that endorsed him? Who's the crackpot investigative reporter at the Snews that nabbed that item? Better report that his friend and family thanked him as well before someone scoops you.

[Taking advantage]

So, I did some research that I beleive warrants review in the city. Cambridge city councilors makke 65,000K a year. How much does the BOA make in Somerville? One of our reps. that represents somerville in ward 1 not only collects the above sum, but also a 60,000K pay from the state as a legislator.. Is this what we call in somerville "double dipping"? If so, does he get two pensions like some othe politcal whores in the city, AKA secret squirrel, our BOA clerk who also works for the state? These hacks have it down to a science. I am jealous!!

[Ron Newman]

It is not illegal for Tim Toomey to serve both on a city council and in the state legislature.

[Striker57]

Voters in Somerville and Cambridge are aware that Tim Toomey holds both positions. They keep electing him to both.

[staightdope]

To On Broadway, relax and take a deep breeth, not everyone you disagree with is a bigot or racist. The Haters need to stop resorting to claiming everyone that they don't like is a racist or bigot. Hate is a strong thing and if you let it will ruin your life, you need some serious help. Our family will pray for you at church this Sunday to help you heal. Let us all pray for all the haters.

[Election]

Straightdope, only a racist and a bigot would make the statements you just made.

[To Somerville Guy]

Intelligent comeback.

I guess your remark comes out of frustration because you know I am right.

You have a nice Thanksgiving and make sure you don't eat too much gobshite!

WT

[Matt Goodman]

If memory serves, Somerville aldermen get $25k a year. Based on recent history, I don't believe there's any legal reason you can't be alderman and also serve in another elected office.

[To]

"Put up any decent Democrat and we will see what happens."

Who do you qualify as a "decent democrat"?

That's the problem with people like you and Somerville guy.....you love to throw out statements but can't back it up with any real evidence of someone who will unseat Jehlen.

PLEASE....name me one person who would qualify as your "decent democrat".

[To Matt]

Vinnie Ciampa did it for years until people got sick of his lapdog mentality at the Statehouse and his basically no show job as an Alderman.

[Ron Newman]

Vinny Ciampa served as both Alderman-at-Large and State Representative for years before Bill White edged him out of the alderman seat in 1997.

Other people who have served simultaneously in the state legislature and a city council: Ray Flynn (Boston), Saundra Graham (Cambridge), and, for a few months, our own Denise Provost.

[The Mole]

Whatcha gonna do when they come for you,"Bad Boys, Bad Boys, Bad Boys"?

The Mole

[Rumor Has It That Lafuente Is Searching A New Community To Live In.]

The buzz around the city is that Lafuente has contacted Jackie Veri about doing a market analysis on his home, so that he can put it on the market. Close insiders to Lafuente specualate that if he can't pull off a victory to Desmond, he will start looking for new community this spring. Rumor has it that family pressure has taken a tole on the brady bunch as of late.

[fosternotfromgloucester]

One critical mistake Lafuente has made over and over is trying to "buy" his way into Somerville politics with and coming up short in the following:
A) High recognition from "average" voter, which is usually accomplished by many years of community involvement!
B) Accurate and realistic view of opponent's and their favor with constituency.
They simply didn't have enough reasons not to vote for the opposition in the last 6 years! There was, however, enough reason to oust Connolly in Ward Six when Rebeka got in.
C) Lack of true inclusion in special interest groups. This was Lafuente's real downfall, simply not getting enough of, but needing, the extreme lefties. They can't be bought and can sniff out a closet conservative thru a modem. But, they will vote "as blindly as a townie" when one their own is running!