Newstalk for Wednesday January 30th 2008

Last weeks Board of Aldermen meeting was interesting - the main subject being Russell Disposal's new one-year contract. We almost had the possibility of no rubbish pickup because of Aldermen like Gewirtz, White, Sullivan and Trane. We hear that the Mayor was very upset over Alderman Trane and his vote change at the last minute. Apparently Russell is under investigation by the AG's office for unfair labor practices - charges that the Local 25 Union is hurling at Russell…  What ever happened to you're innocent until proven guilty? It's an investigation, not a trial people. 

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Two things you don't do in Somerville if you're a Politician - 1. Don't collect the rubbish and 2. Don't plow the streets.         

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It appears that Somerville may become an “All American City” again. In 1972, when Mayor S. Lester Ralph was in office, the city had that designation and a lot of us back then couldn’t figure out why it was - we even have pictures of the All American City Parade that year (which was huge). A lot of us here at Newstalk think that it’s about time and the city deserves it.

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Somerville residents Bosudeb D. Majumder, Pearlie M. Aviles, Jessica L. Oliveira and Matt S. Young all made the Deans List at LaSalle College this past fall - congratulations to them all for their hard work.

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All the Ward Democratic Committees are having their meetings this Saturday at various locations around the city. These are the meetings that Delegates are selected from each ward to go to the State Convention in Lowell later this spring. They have strict rules; doors open at 10am and will close at 10:15am - so if you want to go you need to be on time. Go to the City Democratic Ward Committee website for locations - www.somdems.org. Hopefully the various Ward Chairs will rush to the site and fill in the location/time for this Saturday - it appears none of the Wards are updated.

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The Green Line station location design and impact are having various discussions in the city, the Somerville Chamber is on top of iy and has put out flyers for community input, you can go to their web site www.somervillechamber.org to read up on the various meetings around the city.

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Don't forget the United States Air Force Liberty Jazz Band concert at Somerville High School on Wednesday Feb. 6th - it's free to the public and starts at 7pm.

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On the topic of who might be running against who this year here in Somerville - we heard a new one - that Board of Alderman President Dennis Sullivan was eyeing the Sheriff's position, as well as Senator - but that was given to us by another alderman who is friendly with Dennis, so its probably to throw us off. The other rumor still around is about both Alderman Bob Trane and Alderman Sean O'Donovan running for State Representative - at least from Somerville. We hear someone in Medford now with a popular name is aiming his or her sights on Carl (I “miss the mark” Representative, according to the Herald) Sciortino. One of the bloggers made a comment that Bob just barely won re-election - we call winning by almost 300 votes is more than “barely”, no matter how it's spun.

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The Massachusetts Primary is fast approaching - at Newstalk we're predicting an Obama win easily on the Democratic side and Romney winning on the Republican side - probably not too far out on a limb on that last one…

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Somerville's own Jimmy Del Ponte will be appearing/performing at Bickford's Grille - located at 6 Cambridge Street, Burlington this Saturday, February 2nd from 7pm to 11pm.

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A special workshop on cyber-bullying will be the focus of a presentation by Dr. Brian Cavanaugh of the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office on Thursday, January 31 starting at 6pm at the Argenziano School. This is a very important topic for children, parents and other interested members of the community - which has been organized in conjunction with the Somerville Public School Department.

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Appears that Torpedo Lady at the DPW has been letting people know that she just might be the new department head at the Sewer Dept. - her boss just let the city know he's retiring - but we hear it from sources down at the DPW that her being the boss is virtually impossible, since its an appointed position, not union.

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It seems someone found a comment on the blog they didn't think was very nice and now they want us to do away with the whole thing. Ok we'll take that under advisement but we're probably not going to limit anyone's speech no matter how much the progressives don't like what they say. If you want to be known as a crusader for setting limits on what people can say in this community so be it but understand that you're joining some dangerous company, progressives.

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This past Sunday, Middlesex County Sheriff James V. DiPaola hosted his annual Sheriff’s Association Breakfast at the Hilton in Woburn. Among the five hundred plus overflowing crowd that attended were special guest dignitaries - our new Police Chief Anthony Halloway and Somerville Police Captain Michael Cabral - representing our fine city. About one hundred new Deputy Sheriff’s were sworn in as well.

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Rumor has it that former candidate for Alderman at Large Elio LoRusso is planning another run for office but this time he’s going after one the “Progressive” candidates that he supported in the past, but now feels like they’re not living up to the job. A lot of people are now waking up here in the district - that the so called “Progressive” candidates only care about their issues and not the bread and butter issues that affect all of us daily here in Somerville.

Comments

[JARfromWard3]

The "All-American City" parade in 1972 was, in fact, the Somerville Centennial Celebration. Somerville was established as a Town in 1842 and became a City in 1872.

Recall that in 1992 there was a sesqui-centennial parade marking the establishment of Somerville as a Town separate from the City of Boston.

The 1972 parade was on a cool, gray mid-October Sunday.

73
JAR

[Reliable Source]

I heard from a reliable source last night that a strong candidate from Ward Three is gearing up for a run against Tom Taylor. This person is very disappointed in Taylor's recent and past performance as alderman and how he sold his soul to re-gain his seat. Should be interesting!

[JMD]

I live in Taylor's ward and am unhappy with what he has (or should I say "has not") done.

[Prospect Hill]

That little egomaniac Lester Ralph changed the city seal from Prospect Hill to the Powderhouse.
What site is more important and what is this city more recognized by? Prospect Hill of course.

It should be changed back.

[Kudos to Jamie]

Just had to mention that Jamie deserves kudos for his performance at this weeks' school committee meeting. He stood up for his beliefs, and followed through on his pledge to investigate an appointed school committee. I didn't catch all of the proceedings, but he seemed to have ruffled a few feathers! Oh, well, took the negative attention away from the progressives for an evening, anyway.

[Tricky]

Given the fact Alderman Bill White is no longer on the Finance Committee, I would have zero faith in an appointed school committee. None whatsoever.

[James Norton]

Tricky et al -

Thanks, I will most likely start blogging on my own website soon (crosslinked with this weblog) regarding my more personal views on this matter. For the record, since the jackass at the Journal absolutely refuses to get ANYTHING right about me - let me say that I did NOT mention anything about the way and manner in which I would like to see the School Committee constituted at the meeting the other night. I didn't even hint at it - and I resent that I was respresented that way in that paper - also, for the record I didnt serve one term on the SC in 1997, I served 3/4 of a full term from mid-1994 to the end of 1995.
I will say this - in the past I have most definitely called for the change of the SC from an elected to an appointed body - in the last few months I have taken time to reflect on this and have talked with people who would have a stake in this process (other than SC members).
If anyone took the time to really pay attention the other night, you would have not heard anything out of my mouth regarding changing the SC - the ONLY thing I was trying to accomplish the other night was that we as a body see the writing on the wall and ask to have a seat at the table and not be an afterthought, to ensure that the process is open and transparent.
The statements made by some that it was a waste of time talking about that issue at a SC meeting were so predictable, misinformed and so full of shit - that it literally sickened me.
I will most definitely elaborate on my own weblog in the coming weeks.

Thanks -

Jamie Norton

[giggedy giggidy]

The All America City thing is often confused as a "best place to live list" - it's not. It's given by the national civic league -- a philanthropic front of Allstate -- as a "civic enagement" award to communities that tie regular folks into decision making to make better communities.

Chelsea got it a few years back, so did Lowell I think.

[Tricky]

JN - I'd certainly keep an eye on your blog, as there are definitely subtleties involved that don't come through in brief. The Curtatone administration has certainly been more transparent (in most areas) than other recent administrations; I'm hoping this is a continued trend. Thanks.

[Short Term]

Hi Jamie, I was here in Somerville when you were on the SC the first time, but I can't remember why your term was cut short. What happened?

[Imux]

Jamie, where is your blog? I need a good laugh.

[James Norton]

Short Term -

I first ran for SC in Ward 4 in 1989 against Dr. Cipriano when Maryann Cappello vacated her seat to run for Alderman. I lost by a very small margin.

When Dr. Cipriano resigned his seat in mid-1994, it required a special election to fill his seat. I ran in a special election against Paul Romeo, Charlene Harris and John Norris. I came in second in the primary and won the final.

I served from mid-1994 until the end of that term - December of 1995. I ran for reelection in 1995, but in the midst of a very nasty divorce and being terribly distracted with settling the custody of my two children, I couldn't mount a decent reelection campaign and Sean Sylvester beat me.

Hope that helps. Maybe the guy from the Journal will read this and make some decent notes.

Enjoy -

JN

[Imux]

Who does one contact to get a full page AD in the Somerville News? I am thinging of launching a new business.

Regards,

Imux

[somdems]

The somdems.org page is updated for the caucuses - locations on ward pages. Also - DOORS CLOSE AT 10am!!!

[Ron Newman]

Hmm - the letter I just got from Jack Connolly for Ward 6 says that doors open at 10 am, caucus starts at 10:30 am. SomDems.org says doors open at 9:30 am, all must be present by 10:00 am.

Who is correct?

[Ron Newman]

And by the way -- the somdems.org web site says to send e-mail to [email protected] . If you try to do that, the mail bounces -- no such recipient.

[Imux]

I am not sure why Jamie did not reply to my question about putting a full page AD in the Somerville News. Perhaps I need to describe the idea for the new business in more detail. Here it is. I plan to sell my ass to anybody in MA who wants it to finance my drug and alcohol abuse problems. The ad I have in mind is very simple, just a full page picture of my ass.
Jamie, would that be acceptable?
Regards,

Imux

[observer]

Correction on your lead story. The main subject was not a "new one year contract" but a "one year renewal option" on an expired "no bid" contract with FW Russell. In fact, this was a contract with this vendor for this service which the city has had since 1994 but has never put out for bid. Incidentally, rubbish removal and recylcing is a very competitive industry that is put out to bid in other communities. Stan at least called around to other towns to see what they are paying. Does this count as a bid by this administration???
Another correction is that Russell IS IN FACT under investigation by the AG (not apparently). This FACT was conveyed in the commentary by most of the Aldermen on both sides at the meeting.
Another correction is the NLRB is investigating the unfair labor practices not the AG. The AG is investigating the illegal business practices of FW Russell. The next investigation may be why this contract was never put out to bid by the city of Somerville Administration.

At this point it is a serious investigation into serious charges, but will the Somerville News send reporters to cover the Trial???

[Fool on the Hill]

It would be nice to have someone with a pulse representing Ward 3.

[Ron Newman]

Maybe because if you want to buy a newspaper ad, it makes more sense to phone the newspaper or visit their office on College Ave?

[Hussey Fan]

At the risk of sounding “Newmanatorious”, I must correct the contributors of Newstalk. The position that Torpedo lady says she is getting is not an appointed position. It is a union position.

Nevertheless you are correct in saying she will NEVER get that job!

NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! NEVER!

Torpedo lady, what will happen when you realize you will not get this or any promotion anywhere? Allow me to make a few predictions.

#1, She will go out on comp for stress.

#2, She will call the teamsters (oops sorry, wrong union) ha ha ha ha ha!

#3, She will hock her ghetto houses in Florida and hire the finest lawyer dirty money can buy. She will lose and then she will fake yet another injury.

She certainly is pure human trash and should never be rewarded for taking advantage of family and the system.

P.S… Take a shower! YOU STINK!

[Is Hussey the torpedo lady?]

Isn't Hussey the torpedo lady?

[Damn]

Why is this person called the 'Torpedo Lady'? Is she a Navy veteran?

[Ignatius J. Reilly]

Maybe because if you want to buy a newspaper ad, it makes more sense to phone the newspaper or visit their office on College Ave?

Posted by: Ron Newman | January 30, 2008 at 10:45 PM

Ron, this may come as a newsflash to you (especially after seeing that damn goofy picture of you), but I don't think a lot of the comments you see from "Imux" are actually from Imux. I think some some real zipperhead - whose wife / girlfriend is into *********** - gets his rocks off posting as others.

[Ron Newman]

I just heard back from Jack Connolly regarding the starting time of the Ward 6 Democratic caucus. It will be a half hour later than the other wards. He says:

"The one day lease arrangement I have with the Dilboy Post is why we are a bit later. Come at 10AM or after (rear door closest to parking lot). I plan on starting at 10:30AM sharp."

[Uncle Moneybags]

ahhh, just what we need another Parade. Well its probably a better bet than the green line coming !

[the editerz]

dear imux
yes u can place yer ad
dont u no this paper aint got no standerdz
anything goez
the editerz

[The Mole]

Boy, when you have the inside track you got to pat yourself on the back. I have pasted the posts from last month that asked just the right questions but received no answers until news this week confirmed my posts.

I am truly happy that J.G. is seeking help, even if it is mandated by the courts. A person afflicted with this disease is praised when help is sought, no matter how that help has to come. I only wish this came earlier instead of hearing that it took a couple of arrests to make it happen. J.G. might have been able to avoid this kind of publicity.
J.G. good luck on your road to recovery and may God Bless you...

The Mole

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
You say Everett Mayor Hanlon sent their DPW commissioner to take notes on how to fight snow over here to mirror Boss Hog and this is an accolade for Somerville? I would say if Denver’s DPW commissioner did this but Everett? Hanlon is as bad as his predecessor and only won the Mayoral race because of the latter incompetence. He was bad as City Clerk and continues to fail as a Mayor.

Hog didn’t do as good as a job as one could have, especially this past Sunday without calling for a snow emergency. As noted by other posters, side streets are horrible, impassable and strewed with snow ruts.

So please do not talk about heroic efforts from this DPW commissioner when it isn’t what it is.

On another note:

Oh where oh where has Gannon gone?
Oh where oh where can he be?
Sitting in a room with the elbow bent
Oh where oh where can he be?

The Mole

Posted by: The Mole | December 20, 2007 at 08:29 AM

Let's all raise our glasses in toast to J.G. Opps, sorry J.G., you're not allowed too according to your sponser.

Merry Christmas all and to all a Good Night.

The Mole

Posted by: The Mole | December 24, 2007 at 09:27 AM

J.G. is the City Solicitor appointed by the Mayor and anointed, "Rubber Stamped", by the BOA.

Happy New Year, drinks all around except for ONE.

The Mole

Posted by: The Mole | December 26, 2007 at 05:30 AM

[If your a white american, need not apply for a city J.O.B]

I have never seen anything like this in my life! If your a white person, "dont bother applying for a city job". I'll be the silent majority. This mayor is discriminating against white people. I hope some newspaper picks up on this story. When was the last time we need a Hatian translator? I have worked for the city for 5 years and cant rememeber the last time the anybody needed a Hatian translator. This mayor has a special place in his heart for hiring anybody but white people. Does anybody else feel the same way? Lets talk about it.

[Reverse Discrimination Is Occuring In Somerville]

Curtatone is Reverse Discriminating against white females and males. The City Of Somerville is overhiring minorities.

[The Truth]

Joe is just looking out for himself and setting himself up for his next job.

[Ron Newman]

What are the last three comments responding to? I do not see any Newstalk item on this subject.

[Hmmmm....]

Is the city following the school department's lead? For the last few years you cannot get a good job in the school department if you don't speak spanish. It's pretty sad when they'll hire an immigrant who speaks spanish before someone who knows and has already worked in the school system!

[NOT a Hussey Fan]

(edited) should be ashamed of herself and the game she's run on the city of somerville. When is enough ENOUGH?! Her brothers Walter, Mickey & Peter (no longer with us) all made the name (edited) a respected name at the DPW for years before she ever set foot in the yard. She's nothing but one scam after another. Should I call my Attorney? Really, her name needs to be on the Insurance Fraud Litigeous List!!!

[The Mole]

Newmie, to answer your question as to why those 3 posts that had nothing to do with the article it was because when someone comes out with what is fact about this Administration or its "Rubber Stamped Appointees" they try to bury it from the front page recent posts. Simply as that.

The Mole