Interesting rumor around the city these past few days…if true it could mean that Alderman Bob Trane is going to be the only one certified to be on the ballot in the race for state rep. Rumor has it that Prince Carl (Sciortino) submitted to the Secretary of State a little over 100 signatures, shy of the required 150 valid signatures. All sorts of rumors flying around that he might have lost the remaining signatures he needs to be on the ballot for re-election - we find it hard to believe, but we been told he’s not the first State Representative to have lost his signatures and not be on the ballot.
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Funny how our Progressive State Delegation (PDSers) are pushing through a Home Rule Petition for a Municipal Hearing Officer...when Jack Connolly was being mentioned as a possibility for the job, Princess Rebekah of Ward 6 raised hell and she got Prince Carl Sciortino and Queen Pat Jehlen to oppose it as well - but now that Jack is back and beat t PDSer Chairman Marty Martinez for the Alderman-at-Large seat last year -- now they want to pass it through. Funny how Prince Carl the Progressive is now the one pushing to get it through, we think it’s funny how competition makes people do things.
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Lots of people are starting to pick sides in the State Rep race for Prince Carl’s seat – most notably so far from the Board of Aldermen is President Dennis Sullivan - we hear he is strongly supporting Bob Trane. We also bet that more than a few other elected officials will jump on the band wagon for Bob - as well as the usual PDSers crowd will be supporting Carl, their Prince. Watch, they will have a candidates night and the usual PDSers will meet the candidates and low and behold we bet they pick Prince Carl - anyone want to make a side bet against that?
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Best wishes and congratulations to Alderman Sean O’Donovan on his recent marriage last week - the wedding took place in Ireland. We wish them both the best and long and happy years ahead.
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Don’t forget the city’s Memorial Day Parade will be this Sunday with the kickoff at 1 p.m. up on Highland Avenue, through Davis Square, up Holland Street and ending at Clarendon Hill. This years Parade Marshall is Alderman Sean O’Donovan’s father. Lots of hard work again this year by our own popular Frank Senesi of Veterans Services - as usual Frank does an outstanding job.
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We hear Rob Gregory, owner of the local favorite Redbones, is in negotiations to expand his BBQ operation to the area around Fenway Park and is in negotiations with the Red Sox to complete the deal. Baseball and barbeque – we think it will be a good combo.
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Our sympathy goes out to the Roberto family here in Somerville and surrounding area - recently Teresa Roberto passed away and will be waked at Doherty’s this Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. with services at St.Benedicts at 10 a.m. on Friday.
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Bob Publicover still has some Red Sox tickets available for Tuesday evening, June 10 with the Baltimore Orioles in town. Contact Bob quickly at bobpublicover@aol.com
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Also, the benefit for Richard Papa III will be held on June 13 at the Somerville City Club - tickets at the door. Richard is battling Leukemia and it would be nice to see a large crowd of friends, neighbors and well wishers on hand to lend support.
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ArtsUnion kicks off it’s 2008 marketplace season with Sew What?! a gathering of artists selling and creating hand-sewn arts and featuring a SWAP-O-RAMA-RAMA, a community clothing swap Curated by Suzanne Piubeni , the marketplace will include handmade jewelry, accessories, clothing and home goods. Designers and vendors include: Abertine Press, Fusion Ethos Fashions and Esoterica . The Swap-o-rama-rama is a community clothing swap and do-it-yourself workshop in which attendees explore creative reuse through the recycling of used clothing. After diving in to the collective pile of unwanted clothing, sewing machines are on-site for the modification and alteration process to begin – designers will also be available to share their sewing and modification secrets and assist with the sewing machines! In do-it-yourself spirit, through workshops and the sharing of ideas, the Swap-o-rama-rama helps each individual break down the barrier between consumer and creator while inviting all to reclaim the creativity that has been lost to industry (wow and we thought it was just a clothes swap, how great!). It is free for the public to participate, just bring any amount of unwanted clothing and accessories.
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The Somerville YMCA is partnering with the nationally recognized Healthways SilverSneakers Fitness Program to offer older adults a way to increase their levels of physical activity while motivating them to remain active. SilverSneakers is the nation’s leading exercise program designed exclusively for older adults and is available at no additional cost beyond the monthly premium to Medicare eligible members of Secure Horizons, Humana and Fallon. Eligible members can receive a basic membership at the Somerville YMCA where they can enjoy specialized non-impact SilverSneakers fitness classes focusing on improving strength, flexibility, balance and coordination. Certified SilverSneakers fitness instructors teach the classes, and in addition to the classes, SilverSneakers participants can also enjoy use of exercise equipment, weight training, circuit training and more.
This is old news. Why would anyone be pushing a home rule petition for a position that already exists. The city has had a hearing officer for over a year. Jack Connoly was the hearing officer before he was elected back on the board of alderman. He has been replaced by Kenny Joyce.
Posted by: just wondering | May 21, 2008 at 08:47 AM
You gotta love it!!! Didn't get enough signatures...what a loser! to much time in the coffee houses Carly or down the South End?
You are going down boy...and you will now have to get....a REAL JOB! Watch the PDERs scramble to organize a sticker campaign for the boy...Queen Patricia will be lost without her loyal lackey.
Posted by: Dingo | May 21, 2008 at 04:41 PM
Dingo - that's funny. According to the town halls of Somerville and Medford, Sciortino got more than enough signatures.
Oh, and nice veiled reference to Sciortino being gay. I'm sure that crap will work wonders for Trane's campaign.
Posted by: Stinky | May 21, 2008 at 04:47 PM
Speaking of our esteemed alderman from ward 7, we hear that Trane showed up to tour the proposed green line maintenance site and caused quite a ruckus on Monday. Apparently he was steamed that this site was being considered and wanted to know how this was proposed without his knowledge. We wonder where he was during the countless meetings about the green line. We also hear that he insisted that the maintenance facility be located anywhere but Somerville. We don't think that will play too well with the Medford half of the district that he wants to represent.
Posted by: Stinky | May 21, 2008 at 05:33 PM
Wow..here we go. Now the PDS groupies are going to start slinging mud. The question Traned asked is why after the MBTA had plans to locate the train yard in Cambridge at North Point were they now looking to relocate it to Somerville taking away valuable land that could be used for development. Freeing up land in Cambridge for development.
He pointed out that the city already hosts a MBTA rail yard for trains that do not service the city. Sounds to me like a good question. Maybe he asked a question our wacked out legislative members should have asked. Way to go Bob Trane, stick up for Somerville
Posted by: truthbtold | May 21, 2008 at 05:47 PM
truth - again, maybe if he'd attended any of the many, many meetings on the matter he'd have known which sites had been evaluated and why the planners had zeroed in on this one. Fact is this is classic Traniac - stay uninvolved until the last minute then barge in with a lot of sound and fury signifying nothing.
Posted by: Stinky | May 21, 2008 at 05:51 PM
Ya, all the land that has gone undeveloped in Cobble Hill. Its only been there 40 years. Maybe when we see a shovel full of dirt at Assemby Sq.
The City can't get anything built. Homans bldng, P'House school, Pub. Safety bldng, E.Som school, the list goes on and on.
Posted by: Skipper | May 21, 2008 at 09:39 PM
I know the Skipper and you my sir are Not him!
Get your own damn nick name you foolish bastard.
Posted by: Fake | May 21, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Congratulations to Cambridge for securing a 1 Billion dollar development plan in Kendall Sq.. Here in Somerville we have breakfast wars in Ball Sq. ! Can't wait for the tax free MBTA repair facility to open.
Posted by: Gilligan | May 22, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Put it over at the Pat's Tow yard land by Brickbottom! It's a great location near the existing tracks and Union square already! It's in the center of Cambridge, Somerville & Boston! A state of the are facility would look 100% better than what we have to look at their now! Unless polititions are helping that powerful family that owns that lot to keep their towing company there under the radar screen! Let's move forward Somervile! Less bullshit and more movement! Let's start developing Somerville for us who can enjoy it now as well as for future citizens! What a great piece of land that harnesses the gateway to our city! Let's show it off better than this! Sometimes I just dom't understand why it has'nt been done already!
Posted by: Good location near the tracks and square! But who's holding out? | May 22, 2008 at 11:19 AM
thats where the new Public Safety/ Jail building is going. Keep it quiet, nobodys knows yet!
A nice land swap gives the tow company some nice location for a hotel.....SHHHHH
Posted by: shhhh | May 22, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Well Tom Tom from ward three wants to put a skate board park on the bottom of Avon St. Why not next door to him at 32 Vinal Arv. on that big piece of land next door to him, taking it by eminent-domain? Or down the road a little next to the dog park?
Posted by: Dicky Bird | May 23, 2008 at 10:33 AM
can you put that nice story online. The story of the fireman Cindy that was in your paper. She is an inspiration to all.
Alice :)
Posted by: firelady | May 24, 2008 at 06:29 PM
why do people want to keep making more and more money if they are already wealthy. If its to expand to help others make money I understand, and help others, but beyond that, its a waste of time.
I am not impressed by greed
Posted by: anonymous | May 24, 2008 at 11:28 PM
I hope the developement in Kendall Sq and with the money they make give it to build a new pool at the somerville y which is ancient, and also with any other money makers out there, help repair some of our public pools, like in Somerville Cambridge so that the kids who's families cannot afford to go anywher have someplace to go, that's a nice thought isn't it???? But that wont happen, not the way things are these days, I'd like to see some people really dig into their pockets to help others besides themselves
Posted by: anonymous | May 24, 2008 at 11:34 PM
I hope the developement in Kendall Sq and with the money they make give it to build a new pool at the somerville y which is ancient, and also with any other money makers out there, help repair some of our public pools, like in Somerville Cambridge so that the kids who's families cannot afford to go anywher have someplace to go, that's a nice thought isn't it???? But that wont happen, not the way things are these days, I'd like to see some people really dig into their pockets to help others besides themselves
Posted by: anonymous | May 24, 2008 at 11:35 PM