Newstalk Wednesday June 11th 2008

Wasn’t Carl’s claim on the court documents that he was being denied access on the ballot? Apparently there is a petition filed against Bob Trane’s signature at the Secretary of State’s Office challenging Bob’s signatures - by Carl’s neighbor and campaign supporter who just happens to be represented by the same attorney as Carl in the courts. So is Carl trying to deny access to Bob Trane - is he hiding behind the challenge? 

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Apparently the word “transparency” doesn’t mean anything to the beleaguered PDSers of Somerville - their own Chairperson Marty Martinez sent out an email to the membership stating he was calling for a steering committee meeting last night to discuss the following  “endorsements processes the upcoming monthly meeting and several other things” – but here is the funny part - NO ADDRESS of the meeting…it clearly states in the email “please email me and I will give you the location.” The email was sent out only to the Progressive Democrats of Somerville’s yahoo group. Nice, now they’re holding secret meetings at undisclosed locations - from their own members? So do you call and say the secret word and then depending on the type of membership you have you get the address of the meeting or what? Also, if the shoe was on the other foot, what would they say? 

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Congratulations to former Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay and Bert Gay on the celebration of their 40th wedding anniversary this Saturday - we send them best wishes for another 40 years and longer.

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No place to park, no place to shop! With all the new roadwork and construction going on up and down Somerville Avenue, it’s a wonder that shopkeepers are surviving. Well, they are barely surviving by the skin of their teeth - that’s why store and business owners of Somerville Avenue are asking for your help to assist them in getting through this rough time because of the Somerville Avenue roadwork project! Shop Somerville Avenue stores when you can rather then frequent a store of the same type in another community!

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Somerville and Cambridge Representative Tim Tomey held his annual fundraiser this past Tuesday night - packing the restaurant function room with loyal supporters!  Tim is always ready to fight the good fight for the citizens of his district here in Somerville would be nice to elect another one on the Somerville / Medford line like Bob Trane - who by the way, like Tim, will be the only one on the Democratic ballot this coming Fall.

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Mayor Joe’s annual Boston Harbor Cruise is scheduled to set sail on August 6 departing from Long Wharf at 7 p.m. - this is one event that you will very much enjoy and has been packed in previous years.

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There will be a community meeting to address concerns about the development of the waterfront at Assembly Square, the land swap and plans for the Draw 7 Park – on June 17 at 6:30pm. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and learn about the process with both elected officials and the developers on hand. Look for a white tent across from the Christmas Tree Shop at the DCR pathway.

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Mark Niedergang, Somerville School Committee member from Ward 5, will host a Backyard Party and Fundraiser in his backyard at 29 Conwell Street (near Somerville Hospital) in Somerville on Sunday June 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. A buffet dinner and dessert, children's activities, and entertainment will be provided.

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Well it’s been a couple of weeks since we mentioned the bridge and the complete corrosion in many of the support beams from the bridge (Washington Railroad bridge). To date it looks like nothing has been done and it’s getting worse. When multi-ton locomotives with their freight and passenger cars speed over the weak and unstable bridge many times in a single day, putting all who travel on it and under it at serious risk - doesn’t anyone care - before something happens??

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Don’t forget to come out and support “Richard’s Rally” on Friday night, June 13 from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Somerville City Club…it’s a benefit for Richard Papa III, who is battling leukemia - tickets can be purchased at the door.

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Are you interested in tracing your family tree but not sure how to get started? Join reference and local history librarian Kevin O'Kelly for an introduction to genealogy!  This workshop will focus on such topics as the necessary first steps in researching, and using basic sources - both print and online - including Somerville databases and local history resources.  This free program will be held on Thursday, June 19th at 7:00 p.m., a group at the Central Library (79 Highland Avenue.)  For more information, please call (617) 623-5000.

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Union Square Main Streets, the creators of the Fluff Festival, bring you Second Wednesdays in Union Square.  From 5 to 8 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, pirates will be invading Union Square. Local businesses will be having special events and staying open late all in the hopes of avoiding looting and pillaging at the hands of the pirates. There will be activities for children and adults alike.  Things begin in the Union Square plaza where band Doctor's Fox will be performing.  Make your own pirate crafts, including eye patches, while you enjoy the music.  Pick up a Union Square treasure map to guide you through the Union Square scavenger hunt, taking place at various area businesses.  Complete the scavenger hunt and you'll be entered in a raffle for a Union Square gift certificate. Check out various local bars, including the brand new Precinct (formerly Toast), for rum drink specials.  Sherman Café will be hosting an art show opening featuring local children's art.  Bloc 11 Café welcomes Taza Chocolate for a free chocolate tasting of their organic, direct trade, stone-ground chocolate made in Somerville.

Comments

[collapse danger!]

Alderman Bill Roach was right about the railroad not keeping up with any property that it owns in the city! I noticed the bridge on Washington Street after reading your last article and concluded that you guys were right! I don't know how that bridge is holding it self up never mind with a train on it full of passengers! Th? railroad must just not give a shit! Not to mention your board of Alderman who I'm sure they read the same article!

[DPW Nose]

OK, let’s see who can fill their tank(s) up at the DPW. Seems 15 gallons of freshly poured, 5-gallon gas tanks, were emptied in less than an hour. The Engineering foreman just filled them and someone either sucked them dry or dumped them down a thirsty personnel vehicle. BTW, I didn’t know that foreman could use city water to wash their personnel vehicles either at the DPW. One wrong adds up to two wrongs if you get my drift.
And to set the record straight, this was not any doings of the Torpedo Lady. But the foreman knows who knows.

[Dingo]

Carlys attempt to challenge Trane's signatures is a pathetic, last ditch attempt to prevent the inevitable.

Give it up Carl.Dust off the resume and start looking for employment at a real job...gasp! Perhaps you can get a job at the gay alliance or be a gay co-ordinator to the Catholic Church...lol...You know the Catholic Church right? The one you so rudely defiled? ( in which I hope u burn in hell for)

You are fini! Haul your ass out of Medford/Somerville

[geraldine]

Well it wasn't too hard to spot the PSDers Monday night at Johnny D's (Since they had signs proclaiming it). They had quite a few tables. I saw Marty and Carl, but I didn't see Rebecca.

[Ron Newman]

Yes, PDS entered three teams at Johnny D's trivia night this week. Rebekah was not there, to my knowledge.

[Grog29]

Does anyone really question whether or not "Stickers" Sciortino is behind it.
"If I'm not gonna be on the ballot then NOBODY is gonna be on the ballot, We'll just see whose stickers are more festive then won't we?"

[Ron Newman]

Regarding the PDS endorsement meeting: It will be Tuesday, June 24th at 7:30pm at the College Avenue United Methodist Church on Chapel Street. It is open to the public.

[Right To Know]

So, OK, gas prices reach the $4 + limit. DPW foreman and workers have cards to access City gas pumps. Everyone down in the DPW more or less have 1, 2 ½ and 5 gallon gas containers. Who is watching the Chicken coop when the ringing of the gallons of gas are going into their personal vehicles?

Plus, I don't wash my car at home due to the high cost of City water and sewer rates. Why should the DPW personnel be doing it? I am paying for that water they are abusing. Put a stop to it Mr. Commissioner. NOW!

Ding, Ding, Ding goes the gas!!! Gulp, Gulp, gulp goes the water!!!

[WHAT HAPPENED?]

where did the Alderman O'Donovan story go?

[TruthBTold]

The PDS, I thought they were all about openness and transparency. Now they are holding secret meetings where the public is not invited. Seems very underhanded to me. Sounds like the fix is in on this endorsement.

[Kevin]

Another blatant Trane promotion. What a joke.

[truthbtold]

The email calling for the secret meeting is now being widely circulated across the city. I recieved a copy that was forwarded to me today. Will some of the PDS members that are always on this site please explain this to me?

[Richard James]

Kevin,
The secret PDS meeting is a blatant Trane promotion? How so?

[City Hall Nose]

4 new Hybrids are on their way to the City. One to M.B Supervisor of Facilities for the Schools under DPW, one to mother of MB, whose initials are the same M. B. as the daytime health inspector, one more for Boss Hog Son RK. & J.O nighttime health inspectors and the last TBA.

The City says they have not $$$ to fund union contracts yet here they go out and by Hybrids for employees to drive around in rather than what they had before. Granted Hybrids are the way to go but why to only the special ones?

[City Hall Nose Nothing]

Once again I am forced to correct the ignorance of City Hall Nose and/or The Mole. The City purchase 4 new SMART Cars not Hybrids. They will be used by the city assessors and the night time inspectors. (That you were correct about). I don't know when the City ever said they didn't have money for contracts. They signed quite a few last year. Also, PLEASE (I've asked this several times) do your research. The City will save a lot more money with these SMART cars and not using gas cards. YOu keep trying to start trouble and you are continuously proven wrong.

[S'News is Stupid]

Um, if the meeting were "secret" it wouldn't have been broadcast to the entire PDS list. Duh. The location is probably not in print because it's likely a private home, not a public building, and no one wants Imux showing up to torch the place.

Also, numbskulls, I just went to the PDS website and it advertises the location for the endorsement meeting, "open to the public". That's the meeting where the endorsement arguments are heard and the endorsements actually take place! Not some stupid administrative "Steering Committee" meeting.

Geez, first the S'News can't make a phone call to check out Ronnie Craven, and now they can't even visit a website before running their mouth. What a joke.

[truthbtold]

I am being told that a number of people did respond to the email but only the chosen few were given the location of the meeting. I have also learned that this meeting was to discuss how to set up this so called endorsement process and set the meeting of which you speak (set up being the operative here)

I think to most people this does not pass the smell test. The so called open government group is not really that open.

I have another question to the PDS'ers. I visited your web site. If I send in my ten dollars would I be allowed to come to this endorsement meeting and cast a vote?

[Ron Newman]

Anyone can go to any monthly meeting, but I believe you must have attended at least one previous meeting (maybe more) before you are allowed to vote on endorsements.

[Plenty]

truthbtold, who are these mysterious people telling you these things about PDS? Ronnie Craven?

[JARfromWard3]

City Hall Nose:

There's nothing wrong with the City getting hybrids or whatever if the cost-per-mile drops. One of the biggest advantages to hybrids--and one of the main reasons they do particularly well in city driving--is that their IC engines basically shut down at red lights. Some even use regenerative braking to decelerate, sending power back to the storage battery when coasting. However, for the vast majority of us who still languish in the otto-cycle dominated driving world, stop-and go is a drag.

Being "green" is stylish, so here's one relatively low-cost suggestion I'd like to make which will save fuel, reduce air pollution and likely even create "traffic calming"...

Could someone... ANYONE... PLEASE TIME (or re-time) THE STOPLIGHTS ON HIGHLAND AVENUE!!!

The present set-up seems to favor the rangeways while causing almost endless stop-and-go on the main drag.

Every morning before 6AM I drive east on Highland. There are very few cars at this hour. Sure as the sun comes up, I'll catch the light at Lowell red, then Central, then School (that one's the worst), then Walnut and usually Hamlet. I would say that MAYBE one morning in twenty I'll catch them all green. It wasn't always that way.

It used to be that they were timed--whether by design or by accident--for what I figured to be 24 mph. This went back, I believe, to the reconstruction of Highland Ave. in 1993. Now, there's no apparent ideal speed. Worse still, you can sit for 30 seconds or longer at School Street while NO cars come up the hill and across; same goes for the other rangeways... this is not supposed to happen. In the best-case it causes unnecessary braking and idling. In the worst case it contributes to road rage.

There was an article in Yahoo News a while back saying how much fuel is wasted at stop lights nationwide, and it is a considerable amount.

Perhaps some elected official will see this and investigate it for themselves. The first one I hear of is guaranteed of my undying love and devotion.

And by the way; Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there.

73
JAR

[Casements]

Congratulations to the Mayor on the amazing job that was done at Trum Field. The renovations and new construction look great. It is nice to be able to look onto the field as you pass by, and the lighting at night is spectacular! Great job and kudos to Debi Mitrano & Eddie Nuzzo for running a great project. It's really amazing how this administration continues to accomplish great things in this economy. I am proud to be from Somerville, and I want to say to those idiots who slam this Mayor in this newspaper week after week, that they obviously need to get the chip off their sholders, because there is no substance to the trash they address on this man. These are probably wanna-bees who did not make the cut, or just plain nasty folks who need the attention. Joe Curtatone works harder than any Mayor I remember over these last three or four decades.

[City Hall Nose]

OK, OK, Hybrids! SMART CARS, the point is, look who is getting them. Boss Hog Kid and MB, the one that uses her red convertible in parades, who is the mother of whom the other SMART car is going to. Give me a break. You make it sound like it is nothing but in fact it's all about whom Joeycakes likes and which family member gets the perks. No not percocet, perks.

[Sara]

Nose, I think the real point is, it's obvious to everyone on here your just obssessed and jealous of these people. Your always crying about what they get.