All aboard the All America City train!

Jimmy Del Ponte On The Silly Side (The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.) The All America City competition has been sponsored by the National Civic League for the last 60 years. Somerville took the honor in 1972. We were finalists in 2008, and we were victorious in 2009. Over 30 citizens planned, rehearsed and packed for Tampa Florida on June 17th. We met in the darkened parking lot of City Hall at 4am. We felt pumped yet nervous as we boarded a bus that took us to Logan Airport for our flight. The trip was paid for completely by donations from our fabulous businesses and citizens. Thank you all. Our presentation focused on the Green Line extension with concentrations also on other key city issues. You can find documentation on the city website. To pull off such an extensive project as a trip to the All America City finals, many people and departments had to pull together. It starts at the top with Mayor Joe Curtatone, who never let the pain of our defeat in last years finals leave his soul. He came back 500% stronger and more determined this year. Jackie Rossetti was at the helm as our project leader. Once again she proved that anything associated with Jackie Rossetti ends up successful. There is not an un-positive bone in her body. The fundraiser that was sponsored by Steve Mackey, Ron Bonney and the fantastic Chamber of Commerce way back when raised needed funds. Thanks to the TAB building folks and the SHS library people for supplying us with rehearsal spaces. Also thanks to Tom Champion and the Communications Department for sending Joe Constantine and Steve De Carlo to document it for prosperity. I spent many hours in Somerville High School's Graphic Communications Department. I spoke to my old friend Philip Bassett, Director of Vocational Education, who sent me to Graphic Communications Instructor Chuck Gerlach. Chuck could not have been more accommodating and helpful, as well as a very funny guy. He turned simple ideas into colorful, detailed and exciting posters, that we later had mounted for our presentation. The students of Somerville are very lucky to have such a dedicated instructor as Chuck. He not only helped our project, but we came to him at the end of a very busy school year and to watch him with his students was a pleasure. By the way, if you haven't seen Somerville High School lately you are in for a big surprise. The place is awesome! A huge thank you also goes out to Headmaster Anthony Ciccariello, and Superintendent of Schools Tony Pierantozzi. Thanks for your continued support in all things cultural and civic related. The Chamber of Commerce hooked us up with a company called VDA Productions whose headquarters are on Inner Belt Road. Have you seen the State House and The gigantic Wally The Green Monster at Jordan's Furniture in Avon? Well, that's the company! These guys mounted our posters, designed stands and signs and also shipped everything down to Tampa. Little did I know that the President of VDA David Breen is my fraternity brother from Emerson College, and Vice President Bob Russo's family ran Jasper's rock club (now Choices). The Somerville connection is a magical thing. I'd also like to thank Maryn Herberg, Harrison Rabel and Julia Clapper at VDA for all your help. We had a Green Line train with working lights! We are also indebted to our friends at the Green and Yellow Cab company. You rock (and roll)! Here is a list of the folks who made the trip and took part in the winning presentation. Maureen Bastardi, Jackie Rossetti, Carrie Dancy, Cheryl Horan, Cindy Hickey, Cory Mashburn, Delio Susi, me, Ellin Reisner, Gene Brune, Gretchen Kinder, Holli Banks, Janice Delory, Janine Lotti, Jen Lawrence, Jack Connolly, Joe Constantine, Steve DeCarlo. Joe Curtatone, Karen Tamagna, Kimberly Smith-Cofield, Liliane Paiva, Michelle Bowler, Mimi Graney, Patrick Cain, Patrick Sullivan III, Paul Carroll, Paulo Gutierrez, Rachel Strutt, Ron Bonney, Ruby Von Dwornick, Sue Fontano, Talia Mosley, Tom Taylor, Sarah Rossi and Florence Papagno. We got to meet new friends in Tampa and spend some fun time with each other. All our hard work paid off and the whole city can be proud because it truly took a village. As I said before, the thing that makes this All America City Award more sweet is the fact that so many people helped. It is an award we can all be proud of. Check out YouTube and the city website for more footage. I would like to thank the Mayor and the city for allowing me to be part of one of the most exciting experiences of my life. To have been part of the losing delegation last year and to regroup with this year's determined group was nothing less than a glorious triumph. Somerville has always been an All America City. Like the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, who always had a brain, we always knew we were an All America City. Now we have a testimonial to prove it. Also thanks to The Somerville News who had the story with photos up on their website seconds after we gave them the good word from Tampa. All Aboard! Somerville Truly Rocks! You can email Jimmy direct at jimmydel@rcn.com.