The View From Prospect Hill for April 28

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone is hosting the Business Town Meeting today, Wednesday, at The Somerville Theater. It is what it sounds like: the business community has the opportunity to listen to the chief executive of the city's plans for the future and then ask questions. Kudos to Curtatone and the Chamber of Commerce for opening a dialogue with business leaders, who sometimes feel like their voices are drowned out by the concerns of residents. It's a delicate balance, running a city effectively, and the mayor has to listen to business owners if the local economy is to thrive.

But here's hoping the business leaders of the community challenge Curtatone on key issues. They've complained to reporters and customers about increased parking regulations but Wednesday's event is a perfect time to get the mayor on the record responding to these widely voiced concerns.

The mayor has to hold others in power accountable - from the police chief to the governor - so he'll understand when he has to field a tough question or two himself. Stand up and challenge the mayor if you think tough parking regulations are driving away your customers. Or stop complaining and get back to work.

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As long as we're talking business, let's give some credit to Villen Enterprises, a start up clothing company inspired by life here in Somerville. The CEO is 25-year-old Steve Morris who started the line after his friend Brian Liberatore died in 2007. "Villen" sounds ominous but it's kind of like a new twist to the old concept of "Somerville Pride." We need more local businesses in this city, and Villen Enterprises is a welcome addition