The Somerville News Blog

It's my Party and I'll lie if I want to*

William C. Shelton (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.) Fueled by an incendiary mix of anger, ignorance, and bigotry, the Tea Party movement is hypocritical, dishonest, intolerant and self-centered. They chant "I want my country back," like an infant who imagines that the tube from his mouth to his rectum is the center of the universe. The Constitution that they profess to venerate begins, "We the people...," suggesting that it's our country.

Antiques, Junk and memories

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.) There are a couple of great shows on TV that deal with pawn shops and antique hunters. I have always been interested in old things and have accumulated quite a bit of "stuff" over the years. Now, my 14 year old son has developed an interest in what we call, "picking." We go to yard sales, flea markets and antique shops looking for all articles old and interesting.

Working Together to Solve a Budget Crisis in Somerville

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone (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 FY11 budget discussions are drawing to an end this week, and it will not be without sacrifice among all sectors of our workforce that ultimately a workable budget is passed. I submitted what I termed a "value driven" budget.

Somer-time

(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.) It's back! Summer that is. School is out, cottages are open, beaches are getting jammed, and everyone is happy! I am thrilled that I will not have to say, "Okay guys, time to hit the sack, you have to get up for school tomorrow."

A values driven budget

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone (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.) There's an old saying that you can't put a dollar sign on quality of life, but we do it every 12 months in municipal government when we put together our budget for the upcoming fiscal year. While the budget may be a big swirl of numbers, it is also a statement of the values we hold dear in this community.

Breathing new life into Somerville's squares

Part 2: Trends William C. Shelton (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.) All of the many factors that contribute to a square's vitality depend on the mix and health of its businesses. They bring people into the square, employ its residents, maintain and improve its buildings, provide leaders, and produce the tax revenues that support infrastructure and amenities.

Close to all the good stuff

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.) I always  thought it was cool to be able  to stand  in front of the old Western Junior High School on Holland Street, and see the Prudential building in Boston.

Beacon Hill Is Not A Monolith

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(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.)

Two weeks ago the editorial page of The Somerville News was rather kind to me and tough on Somerville's representatives at the Statehouse.

On one hand, I'm glad to see news organizations putting pressure on Beacon Hill to help out cities and towns. Somerville is being asked to get by with the lowest amount of state aid it has received since 1985. And not only is the funding well below where we need it, Beacon Hill has not given municipalities the tools they need to rein in out-of-control health care costs. So we definitely need to see bold leadership coming from the Legislature, which unfortunately has too many members who do not understand what it takes to run a city or town.

Memoryville 02144?

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.) It happened again last week. A neighbor's house was sold and the "re-modeling" has begun. My family moved on the street in 1960, and these folks were already there back then. The sad, all too familiar scenario played out once again. The kids all get married and move out, dad passes away, and mom goes into assisted living. No one wants to keep the family home, so it goes on the market. It stays on the market for about ten minutes and sells for around $680,000.

Let's repeat a 20-year transportation success in Somerville

Ellin Reisner is president of Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership. Alan Moore represents Friends of the (Somerville) Community Path. Ellin Reisner and Alan Moore (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.) Ever hopeful regarding the extensions of the Green Line and Community Path, Somerville residents should be cheered by comments made by the Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation Jeffrey Mullan on May 2 extolling the success of the Southwest Corridor Park. He noted that rather than "...dividing the neighborhood by an expressway, this neighborhood is drawn together by the Orange Line and by the Southwest Corridor Park." He went on to state that "this beautiful ribbon of green helps people get out of their cars and walk to the T station, or bike right to downtown Boston. Governor Sargent's decision forty years ago enabled the creation of this corridor that brings together the modes - walking, bicycling, and public transit - that represent not the past, but the future of transportation." When the Secretary's comments about the success of the Southwest Corridor Park were lauded in a recent Boston Globe Op-Ed by Lawrence Harmon, "A park that is the muscle and bone of the city" (May 5, 2010) it seemed like a "no brainer" that the extension of the Community Path in Somerville as part of the Green Line extension would be treated similarly by the Commonwealth. When we see broad public acknowledgement of the critical value of investments in green space that also provide for active transportation (i.e., walking and bicycling) as well as easy and attractive access to public transportation, we again raise our hopes that the State will change their present policy and "do the right thing" in Somerville.

Newstalk for May 12

This Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club, the Child Identification Program (CHIPS) will be held by the local Masonic Lodge, all cost and time donated by the lodges here in Somerville. All local parents are encouraged to bring their child. **************

Orr, score and 40 years ago...

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.) I can't believe that it was 40 years ago that Bobby Orr scored the winning goal that won the Bruins the Stanley Cup in 1970. Who can forget number four flying through the air, like the superman he was, after blowing St. Louis Blues goaltender Glen Hall's mind. Of course he was flying because he had been tripped by Blues' Noel Picard (the goon) at the moment of shooting. On Monday a life-size bronze statue of Orr in that famous position was revealed at The Boston Garden.

H2-OH NO

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.) Thanks to all my Facebook friends for weighing in on this one. A few weeks ago it was in our cellars , dripping through into our living rooms ceilings and turning some neighborhoods into Venice, Italy.

Bluntly Speaking: Fighting Back

by Robert J.L. Publicover Bluntly Speaking (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.) Speaking of 'back', it's been six years since I sold the Somerville News and took a break from writing my column. I first wrote this column when I was nineteen years old with the original paper, never dreaming I would one day own it. I also never dreamed that one day I would have 'had enough' of it...but life changes. Now, I'm sixty, retired (got a job for me?), and looking where I would like my life to go since I plan to be around for many years to come.

Chief Kelleher's response is unresponsive

William C. Shelton (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.) On April 7, this newspaper published an op-ed by the Somerville Fire Department's Chief Engineer, Kevin Kelleher. He was responding to my column of the previous week that questioned the city's use of a reserve fire force.

A lot of class

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.) Somerville has always had some of the best educators possible. My first teachers were Ms. Colbert and Mrs. Chiulli in Kindergarten at the Brown School. They began a tradition of superb Somerville teachers that touched my life and helped shape my future.

Seizing Somerville's future

By Joseph A. Curtatone (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.) Spring is finally upon us once again, and the city has again planned a fun and events-filled spring and summer, beginning with our annual Spring Cleanup on May 8.

Letter to the editor

(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 morning of April 5th marked the beginning of the much anticipated renewal of Magoun Square along with (finally) validating those obnoxious green signs at the beginning and in the heart of the square announcing the renovation. One would think that I, both a resident and daughter of a former Magoun Square business owner, would be relieved to see the State and City walk the walk after talking the talk for so long, but I must admit that I am worried.

Shape Up Somerville Fitness Challenge Off and Running!

By Joseph A. Curtatone (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 first annual Mayor's Shape Up Somerville Fitness Challenge got off to a great start this weekend, with a kickoff event held at Somerville High School on Saturday. More than 500 residents, business leaders and community members turned out - on the first day of spring, no less - to sign up to participate in a Team Challenge, take the Health and Wellness Participation Pledge to increase physical activity and make healthy eating choices, or simply to take part in an afternoon full of family-friendly recreation and fitness programs, peruse the indoor farmers markets, or visit a variety of booths promoting local organizations.

Newstalk for January 27

The Tauro Family wants to offer their complete appreciation and thanks to the Cota Family and especially to Phil Cota and his staff for their professionalism this past weekend in assisting with the loss of Steven Tauro. Phil and his staff did an exceptional job containing the steady flow of the overwhelming number of visitors that attended the services this past weekend in East Boston. ***************