Tuesday, September 6, was the deadline for candidates to report on their fundraising totals up to the end of the summer.   In the election to replace Aldermen Walter Pero in Ward 4, first time candidate and newcomer Christine Barber collected an impressive $12,732. After a quick look at her report, however, you would be wondering if she’s running for office in Cambridge, Amherst, or even San Francisco! You see, the vast majority of her supporters have one thing in common – they DON’T live in Ward 4, or even in the city of Somerville! According to her report, (on the city web site) about 6% of her monies come from Ward 4 residents who can actually vote for her on Election Day. Less than 20% even come from within the city limits. About 75% of her funds raised were from outside of the city. She, unlike all the rest of the candidates running for public office, is using a bank with no branches in Somerville. We found this to be unusual considering the funds raised by others running and their expenses. Everyone else we could see has funds from Somerville residents collected and deposited at a Somerville bank. So let’s see, she doesn’t own property and she isn’t from here. She has collected a huge amount of money from outside of the city, uses an out of city bank, and we have to wonder what she would do if she were elected and who would she actually represent? FYI – her opponent, Tony Lafuente, shows he raised just over 15K but most of his donations were from Somerville residents and he uses a Somerville bank. Go online to the city web site to check out all the candidates for public office.

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Good news for Alderman Tom Taylor who is resting in Stoneham at a rehab center. He had a setback not too long ago with his cancer recurring, but he’s now on the comeback. His lovely wife Celica and Tom want to thank everyone for their support and encouragements. Hopefully Tom will be home soon and back to his old self, we hope so.

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Happy Birthday to some well known ‘Villens. First, this week is popular former Alderman at Large Grace Abuzzio who is in retirement but has been seen around the city. Another well known person here in Somerville, at least his voice is recognizable, is former Communications Director for the city Tom Champion. Also, Birthday greetings to young Michael Christopher Bowler as well as to his dad Michael Joseph Bowler! To these and all the special people from Somerville now and in the past we wish them all a happy day.

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Congratulations to the Little Sisters of the Poor up on Highland Avenue. They made the news recently for their kindness during Tropical Storm Irene for rescuing two baby squirrels displaced by the storm that were found on the lawn at the Little Sisters facility.

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Union Square Main Streets wants you to remember to pencil in Saturday, September 24, in Union Square the annual “What the Fluff Festival” (rain date September 25). This year, like all the recent years, it’s a fun time. So mark your calendar.

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Our good friends Bruce Rollins and Nella Nunes-Rollins recently lost good old “Trinka” their German Pinscher dog that last week died in Nella’s arms. This Thursday she will be cremated and her ashes brought home. Trinka had a funny way of walking on wood floors that no other dog could do. Bruce and Nella were considering a quiet Rainbow ceremony since trinka was from a Masonic family, but changed their minds. Instead she will be brought home to be placed in a spot that Mac, their other dog, will be pleased with. She was a good dog, and although one with baggage, it was all good baggage. She will be missed.

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The family of Christopher Souza is looking for justice and closure to his senseless death. Christopher was murdered on November 21, 2010, at his home in the Mystic Projects. He was 24 years old. The person or persons that murdered Christopher tried to make it look like he took his own life.  Christopher’s life was cut too short by this senseless and evil act. The family wants to know if someone out there knows anything about this and if they do to please come forward and tell what they know before someone else gets hurt or murdered. Christopher’s family is trying to put together some type of a fundraiser to raise money towards a reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. They need all the help they can get. If anyone would like to donate towards this reward please send your donations to: “FBO Christopher Souza Reward Fund”, c/o Winter Hill Bank, P.O. Box 9111, Somerville, MA 02145-9987.

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The Primary Election is coming (Tuesday, September 13) up here in Somerville, only in Ward 7 where there are two opponents against incumbent Robert Trane for Alderman. Both Puglia and Ballantyne are hoping to be nominated. It’s the only primary or race in the city, so it will be an interesting day for Ward 7 – or will it?

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Our good friend Bob Publicover is heading into the hospital for some surgery and hopefully all will go as expected and he will be home next week. He’s asked us not to say anything so be quiet and don’t say we said anything. Say you read it on Facebook, which he posted himself. In any event, we will update you all next week on the operation and recovery.

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Alderman Ward 7 Bob Trane had his fundraiser last night at PJ Ryan’s in Teele Square and over the course of two hours about 100 friends came and left. One of our Newstalkers showed up after 8 p.m. and it was still crowded from earlier. Speaking of PJ Ryan’s, we heard that candidate Katjana Ballantyne approached the owner and asked about having her fundraiser there. But when she asked for valet parking they told her “no.” We then heard from another source that she asked for a makeup room or “green room” – but alas, although Ryan’s is a very nice establishment it doesn’t have either one. What we’re trying to figure out is why she went down the street to Orleans in Ward 6. We hear they don’t have valet parking either. Maybe they have a “green room” – ?

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Congressman Mike Capuano will not seek the United States Senate seat for Massachusetts at this time. He feels there are several good candidates currently in the race and he is fully satisfied that any nominee from this group will represent Massachusetts effectively in the Senate. He looks forward to seeking re-election to the House in 2012.

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People who are concerned about the latest Green Line Extension delays are networking and encouraging citizens to take action to voice their outrage regarding these recent setbacks to the proposed project. The Somerville Transit Equity Partnership (STEP) is organizing efforts to get their message to the relevant parties. They encourage those who agree with them to contact the various agencies and institutions that are involved in this issue and express their dissatisfaction with the situation as it stands. Visit the STEP Web site at www.somervillestep.org to get a listing of those who should be contacted.