On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

(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.)

Having the Red Line extend to Davis Square was a great achievement – the stop has become a huge asset to commuters as well as businesses. Too bad it wasn’t there when I was going to Emerson College – taking a bus to Harvard Square and then changing to the train at Charles Street.

Anyway, Somerville recently received approval and funding to build that new “Orange Line” stop at Assembly Square Рwhich is soon to be multi-developed Рbut what I am really excited about is that Somerville has recently secured the addition of six new “Green Line” passenger train stops through the city Рall the way into Medford.

Even though the locations of the stations are probably already planned, here is how I think some of  the stops should be named and located – from Lechmere, I believe it will stop first at Union Square – too bad they couldn’t turn the glorious old  St. Joseph’s Church into a mini-South Station, complete with restaurants, vendors and shops. Midnight Variety is going to be swamped when the green line arrives.

The next stop should definitely be ‚ÄúCity Hall.‚Äù This way commuters could get to the Central Library, the High School and Joe’s office. You could hop off to pay your tax bill, then hop back on to head to your part time job . I think the City Hall stop should be decorated with  pictures of former Somerville politicians. How about the Lenny Scott escalator, the Paul Duhamel waiting area or the Andy Capuano information booth?

I think it should be all Somerville – this is a great chance to toot our own Somerville horns while expanding public transportation  and inviting growth of transient orientated development (pretty impressive language huh?). Perhaps we could add a nice mural dedicated to Somerville Sports greats like Bill Endicott, Joe Lutoff and of course Walter, Al and Ronnie Perry. The only Somerville sports I ever was part of was burning my hands and legs on that stupid rope that hung from the ceiling in the gym.

Next stop on the expanded green line could cross under town to the soon to be finished,  brand-new, fabulous Trum Field. This stop should be equipped with a Dunkin Donuts. I’d take a train ride just to avoid trying to park up at the Magoun Square Dunkies.

Hopefully the expansion of the Green line will be connected to Davis Square – the way that the red and green lines meet at Park Street in Boston.

The new  roving Green Line will eventually end up in Medford, but where? The Meadow Glen Mall? Medford Square? The Papa Gino’s is the only reason I ever go to Medford Square, so it would be nice to take the train there for a slice. Maybe not. I can walk to Mike’s easier.

Was it the Red Line expansion to Davis that changed our beloved Square into ‚Äúpierced lip-ville?‚Äù Did public transportation replace an Italian Bakery with a sushi restaurant? We now have a restaurant or bar every three feet and no place to park. So‚Ķexpand the T – I say! We’ll take the train everyplace! Bring it on!

The real winners will be the Medford-ites – they will be able to get on the Green Line and without changing trains, go right to The Museum of Science‚Ķoooh! Hopefully By then I will be making extra money singing Neil Diamond songs at the ‚ÄúCurtatone’s Crossing‚Äù Green Line stop, somewhere under the ‘Ville.

Please e-mail your comments to Jimmy at: jimmydel@rcn.com