All around us is turmoil – financial, social and cultural – yet the mayor decided to have a real parade, like the ones you read about, and we say: “Huzzah!”

Mayor Curtatone’s Memorial Day parade was a tour de force of marching bands, Shriners and military units that celebrated the glory of those two bonds that unite our diverse land: the freedom of America and the sacrifices borne by our fallen heroes to secure that freedom.

Everyone at the parade that beautiful afternoon had been touched by the loss of a child, spouse, parent, lover or buddy who stood, then fell on fields as far away as Iwo Jima or as close as Ground Zero.
Yet even more than the healing and remembering we shared that day, there was the building swell of Somerville Pride.

When the mayor addressed the student body of Somerville High School the day of his swearing in, he spoke of his love for our city and he asked the young leaders assembled to always reject the ignorant slurs our city has endured.

The song says, “Somerville leads the way!” No other phrase better captures the spirit of the team working at City Hall, and the man who drives them towards excellence.

As the locally-owned newspaper in Somerville, we are aware of our responsibility to speak up for the residents and businesses of the city. We endorsed the mayor, but when the mayor strays from their interests, we will take up their cause—because it is our cause.

The same is true for the board of aldermen, the members of the school committee and the various boards and commissions. As we expand and deepen our coverage of the city, they will learn that our journalists carry reporters’ notebooks, not stenographers’ pads.

Sometimes it is difficult to rebuke a friend. But we hold our office just as seriously as we hope those elected to serve the city do.

Something else we take seriously is our reputation for fairness and integrity. When we stray, we expect to hear from you as well.

For 35 years we have facilitated the city’s grand conversation, which is why we are Somerville’s most widely read newspaper.