Saturday, October 17 at the Holiday Inn, the SHS Scholarship Foundation will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary. Over the years, the foundation has been responsible for handing out thousands of dollars in scholarships to deserving high school graduates. The Foundation idea was started by local publisher Robert J. L. Publicover, Tony Fedele, the headmaster at the high school, former Mayor Gene Brune and several other dedicated and committed community people. A Foundation that started with very little and has now grown to over $1M in scholarships. Call or go online to the Foundation’s Facebook site for reservations and cost of tickets.

*********************

Part 5 –At Inspectional Services Department: Did you know that the Board of Health Inspectors get the same salary as Inspectional Services Inspectors? Health inspectors don’t require certification but ISD inspectors do, and both are from the same department. Mr. Goran Smiljic (you remember, the Department head at ISD because he couldn’t pass the test to be Chief) is too busy answering Board of Aldermen orders regarding rats in various parts of the city, instead of making the process smooth. Oh, and by the way, apparently the aldermen aren’t interested the department either, or else they would be asking what’s going on with the department. Or are they? The two positions open at ISD are still vacant and the latest rumor we hear is that no one has applied. Maybe the Personnel Department is advertising in another local so-called paper? The permit process still goes along at a snail’s pace and, of course, the employees up at the Planning Department are happy. One homeowner reported to us that he filed for a permit back in December, 2014 and up until 2-3 weeks ago still had not received his permit. “Ciitzenserve” is the process this guy Smiljic brought with him from another town. It’s supposed to be a smooth process, making it easier. So far, dozens of individuals and some businesses disagree, and we keep getting people calling us and giving us their own personal stories of horror, just to get a permit. The process of “ciitzenserve” is a failure because it relies on so many other departments other than the one that is certified to handle this, and that’s ISD.

*********************

We heard from sources that know, that the Ward 5 Alderman Mark Niedergang is trying to line up support from Progressives here both on the Board and in the city for a possible run for the mayor’s seat next term (3 years away). Now granted, it’s an election year and in November the mayor is facing no opposition except for a write-in candidate, Phil Mitza of East Somerville who is running. Mark must be happy with his list of candidates he is pushing this year, looking ahead to see if he can be in the Mayor’s race in 2017.

*********************

Last week after the ZBA meeting, the aldermen’s liaison (and all around mayor’s guy) Omar was outside smoking a cigarette and just after he left, the barrel that’s outside the front entrance started to smoke too. Don’t worry, we called the Fire Department. We wonder if he’s in the mayor’s “Shape Up Somerville” program.

*********************

Condolences to the family and friends of David L. Browne, a lifelong resident of the city, from a great and popular family. We understand he was a great guy, a great listener, with many friends. We are sorry for the family’s loss.

*********************

Our condolences to the family and friends of Attorney Kenny Simmons of East Cambridge whom we understand passed away Tuesday morning from a heart attack. Ken was a great attorney and good friend of many here in the city, as well as former partner of former Mayor Tom August. Both practiced law for many years on Third Street in East Cambridge. A fine gentleman, and a knowledgeable person as well. Always with a good smile and greeting when you’d run into him. Lots of people both here in Somerville and Cambridge will truly miss him.

*********************

Happy Birthdays this week to some of our Villens and friends as well as friends of The Times: Mike Berry, who grew up here in the Ville but lives in Florida now. A great guy and always helpful. We wish him a happy birthday. Another local guy from Somerville, Steve Harvey. A great guy who is always friendly. We wish Steve a happy birthday. The wonderful Alderman from Ward 2, Maryann Heuston. A dedicated committeeman is what comes to mind when you mention Maryann’s name. We wish her a very special birthday. A realtor friend of ours out of Melrose, Maureen Reilly, is celebrating this week as well and we wish her a happy birthday. A lady we’ve known for the past few years, has been to Somerville a few times and is one of New York’s top real estate agents, Kathleen Cunningham, a great person. We wish her the very best this week on her birthday.

*********************

There’s a new web site in town. Check it out at www.somervillema.com. The Somerville Times is on the site. Also check out www.medfordma.com.

*********************

There’s still time to register for evening classes at the Somerville Adult Evening School. Register in person at Somerville High School located at 83 Highland Ave, SHS Main Office from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. or check them out online at www.somerville.k12.ma.us/eveningschool. Classes begin: Tuesday, September 29 and/or Thursday, October 1, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Classes include: Academic Recovery, Drivers Ed. Sewing, Computers, Spanish, ESL, Real Estate License, Medical Interpretation and for the following special Zumba or YOGA 5 classes for $25 or walk in $7Why not enroll and begin your fall learning something new. Real Estate 40 hour license course offered by the school for more than half of what the cost is elsewhere. Hurry and register in person or call the school for further information at 617 625-6600 ask for “evening school.”

*********************

Word of the Week: Megalomania is a psychopathological condition characterized by delusional fantasies of power, relevance, omnipotence, and inflated self-esteem. Historically, it was used as a name for narcissistic personality disorder prior to the latter’s first use by Heinz Kohut in 1968, and is used today as a non-clinical equivalent. Sound familiar?

*********************

Our 40th annual “Best of Somerville Awards” the ballot is out so look it over and vote for your favorite and if you don’t see the category let us know or send in your recommendation. You can email, call and leave a message or drop off at the mailbox at the office located at 699 Broadway in Ball Square. Vote your favorite and the winners will be announced in the November 4 edition of The Somerville Times. Best of Somerville is done every year. You can go online to our website and check out the previous winners, and maybe they will be again?

*********************

Looking in at the local ZBA Board meeting, we witnessed for the first time in our recollection a well-known lady from East Somerville is the Chairperson, Susan Fontana, who has served on the Board many years, since the former Chairman stepped down, whereupon she was elected the position. We have to tell you, the Board meeting seemed more professional and considerate of those applying for variances. We wish Susan the best of luck in her position. She’s doing a great job.

*********************

Alderman Maryann Heuston of Ward 2, Ward 3’s Bob McWatters, Tony Lafuente of Ward 4 and the good lady up in Ward 7, Katjana Ballantyne, are all out there campaigning for re-election. These aldermen understand what it’s like to be constituents aldermen. We hear nothing but good things about these ward representatives.

*********************

Signs are up for candidate Lee Palmer in Ward 3 for the School Board seat. She’s working hard for the seat and we hope she is elected. Another person working hard and putting up her signs is Jamie O’Leary, running in Ward 4. Both ladies are running for the vacant seats in their wards. Jamie is herself a teacher and if qualifications count, she should be elected. She lives on Thurston Street in Winter Hill with her husband. She’s out to win the election, working very hard.

*********************

We heard through the rumor mill that a lot of new jobs (the lower level positions) are being filled by people from outside the city. If true that would be very disturbing, wouldn’t it?

*********************

Who are the two Department heads that constantly run out of work early? We know. We heard that one left for the long weekend before 10 a.m. on Friday. Shouldn’t department heads be setting examples of good work ethics?

*********************

It’s time for the 3rd Annual Sean Collier Memorial Fundraiser Weekend at Lyndell’s. They have amazing Boston sports memorabilia that will be raffling off again along with gift cards and much more. Don’t forget, $1 from every half moon goes to the fund all weekend too.

*********************

Calling all Highlanders! That’s right people it’s been 35 years since you’ve graduated from good old Somerville High School back in June of 1980 and since you guys wanted it you’ve got it, your 35th reunion! The SHS Class of ‘80 is pleased to announce that the 35th reunion has been planned for Saturday, November 21. The festivities will take place between the hours of 7:00 and 11:00 p.m. at the beautiful Montvale Plaza in Stoneham. The cost for this fun filled occasion is only $35 per person and you can hold your reservation by making your check or money order out to the SHS Class of 1980 and putting it an envelope made out to Kathy Florentino, 99 Ten Hills Road, Apt.1, Somerville, MA 02145 (don’t forget the stamp) and throw said envelope in your closest mailbox by October 28. There will be NO ADMISSION SALES at the door whatsoever. Please spread the word and reach out to your former classmates who may not have social media or haven’t heard about the reunion. Should you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please feel free to contact Kathy Dugan Florentino at (617) 718-1901 or laughlovelive50@yahoo.com.

*********************

The Alex Foster Foundation is hosting their first event Saturday, October 17th at the East Somerville Community School.  Navigating Addiction: A Community Forum will be an educational and informative free event.  Resources and Refreshments will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. You are encouraged to enjoy a cup of coffee while you mingle among our resource tables collecting helpful information about addiction.  Our speakers, beginning at noon, include a doctor from McLean Hospital, a doctor from MA General Hospital, a representative of C.A.S.P.A.R. and a parent of 2 recovering addicts.  The speakers will be followed by a Q & A session.  There will be a separate session for teens and adolescents facilitated by two doctors from McLean Hospital. This will be a conversation about drug and alcohol use, discussing what teens know and what they should know. Our moderator for the afternoon will be retired Somerville Public Schools teacher Ken Lonergan.  For more information visit http://www.aff-soar.org/event/navigating-addiction-fall-2015 or https://www.facebook.com/events/1505315786426831/ Please join us to learn more about addiction, whether you are a parent, educator, health care professional, teen or anyone else who is interested.  We feel strongly that education is the key to preventing the addiction epidemic from continuing.  As Chris Herren, former Celtics player and recovering addict has said, “…We need to stop focusing on the worst days and start educating about the first day.”