Some smaller, more
fractional people in various groups will always sit in the corner and
bang on their gong to a negative beat, no matter how many times you
have proven them wrong, no matter how many times they make themselves
look like unintelligent buffoons. And that's a shame, because even
though the economy isn't so great, there is plenty to be thankful for
here in Somerville.

We have great schools, plenty of police and
fire protection, vibrant squares and thoroughfares – we even still
continue to have one of the most ethnically diverse cities in New
England, if not the country. Rock groups come to play and hang out in
our squares, the movie industry has premieres and shoots films and
commercials here – we have more artists per capita than anywhere else
in the country, New York city excepted.

What we also have close
by is unbelievably easy access to the best higher learning institutions
and medical facilities in the world. Let's not forget the history of
our city too – it is all around us – so much so, that we sometimes
overlook the importance our little city played in the formation of our
country.

Which brings us around to sense of community. We have
said it dozens of times – as residents of this great city, we are very
proud of the overwhelming sense of pride Somerville exudes. It has
erased the stigma of old and replaced it with a beaming reputation for
leading-class civic engagement, well-oiled government operation,
extraordinary transparency across the board and recognition as a leader
amongst communities nationwide.

We owe a lot of this to a whole
range of people – especially Mayor Joe Curtatone, his administration
and staff and everyone from the private and business sectors that have
stepped up and literally put their money where their mouths are. The
Memorial Day Parade and the Independence Day Fireworks and Celebration
are just two shining examples of how we can utilize local resources and
display our sense of community pride without using city money.

Some
say that celebrating when times are tough is in poor taste – well to us
that's rubbish – it is this bringing together of people that makes us
stronger, that ensures our future and that gives us hope and the
courage to pull through difficult economic conditions. We have a rich
and vibrant and diverse community we can be say we are proud to live
and work in – and that's a lot better than many other places in this
country, so why shouldn't we embrace it? Now if the rain could go away
for a few days…