The deadline came and went on Monday for any candidates to pull papers for office – so far all the incumbents are running and have been certified. No primary races at all in the city, just three Ward races that could be very interesting on the November ballot.
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The Ward races break down as: First up, the Ward 4 School Committee race with incumbent Jamie Norton (Editor here at The News) and challenger (and certainly PDSer favorite) Christine Rafal. Next, the Ward 6 Alderman race with incumbent Rebekah Gewirtz (herself a PDSer) and challenger – long time local TV pundit and resident Jim Campano. Finally, the best was saved for the last minute on Monday night – just before the 5pm deadline…looks like Ward 5 now has a School Committee race, because a very popular lady, who is said to be a lifelong resident, parent of two children in the public schools and a former Vice President of the PTA at the Kennedy School – Anna Lavagna – pulled papers and according to sources hit the streets running right afterwards on Monday night with close to a dozen supporters. We heard from sources that she got all the signatures she needs to be certified – the deadline for certification is tonight, Wednesday, at 5pm. From what we hear, Anna is an outspoken advocate for the public schools and is planning on waging a very serious race to beat the incumbent – Mark Niedergang (another true-blue PDSer). While the first two incumbents don't have much to worry about – this, we think, will be the race to watch.
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Our deepest condolences go out to Ellie Blute – who lost her son the other day. Ellie is everyone's favorite person and a good friend of ours here at The News.
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Terrible news out of City Hall – the Mayor's Office said that there will be 14 layoffs and several positions that were vacated this past year will not be filled. Worse news is that there are probably more to come unless the larger unions can make a deal with the city.
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This coming Saturday, June 13th, the Lion's will install another in a long line of King Lion's – our own Billy Tauro will be installed at the club's building on New Washington Street. Many of his family, friends and members will be there to wish him well. He's a good guy we know that he will do honor to the Lion's, as he has done for a lot of other organizations here in Somerville.
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This coming Wednesday, June 17th, at 6pm, will be the annual rededication of the original Bunker Hill Monument by King Solomon's Lodge of Masons – the lodge is based here on Highland Avenue. This Masonic lodge built the very first monument on the site in Charlestown in 1794, which predates the massive granite obelisk that stands there today. The Officers of King Solomon's Lodge – led by Jamie Norton, Bruce Rollins, Sr. and Billy Tauro – will lead the important ceremony. The following night will be a huge night for the local Masons as well, as their annual steak/lobster dinner (done by Ross Blouin) will draw hundreds of local Masons.
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Congratulations to Ricky Willette, Director of Operations for the City of Somerville, a Happy Birthday to a real nice guy. We still say his glasses look like Palin's glasses or is it the other way around? We hear he will be attending, along with a lot of other Somerville bikers, the annual event up at Laconia coming up. And if you don't think Somerville isn't represented, go there and it's like old home week – Somerville of the North Lakes.
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Nice to see that Officer Steve Jones of the Police Department is back to work again – Steve was involved in a pretty bad accident last month.
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On Friday May 22nd Senator Anthony D. Gallucio went on a walking tour with Somerville's Ward 2 Alderman MaryAnn Heuston and a group of Brickbottom residents. Even though it was about 80 degrees that night, they covered the areas of Brickbottom and McGrath Highway – discussing the infrastructure's general improvements in East Somerville. We wonder what the reaction to the Green Line Maintenance Facility down at Brickbottom was to the good Senator and Alderman?
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The Little Sisters of the Poor will be having a Flea Market and are selling tables to anyone that would like to buy for only $25.00; funds raised from the sale of tables go directly to the Little Sisters. The flea market is scheduled for June 27th if you'd like more information call Jeanne or John at 617 776-4420
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The Healey School Seedling Sale will be this Saturday, June 13th from 9am to 1pm at the Union Square Farmer's Market. Come support a public school and very local growers! Purchase your vegetable, flower, herb, and perennial seedlings at the Healey School Seedling Sale this Saturday. Seedlings raised in classrooms (and parents' basements!) include: heirloom tomato, pepper, cabbage, salad greens, various herbs, lots of fun flowering annuals and perennials, including shade perennials. For more information contact Healey parent Jen Capuano at 617-628-3739 or jenkc@comcast.net
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The Farmers Market is back in Union Square starting this Saturday from 9a.m. to 1p.m. – this is always a very popular (albeit seasonal) event.
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The Community Schools Afterschool Program will be holding its very first fundraiser on June 10th from 4pm to 7pm at the McDonald's located at Twin City Plaza on McGrath Highway. All proceeds will benefit the Community Schools Afterschool Scholarship Fund.
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Next week all those rehearsals will hopefully pay off here – and a large contingent from Somerville will travel off to Florida for the "All America City" contest. Last year Somerville came in 11th – this year our chances are very good. We'll keep you posted.

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The Somerville News welcomes Kevin Sullivan – a life-long resident and local activist here in Somerville as our new Ad Representative. We welcome Kevin and wish him the best of luck, look for him all over the city in coming weeks.
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To the two ladies at the Winter Hill Post Office – we told Ms. Olio (aka – Cam here at the paper) she had big fans out there, she was very pleased and says hi to all her fans out there, especially you ladies over at the Post Office.
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We would like to wish Josie DiPersio a very happy birthday! Josie is a life-long Somerville resident and is one of the nicest people that you could meet!
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A new bill being proposed on Beacon Hill is for term limits of 12 years – we support it and hope that our delegation representing the city votes in favor of it when it comes out of committee – want to bet it never sees daylight? Nah, our PDSers – led by Queen Pat are always for openness and transparency, aren't they? Term limits for everyone but the PDSers – how much you want to bet they oppose this bill? But will support our PDSer Senator with her proposed 51-cent gas tax hike! You might want to ask your State Rep how he/she plans on voting for this while they are asking for your vote next year to send them back.

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