Tony Lafuente for Ward 4 Alderman
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We have chosen Tony Lafuente as our endorsement for Ward 4 Alderman. Tony is a local businessman, property owner, and has lived and raised his family here and been involved locally for many years. We feel he has a strong grasp of the many neighborhood issues throughout Winter Hill and Ten Hills.

We should want an Alderman who does not have a political agenda but someone who lives and works here, who has community ties and knows the neighborhoods.

Tony has been seen all over the Ward in these past several months working hard, knocking on doors, talking to us and listening to our concerns, and just plain being in touch with both new and older residents here alike. We feel strongly that Tony Lafuente is the best candidate for the job to represent everyone here in Winter Hill.  Tony’s opponent is neither a businessperson nor a homeowner. Actually, she is relatively new to the Ward, which is not a bad thing, but for a job like Alderman Tony Lafuente would be best suited to be more open minded and listen to everyone and make a decision for what’s best for the entire Ward, as opposed to someone closely aligned with a political group that has a political agenda.

Tony’s opponent was selected to run by the PDS group who has, over the past few years, seen a decline in their role as an affective political group. They selected her and endorsed her before anyone even knew who she was. Approximately 75% of her donations were from out of state.

The job of Alderman should be to focus on the local issues, to talk to the residents and find out their problems. We think with Tony’s experience as a business person he can best handle the issues of today that confront us here in Winter Hill, especially with the vacant store fronts and lost businesses that once made the Winter Hill area a thriving neighborhood. We are reminded of the famous Speaker of the House Tip O’Neil who represented us here in Somerville, who once said, “all politics is local” – and we think Tony believes that.

We strongly feel that Tony Lafuente is a person of integrity and represents a promise for a better neighborhood. Someone who will be independent with his vote, making sure that when issues arise in our neighborhood here in Ward 4 he is going to do his best job for us all. Therefore, we are proud as residents ourselves to endorse and encourage every registered voter in Ward 4 to go out on Tuesday, November 8, and cast their vote for Tony Lafuente for Ward 4 Alderman.

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Bob Trane for Ward 7 Alderman
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We are more than proud to endorse and recommend Bob Trane for re-election as the Alderman from Ward 7. We have often referred to Bob Trane as the people’s Alderman because of the way he gets emotionally involved with each of his constituent’s concerns.

Now more than ever, especially after the recent fires in Teele Square, we need Bob there representing Ward 7 to help re-build the area and make it a thriving part of the community once again.

It doesn’t matter if you agree with him personally or not, you cannot say he isn’t what an Alderman should be. He is actually the model that some of the other Aldermen might want to follow. We have seen him personally get emotionally involved with whatever confronts the residents of Ward 7. He is there and does not talk about politics. We even heard that his opponent had issues awhile back and called Bob, who was there to help them. Bob Trane is one hard working Alderman. He knows his constituents. He is out there every day in Ward 7, and not just at election time either. He has lived here in Ward 7 his entire life. He got married and raised his daughter here. His mother and father, who were active in local issues in their day, still live here. They certainly have made an impact on how he should perform as an Alderman. Bob Trane knows the territory.

He knows the job and the issues, whether they be about Tufts students with their many parties or a simple curb cut or rubbish issue. He is there on top of it and he gets the job done. We have personally experienced his dedication and enthusiasm for this job.

He is engaged and has got energy to spare, so that maybe other Alderman should tap off of it. What we don’t understand is why an Alderman who knows his job and does it affectively is constantly being challenged by a group that has a political agenda. We like what Bob stands for and in our many conversations with him over the years it is not hard to figure out why you just have to like the guy.

He is very easy to talk to and we know that if you have an issue he is right there to handle it and he makes sure the job gets done. We think of some of the dumb endorsements from political groups and wonder why they do not stress local issues to endorse but only political agendas.

We know that Bob Trane is the best candidate for the job because we think he is the people’s Alderman. We are proud to endorse him and urge every registered voter in Ward 7 to vote to re-elect Alderman Bob Trane on Tuesday, November 8. Send a clear message that in Ward 7 Alderman Bob Trane has done a great job and should continue doing so. That is the only endorsement that should count with us who live here.

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Our endorsements for Alderman At Large
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Our endorsements for Alderman At Large are Bruce Desmond, Jack Connolly, Sean Fitzgerald, and Michael Nionakis. We are recommending two incumbents to be sent back and two challengers who deserve to be elected to the Board of Alderman representing the entire city. Unlike the two other incumbents, none of the above sought the political endorsements of a small political group. These four only seek your approval by re-electing or electing them to represent you on the board of Alderman.

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Bruce Desmond is our first endorsement and probably the nicest person on the ballot. He is a real guy, not with a big head. You always feel comfortable talking to him. More importantly, he is another person who gets what his job is all about and that is representing local issues that affect us here locally. One listens to him on TV and one can see the concern he has for the city. His commitment to the city since he moved here is unquestionable, in our opinion.

We like the way Bruce works on an issue and carries it forth to its completion. His dedication to us, his constituents, is not based on the agenda of a small political group that promotes selfish issues that do not even relate to what an Alderman should be. Alderman Bruce Desmond knows what his job is and has been out there working for us all. That is why we need to cast one of our four votes for Bruce Desmond, returning him to the Board of Alderman on November 8.

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Jack Connolly is our second endorsement and, although he is a lifelong resident and twice elected to the board of Alderman, first in Ward 6 and then in the Alderman At Large race, he is well aware of the proper role of an Alderman. His concern over the years for the meat and potatoes issues that constantly are before the Board makes him an experienced and committed representative on the Board of Alderman to represent us all here in Somerville.

He knows the job, he knows the issues and concerns, and he is 150 percent committed to the City of Somerville and its future. He is another one that is not concerned about the endorsement of a small political group agenda. He represents what an Alderman should be. That is why we need to send Alderman At Large Jack Connolly back and re-elect him to the Board of Alderman on November 8.

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Sean Fitzgerald is our third choice, and for the same reasons that we endorse the others. He is committed to Somerville, its future, and its residents. Sean Fitzgerald first came on the scene here in Somerville working for former Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay as one of her Administrative Aides. He did a great job there at City Hall, but then went to work for Senator Charlie Shannon at the State House until Senator Shannon passed away. Sean’s job put him directly into what Somerville is all about, how issues are addressed and when constituents have concerns and how they should be taken care of.

Sean is married and is raising a family here in Somerville. He is very active in the local PTA and in the community at large. His dedication, love, and compassion for Somerville is a reason to give him a vote to see what he can do. We strongly endorse Sean Fitzgerald for Alderman At Large and we urge you to vote along with us on November 8 to give one of your four votes for him.

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Michael Nionakis is a lifelong resident and originally from Ward 5. Michael is very well spoken of by many of us here in the ‘Ville. He is another person who is trying to get elected to do a good job for us all. He is not your typical political figure, has no background in politics either locally or otherwise, and is not affiliated with any group. He is not endorsed by anyone but he knows he loves Somerville as much as the majority of us here do. Mike is married, is a property owner, and is raising his family here.

He is well known for his integrity and sense of decency for all of Somerville, not just a small percentage group. His commitment and desire to do well and focus on local issues will be a good thing for us on the Board of Alderman. He deserves a chance to show what he can do and to show how strong his focus will be. We strongly urge everyone to vote for Michael Nionakis for Alderman At Large on Tuesday November 8.

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Other endorsements
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Thomas Taylor in Ward 3

We continue to be amazed at Thomas Taylor’s dedication as an Alderman in Ward 3 over the years. He is constantly there at neighborhood meetings representing his Ward so that all of us are better off.

We think that Alderman Tom Taylor should be re-elected. He has been an effective leader representing Ward 3 over the years. He has made himself accessible to his constituents and his commitment to the city and Ward 3 has been and will continue to be exceptional as an Alderman squarely focused on local issues.

Therefore, we strongly support and endorse Tom Taylor for Ward 3 Alderman for re-election on Tuesday, November 8, and urge all voters in Ward 3 to send him back to continue his strong leadership role there.

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Mayor Joseph Curtatone

What can we say about Mayor Joseph Curtatone? He is a man for all seasons. His dedication to bringing Somerville forward over these past years is one reason why we see an ever-changing city moving from the old to the new.

Whether one is a lifelong resident or a newbie, one cannot help but see the pride he puts into his job as our mayor. Some will disagree with certain things that have happened regarding fees, but he has managed to do things that other mayors in Massachusetts cannot do. Out of the entire city budget for last year only two employees were laid off, while other cities laid off many more and could not deal with the state’s shortage of funds. He did a great job and we need him to continue. It is no wonder that Joe hasn’t had a serious opponent since he was elected.

The reason is all around us. We see it every day and we hear about it in the future of Assembly Square, Union Square, and now we need him to turn Teele Square around after the recent fire. As everyone here will agree that Joseph Curtatone is probably one of the best mayors this city has ever seen and will probably ever see, we therefore strongly endorse and urge every voter to re-elect Mayor Joseph Curtatone on Tuesday, November 8.