Looks like Alderman Sean O‚ÄôDonovan is making huge leaps toward getting himself on the ballot for the Sept. 16 register of probate primary – he hosted a different kind of kickoff party last week at the Dante Club on Craigie Street ‚Äì an  ‚ÄúUnenrolled Registration Rally‚Äù, converting registered Democrats and registered Republicans into Independents for him to get on the ballot. Over 300 showed up and signed on to the campaign according to several sources at the event. Already bumper stickers and signs are out as well. With less than three weeks to the election, he‚Äôs moved very fast to position himself on the ballot for the position of Registrar of Probate, hoping to unseat current Register John Buonomo in November, who was recently arrested for allegedly taking money from courthouse vending machines.                                                

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The debate at Medford City Hall last week between Stickers Carl Sciortino and Alderman Bob Trane showed us some contrast. While Stickers Carl prided himself with issues not related to the district (true to form for Sciortino), Bob Trane (who is the only candidate on the ballot by the way), seemed more adept at answering questions relating to local issues that affect the district and its residents.

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Ed O’Rielly, candidate for US Senate against incumbent John Kerry, was also at the Medford City Hall debate – actually, Ed has been seen in Somerville and Medford a lot lately. At first glance, doesn’t he look like a Kennedy? Remarkable resemblance, we think.

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Seems like too many Chiefs and not enough Indians in Sticker Carl’s camp Рhe’s been hiring various “consultants” with all that money he’s raised from out of district special interest groups. We hear there is a lot of in fighting going on and they can’t agree on strategy. Well when you’re heavy with all those out of district contributions and heavy with special interest groups, we can certainly understand having some confusion about priorities. Only 20 days until the election, and all those stickers to get right, we have experience with that kind of strategy here, but we’re not sure Stickers Carl would listen to us – hey, at least it’s free advice.

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Somerfest movie this week on the 28th at Hodgkins Park at 8 p.m. is “Enchanted” Рa great movie for the kids and adults alike.

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According to sources close to the Traffic and Parking Department, parking control officers will soon be utilizing a new type of scanning device that will detect a vehicle that owes parking fines as meter maids drive though the streets of Somerville. The same type of device is currently being used in other states with a huge success. Speaking of T&P, who is the traffic officer that has been seen many times driving around in a car with New Hampshire plates? Doesn‚Äôt the city‚Äôs rule on living here for employees extend to the T&P Department? 

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Congratulations to our own Publisher Donald Norton and his wife Patricia – celebrating their 41st wedding anniversary on Sept. 1, which falls on Labor Day. Forty-one years ago they eloped to Columbia, South Carolina and were married at City Hall down there – and many thought it would never last past 5 years. Patricia has said on many occasions that it has been difficult living with Donald, but he does make her laugh.

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Sad news recently on the passing of Mr. Somerville Rotary, Doctor Phil Doherty Рwho was very popular here in the city and with his practice. “Doc Doherty” was also on the Somerville School Committee representing Ward 3 for a term and was also for a short time water commissioner for the city. Phil will be fondly remembered for his quick wit and big smile.

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Another passing was Harry N. Fountas, a long time native that also attended and graduated from Somerville High class of 1945. Also recently passing was James M. Kelley another life-long resident. Both will be missed and our sympathies are extended to their families.

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Guess the traffic problems on Somerville Avenue with the reconstruction going on got a little out of hand last week, there was a motor vehicle accident last Wednesday and the injured party laid on pavement for a quite a while the emergency vehicles got stuck in the same traffic jam.

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On Thursday, Aug. 28, Pizzeria Uno in Porter and Harvard Square will be hosting a ‚Äúdough raiser‚Äù for Save Our Somerville.  All day Thursday you can come to Uno‚Äôs and have a meal. When you pay for the meal, leave the attached slip with your bill indicating you want a portion of the meal to go to SOS.  This will add no additional fee to your meal. If Uno‚Äôs earns under $1,000, SOS will receive 15 percent of the proceeds.  If Uno‚Äôs raises over $1,000, SOS will get 20 percent. SOS will have a stand set up at the Porter Square Uno‚Äôs and will be handing out tickets for the fund raiser.

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Save Our Somerville is a non-profit organization dedicated to giving a voice to those who feel they have no power in Somerville.  One group that feels disenfranchised is the city‚Äôs young skater community. For more than a decade skaters have been promised a skate park, and they have been consistently denied. SOS will be holding a skating demo at Conway Park Aug. 30 from 12 to 6pm.  The demo will give Somerville kids something productive and positive to do; and show the city and its residents that a skate park can be a positive thing for the city. There is no entrance fee. Safety equipment is recommended. Children under 18 will need approval from their parents or guardian before entering.