Last Tuesday night when the mayor submitted his budget to the aldermen, Alderman Bob Trane asked him what was the state aid increase and the Mayor said it was less than 1 percent. Our state delegation headed by Senator (Queen of the Progressives) Jehlen and others had a press release stating there was a 9 percent increase. Who is right?

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Someone owes someone an apology apparently. Last week after a budget meeting up at City Hall, a well-known Somerville activist and an alderman had some words. It all started when the budget meeting had ended and one of the aldermen who was present invited the activist to stay and have bite of food that was spread out on a table in the conference room adjacent to the Chambers. As the activist was serving himself some food, he asked another alderman if he minded that he join in on some food, the alderman‚Äôs response was very nasty and then asked to have the activist removed from the room. Those budget meetings can be very stressful. 

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Ruth Ryan, longtime Howe Street resident and widow of the late Somerville Police Lt. Bobby Ryan, recently passed away at her home in Action, Maine. We extend our sympathies to her six children and many of her extended family and friends here in Somerville, who remember her fondly.

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Our condolences go out to the family of Maryanne LaRosa who passed on last weekend. Maryanne was like a big sister to some of us here at The Somerville News and to her two sons, Steven and Michael, as well as her husband Al and the entire LaRosa family we express our deepest sympathy. Also, condolences to the family of Sandra DiGiovani who passed away last week as well. Sandra and her husband Gerry DiGiovani were the owners of the Embassy Lounge and the Glendore Café. She will be missed by many.

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Wow, last week we reported that congratulations were in order for former Mayor Dorothy Kelley Gay and her husband – who we thought celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary, we quickly got a call from Bert correcting us; it is actually the 40th anniversary of coming to America, legally.

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Congratulations to Tim O’Malley, who will be installed this Friday night as the Somerville Lions Club’s King Lion! Tim is and always has been a devoted member of the Somerville Lions and will lead the Lion’s Club into another successful year. Good luck Tim…. can’t you hear them roaring now?

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Last week one of our Newstalkers was approached by a lovely group of ladies from Cambridge who tell us that they constantly travel to Somerville every week just to get a copy of The News! They also requested to us that we turn the heat up a bit on Newstalk!  Ladies, it is what it is – some of our findings need to be toned down a bit sometimes, but like we said it is what it is and what we find sometimes gets too hot on its own! Thanks for your loyalty as valued readers of the Somerville News.

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Congratulations to Clerk Magistrate Bob Tomisoni of the Somerville District Court, who was recognized for his many years of service at an annual event in the North End of Boston earlier this week, which was thrown in his honor. A lot of comrades got a chance to spend a quality evening together! The room was packed with many friends and family to help celebrate this joyous occasion.

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Well it’s all over at the Secretary of State’s hearing on the validity of the Bob Trane’s signatures. Prince Carl’s neighbor, who filed a petition to challenge Bob Trane’s signatures, was trying to change the rules Рbut it appears that all his appeals and options are now closed. Apparently the Secretary of State’s Office dismissed the case. We hear that Carl was just outside on the sidewalk Рgetting updates and calls regarding the hearing. All the while, Bob is walking the district and is getting a great welcome by many of the residents and voters Рespecially in South Medford and on Somerville’s Ward 4 line.

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Congratulations to two local Somerville Attorneys РSteven Glines and Frank Olivera Рwho both received awards and recognition last week for their “pro bono” free attorney work in the Family Law Department at the Middlesex Probate Court in Cambridge. Both attorneys donated countless hours to help and advise those people who couldn’t afford an attorney when they needed one during their probate matters.

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Somerville resident Jessica Oliveira recently graduated with Honors from Lasell College she graduated Magna Cum Laude at Lasell College earning a Bachelor of Science degree. Congratulations Jessica.

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Congratulations to Melissa Ohearn, a 2004 graduate of Somerville High, for graduating from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, Ohearn studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training
exercises, and special training in human relations. In addition, she earned credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force. She is the daughter of Charles and Annette Ohearn of Miner Street.