A lot of construction around the city lately Рin particular we find what’s going on over on Rogers and Kidder avenues…seems the contractor had the streets torn up Friday and on Monday when they returned to work, they found that about 20 of the new sewer rings and manhole covers along with all new water covers missing. The economy must really be in the tank for someone to actually steal those things – and there must have been more then one person to lift them out and into a truck Рall those heavy covers and no one saw anything?

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The PT Kelley contract last week – seems to be a lot of speculation around the city about what happened, and we heard a lot of different stories. It‚Äôs hard to believe that so many different angles were being spread around through the Somerville rumor mill but we think the one about the city simply deciding to see what or who else is out there is probably the right one. PT Kelley has been doing the city contracts for way over 50 years now.                                                             

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Register of Probate John Buonomo had a large crowd at the Montvale Plaza last week Рhundreds of lawyers in one room…imagine the thoughts going through the minds of the non-lawyers there? Word is that John once again topped over $100k at the once a year event.

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Speaking of events Sheriff DiPaola held his annual Cinco De Mayo party at the Montvale Plaza Friday night Рin attendance was a large contingent of Somerville faithful in the standing-room-only crowd, we’re told.

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In four years since State Representative Carl (a PDSer) has been in office, he has NEVER once mailed or dropped one piece of literature in his district until last Thursday. From his State House stationery it appears he‚Äôs taking credit for Mayor Joe‚Äôs once a year  ‚ÄúSomerville Clean-Up Day‚Äù, which was held on May 3. The letter clearly is an invite to ‚Äúneighbors‚Äù to come out and have fun and clean up. This would be great except it‚Äôs clearly Mayor Joe and the City of Somerville‚Äôs event – on the flyer that Carl had inserted into the envelope it clearly states that it‚Äôs sponsored by the City of Somerville and Groundworks Somerville – the event has been held now for several years – going back to before Prince Carl was elected. Try as we might we just couldn‚Äôt see his name or any other Somerville legislators names on the City Flyer. We think he is shamelessly trying to hi-jack the Mayor‚Äôs event just like he‚Äôs trying to take sole credit for the Green Line coming to Somerville – all by himself. Funny how having an opponent makes you do things that you wouldn‚Äôt have ordinarily done before, imagine he has to now be accountable to the voters ‚Äì oh the horror! Next he‚Äôll try and take credit for the new Trum Field grandstand! We bet he wishes now he was at the Patriots Day event at Foss Park, but then maybe he thought he wasn‚Äôt going to have an opponent at that time? Watch the events he shows up now for – better yet, from his non-existence track record we bet he takes credit for everything good in this city until Election Day. 

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While we’re on the subject, in his haste to send out his letter on State House stationery, Rep. Carl (the PDSer), doesn’t have to wonder why no one calls him – because the number that’s listed on it is the WRONG NUMBER! Okay, so let’s recap Рhe sits in two coffee shops in Medford Hillside and Teele Square, sends out a letter trying to hi-jack the Mayor’s event and has the wrong telephone number on it – oh we just bet you he has a legion of volunteers that don’t even live in the district!

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Community members are sought after for a Blue Ribbon Commission on Web Use ‚Äì the Somerville Public Schools District is convening a Blue Ribbon Commission on Web Use, which will make recommendations to the district on improving the functionality of the SPS website as a tool for communication and a resource for learning and teaching.  Community members who are interested in serving on the commission are invited to send a short email to Gretchen Kinder (gkinder@k12.somerville.ma.us) explaining how they believe they can contribute to this work, and detailing their availability.

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Nice to see one of our own favorite former police officers doing great after leaving the ‚ÄòVille and moving onto the State Police – Trooper Mike Murphy has been assigned to the  Attorney General‚Äôs Office and he said he still loves cruising through the streets of Somerville to lend a hand! We wish him well.

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Meanwhile, back at the Traffic and Parking Dept Рit seems we have a very loyal patriotic meter person. On Patriots Day, April 21, she got to work at the usual time in the wee hours of the holiday morning and proceeded to ticket over 93 cars in the Beacon Street area Рthe only problem is the city doesn’t give tickets out on Sundays and holidays. In the end we heard she got written up for the mistake!

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Alderman at Large Dennis Sullivan is starting his patented ‚ÄúNeighborhood/Mobile Office Hours‚Äù on the May 10 out in front of the Soleil Caf√© at 10 a.m. at the corner of Holland and Broadway. At 11 a.m. he will move to the heart of Davis Square in front of the Somerville Theater for one hour the same day. John Caruso, Affirmative Action Officer of the City Democratic Committee, will be joining him with applications to have people to register to vote. Dennis said: ‚ÄúFor me, spring doesn‚Äôt officially start ‚Äòtill I dust off my table and take the office on the road – I once again look forward to making stops across the city and talking to residents about the issues that matter to them.‚Äù   

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At the Somerville City Club on Friday June 13 from 7 p.m. to midnight a benefit will be held for Richard Papa, III, who is battling leukemia Рfor more information contact Michelle 978-423-2351 or Dawn 781-581-8341. Donations can be made to Richard’s Rally c/o Winter Hill Bank at 342 Broadway 02145. This is a good cause Рwe hope a lot of people turn out to show support for Richard and his family.

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If you hurry, the SHS Foundation is having its annual fundraising raffle this Friday May 9 at the Culinary Arts Dining Room at the High School. It starts at 7 p.m. with the drawing at 8 p.m. ‚Äì the grand prize is $10,000 – only 250 tickets will be sold at $100 each.   

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The Statewide Track Meet is this coming Friday and Saturday to Somerville – Friday at 3:30 p.m., the pole vault competition will be held at the Tufts University Track and the main events will start at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at Dilboy Field.