Near miss on Broadway ‚Äì it seems that one of our police officers was hit by accident Sunday at 5 a.m. by a city plow that couldn‚Äôt stop going down Broadway – the officer pulled out on the right side and if it wasn‚Äôt for the quick thinking of the plow driver, the accident could have been much worse. Both drivers were taken to the hospital and we‚Äôre pleased to hear that only the vehicles were injured and not the drivers. 

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Last Thursday and Sunday the streets here in Somerville were plowed better then our neighbors in Cambridge, Medford and Boston – the absolute ‚Äúgo to guy‚Äù for DPW Commissioner Stan Koty was none other than Tom Barry, who is credited with doing a spectacular job and Stan was heard to say during both storms: ‚Äúif I only had 20 Tom Barrys.‚Äù            

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Speaking of DPW Commissioner Stan, he must be getting quite the high marks by surrounding cities – as they are watching him to see how he manages to do a great job at our DPW – so good that we hear the mayor of Everett sent his DPW Commissioner over to observe how Stan gets the job done. Regardless of what anyone says, we always knew Stan would be probably be the best DPW Commissioner ever in Somerville – now we see he could possibly be the best around as well.

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Our hearts go out to former popular Alderman Grace Abruzzio with the recent loss of her husband Bob this past week. Last month, Grace and Bob were on a trip to Italy with a group from Somerville – for what was supposed to be a relaxing vacation with a tour of Rome, when Bob was rushed to the local hospital there with chest pains. Grace and her sister remained behind with Bob while the rest of the group flew back home ‚Äì and Bob later died in an Italian hospital. Everyone that knew Bob knew how much of a nice guy he was and our sympathies go out to Grace and her family for their loss. 

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With Acting Police Chief Robert Bradley’s police career coming to an end this holiday season and new Chief Anthony Holloway’s career just getting under way here in Somerville, we certainly would like to wish Bob Bradley all the very best in his future Рa lot of us will miss him, but we know his heart will always be here in Somerville and he won’t have gone far. We also wish the new Chief the best of luck Рwe know he is getting a lesson in cold weather these past few days Рnothing like he’s been used to in Florida, where he started his career as a Police Officer. Some of us here at Newstalk are wondering how the new chief will fair out all night with the snow removal and zero weather Рwe will be watching and hoping he does a great job.

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There was a rumor floating around that the vacant Clerk of Courts position at Malden District Court was offered to Mayor Joe Curtatone (we also hear he refused it), then we heard Mayor Mike McGlynn over in Medford and an old friend of ours, Ed Rideout from Medford (currently a probation officer) were both offered the job as well Рthe Clerk’s job only pays $110K. We hear the Governor is checking it out and looking for a deserving campaigner.

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At last check at Cambridge District Court, our former editor is scheduled for a Jury trial on January 8th, for his recent arrest in Cambridge Рwe are still checking on the Somerville court hearing on the same matter from earlier this year. Neil McCabe was stopped twice for driving without registration, license and insurance. We’re watching how things go and still wondering how Neil can claim to be “indigent” and get a FREE court-appointed public defender, when he’s clearly the owner/publisher of two newsletters? Maybe his benefactors РThomas P. O’Neill III and Senator Anthony Galluccio should give him a raise or maybe some more upfront money Рhe certainly brags about their interests in both papers.

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The annual Christmas Party for ERA The Norton Group and The Somerville News was held last Thursday during the storm and although not the usual large crowd, there was a sizable crowd and everyone enjoyed themselves. A lot of people were afraid to make comments for fear of being in the paper Рand by the way, bartender Mark Antonelli was pretty good on the job that night and it’s true, the steak tips are fantastic at On The Hill Tavern Рtry them, you’ll like them.

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Now we hear that Alderman Sean O‚ÄôDonovan, recently off a huge win in Ward 5 against the Progressives (sorry Joe but they were pushing you same as we were), is seriously considering a run for Queen Pat‚Äôs Senatorial position – another name mentioned is Mayor Joe Curtatone, but we‚Äôre still betting on popular Alderman Dennis Sullivan running against her.      

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Speaking of Queen Pat, here‚Äôs a good one for the books – it seems the Ward 1 Democratic Caucus was holding their annual Christmas Party at the building on Myrtle Street and everyone there was having a wonderful time, when in walked together the Queen herself of the Progressives, Senator Pat, along with the Prince of the Progressives, Rep. Carl Sciortino (wow, you think they‚Äôre up for re-election this coming year of what?) ‚Äì it seems that neither one of them was invited and why would they ‚Äì Ward 1 isn‚Äôt even in their districts? And besides that, it‚Äôs not normal for either one to venture outside of their closed click of Progressives – we wonder if they said Merry Christmas? We wonder, but we bet they didn‚Äôt. We heard it was a quite a shock to those present when they walked in. 

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Do you squint? Well stop. Head down to Saragas Eye and Laser Center at 413 Highland Ave. and get a free eye examination – even if you are uninsured – on Friday, Dec. 21. Call Dr. S. John Saragas (we love an initial used for the first name, it reminds us of F. Lee Bailey) at 617-623-1900 and set up an appointment.

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Stan Koty wasn’t the only one doing his job during the recent snowstorms. Pat’s Tow got 149 illegally parked cars off the street and cleared the way for the plows and city workers to make the streets a little safer. Good job Pat’s.