A Commentary by James A. Norton, Managing Editor

It’s not every day that Somerville has a legitimate link to someone who could be the President of the United States, so while it’s exciting to find out that Barack Obama lived here while attending Harvard Law School back in the late 80’s, it’s disheartening to have found out in the way and manner in which we did.

While he lived here, he parked illegally near Harvard Law and amassed tickets with no intention on paying them – until he decided to run for President – and then had someone from his campaign quietly slip into Cambridge and pay his 19-year-old parking tickets.

Is that someone you want to vote for as our next or future President?