First of all, we want to thank all active duty service men and women and all our veterans, who fought for our freedom to live in this great country of ours. God bless you all and thank you for your service. A ceremony honoring them will be held this morning at Dilboy Post in Cutter Square at 10 a.m. Then join Historic Somerville and representatives from the City of Somerville at 2:30 pm, for a Veterans’ Day Remembrance Ceremony at Milk Row Cemetery (next to Market Basket). Local members of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts will conduct a ceremony to remember those veterans from Somerville who are buried and memorialized in this hallowed ground.

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Have you ever wondered what Somerville was like back in the 60s? A special media event will be happening here in the city on Wednesday, November 25 at the Davis Square Theatre, 255 Elm Street. A suggested donation of only $10 is gladly accepted. The name of the show is Class of 1969 Reunion. The media event will be hosted by Charles Kelley, who grew up on Winter Hill and graduated from Somerville in 1969. He later became a neighborhood activist throughout the 1970s. Charlie has put together a collage of both video and still pictures of Somerville in the 60s. Next week we will be giving more information, but in the meantime you can contact Charlie Kelley by email at: kelthink22@gmail.com.

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The election turnout was very small, one of the smallest city elections in our memory. We found it interesting that Ward 1 Alderman Matt McLaughlin was over in Cambridge working for a Cambridge City Councilor (not Tim Toomey, who is a city councilor as well). And we heard that Ward 5 Alderman Mark Niedergang was out working door to door in Ward 4 for School committee candidate Andre Green. We heard he sent out emails endorsing two of the four Aldermen at Large he serves with. His personal endorsement was for Aldermen Bill White and Dennis Sullivan, but not for Mary Jo Rossetti and Jack Connolly. He was a busy Alderman, personally working in Ward 3 and 4 on Election Day. Meanwhile, several of Mayor Joe Curtatone’s administration people, including his aide Omar Boukili, were over in Revere all day campaigning for the newly elected Mayor Brian Arrigo, who was a two term city councilor as well as a former employee here in Somerville. Maybe Omar Boukili will be offered a job in Revere? We hear it’s possible. That would be good for Omar. There are a lot of good restaurants over there.

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It’s interesting that on Election Day Ward 3 Alderman Bob McWatters received the most votes here in the city for a ward alderman, just under 1,000. School Committeeman Paul Bockleman received the most with the School Board at just over 1,000 votes. Mayor Joe received about 25% blanks on Election Day.

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Speaking of elections for the state legislators next year, take a long look at what our representatives are doing on Beacon Hill, you might be surprised. We think a lot of our present elected legislators here might see some opponents next year. The rumblings over the recent city elections just might get a reaction by some to think strongly about running.

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The city makes robo-calls to residents the day before certain streets and bridges will be closed because of work. Why the day before? Isn’t there any plan in place on a time frame? In particular, the poor homeowners on Medford and School Streets, along with Goode Gas. How are they being negatively impacted? How long have they been working on School Street Bridge, Medford Street Bridge and McGrath Bridge at the same time? Imagine running a business that has major disruptions in the flow of traffic every single day, or a local resident just trying to get around? Take a look at the three houses in particular where they can’t even park in front of their homes. It’s been going on for months now and looks likely that it will continue for over a year. The city will tell you they can’t do anything, but our state senator and representatives surely can. Let them hear from them on what the time frame is for DOT. We bet if you call they can’t tell you what time frame for the work is. This week (Thursday night), at the Board of Alderman meeting, Ward 3 Alderman Bob McWatters, Ward 4 Alderman Tony Lafaunte and Alderman President Bill White will be putting forth a resolution to the Department of Transportation to hold a public meeting to talk about how long it’s going to be and what’s going on. Let’s hope Senator Pat Jehlen, Rep. Denise Provost and Rep. Christine Barber demand that DOT hold this meeting soon and to have answers for all the residents and businesses that are affected and feel abused.

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Inspectional Services Department update: The Mayor wrote a column here in the paper regarding ISD and how fantastic they’re doing down there with the Department head Goran Smiljic. We didn’t criticize the Department employees, the Inspectors. We criticize the job Goran Smiljic is doing with the backlog of permits being issued and the process of what people have to go through to get their permits issued. We actually were not surprised at the mayor defended the department, it’s just too bad he doesn’t actually see or hears what is going on down there, from the inspectors point of view or better yet the many residents that are or have been tied up getting their permits issued. We know it’s not all bad, but we also know that we’re being told that it’s not bad enough to be a problem. We are also being told if you complain to an alderman about a permit issue, normally that alderman will call Goran Smiljic and the permit is taken care of immediately. Now, for this week’s update on what is going on down at the department (by the way if what we’re being told is wrong let us know) the two job’s for ISD inspectors are still vacant. We heard through reliable sources that Goran Smiljic has applied for two other positions within the city. We heard he inquired about a “project manager” position as well as Head of Capital Buildings. So, if the mayor is proud of the job he’s doing, why is he applying or wants to apply for another position? The missing paperwork that was forged with those two properties on Holland Street is still missing. And finally we hear, right now as of this week, there are about 150 permits waiting to be issued. So if you’re one of those with permits waiting, maybe you should call an alderman and they will make a call for you.

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Happy Birthdays this week to some of our Villen and friends as well as friends of The Times: Sheila MacEachern is celebrating this week and we wish her a happy birthday. Although not from Somerville, we’re sending out a happy birthday to both Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. Also celebrating this week is Jerry DiGiovanni.

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There’s a new website in town. Check it out at www.somervillema.com. The Somerville Times is on the site. Also check out www.medfordma.com.

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Word of the Week: Bipolar. The National Institute of Mental Health says that bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. Symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. Sound familiar?

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ResiStat meetings this fall will provide updates from city staff as well as the mayor and aldermen regarding ongoing projects and initiatives. Ask questions and share your feedback with neighbors: Ward 2: Mon., Nov. 16, Argenziano School, 290 Washington St.; Ward 1: Wed., Nov. 18, East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross St. Both meetings run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Come by at 6 p.m. to enjoy pizza and other refreshments while you talk with neighbors.

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Those who might be interested in obtaining certification for firearms should look up the Lawrence Rod & Gun Club. They offer an extensive program at the end of which you receive certification for Massachusetts/NRA Certified Firearm Safety Classes. They run a class once a month, which is limited to 10 people and we hear that this is the place to go to learn safety when handling guns. Email gunclub@earthlink.net for more information and or go to their website at www.lawrencerodandgunclub.org and read up about the course.

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For all of your shoe needs, go online to www.shoebuy.com. Our own local good guy and Shoebuy VP Zachary Zasloff lives in Prospect Hill and is a community activist. Wow! What prices, and you get them delivered straight to your home.

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Open House this Sunday at 63 College Ave., 1:00-3:00 p.m. displaying the artwork of local Somerville resident Diane Blouin throughout the entire first floor.

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The Somerville School system is still looking for anyone interested in becoming a crossing guard. Crossing Guards provide essential public safety by ensuring safe student crossing at intersections along the routes to school. Salary is $33.66 per day Uniforms and on-the-job training provided Personal vehicle is preferred but not required, Work BOTH mornings and afternoons based on school year calendar. Must pass a pre-employment CORI and drug screen, Applications are available and must be submitted at the City Hall Personnel Office, located at 93 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143. Inquiries can be sent to School Safety Officer Sean Sylvester at (617) 625-1600, ext. 7248 or by email: ssylvester@police.somerville.ma.us.

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To our good friend Bob McGowan, who recently went through open heart surgery over at Mt. Auburn, we wish him a speedy recovery back at home and back in touch with his many friends across the city. Bob is a West Somerville resident who is also a lifelong resident, originally from the old neighborhood in East Somerville. Get well fast Bob!

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The Annual Veterans Ball, hosted by Somerville Post 19 last Saturday – ongoing for the past 40 years or so – recognized Somerville Fire and Somerville Police officers of the year. This year the Thomas Chetham Award was given to Somerville fireman Jay McKenzie and the Alexander McQuestion Award to Police Officers Jean Jacques and Officer Albert Gee. We congratulate all three and thank them, along with all fireman and police here in the city, for a job well done. Present at the awards representing the city was Board of Alderman President Bill White and in a sharp tux Alderman at Large Dennis Sullivan.