Ward 3 Alderman Bob McWatters will be having a fundraiser on Wednesday, June 22 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the ever-popular Sally O’Brien’s on Somerville Avenue, Union Square. We hear that three special guests will be showing up to wish Bob good luck, of course along with the huge crowd he gets. One is his good friend Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan (don’t forget he’s campaign coordinator here in Somerville for her), the first District Attorney for Middlesex County who grew up here, in Ward 3, and her family is still here. No one packs them in like Bob does. Last time hardly anyone could move around. He’s very popular on his own, doesn’t need anyone especially property owners and developers and whatever to throw him a sellout time. He’s popular because he is truly a constituent Alderman and reaches out to all the residents of Ward 3, not just the special interest of a few. He’s got support from all sides, and yes, he’s a great guy.

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Happy birthday to some of our friends and fellow Villens here this week: Happy birthday to a good guy, and a local guy, who happens to be a great electrician as well, Steve Mirabella. We hope he has a great day for himself. One of our favorite ladies, Beth Chamberlain, is celebrating this week. We wish Beth a very happy birthday.

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Last week the administration unrolled the proposed budget for fiscal 2017, to the Board of Alderman, which has some pretty interesting items. Just as an observation, we took a look at the budget and upon opening it, we thought we were opening up a Somerville High Year book, with all the names and possible relations. The budget once again is increased about 5% over last year. Oh yes, they will use those words “over last year.” What they won’t tell you is that in at least the last 12 years the budget increased each year over the previous year. So if the budget increases approximately 5% each year that could mean over let’s just say 12 years that would be an increase of approximately 79.58% compounded over those years, almost double. New job creations again appear in the budget, along with big raises for the elected officials and department heads, and non-union personnel. For instance, the alderman, which is a part time position, is looking at pay of about $40K per alderman, again part time. Oh yes, they will say they work hard, and we agree. Some do, but it seems like the aldermen over the years have created more committees and commissions than what they used to have. They have created committees that they can pass off as attending and working hard. We don’t think the aldermen deserve $40K a year, and they are asking for a legislator liaison at a salary of about $65K now. Next year they will ask for two, and so it goes. All taxpayers and rent payers should be concerned, watch the meetings and have your voice heard.

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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. Someone asked online why we keep these two websites in Newstalk. We guess it’s because we like them.

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On the budget again, we noticed a lot of vacant positions with a salary. Where does that money go?  We noticed as well employees on paid leave of absence. Why are we paying for someone not to work for over a year in one instance? Why are we paying high salaries for people who don’t even live in the city, non-union people who are appointed by the mayor? Lots of questions. Let’s see how much of a dog and pony show the aldermen give the administration, but in the end voted to approve without cutting. You can go online to our website and read some of the names of employees in various departments, and if you’re from here you’ll recognize those names with relatives on the payroll. But a lot of newbies have moved here so it’s cool to hire relatives because they won’t be able to connect the dots. We heard one family has over nine relatives working for the city.

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The Somerville Times is in the process of putting out some more boxes, approximately 12 more in strategic places to make it more accessible. There will be some new boxes at Assembly Square as well. A list of boxes will be out with a map showing where you can get the paper, even outside the boxes. If you would like to see the paper at some location near you, call us at 617-666-4010.

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For those that might be interested in obtaining certification for firearms should look up the Lawrence Rod & Gun Club. They provide 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. We’ve been told that the course has seen a major increase in people applying for it, especially women. We can tell you first hand here that it’s a great course and quite thorough. The same goes for this in Newstalk. The club has informed us that many residents of Somerville have called or gone to the club to find out about certification.

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For the best coffee and Donuts again we hope you consider Demet’s Donuts on Mystic Avenue in Medford. We need a real donut shop here in the Ville that is similar. Don’t forget, their egg breakfast sandwiches are made fresh and much better than those sold at franchise places. Also, you can pick up a copy of The Somerville Times there as well.

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Local guy and business man Zachary Zasloff, who is SVP of www.shoebuy.com, was recently appointed by the mayor to the Condominium Board of Directors. He’s a good guy who we know will bring new enthusiasm to that board. Speaking of boards, how come we have the same people on the boards making decisions without having a new perspective on things here in the city. A lot of newcomers here, like Zack himself, deserve a chance to contribute to our community. We know some board members who have sat on boards for over 20 years and some others for over 25 years. Maybe, just maybe, they are looking for a pension from the city. No wonder the pension cost has gone up in Somerville.

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There was a wild turkey or turkeys running around Ten Hills, lower Temple Street this past couple of weeks. One morning holding up traffic. The turkey couldn’t decide which side to head towards, pacing back and forth. Finally, he ran over to the right side. One day at the lights he ran out from under 93 and came right up to the cars at the lights. If he hangs around much longer he’s going to get a nickname, like all Villens.

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The moon bats over in Cambridge recently voted to do away with Columbus Day and change the name “Indigenous People Day.” Rumor has it that some our own moon bats on the Board of Alderman are looking to follow suit.

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Congratulations to the Somerville School Committeeman from Ward Six, who is heading into a new job as town manager of Amherst. He might have to leave his post on the School Board very soon, so depending on this resignation date, there might be a special election in Ward 6 this year or not. He has represented his ward and the city with class and respect. We wish him the very best in his new position.

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Nice new padded chairs in the galley at the Board of Alderman chambers. Very nice, and finally deserving after many years. Some of us still remember those hardwood benches with no pads.

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The City of Somerville is going to be celebrating 175 years as the breakaway from Charlestown and becoming a separate city. We bet there is a parade in the works.

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The Somerville Sunsetters are coming to a street near you! The Sunsetters, a traveling youth performance troupe that performs classic show tunes and modern musicals in Somerville neighborhoods throughout July and August, is now booking shows for the summer 2016 season. Residents interested in hosting a performance in your neighborhood should contact Jackie Rossetti at 617-625-6600 ext. 2614, orJRossetti@somervillema.gov. Performances are held Monday through Thursday evenings, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., in July and August. Some blackout dates apply. Performance slots fill up quickly, so book yours today.

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Join the Friends of the Somerville Public Library for a six-mile tour of the three Somerville Public Library locations, with refreshments and activities along the way. Adults $10, kids ride free. All proceeds go to support library programs and services. Meet up at the West Branch, 40 College Avenue, near Davis Square, starting at 9:15 a.m. for bike decorating and donuts. The ride begins at 10:00 a.m. Somerville Police will escort the ride through the city.