Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

I heard these wise words on a Kia commercial: “The problem of holding onto the past, is that if we’re always looking back, we can’t see what’s coming.”

I am proud to have been part of the team that competed for and won the 2009 All America City award. It was a great bunch of Somer-Villens who worked hard together for months. The contingent consisted of former and current elected officials, folks with diverse ethnic backgrounds longtime and newly arrived residents, old and young. We spread the Somerville spirit and conveyed our city’s determination for improvement, progress, and growth. I think we should all reassess our pride in Somerville with its colorful past and encouraging future.

Sure, we can complain about what we don’t like about our city. Detours, bus lanes, and so many bikes. Anyone in any growing and changing city feels the same way when we have to adapt to a monkey wrench being tossed into our routines. But change can’t come without sacrifice. Even as we are submerged in so much change at one time, there’s still a lot to like too. Don’t lose sight of the good things. This week let’s concentrate on the positive and put the negativity aside for a while.

SomerStreets’ recent Monster Mash-up was fun and festive time for everyone. The city has a lot to offer so let’s not lose sight of how cool Somerville is.

After living in Somerville my whole life I think the first feeling that comes to mind is being comfortable. I have favorite restaurants, pubs and stores and know all the shortcuts to get there in traffic. I have my favorite spot to park and sip coffee while listening to sports radio on an early Saturday morning.

I asked some other Somerville people what they liked about living here. Yes, it’s time to be positive! This is what I threw out there: I love Somerville because…

“Learning to circumvent the different neighborhoods there as a kid, prepared me on how to operate in third world countries.”

“For all the wonderful memories I have of growing up there.”

“We were all incredibly fortunate to grow up in Somerville in a time when families had dinner together and went to church together.”

“We all played together to learn what team work and compromise was all about, when friendships were important and respect for each other really mattered.”

“A place we learned right from wrong and what hard work was.”

“To be confident and have the tools to go out in the world and make a difference in your own life and everyone around you!”

If you grew up in Somerville in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s or 80’s, you enjoyed special times.

As a lifer here in the 02144 zip code, my good memories of Somerville are many. It’s nice when I bump into a guy at Stop ‘N Shop who sat beside me in ninth grade Algebra class. I still enjoy attending a class reunion now and then.

Some long time Somerville people went on to be great elected officials. They took their love for the city to new heights. Men like Gene Brune left a legacy that includes the rejuvenation of Somerville, including the Red Line extension. He picked the city up, dusted it off, and pointed Somerville in the right direction. I have great faith that some of our current ejected officials will leave us with good things to remember them by.

People who love Somerville have deep rooted friendships. Many of us were born here and never left, except to go on vacation. Some moved to Billerica, which is sometimes referred to as “Somerville with trees,” and some found more for their real estate dollars further away from Boston and The Ville. A lot of these transplants can be heard saying, “I’m glad I left Somerville before it changed and became unaffordable.”

Though some may be disgruntled with so much change so fast, Somerville has always been and always will be a proud city. We overcame a somewhat shady past that involved crooked politics. We became a more diversity aware and nurturing place to live.

A true lover of Somerville can remember the good old days while embracing the future. And it’s only natural that we freak out when we hear that a student housing development may obliterate a big hunk of Davis Square. Hopefully, it will never happen and we won’t lose The Burren, McKinnons, Sliggo and other businesses. I believe voters would like to think that their elected officials would also see the importance of preserving some semblance of our past and history.

So no matter how much we miss them, we’re not gonna see Brigham’s, The Venice Cafe, Johnny D’s, Frascati’s, The Jumbo, The Paddock, Dapper Dan’s, BoBo’s, Khoury’s, or Patsy’s suddenly reappear. And if they do, our old friends aren’t going to still be inside. Time goes on. I should say time flies by because it does. I’m going to try to enjoy every day the best I can. They say having a positive attitude and a rosy outlook is good for your health. I’m going to give it a try. Live and let live and family first.

The detours, closures and ongoing construction throughout the city is only going to become more difficult when the snow arrives. Now’s the time for all of us to suck it up. Breathe, then breathe again. Grab your coffee, pack up the car, and head out a little earlier. If you’re a little late I’m sure your wonderful boss will understand.

A growing city has to have some pitfalls to deal with. Remember, the current annoyances are not going to last forever. When the smoke clears, we will have some sparkling and safer bridges, a brand new state of the art high school, and six exciting new T stops around the city. Stake your ground now because Somerville is still leading the way and soon will be THE place to live! Of course, we all feel that way already. I wouldn’t live anywhere else.

And while we’re at it, please give one of your four Councilor At-Large votes to our good friend Jack Connolly. As a lifelong Somerville resident, family man, successful business man, and former elected official, Jack’s proven track record is very much needed as Somerville braces for more changes than ever. Jack understands the needs of the city and will work together with the community to make sure Somerville remains the great city it is. So please give Jack one of your Councilor At-Large votes on Tuesday, November 5.