News Talk for the week of June 21
                                                   

News Talk didn‚Äôt care to attend the public hearing on Assembly Square last Thursday evening because we were already feeling a little queasy and we knew the dramatics of the Mystic My View Task Force would push us over the edge into full-blown nausea.  The only thing keeping this little band of elitists going at this point is their desire to prove everyone wrong.  It‚Äôs not about what is best for Somerville anymore – it‚Äôs about winning.   What a shame.

Manhole explodes, Union Square loses power

750 NStar customers are out of power in the Union Square area after a manhole exploded in front of The Independent restaurant earlier today, said Thomas P. Champion, the city’s executive director of communications.

Washington St. has been closed to traffic between McGrath Highway and Union Square.

It’s a boy!

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and his wife welcomed a newborn baby boy into the world at 2:01 p.m. today.

The birth was three weeks earlier than expected and was the third child for the Curtatone’s. The boy was 5 lbs. 13 oz and 19 inches long at birth.

This is the second child born to Curtatone since he became mayor. The last time a sitting mayor welcomed a child into the world was Mayor George Bradley, whose son, Robert, is now the acting chief of police.

Union: Mayor taking cops off the street, blackmailing us
By George P. Hassett

    Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone is endangering the citizens of Somerville by consciously taking police off the street, Police Patrolmen‚Äôs Union President Jack Leutcher said this week.
   ‚ÄúThe citizens of Somerville are receiving inferior protection, because Joe Curtatone is playing politics with people‚Äôs lives,‚Äù he said.

Sciortino concerned about sheriff’s proposal for new jail
By George P. Hassett

A preliminary plan to build a new Middlesex County jail in East Somerville is already prompting concerns from a local legislator.
    ‚ÄúThe investment of almost a quarter of a billion dollars into our jail system at a time when we have yet to restore severe cuts in funding for mental health and substance abuse programs concerns me,‚Äù state Rep. Carl M. Sciortino, D-Somerville, said.

Funding for Assembly Square T stop may be in jeopardy

By George P. Hassett

At a recent Progressive Democrats of Somerville (PDS) meeting, U.S. Congressman Michael E. Capuano, D-Somerville, said the $25 million earmarked for an MBTA station at Assembly Square would go to a different project if the area continued to be developed as a regional shopping center, said several speakers at Thursday’s public hearing on Assembly Square’s future.   

Power down in Davis

Due to a power outtage in Davis Square, several businesses are closed and every intersection in the square is without working traffic lights.

Assembly Square hearing tonight

A public hearing to discuss the future development of Assembly Square is scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight in the Aldermanic Chambers inside City Hall.