News Talk for the week of Jan. 3

Well the State of the City Address was held Monday night and along with the mayor’s speech on customer service he gave, the President of the Board of Aldermen Bob Trane gave his speech on the outlook for 2007 as well as the new School Committee Chairwoman Roberta Bauer. City hall was well-packed Monday night, mostly city employees and a scattering of the public in attendance.

Gun vs. knife, cop vs. crook
By George P. Hassett

A Somerville police officer drew his weapon, finger off the trigger, on a 20 year old Lee Street man in the early hours of Monday morning on Highland Ave.
  John Whalen, 20, of 10 Lee St., allegedly attacked a motorist on Highland Ave. Whalen allegedly took a knife from his pants pocket and said, ‚ÄúI‚Äôll stab you,‚Äù to the victim. The victim retreated to his vehicle and police observed Whalen punching the the window of the car and screaming.

The View From Prospect Hill for the week of Jan. 3

The nation’s first flag was raised in this city. And since that time, history has proven, as Somerville goes, so goes the American city. In the 1950’s we were a tight-knit community of two and three family homes based on simple concepts such as family, shared religion and loyalty. In the 1970’s and 80’s the city experienced an economic decline and watched friends and relatives flee to far way “havens” like Billerica. And, recently, we have experienced a renaissance that threatens to change our city more than any two-faced politician or Winter Hill gangster could ever dream. But time marches on, regardless of how we feel about it and here are seven predictions we feel will come true in 2007.

1. Aldermen President Bob Trane‚Äôs comments will alternate between hysterical and inappropriate during televised public meetings.  Anybody who knows him knows Trane loves an audience and a chance to make us laugh. But in this era of progressive pussy-footing, will he offend the politically correct?

Government with a smile?
Mayor emphasizes customer service in city government

By Andrea Gregory

The major themes running through Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone’s State of the City Address were customer service and community involvement.

Curtatone said the city had a good year in 2006 and now is the time to take the city further down the right path. However, that doesn’t happen alone, he added.

 

Fire hits Vernon Street home
By Andrea Gregory

Steve Moreira stood behind the yellow, plastic banner that police had tacked up to secure the area. It was New Year’s Day. and it was not how Moreira imagined starting the year.
  ‚ÄúIt‚Äôs tough,‚Äù he said, watching firemen rush in and out of his house.

Rising to the occasion
By Andrea Gregory

George Washington tilted his head. The puddle of water that had collected inside the brim of his tri-corner hat poured out in a stream. The rain showed no sign of letting up, but Acting Police Chief Robert R. Bradley stayed in character.
  From up on his horse, Bradley said he has been playing the role of our country‚Äôs first president for seven years. Every New Year‚Äôs Day he saddles up his 19-year-old Wisperwon Mr. America, his beloved horse, and rides from city hall to Prospect Hill Park. It‚Äôs tradition and it is an important piece of Somerville‚Äôs history, he said from his post.