On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

On Thanksgiving Day I always count my blessings. I have lots of memories of many Thanksgivings. Most of those memories began while seated at the “kid’s table.” That was the best place to eat because the parents were away from us at the big table so we could fool around a lot. I remember having lots of fun at that table. We were young and carefree.

Roger Galan shows off over 600 Somerville signatures for the Local Hiring Ordinance. – Photo by Andrew Firestone

Constitutional clash inching forward?

By Andrew Firestone

Debate over Somerville’s proposed Local Hiring Ordinance continued in earnest last week, November 17, at a special session of the legislative matters committee of the Board of Alderman. There, the aldermen listened the competing legal opinions of the City Solicitor, and Sugar Law Center lawyer Mark Stern.

Commander Bill Hardy of VWF George Dilboy Post #529 was all smiles last year when the new post’s design was publicly unveiled. – Photo by Andrew Firestone

Summer street controversy claims first casualty

By Andrew Firestone

Last week the Dilboy VFW Post 529 at 371 Summer St. in Davis Square was shut down due to being out of fire regulations, according to Fire Chief Kevin Kelleher. The dilapidated building was finally put out of commission when city and state inspectors found that there was no sprinkler system, and the occupancy level was too high at over 100 people. Despite efforts to limit space, such as walling up game rooms with concrete in the basement, city inspectors declared the building unfit for assembly. If the occupancy is lowered to 95 with the aid of an architect or experienced planner, then the building can reopen.

Walmart plans to turn the vacant Circuit City store on Mystic Avenue (above) into a Walmart Neighborhood Market, like this one (below) in Kansas.

Neighborhood Market grocery store planned for Assembly Square

By Elizabeth Sheeran

A coalition of labor, small business, and other community groups have banded together to do something about Walmart’s plans to open a grocery store in Somerville. But they are not sure what that “something” should be.

Firstly, all of us here at The Somerville News wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. Donald and Patricia Norton, Billy and Marissa Tauro, along with Cam Toner, Bobbie Toner, Jim Clark, Andrew Firestone, and all the writers of The News hope everyone is spending it with their families and friends this special day to give thanks for all our blessings, especially our families.

The startling events that took place at 19 Oxford St. were discussed by law enforcement officials and concerned neighbors at last week’s informational meeting. – Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Andrew Firestone

Neighbors expressed unease at the prospect of seeing their criminal neighbors last Tuesday, November 14, at a special neighborhood meeting led by Police Chief Thomas Pasquarello at the East Somerville Public Safety building. At the meeting, the neighbors received information regarding the alleged “shake-and-bake” method of methamphetamine production and discussed the fallout on their neighborhood.

Detective Mario Oliveira is honored by Gov. Deval Patrick at the 28th Hanna Awards. – Photo by JoeBrownPhotos.com

By Andrew Firestone

When Detective Mario Oliveira stood in the great hall of the State House the other day, surrounded by gallantly dressed police and the music of bagpipes, he reflected on the generosity of spirit of those that helped him in his time of need. “The whole community has rallied around me and my family, and I can never repay them for that,” he said. “I’ll never forget what everybody did and it’s helped me heal and get back on my feet and resume my life.”

Some of us have it better than others, it goes without saying. Conversely, many of us may be struggling to simply make ends meet. One thing that unites us all in common spirit is the heartfelt acknowledgement of what we do have to be grateful for.

Whatever our circumstances may be, each and every one of us has blessings to count and thanks to be given for them. Thanksgiving Day gives Americans an opportunity to express that gratitude to God, as well as extending the spirit of fellowship and goodwill to one another.

Arrests:
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Jamie Boulger, 20, of 40 Grant St., November 14, 3:00 p.m., arrested at 77 Middlesex Ave. on a warrant charge of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Dennis Roach, 44, of 2 Blackstone Rd., Quincy, November 15, 12:35 p.m., arrested at 1 Davis Square on a warrant charge of larceny over $250.

By Andrew Firestone

A 55-year-old woman is recovering at Mass General Hospital today after being seriously injured by a city dump truck on Friday, November 18.