A listening session was held last week discussing the process of developing a new park at 217 Somerville Ave. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

On Thursday of last week, residents of Somerville came together to discuss the transformation of 217 Somerville Ave. into a public park. Preceded by an official community meeting the night before, this listening session was held for those who had been unable to attend as well as anyone who wanted to hear more about the project or speak directly to public space planner Jon Bronenkant.

The Somerville Fair Housing Commission, a nonpartisan group of citizens serving the community, asked candidates for Mayor and School Committee a set of questions about Fair Housing in 2021 and again this year, in 2023.

Question 5: If you are elected, what will you do on the following issues to address systemic housing discrimination against protected classes and to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing in Somerville?

1. a) Policies and programs Somerville can use to diversify neighborhoods
2. b) Continuing to protect and enforce condominium conversion restrictions and other measures to ensure housing for families with children
3. c) Preventing discrimination against disabled individuals in need of housing that have emotional support animals
4. d) Preventing discrimination against households with Section 8 Vouchers or other rental subsidies

Community members are invited to celebrate the completion of the Phillip Reavis, Sr. Field, the high school’s first ever onsite field space. This 45,000 square foot practice field consists of artificial turf with a natural wood infill and is built in the area of a former steep slope behind the high school and adjacent to the new Gilman Square MBTA stop. A ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony will be held on Thursday, October 26, at noon, Somerville High School (81 Highland Ave.).

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

By Will Mbah
Candidate for Somerville City Councilor at Large

As an environmental scientist, I have been following closely the city’s actions to support the transition to electric vehicles. I and my colleagues on the City Council took the first steps in 2018, when we adopted the Climate Forward Plan. In 2019, we authorized the Office of Sustainability and Environment to study and fix a strategy for installing EV Charging Stations around the city. And in 2020 the consultant’s report on siting Public Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment was received. It has guided subsequent city actions with the goal of reducing to Net Zero our vehicle carbon emissions by 2050.

The Somerville Museum would like to thank the Somerville High School Class of 1960 for supporting our Access for All & More Fundraising Campaign.

The Class of 1960 have been supporters of the museum for many years and will be remembered on our exterior donor display that include those that have donated $1,000 or more to allow the museum to reach our ever-important goal of making the Somerville Museum more accessible to the community.

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A perfect recipe for brunch. I use a rice maker to cook, then keep the oats warm until I’m ready to serve. That means I can prepare other dishes without having to constantly stir the pot. Well, at least not this pot anyway.

For some of us it feels like forever since we’ve shaken off the cares and concerns that seem to be bearing down so heavily as we observe the divisions and discord that has been so prevalent in our society over the past few years.

The local election is just around the corner, and the national election is coming up next year. The balance of power in Washington will be in play, and more than ever it seems as though so much will be at stake in that particular election cycle, no matter which side we align with.

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Review by Dennis Daly

When tonality rides along the surface in poetry the results often appear strangely profound. In Thomas DeFreitas’ new book, Swift River Ballad, the poet pilots his paper boat of sorts down a torrent of uplifting canticles and unsettling hymns, seeking the truth, but missing the dangerous rocks and eddies along the way.

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The poet writes, “My name is Holly Grover and I am a student at Endicott College majoring in early childhood education. In my free time I like to hang out with my friends and go to the beach. This poem was written in free verse for a poetry class with Professor Dan Sklar.  I am also an after school prek/k teacher in Beverly. My experiences and interactions with my students at work influenced this poem.”