(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)

Part 1: How do we begin?
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By William C.  Shelton

Ten years ago I wrote a column in which I argued that we are incapable of complete objectivity. The most honest things we can do are to be humble before all relevant evidence, and to disclose our underlying assumptions so that others can evaluate how they have influenced what we are saying.

The Somerville School Committee and the Somerville Teachers Association (STA) Paraprofessionals Unit C reached a tentative agreement yesterday on a 3-year contract that reflects the city’s and district’s commitment to equity and the important role that Paraprofessionals play in our schools supporting and working with classroom teachers. The tentative agreement reached requires ratification by the Union membership and the School Committee. The final offer came after months of negotiation to reach a fiscally responsible and sustainable agreement acceptable to all parties.

An Open Letter from Mayor Joe Curtatone and Councilor Will Mbah on behalf of a unanimous resolution by the City Council                

It should go without saying that we’ve been through a lot in recent months. We are in the midst of a pandemic that has killed more than 100,000 people across our nation and robbed so many of friends and loved ones. We are also experiencing a nation rising up with appropriate fury at long-standing injustices after watching George Floyd killed beneath the knee of a Minneapolis police officer.

By Jim Clark

On Friday, May 29, two Somerville police officers on detail were approached by the Union Square Citizens Bank branch manager who stated that a woman had just passed a note to a teller and robbed the bank.

The manager pointed out a woman, later identified as Jodie Perkins, of Dorchester, as she crossed Union Sq. and started to walk up Webster Ave.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

If you were on the TV show Boomtown you are part of an elite, and very lucky group.

I can still sing most of the Boomtown theme song. “Come along folks ’cause we’re gonna start the fun in Boom, Boom, Boomtown!”

The locally produced live western themed show starring Rex Trailer was on the air from 1956 to 1974. We watched every week on Boston’s WBZ channel 4. The Boomtown set, which was mostly painted scenery, was located in the WBZ studio on Soldiers Field Road in Brighton. Kids that appeared on the live show were surprised when they saw the cut out sections that made up the Boomtown set. It looked very different on TV. A vibrantly colored western style town was recreated right in Brighton.

Dear Community Members,

The Shared Streets and Shared Curbs programs are being implemented in select locations throughout the city as a safety measure to help protect the public from COVID-19 exposure.
— Photos by Bobbie Toner

By Isabel Sami

The City of Somerville has started implementing a pilot for its mobility strategy in Union Square and East Somerville. Beginning June 1, East Somerville began testing Shared Streets, while on May 29 Union Square started piloting Shared Curbs, both with the goal to provide safe and open streets for residents as summer eases stay at home orders due to the pandemic. The expansion is projected to remain in place until November.

COVID-19 cases by state; CDC data as of June 7, 2020. (click to enlarge)

By Alberto Gilman

The Somerville Public Health and Public Safety Committee gathered together Monday night for their weekly virtual meeting.

Ward 6 Councilor Lance Davis called the meeting to order beginning with roll call. All eleven councilors were present.

Amal Niccoli Salon is poised to make a sweeping comeback as reopenings gradually unfold across the city.
— Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Jessica Sisavath

Lori Pino is preparing to open her salon with the new Covid-19 guidelines on June 10. Although salons and barbershops were allowed to open on June 1, Pino is taking her time to make some adjustments prior to opening to prepare her hairdressers and customers for a safe experience at Amal Niccoli.

Congratulations to all the students graduating this week! It’s been a tough and challenging time, but you all pulled through magnificently. As the world gets back to normal, your stars will shine. The Class of 2020 is the classiest of all!