(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 Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

A monthly look at ways to get involved with your city: Don’t just live in Somerville, be Somerville!

Don’t Forget to Vote, November 5

Remember to visit your polling place on Tuesday, November 5, to cast your ballot in the municipal election. This year there are contested races for Mayor, Councilor-at-Large, and Ward 3 School Committee. Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and if you’re not sure where you vote, you can use the address lookup tool at www.somervillema.gov/mysomerville to find out. Because of ongoing construction at Somerville High School, the polling locations for Ward 3 Precincts 1 and 2 have been relocated. Ward 3 Precinct 1 residents will vote at Properzi Manor, 13-25 Warren Ave., and Ward 3 Precinct 2 residents will vote at the Cummings School, using the entrance at 42 Prescott St. You can fine more information about the upcoming election and voting at www.somervillema.gov/elections.

Scary and not-so-scary fun seekers took part in the festivities at last Sunday’s “Monster Mashed-Up” extravaganza on Somerville Ave. ~Photos by Claudia Ferro

The last SomerStreets festival of the year, the spooky and fun “Monster Mashed-Up” took place last Sunday on Somerville Ave. between Union Square and Park St.

SomerStreets is the City of Somerville’s take on the internationally renowned Open Streets concept, closing busy city streets to vehicles, and opening them up for cycling, walking, dancing, running, and other modes of activity. Through SomerStreets, the city and its community partners aim to promote and encourage easy access to physical activity, fresh foods, and reconnecting with neighborhoods and businesses and their unique cultural elements in a thriving urban environment.

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers and EMT’s were dispatched to the intersection of Beacon St. and Beacon Pl. last Saturday for a motor vehicle accident.

Upon arrival, police were met by two ambulances and three fire units. The officers observed a motor vehicle situated at an angle with the driver side damaged.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

I heard these wise words on a Kia commercial: “The problem of holding onto the past, is that if we’re always looking back, we can’t see what’s coming.”

I am proud to have been part of the team that competed for and won the 2009 All America City award. It was a great bunch of Somer-Villens who worked hard together for months. The contingent consisted of former and current elected officials, folks with diverse ethnic backgrounds longtime and newly arrived residents, old and young. We spread the Somerville spirit and conveyed our city’s determination for improvement, progress, and growth. I think we should all reassess our pride in Somerville with its colorful past and encouraging future.

The City Council is asking the Chief of Police and the Chief Fire Engineer to share information gleaned from their meetings with Spectra Energy relating to possible risks public safety posed by gas pipelines.

By Jim Clark

An order was put forward at the latest regular meeting of the Somerville City Council asking that the Chief of Police and the Chief Fire Engineer provide an update on upcoming and past meetings with Spectra Energy (now Enbridge) related to the Algonquin Gas Transmission line and the J2 loop and any communications on risks and safety procedures related to those pipelines.

On October 5, nine city council candidates and two mayoral candidates appeared before an audience of 75 climate change preparedness advocates and answered tough questions about how Somerville will prepare for, and in any way possible lessen or prevent, the many impacts we will face in the near future.

A number of questions for and responses by candidates for Councilor At-Large are presented here to help you decide who should get your vote:

The Little Sisters of the Poor are holding their very last Bazaar on on Saturday, November 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. They hope to have a large showing in order to continue to support the residents through this transition process and in order to bring a lot of Christmas cheer into the home. Please go out and support this home. They always have great raffles, food and much more. The Little Sisters of the Poor is located at 186 Highland Ave.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD), in collaboration with the Craig Corporation are pleased to announce the affordable rental opportunity for one (1) rental apartment at 100 Fellsway West, Somerville. The apartment is available for rent through the Inclusionary Housing Program via an application and lottery process for income-eligible households with a combined gross income that meets the income eligibility requirements detailed below.

Everett High School’s Crimson Tide rolled over the SHS Highlanders last Friday in 50-7 point rout. — Photos by Adam Parise

By Adam Parise

Your Somerville Highlanders were back in action last Friday evening, October 18, 2019 as they played one of the best teams in the MIAA, the Everett Crimson Tide. The game was played at Everett Memorial Stadium with kickoff at 5:00 p.m. Somerville dropped a heartbreaker to Everett with a final score of 50-7. The team’s only touchdown was scored by Quarterback Louis Montina, which came in the first quarter.

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.