(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 Joseph A. Curtatone

Taking a closer look at notable city data—and interesting numbers.

2 sides: The debate over supervised consumption facilities for persons with opioid addiction has strong opinions on both sides. Some argue the facilities can prevent overdose deaths and connect users to recovery programs. Others argue that the facilities can legitimize drug use or draw crime to the area. In Somerville, we’ve reviewed the data, and we are now looking into supervised consumption as a harm reduction tool. Harm reduction strives to minimize the risks and harms caused by drug use. It is a strategy many doctors, researchers, and advocates are calling for as part of our response to the opioid epidemic.

By Jim Clark

While on patrol along McGrath Hwy. last Thursday afternoon, a Somerville Police officer observed the operator of a moped make an illegal U-turn at the intersection of McGrath Hwy. and Greenville St.

The officer activated the cruiser’s lights and sirens and attempted to stop the moped at the intersection of McGrath Hwy. and Washington St.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

First published in the June 10, 2009 edition.

As a nosey loudmouth who always adds his two cents, whether anyone wants to hear it or not, here comes about $500.00 worth of gripes.

It’s hard enough driving in the first place, but when a jogger is running toward you in traffic, that is just plain treacherous. First, you have to swerve away from him or her because, well, it’s a natural reaction. This poses the problem of swerving into the oncoming traffic, thus scarring the hell out of the driver in the other lane. WHY? Why do you people want to give us drivers heart attacks?

Donald F. Norton– Of Somerville passed away quietly in his home, surrounded by many friends, on October 9, 2019.

Beloved husband of the late of Patricia R. (Manahan) Norton.

Dear son of the late Julia (Brosnan) Dugan and stepson of the late Raymond Dugan.

The ongoing problem of excessive airplane noise generated by flights coming out of Logan airport remains a subject of concern for both public officials and the public at large.

By Jim Clark

A meeting of the City of Somerville City Council’s Public Health and Public Safety Committee was held last month at the Somerville High School Auditorium where the topic of airplane noise in and around the city was addressed by city and state representatives, as well as members of the general public.

—Photos by Adam Parise

Last Wednesday, October 2, Somerville Residents gathered in Davis Square for the annual Candlelight Vigil in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. People took time to speak out to the crowd. Among the speakers, Mayor Joe Curtatone and other members of the city council spoke their piece on what domestic violence means to them. The event was open to the public to attend where people were holding candles while others spoke to them about domestic violence. Members of the Somerville Fire and Police Departments were also in attendance at the vigil for support.

This week, it’s the HONK! Festival 2019. The revolutionary street spectacle of never-before-seen proportions will take place October 11-13. The pre-HONK! Brass Band Blowout kicks off in Union Square on Thursday from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., followed by an indoor concert at Aeronaut Brewing Company from 10:30 to 11:15 p.m. On Friday, the Lantern making workshops take place from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., with parades departing at 6:30 p.m. from Hodgkins Park, followed by the official HONK! Kickoff Party taking place at Bow Market in Union Square from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. with an all-band revue where you will get to hear from the many bands in town for the festival. On Saturday, at 12:00 p.m., it’s the Opening Ceremony in 7 Hills Park. Come celebrate the official beginning of HONK! with the first horn blast, the HONK! Cantastoria, and the buzz and energy of over 20 brass bands converging on 7 Hills Park in Davis Square. The opening ceremony will be ASL-interpreted. The Sunday parade from Davis Square to Harvard Square will include over 60 bands and community groups. The theme this year is “We All Need a Home: Housing for All, Sanctuary for All, A Healthy Planet for All!” For more information on this year’s HONK! Festival, go online to http://honkfest.org.

Volunteers gathered at Draw Seven Park last weekend to help pick up litter that had accumulated over the past year.

By Adam Parise

On the morning of Saturday, October 5, residents participated in an annual clean up at Draw Seven Park, located right behind Assembly Square Station on the MBTA’s Orange Line.

People got to experience what it is like to save the environment by picking up trash and litter in the park. The event was open to the public and was sponsored by the Somerville Conservation Commission and the Mystic River Watershed Association.

Thursday, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed the Student Opportunity Act, an unprecedented $1.4 billion new investment over the next seven years in K-12 public education. This legislation ensures public schools have adequate resources to provide high-quality education to students across the state, regardless of zip code or income level.

Whether it be homegrown or imported, we have at our fingertips an incredibly diverse and nearly exhaustive supply of mellifluous entertainment to keep us amused and amazed as we watch it pass through our community.

The same goes for commitment to political and social issues. It’s natural for the HONK! Festival organizers to choose our community in which to hold this event. Activism thrives here, driven by a long tradition of dialog on important issues of the day and a genuine concern for the betterment of our own community as well as that of the world at large.