(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

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

Join a Board or Commission

Joining a City board or commission is a great way to get more involved with issues that you care deeply about and right now several have openings for new members. The Planning Board, Somerville Redevelopment Authority, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Somerville Historic Preservation Commission are currently accepting applications for new members. Each of these groups deals with important issues around construction and development – both on a large scale and on a smaller scale, like home renovations. You can learn more about what each board or commission does, what is involved in being a member, and how to apply at www.somervillema.gov/besomerville. And don’t forget to check back for future opportunities to serve on boards and commissions related to other issues.

~Photos by Jennifer Grimes

By Jennifer Grimes

Saturday June 22 was the perfect day for Somerville’s summertime event, which was held from 12 p.m.- 4 p.m. The sun brightened stretches of grass on Trum Field, the breeze was gentle, and the clouds ceased to threaten rain.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the area of the Kmart store on Middlesex Ave. on reports of three shoplifters at large.

Upon arrival, a Kmart Loss Prevention Officer informed the police that he had attempted to stop three males who had stolen jewelry and watches from the store. The three men had refused to stop for him.

Due to emergency water repairs on Alewife Brook Parkway, the Dilboy Pool will be temporarily closed for a portion of the day today, Thursday, June 27. The pool is expected to reopen by approximately 2:30 p.m. Thursday, however please check www.somervillerec.com or call 311 for updates.

(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 Stephen Mackey, president/CEO of the Somerville Chamber of Commerce

The City of Somerville faces unprecedented financial pressure as it heads into 2020. Big bills are coming due at City Hall for a number of substantial capital projects. For example:

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

65 Holland St., outside Davis Square is now the site of Orleans, and The Bull Pen before that, and maybe a few others. I can’t keep track of all the restaurants that have come and gone. Back in the day it was The Venice Café, where you could get spaghetti and (huge) meatballs, antipasto, veal parmesan, chicken (marsala) dinners, seafood and fantastic pizza, and of course beverages of all kinds. The red wine flowed freely there. The Venice Café is one of those historic old places that a lot of Somerville people remember with a smile. For many of us it was the first real restaurant our parents took us to, especially if you lived near Davis Square.

ACCESS Drug User Health Program, in conjunction with the cities of Somerville and Everett, held a discussion forum last week focusing reducing drug overdoses. ~Photos by Melissa Rosales

By Melissa Rosales

ACCESS Drug User Health Program partnered with the City of Somerville and Everett to discuss overdose aftercare services, harm reduction and the use of fentanyl strips last Wednesday, June 19 at the Public Safety Building, 220 Washington St. The ACCESS mobile health van was also present for tours to explain how they can assist in reducing overdoses.

(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 William C. Shelton

Somerville is in the midst of a deepening crisis. The Mayor and others have named it a “housing crisis.” But the crisis is systemic, and our shrinking stock of affordable housing is only one aspect.

Mayor Joe Curtatone held his re-election event this past Monday. About 80 – most were payroll patriots employees – showed up at this campaign kickoff. We heard his campaign even did robo-calls. One of our Newstalkers mentioned that he got a call about the kickoff and couldn’t figure out why. He is a registered Republican and has never gone to any of Mayor Joe’s fundraisers. The new Dilboy Post is said to hold way over a 100 and something. It must have looked bare, with only 80 people present. One person told us that in his speech he mentioned Donald Trump 19 times. Now, don’t you think he should have been talking about development and various projects going on in the city? We couldn’t find out why the Personnel Director, who we heard hasn’t received a college degree, had her salary shoot up to $147K. That must piss off some other department heads. Does the DPW Commissioner Stan Koty make that amount?

By Erin Nolan

Last week, Sgt. George R. Schipani was finally returned to his hometown of Somerville for the first time in almost 70 years. Schipani, who was killed in action during the Korean War in early 1951, was buried with full military honors, including a procession led by Massachusetts State Police and the Somerville Police Department, at Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery on Saturday, June 22.