Somerville residents and neighboring commuters are gritting their teeth and girding themselves for the tough times ahead following the Broadway Bridge closure.

By Jim Clark

With the recent announcement of motor vehicle and pedestrian detours as a result of the year-long Broadway Bridge closure, many area residents and those who commute through the area on a daily basis are expressing fear and anger at what is being regarded as an imminent disaster in the making.

But according to Ward 5 Alderman Mark Niedergang, options are being considered that may alleviate some of the anticipated disarray, particularly in the Ball Square area.

The Welcome Project participated in the We Are One Somerville: Sanctuary City Rally in February 2017. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Shira Laucharoen

Since its launch in March 2018, the Somerville Response Network has remained an active resource for immigrant residents, having been developed by The Welcome Project as a system to be employed in the event of ICE raids in the city.  Creators have said it is their hope to never have to use the program, but to be ready and prepared in case it is needed.

Somerville Overcoming Addiction will be holding their 5th Annual Vigil at Trum Field on September 12 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend and participate.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy Birthday to local East Somerville guy, Bill MacLeod, a lifelong resident and nice guy. We wish him the best on this his birthday. Happy birthday to another local guy who is very well known since he and his lovely wife moved to Somerville, Zach Zasloff, who is Chairman of the local Condo Review Board. Again, a great guy. Happy birthday Zach! Happy birthday to Maria Mancini, formerly of Winter Hill. We hope she has a great birthday. Happy birthday to Tony Caliri. We hope he has a great birthday as well. Happy birthday to good friend of ours, Brendan Cunningham. We wish him a great day as well. Happy birthday to Stephen Shea. We hope he has a great birthday. To Kaitlin Norton, a happy birthday to her as well as her brother, Corey Norton. Wishing them both a happy birthday this week. And finally, Alicia Lafuente – we know, we mentioned her last week but her actual birthday is this week. Again, to a very nice lady and professional businesswomen. We wish her the very best. To all the others here in the city who are celebrating their birthdays this week and we missed you here, we wish a happy birthday to you.

By Stephanie Hirsch
Alderman At-Large

(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)

After reading Alderman Connolly’s column last week, I wanted to share my view of Somerville after seven months of service as an elected official.

First, here’s what I think Alderman Connolly gets right – I believe there are divisions in our community. And, too often, groups divide along lines of background, class, and generation.

By Greg Karczewski
President of US2

You may have read the Green Line is coming.  U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, Governor Baker and other state and local officials broke ground on the Green Line Extension in June right in Union Square.

The extension of the Green Line to Somerville, and Union Square in particular, is a catalyst for economic development that will create an employment hub and the daytime foot traffic needed to keep our small (and big) businesses thriving.  It’s a substantial step toward realizing many of the community’s SomerVision goals through the Union Square revitalization project (USQ).

Those in public service to our state must be ready willing and able to rise to the occasion when called upon to do so. Each one of us, whoever we may be supporting in this year’s statewide election, is searching our heart to determine whom we feel will best fill those roles.

Most of us seem to be very confident that our favored candidates are up to the task. Others bemoan a lack of integrity or skills required to do the job well among those who are running.

Eagle Feathers #159 – Longfellow

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born in Portland, Maine, on February 27, 1807, when Maine was still part of Massachusetts. He was a favorite son of the city and its residents still applaud anything Longfellow. He held a Chair at Harvard University and received degrees from England’s University of Cambridge and University of Oxford.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan offered valuable safety tips to Somerville YMCA campers this summer.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan recently visited campers at the Somerville YMCA to teach them about how they can keep themselves and others safe this summer. District Attorney Ryan was joined by Chief of the Somerville Fire Department Charles Breen.

District Attorney Ryan spoke to campers about water, car, window, bike and fireworks safety; highlighting important tips for children including: never swim alone, call 9-1-1 or notify an adult if you see a child alone in a car, never play near open windows, always wear a bike helmet, and never play with fireworks or sparklers. District Attorney Ryan also talked about good decision making, and offered tips on how to avoid dangerous situations.