(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)

To the editor:

Regarding the proposed real estate transfer tax, a few points need to be made.

1. A transfer tax is a sales tax, and sales taxes are regressive by nature and disproportionately burden those who can afford it least.

Each May, many cycling enthusiasts participate in activities celebrating National Bike month. Here in Somerville, the Somerville Bike Committee and others are knee deep in the hooplah.

Cycling has grown in popularity and practice in recent years, and the numbers of those who commute to and from work or school, go shopping, or simply take leisurely rides on their bikes has grown considerably. It is a trend that has taken hold nationwide.

Passersby at the Powderhouse rotary may on occasion be treated to a musical performance by a gentleman playing his saxophone inside the rotary space. Be sure to applaud as you pass him by.

— Photo by Claudia Ferro

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Michael Casey was recently on my Somerville Media Show Poet to Poet/Writer to Writer, where we discussed his new book of poetry. Here is a review of the book by Dennis Daly.

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Jon D. Lee is the author of three books, including An Epidemic of Rumors: How Stories Shape Our Perceptions of Disease, and These Around Us. His poems have appeared, or are forthcoming, in Sierra Nevada Review, Connecticut River Review, The Laurel Review, Oregon Literary Review, and Clover, A Literary Rag, as well as the anthology Follow The Thread, and a craft essay on how humor creates motion and meaning in poetry is forthcoming in The Writer’s Chronicle. He has an MFA in Poetry from Lesley University, and a PhD in Folklore. Lee teaches at Suffolk University, and spends his spare time with his wife and children.

An evening of International flavors! Sample immigrant-run local restaurants- Featuring Keynote Speaker: Roberto G. Gonzales

Explore food from around the world at the 9th Annual YUM: A Taste of Immigrant City on Thursday, April 26, 2018 from 7pm-9pm at The Center for Arts at the Armory in Somerville. VIP reception beginning at 6:00 pm.

Arrests:
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 Gabriel Santana, of 8 Columbia Rd., Dorchester, April 17, 4:44 a.m., arrested at Alston St. on warrant charges of speeding, marked lanes violation, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Annual event brings city’s youngest residents to City Hall for a day of civic engagement

On Wednesday, April 25, children and teachers from childcare and preschool programs across the city will gather at Somerville’s City Hall for a day of celebration and civic engagement as part of the national 2018 “Week of the Young Child” celebration. Somerville’s youngest residents will be joined by local dignitaries and early education leaders from around the state, to celebrate young children and the critical role of early education in preparing our youngest learners for a lifetime of success. More than 200 preschoolers are expected to descend on City Hall next Wednesday morning for a special event that will include singing in multiple languages, touring various city hall offices to learn about city management, participating in a civic engagement activity, and being part of a proclamation reading by Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone.

By Adam E. Moreira

To discuss a potential rerouting of the MBTA #91 bus route in the Lincoln Park neighborhood as well as other transportation and traffic safety matters in the Union and Inman Square area, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Alderman-at-Large Stephanie Hirsch, Ward 2 Alderman J.T. Scott, Ward 3 Alderman Ben Ewen-Campen, and the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development invite you to a forum on Tuesday, April 24. The forum will be broken down into five subject-specific segments, so you can drop in for a topic you’re most interested in or stick around for them all. The schedule will be:

Somerville Affordable Housing Trust Fund now accepting proposals in two categories: Rental assistance programs or development projects creating affordable housing units

The Somerville Affordable Housing Trust (SAHT) invites local residents, organizations, and businesses to submit applications for the funding of eligible affordable housing programs or projects via its annual distribution of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds.  A total of $1,200,402 in fiscal year 2018 CPA funds have been designated by the Somerville Community Preservation Committee for allocation by the Affordable Housing Trust to benefit residents of Somerville. These CPA Community Housing funds are available through two competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) processes to provide funding for: