By Joseph A. Curtatone

(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)

On Saturday, August 12, I – like many people across the country – watched in horror and disgust as the KKK, neo-Nazis, and other alt-right and white supremacist groups descended upon Charlottesville, Virginia, and three innocent people lost their lives. I was appalled that this was happening in the United States of America in 2017.

— Photo by Erin Wade

By Rob Carter

The Somerville Bicycle Advisory Committee (SBAC) plans to use traffic barrels to protect a new bicycle and bus lane created during the recent overhaul to Union Square’s traffic pattern.

“The No. 1 issue for cyclists is the Prospect Street bike lane being used as a parking lane,” said Mike Tremblay, Somerville’s senior transportation planner.

House Bill 2683 is set to get much needed infrastructure repairs going with leaking gas pipes, if it can pass in the State House.

By Erin Wade

The Massachusetts House of Representatives has been in session for over eight months, and state Rep. Christine Barber’s House Bill 2683 hasn’t budged from the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, where it’s sat since January 23.

The purpose of the bill is to ensure utility customers don’t pay for the cost of “leaked and unaccounted for gas,” according to the language of the bill.

Condolences to the family of Maxine C. Faulkner who passed away recently. Maxine was married to Burton Faulkner Jr. for 52 years, is from a long established family here in Somerville that gave much to the city over the years. Mrs. Faulkner is being waked at Doherty’s Funeral Home today, Wednesday, 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. and services are Thursday morning at St. Eulalia in Winchester. The Faulkner family is one of Somerville’s oldest families and have been well loved by many here over the years.

By Courtney O’Keefe
Executive Director | Somerville Local First

On behalf of the Somerville Local First Board of Directors, I would like to invite members of the public and all candidates for political office (opposed or unopposed) to join us on Tuesday, September 12, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. for a candidate meet and greet. This event will be held at Workbar Union, 31 Union Square, and light refreshments will be served.

Kelly T. Winn   November 21, 1960  –  August 19, 2017

WINN, Kelly Thomas, of Somerville, August 19, 2017. Beloved, devoted, and loving husband of Sandy (Hall) Winn and father to their daughter Kaitlyn Alyse Winn. Cherished son of Madelyn “Cookie” Winn and the late William M. Winn. Dear brother of William M. Winn, Jr. of Stoneham, Timothy F. Winn of Medford, Michael A. Winn and his wife Midgie of Salem, NH and Nancy E. Winn of Hanson. Kelly is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Eagle Feathers #136 – The Dentists

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

People often dislike dentists until they receive a smile better than the one they were born with. Much has been written about Paul Revere’s epic ride. More than most, the people of Somerville have tried to keep his remembrance alive by naming parks, businesses, memorials and buildings in his honor.

The people of Somerville gathered in Davis Square last week to show their support for the victims of violence in Charlottesville, and to disavow the hatred and intolerance that drove the situation to its tragic outcome.

Our civic leaders, both local and state level, spoke of the challenges and responsibilities that everyone shares in holding together a civilized society, free from fear of violence and oppression.

— Photo courtesy of Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts/Mae Beerman

More than 125 girls and family members gathered at Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts’ Camp Cedar Hill in Waltham to watch the solar eclipse on Monday. Pictured here, Avi Borgatti of Somerville wearing her solar eclipse glasses.

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This is an article I wrote in 2009:

Afaa Michael Weaver, 58 and Major Jackson, 40 are two major African American poets from two different generations, but they both continually feed from their shared heritage, and the continuum of the Black experience in America. Weaver, a professor of English at Simmons College in Boston, a recent Pushcart Prize winner, and the author the critically acclaimed poetry collection Plum Flower Dance (U/Pitt), and Major Jackson, the author of Hoops, an asst. professor at the University of Vermont and a core faculty member at the Bennington Writing Seminars, met for a filmed discussion at the Somerville Community Access TV studios. The show was moderated by Gloria Mindock (Cervena Barva Press) and produced by Doug Holder (Ibbetson St. Press).