The purpose of this letter to you today is to express my complete outrage of the actions by one of your fellow aldermen, Mr. Walter Pero of Ward 4. I had the sad task of attending the funeral of Keri McCarthy. Ms. McCarthy was a young lady who was taken from this life far too soon at the age of 35. Her funeral mass was celebrated at Saint Ann's Church on Wednesday, May 26th at 10 am. The funeral procession originated from Doherty Funeral Home on Powder House Square. The outpouring of support for the family was overwhelming as family and friends gathered to pay their respects and bid farewell to this fine lady. The funeral procession made its way to Saint Ann's with the help of the Somerville Police Department utilizing motorcycles and patrol cars. As we approached the church, the funeral home staff did their best to accommodate parking for approximately fifty to sixty cars, but there was simply not enough room in the church parking lot. A decision was made to block Thurston Street and park the extra cars there, thus blocking the street and those parked on the street from moving for the duration of the funeral mass. The mourners entered the church and a very difficult day for all involved continued with the funeral liturgy.

While the mourners were attending the service Mr. Pero exited his house and made his way across the street as he complained about the parking situation. He berated Patrick Doherty who was the funeral director, demanding explanations as to why the cars were parked as they were. Mr. Doherty tried to explain, acknowledging that the parking situation was less than ideal but given the circumstances and the size of the funeral procession that his options were very limited. Mr. Pero would hear none of it. He was ranting and raving "what if there was a fire or medical emergency?" Mr. Doherty continually assured Mr. Pero that his staff and the Somerville Police would be on hand throughout the entire funeral service should such a calamity occur, to assist in moving the cars. However, the funeral mass had begun and there was no way it could be stopped. Then Mr. Pero, showing total disregard for the family and the funeral attendee's demanded that the police ticket the cars that were parked in the street.

I was outraged, here is an elected official, supposedly there to serve the city of Somerville and he shows no respect or sympathy for the very people he is there to represent. I pray Mr. Pero never has to endure the heartbreak that the McCarthy family has suffered. Would Mr. Pero be so concerned about parking if one of his family member's funeral mass caused such parking issues? In an effort to work with Mr. Pero, the Somerville police and the Doherty Funeral Home personal offered Mr. Pero a ride to anywhere he would need to go while the cars were blocking the street. Other church neighbors' cars were blocked and they did come to the front of the church to inquire about the length of the service. They showed compassion and cooperation, neither of which was displayed by the antics of Mr. Pero. The people of Somerville need to know the cold and uncaring nature of this so-called public servant. Shame on YOU, Mr. Pero.

Sincerely,

Robert Sodi

Winchester, Ma.

CC: Mr. John Connolly

Mr. Patrick Doherty