According to sources down at Buddy’s Truck Stop Diner on Washington Street, representatives for the Patriots owner Bob Kraft stopped in for a little breakfast one day last week. Seems like they’re pretty interested in taking a second look at the huge parcel of land down behind Inner Belt for the possibility of housing a new soccer stadium in the near future. A while back Bob Kraft was seen in the audience at Mayor Joe’s announcement for re-election ceremony Рabout 6 months ago. The stretch of land being looked at goes from Inner Belt Road almost all the way down to the old Prison Point Bridge (that’s an old name and it’s been vacant land for many years).

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Final registration for the Massachusetts Presidential Primary is January 16 at City Hall – call the election department for details. The Primary is scheduled for February 5. Also the City Democratic Committees are meeting on Saturday February 2 to select delegates to the convention.      

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The Inaugural (State of the City) Address was the other night – an observer posed a good question: ‚ÄúWhen was the last time the entire board of Alderman got re-elected?‚Äù Well from what we remember, it hasn‚Äôt happened since at least the 60‚Äôs ‚Äì there was always someone on the board who managed to be defeated every year. Says something about the current political climate doesn‚Äôt it? 
    
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The mayor announced he was going to form a Charter Commission to look into various subjects, including the way and manner our elected offices are filled – without speaking for the Mayor, we are pretty sure he was alluding to the School Committee, which our own Jamie Norton is now a member – and who has been raising this exact subject for a few years now, especially in the most recent election.

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Lots of speculation when you get a large group of Somerville people/residents together, and Monday night at the Holiday Inn was no exception‚ĶThe following names are being seriously talked about in certain circles as being viable candidates against the Queen of the Progressives – Senator Pat Jehlen – they are: Alderman Sean O‚ÄôDonovan, Alderman Dennis Sullivan (both are very popular on the Democratic side) and then there is an unnamed resident- who is young, comes from a very popular family, is well-educated and has the resources to wage a campaign without having too many fundraisers. Matt is seriously thinking (and he is in no way alone) that as a Republican, he can beat the Queen in the final election in November. Now before you jump, just remember that Senator Charlie Shannon defeated incumbent Senator Sal Albano – as a Republican. 

 
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The Prince of the Progressives (you know the guy just crowned by the Herald as one of the Top Ten Legislators that doesn’t have a clue) Carl (I don’t have a clue) Sciortino, who soon after winning a few years back, couldn’t wait to move over to Medford. We hear that Alderman Bob Trane is still upset with Prince Carl over getting involved in the nastiest campaign in the city last year against him – we hear that Bob is seriously going to consider running against the Prince.

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Local 25 Teamsters and Russell Disposal conflict might be coming to an end soon – sources close to Newstalk have informed us that the FBI has stepped in and is now investigating the entire situation Рwhy and how it happened. There was talk that Russell had Feds planted in various trucks posing as Russell employees.
                                             
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Speaking of Russell Disposal Рguess it took a near riot to finally get installed the well needed and long awaited lights under the bridge next to Brickbottom installed/fixed – hopefully they can get the other side of the McGrath overpass to light up that dark and scary area as well.

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For those people who had real trees at Christmas this year, remember that the city will take them this week (and probably next) on your regular trash collection day and recycle them into free mulch for city residents to enjoy – however, the city has asked us to relay to residents that no fruitcakes be placed on the sidewalk for pickup on trash day – a city-mandated re-gifting program will be implemented this year at the behest of Tom “The Grinch” Champion. We are kidding – but that would be a funny 311 call at 6am.

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Plenty of people at the after-party on Monday night at the Holiday Inn – a lot of people we see regularly, some we have missed and a good amount of people we wish would just go away to hack heaven. The entertainment was outstanding, the food was pretty good and there were a lot of people “hydrating” at appropriate levels. It was interesting to watch who the different people were chatting each other up and working the room.