They pick the top ten cities to be named All America City – last year, Somerville came in 11th – just missing out. This year, with all the development of the routines and the practices that have been staged, it should be a shoe-in.

The last time Somerville was given that distinction was 1972 – when there was a sweeping change moving through our city, the nation – the world. Times have changed dramatically in so many ways, but, we as a community keep coming together to celebrate our history and work together to create a solid future.

We have gone on and on and on about how beneficial it has been to have many of the events and civic remembrances we celebrate every year. Some have gone on for decades and others have been introduced and reintroduced over the past few years.

Credit has been given to the Mayor and his administration for heavily supporting and organizing most, if not all, of the events that bring this community together several times a year. It takes a concerted effort from local government, organized civic groups, businesses and residents to develop and maintain this level of community we enjoy today.

While we didn't quite make it last year, there is no doubt we will this year – and even if we don't – we all know in our hearts that Somerville is an All America City every year.

A statement from the city's election department released last week stated that since fewer than two candidates are running for any one position all will appear on the ballot in November.

Only four non-incumbents are running for the Board of Aldermen and School Committee. Mayor Joseph Curtatone will face no opposition for re-election – he has faced only one general election challenger since taking office in 2004.

Elections Commission Chairman Nicholas Salerno said the most accessible records go back only to 1919, but that since then there had always been a primary. He was reluctant to speculate as to why so few are challenging those already in elected positions, but said it was likely because of the increased scrutiny politicians are facing because of the economy.

"My personal opinion is there are just too many negative issues right now," Salerno said. "Also, there would be just too much money involved getting your name out there in this economy."

City Communications Director Tom Champion agreed, adding that the lack of challengers could be a reflection on the current crop of officials.

"Overall, despite the many municipal issues that continue to be hotly debated, people are generally satisfied with their elected representatives," Champion said.

At least two people in Somerville aren't satisfied with the Board of Aldermen. Long-time Davis Square resident Jim Campano is running against Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz and Winter Hill congregation leader and business owner Luis Morales is running for Alderman-at-Large.

Campano said he is running against Gewirtz because he is upset with the way she favors Davis Square businesses, especially liquor establishments, over residents. He also said she has too much influence over the Davis Square Task Force, a group of residents and businesses that steers community development.

"She's a control freak," Campano said.

Campano, who publishes a newspaper and runs a museum dedicated to Boston's West End, has lived in Davis Square since his neighborhood was razed to make way for an urban renewal project in 1958.

In an e-mail, Gewirtz said, "I think it's good when people run for office because it shows democracy is thriving. Ward 6 has always been a politically active place and I'm looking forward to continuing to get out (to) talk to voters and to run on my record."

In response to Campano's charge that she wields too much power on the Davis Square Task Force, Gewirtz said by design the group involves input from the Ward alderman. She added that her pro-business stance is geared toward preserving Davis Square's character.

"I wouldn't want to see Davis turn into Harvard Sq where chains have taken over and it feels like an outdoor mall," Gewirtz said.

Morales, who emigrated to Somerville in 1980 from El Salvador, is a pastor at Vida Real Church in Winter Hill. He said that as a dual citizen he would bring diversity to the Board.

The four current Aldermen-at-Large are Jack Connolly, Bruce Desmond, Dennis Sullivan and Bill White,

"They are good people but I think a team is a lot better when it's diverse," Morales said. "If you have all Anglos representing Somerville, you'll have a lot of issues ignored."

Among those issues, he said, is a general lack of concern for youth in the city and lack of input from immigrant communities.

"A bi-cultural person sees things mono cultural people don't see," Morales said. "There's a huge amount of immigration in Somerville (and) they're not going anywhere. They're buying property, but they're ignored."

Morales co-owns two East Somerville restaurants, Rodizio and Goucho, and said the experience will help him represent Somerville businesses fairly.

"I'm a businessman, and I know how businessmen think," he said. "A lawyer doesn't see what businessmen see."

Salerno said the city had discussed not holding a primary election as a cost saving measure even before it was discovered how few would run against incumbent officials. He said the move will save the city $65,000.

Morales and Campano both said despite the small field they plan on fighting a hard campaign, and that they were puzzled by the lack of competition.

"It's not the same Somerville I used to know," Campano said, noting he recalled as many as 22 people running for the four Aldermen-at-Large seats. "That's the way it is, nobody's interested."

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Next week: a look at School Committee challengers Christine Rafal and Anna Lavanga.

Among the proposed changes, which could go into effect Aug. 1, all streets in Somerville will become resident permit parking only. Parking meter fees will go from 50 cents to $1 an hour, with meter hours extended until 8 p.m. except in Davis and Magoun Squares, where the hours will be extended to 10 p.m.

At the June 11 meeting, Ward 5 Alderman Sean O'Donovan said he was upset that he and his constituents had not been more involved in the rate-setting process. The commission does not need the Board's approval to change parking regulations.

"I would have liked the opportunity to get in on the discussion," O'Donovan said, later adding he wanted the measures either put off or scrapped altogether.

Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz also expressed frustration, noting she had hosted a community meeting earlier last week to address residents' concerns. Among the displays of disapproval from the community was a petition against the regulations circulated at the Somerville Theatre.

"It is not OK in my view for the Traffic Commission to vote on a policy change without input of the residents," Gewirtz said.

Both said the commission had not adequately told Aldermen of the vote on the new measures, and that it had not been on the agenda. City Solicitor John Gannon said the commission had followed all public notice laws, even if the item hadn't been on the commission's meeting agenda.

Others, including Mayor Joseph Curtatone, countered that Aldermen knew of the proposed changes for months.

"This have been discussed in every Resistat meeting in the city," Ward 7 Alderman Bob Trane said. "This didn't happen overnight. To say this thing was a slam dunk is disingenuous at best."

"The insinuation something was rammed though is just not accurate," Curtatone told the Board. "We give more information out than any administration in the history of this city."

Curtatone did hint at the possibility that more input may be sought.

"We're not going to implement anything until we get it right," he said, "but we're going to get it right."

Action on whether to delay the new regulations until Oct. 1 was put off until the Board gets access to revenue predictions.

The proposed parking regulations can be viewed at: http://www.somervillechamber.org/news_images/5_25_09/09newparkingregs.pdf

"The Taste of Somerville gives Door2Door Transportation great visibility in the community and most of our employees are volunteering tonight. It helps to bring a face to our highly trained staff," said Reed Cochran, Executive Director of SCM Community Transportation. "We approached the Chamber of Commerce about reviving the Taste of Somerville because it was such a successful event in previous years. I'm honored that they accepted and have made our 25th anniversary so special."

In attendance was Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone of Somerville and many Door2Door users like 84-year-old Emma Whyte, who moved to Somerville in 1953 from Germany. "I believe in Door2Door. I know how hard it is for people my age to get to doctors appointments and where they have to go, but Door2Door helps us and they are so nice! Tonight they picked me up to bring me here, and it was to cold to wait outside and the driver came right up to my door and helped me into the van" said Mrs. Whyte. "I'm glad I was able to come tonight because the food is so good. Especially Bread and Co,'s soup! It's delicious, I had two cups!"

Popular dishes included a short rib cream cheese dumpling by Sous chef Joe Longbottom from Gargoyles on the Square, Bread and Co.'s clam chowder and Capone Foods' served their Argentine empanadas. Also present was Redbones Barbeque, still beaming the day after their successful annual Bike Party and benefit.

Ball Square Fine Wines provided six samples of wine from their superior selection including, 07 Chateau L'Payral Bergerac, and 08 Porta Pinot Noir.

Beer enthusiasts were not disappointed as the Olde Magoun Saloon provided delicious Regatta Golden Ale, a local beer from the Cambridge Brewing Company served with Pork Carnitas.

Catering to the sweet tooth in guests were Lyndell's Bakery serving up their famous cupcakes, cream puffs and cookies in a mouth-watering display of desert treats. Crowds did not have to go far to enjoy a giant chocolate fondue fountain with an assortment of fresh fruit and snacks to dip.

Cooling off the crowd was JP Licks serving up fabulous flavors of their kosher ice cream including Oreo, Coffee Oreo, Black Raspberry, and Oreo Cake Batter.

Ray Zonghetti of the Somerville Chamber of Commerce said, "This event is great public relations for the restaurants, community and businesses. We hope that guests will look more into Somerville for great food and restaurants. It's also a fun community event that can bring people together." It is hoped that many of the guests will visit the restaurants and business will increase for those who participated in the event.

The ticket proceeds from the event were donated to Door2Door Transportation, a local nonprofit celebrating its 25th anniversary. The organization provides free transportation for persons with disabilities and the elderly. Their professional staff prides themselves on improving the quality of life for people by enhancing people's freedom to live independently. Door2Door transportation's fleet of 25 Para transit vehicles provide over 9,500 free rides a month.

At least city officials aren't pretending that increased parking extortion is about anything other than increasing City revenue. Spokesman Tom Champion traces the new parking regulations directly back to recommendations from the Financial Advisory Committee appointed by Mayor Curtatone in January.

These changes extend past attempts to compensate for failed zoning and development policy by nickel and diming residents and business owners. But the damage that they do will go beyond nickels and dimes. They include doubling parking meter rates; extending meter hours to 8:00 PM and, in some business districts, 10:00; and increasing fees and fines.

Particularly irritating to me is forcing residential permit requirements onto 162 blocks that do not now have them. Mine is one, and with the exception of snow emergencies, there has never been a time when we did not have ample on-street parking. This burdensome and unnecessary change exists to jack up parking violation revenues.

While increased parking extortion means pain for residents, it can injure local businesses. Imagine attending a live performance at the Somerville Theater. Would you leave in the middle of it to go feed the meter? When you later found the $30 ticket on your car, would you be inclined to come back?

I talk about "increased" parking extortion because the new regulations extend a little-noticed strategy to compensate for city revenue lost to bad zoning and permitting decisions. Since Joe Curtatone took office, the number of parking control officers has increased by one-quarter, and revenue from parking fines has increased by one-half, to $7.4 million annually. Minus the $1.6 million budget for parking enforcement, this is almost a $6 million "profit."

Little noticed as well, is the fact that fines for many non-meter violations were already twice those of Boston and Cambridge. Noticed and widely discussed, however, are increasingly common stories from residents who believe that they were wrongly ticketed or that Traffic and Parking consciously uses tactics to promote violations.

The fine for parking in front of a handicap-accessible curb cut is $200, but a number of them are not in a crosswalk or not posted and are therefore invisible. There are no street-sweeping signs on certain blocks.

There is a prohibition against parking within twenty feet of a corner-a good idea for streets so narrow that parked cars could block the turning radius required by emergency vehicles. But it is applied to all street corners. And the city declines to either paint curbs or post signs that say "No parking here to the corner," while it has no problem posting signs with the mayor's name on anything that might be an amenity.

I won't get into the burden that the 48-hour parked-car prohibition imposes on residents who want to take a vacation. Or the requirement that friends and relatives who are visiting residents stand in line, hand over their vehicle registration, and pay for a "special visitors permit" if they want to stay longer than two days.

This short-term-gain-long-term-pain approach to increasing needed city revenues parallels the failed development policies for which it is attempting to compensate. Eight years ago in Somerville's other newspaper, I wrote that "the imbalance between commercial property taxes and increasing costs of residential services has brought us to the verge of a fiscal crisis." That crisis came a year later with sharp cuts in state aid, and it is here again.

Residential property is taxed at two-thirds the rate of commercial property, but produces twice the municipal costs. The city spends about $100,000 per acre of taxable land, but not a single property in the city produces that much per-acre tax revenue.

Historically, Somerville's policy, zoning, and often hiring decisions have been driven by favor-trading and political calculations more than by hard evidence and a commitment to our long-term future. So as the city's large business enterprises closed, favored developers were allowed to convert them to apartments and condos, worsening municipal finances.

Our best hope to solve these fiscal woes was developing Assembly Square, Somerville's and Boston's best remaining large-scale development site, as an office-based neighborhood with supporting retail. When in 1999, developers proposed building suburban-style big box stores instead, Alderman Curtatone opposed them.

Campaign finance records show that in 2003, the big-box developers mobilized campaign contributions sufficient to enable Curtatone to outspend his opponent 3-to-1, eke out a 50.8% majority, and become mayor. Three months after taking office, he pushed through legislation that gutted Assembly Square's zoning. The developers cashed out with $30 million in profit.

Federal Realty Investment Trust bought the property. They have infinitely more integrity than their predecessors and have demonstrated a commitment to wise development going forward. The Curtatone administration is now diligently pursuing commercial development in Union Square and the Inner Belt.

But those sites are much more problematic than was Assembly Square and have much less potential. And the economic cycle is not favoring us. So the big-box strip mall at Assembly Square produces $1.2 million in gross tax revenues, while parking extortion produces $7.4 million, with the promise of significant revenue growth.

This is an infuriating injustice, but it is also a distraction. It is another product of a debased political culture and the obsolete city charter that perpetuates it.

To Chief Anthony Holloway:

I am writing this letter to commend and recognize the Somerville Police Department.

On May 1st, I called 911 because someone had broken into my apartment.

Having just moved to the city of Somerville five days prior to the incident, I was unsure as to how the Somerville police would respond. Within 1 minute after the intruder had left my house, Officer F. Cicerone (badge #279) and Officer R. Isaacs (badge #288) had arrived to the scene.

As a victim, I felt extremely violated and was paranoid that there was still somebody in my house. The officers were tremendously comforting and reassuring. They did a thorough walk through of my apartment ensuring both my boyfriends and my safety. They called other officers onto the scene and within 1 hour, they had found and arrested the intruder.

Since the break in, I have continued to feel paranoid and threatened. I have considered the idea of moving out of East Somerville, but my mind had been changed having meeting several officers from the Somerville Police Department.

On Tuesday May 5th, just days following the incident, I was walking to my apartment from Sullivan Square station and felt anxious and upset about the incident I stopped by the East Somerville Substation and met Captain Michael Devereaux. He stopped what he was doing to sit down and talk with me. I talked to him about how I was feeling scared and thinking a lot about the man who broke into my house. I shared with him that I just moved to East Somerville and I am considering the idea of moving to another city because I was concerned for my safety. He discussed safety precautions with me and ensured me that East Somerville is not a bad area to live in. Not only did Captain Michael Devereaux take time to talk tome, he walked me back to my apartment and made sure I felt safe entering. He invited me to the East Somerville main Streets

"First Tuesdays." Which I attended. I was extremely impressed with the presence of the Somerville Police Department. Captain Michael Devereaux introduced me to neighborhood police officers and other officers that attended the Meet Up. I cannot think of many neighborhoods where the Police captain would take opportunity to attend a neighborhood get together like he did.

In addition, I called the Somerville Police Department a few days after the incident and asked for additional patrol on my street. Not only did Officer Legros (Unsure of his badge number) come and patrol my street, he spent time talking to me about my concerns and listening to my worries. I was able to go back into my house that night and get a restful night's sleep knowing that I have trusted police officers in my neighborhood.

In conclusion, I want to reiterate how impressed I am with the Somerville Police Department. Despite the unfortunate event and break in, I want to commend and recognize the Somerville Police Department as a whole and specifically; officers Cicerone, Isaacs, Legros and Captain Michael Deveraux. Never before have had I felt a part of a community of a city that I lived in. In the past few weeks, I have seen immediate response, concern and compassion, hard work and dedication, but most of all, I have met Police Officers from Somerville Police Department who truly care.

The Clerk Magistrate presented Jim Rice with a ceremonial chair as a gift.

As every year, it was a great night, lots of money was raised for a good cause and as usual, Somerville was well represented.

The MAPC is comprised of representatives from the cities and towns encompassed within it as well as by gubernatorial appointees. Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone is one of these representatives. "Mayor Curtatone is an active in MAPC activities and frequent participant in the Metro Mayor's Coalition, which is staffed by MAPC and has been actively engaged in each phase of MetroFuture. The Mayor has invited MAPC to take part in several complementary planning initiatives in Somerville, including the current Mystic River Corridor Strategy Project," said Amy Cotter, MAPC Director of Regional Plan Implementation.

Somerville falls under the Inner Core Communities category within the MetroFuture area. These communities are cities within the heart of the Boston Metropolitan area that have a mix of residential and commercial inhabitants. These cities have the largest populations and provide the most job opportunities. Under the goals that have been specified for the Inner Core Communities under the MetroFuture plan population, job and housing growth would increase significantly over current projections without the plan.

MetroFuture will aim to expand upon the characteristics that already make Somerville a desirable place to live, such as affordable housing, cultural diversity and close proximity to social and business opportunities.

Another main goal of MetroFuture is to increase efficiency and reduce impact on the environment. 100% of newly developed jobs and housing in the Inner Core will be located in close proximity to existing public transit stops. This would increase the number of people using public transportation which would like to an increased return on investment for the transit systems and would reduce traffic, emissions and parking problems from commuters. Under the Massachusetts Brownfields Act funds and assistance are provided to clean and redevelop polluted sites. Most of the sites were formerly used for commercial purposes and are found in urban areas. Somerville has dozens of potential sites that could fall under this category, although only a few such sites state wide will receive actual funding. Also, any newly designed structures will be required to meet the US EPA Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards. These standards ensure that eco-friendly and sustainable structures are developed.

The program, which has been a work in progress since 2003 is set to begin ramping up this month. MetroFuture was unveiled to the public at an open to all reception on June 9 at the Colonnade Hotel in Boston. More information is available at http://metrofuture.org/.

When the news spread across the city that the Traffic Commission had authorized a move in August to citywide permit parking, a rise in meter rates to one dollar an hour, and the extension of metered parking hours to 10 p.m. in Davis and Magoun Squares (and 8 p.m. everywhere else) – the aldermen and I started to hear plenty of comments.

Some of those comments – especially from business owners of all types and sizes – raised legitimate questions that our Traffic and Parking Department had already been planning to address. We heard the concern that a 10 p.m. shut-down time and a two-hour meter limit were incompatible – that customers wanted to be able to park at a metered space and walk away for the evening, even if that evening included drinks, dinner and a two-hour movie. We heard the concern that business employees wouldn't be able to find a place to park for an evening shift if meters ran until 10 p.m.

We also heard about business owners who are accustomed to parking on unpermitted streets but can't get to their offices, shops and lofts if every street is posted for residents only. We even heard from some businesses that aren't in our traditional business districts and whose owners feel that they depend on unpermitted parking spots on streets like Highland Avenue and Elm Street in order to accommodate their evening customers.

Now, all of these are fair issues to raise in the context of the changes we are making, and they have, by and large, been raised in a reasonable way. There are also good solutions to all of these potential problems. To help develop those solutions, and to help work through other issues around these changes, I have created a Parking Solutions Task Force (PSTF) that will bring representatives from the business community, the Board of Aldermen and city officials together to review pertinent information and think about how to address concerns about these new policies. I have also asked Mark Chase, an entrepreneur and Tufts-educated urban planner who has studied urban parking models and strategies, to lend his expertise to the PSTF.

By the time we move ahead on the new rates, hours and resident permit policies, I have no doubt that, with the help of the PSTF, we will be able to address most – perhaps all – of the issues that have come up. For example: if we extend the maximum time for evening parking; if we provide kiosks in the lots (so that patrons can pay with paper bills and credits cards as well as park cards and quarters); if we expand the use of business permits so that businesses can help their employees (and the owners themselves) find parking; and if we put meters near businesses in residential areas, but let Somerville residents with permits use the metered spaces without paying, we can address many of the objections already raised.

That said, I think it's reasonable to ask interested parties to give the new task force a chance to do its work. They should have their recommendations before the end of the month, and I expect that they will be thorough, thoughtful and fair.

I also think it's very important to remember that a primary goal behind these policy changes is to improve the availability of parking in the City of Somerville.

Understandably, everyone wants free, or at least subsidized, parking. Businesses want it for their employees and customers; residents want it for themselves and their visitors. But Somerville is, by a wide margin, the most densely populated city in New England. Except in one or two specific locations, we don't have the big open lots and empty curbs associated with suburban sprawl. Parking is a scarce and valuable resource here, and we need to treat it that way.

Right now, our business districts need to get more out of their existing parking spaces through better pricing policy and increased turnover. In Davis and other busy squares, we need to take steps to make sure that visitors can find a space when they need one – otherwise they'll stop showing up. Now, some out-of-towners have already written to say that they not only expect parking, but they expect it to be free after 8 p.m. as well. I don't think that's actually true: we may be in a recession, but paying a dollar an hour to park in a walkable entertainment district like Davis Square is not an undue burden – provided you can find a space and pay for it conveniently. If we can find the right balance of availability and convenience to go with a reasonable price, I think we'll actually be helping our businesses and their customers.

As for citywide permit parking: right now, Somerville's taxpayers are providing free parking for hundreds of people who don't register their cars here, pay excise tax here or participate in the permit system. That's not right in the best of times: during a fiscal crisis, it's totally unacceptable.

And for those folks who say, "This is all about the money," my answer is that these policies stand on their own merits, but we can't afford to pass up any legitimate revenue opportunities at a time when the state has cut Somerville's local aid by 30 percent. Of course we need the money – but we also need to manage our parking to maximize supply for residents and businesses alike. If we work together on this, and show some patience and creativity, I think we can do it all.

The performances were personal and poignant. One teen's spoken word piece expressed the feelings of worthlessness that accompanied her periods of homelessness and drug-dealing, and recounted her successful battle to regain control of her life, and her pride. Another young woman spoke about the influence of the media on her ideas, ranging from body image to the glorification of drugs and violence. Throughout the night, many of the pieces made clear the important role that Teen Empowerment had played in the lives of the young performers.

Performances were interspersed with messages from staff and board members. Lauren Lapat, who sits on the board, spoke to the audience about the importance of supporting the group's programming. "A lot of funding is at risk for youth programs," she told the audience, managing to maintain the event's upbeat tone. She went on to talk about the impact of the group's programs. "75 dollars will fund 3 days of youth leadership training," she said, giving audience members an idea of the impact of their contributions.

A sheet passed out to attendees gave a more detailed account of the financial troubles that could affect the organization. $2 million in state funding for youth programs, which supports Teen Empowerment and similar organizations, is at risk for being severely reduced or eliminated. The handout encouraged people to contact state representatives before the budget is finalized.

Stephanie Berkowitz, Director of Fundraising for Teen Empowerment, said that the organization plans to host approximately 3 small fundraisers like this one per year. They are also implementing a fundraising strategy that she described as grassroots, creating a program called "Friends of TE". The initiative aims to collect smaller donations from a large number of people, forming more widespread community engagement.

Next up on the group's programming agenda is hiring its summer group of youth leaders. Past issues addressed by these groups have included teen summer employment and police-youth relations, but the group members will get to decide for themselves which issue to take on.

After the official program ended, a band led by Teen Empowerment's executive director and founder Stanley Pollock took the stage, treating the audience to yet another display of the organization's creative talent.