An important
motivating factor behind this rezoning plan is the Winter Hill Star
Market which has been closed for more than a year. Since this time, no
business has taken its place. "We did hear that a Dollar Store was
coming in," remarks Ms. Masters in passing. However, instead of a
Dollar Store, Ms. Masters and her Office in City Hall are planning to
create retail shops that will attract people from all over the
community, renewing the community's economy and spirit. Walter F. Pero,
alderman for Ward Four – where the Star Market stands – is very pleased
with this plan, saying, "This is an opportunity to have some real
positive development on Winter Hill."

Broadway is losing worth
each day. "The value of the building [in Broadway] is less than the
value of the land it stands on," says Ms. Masters. The OSPCD wishes to
change that with their new vision for East Somerville. As part of this
vision, Broadway will be safe, day and night, and stores will have
pleasing storefronts and access to parking garages. A store with parked
cars right in front of its entrance, according to OSPCD officials,
lessens the likelihood of a person shopping there. The new retail
shops, office buildings and restaurants will be as aesthetically
pleasing as the city of Somerville can muster. To make sure most of
these new businesses operate in a way that's healthy for the planet,
there is an incentive to build green, OSPCD tells us. Developers will
be given more area and more height to work with if they include green
energy or use green building materials, or both.

Sections of A.
Alfred Lombardi Street, near the existing Orange line T station, will
under this plan, be turned into a Transit Oriented District 70 (TOD
70). This means that many of the buildings in the area will be seventy
feet high, either commercial or residential structures. One resident of
Lombardi, shares his concern with us. "I admit a lot of that area has
to be redeveloped," says Jeremy Bowman, but Mr. Bowman is not sure that
tall buildings, overshadowing existing residences like his, are a
solution.

Any questions or comments for the OSPCD are
encouraged. There will, in time, be a public hearing on the rezoning of
Broadway. East Somerville residents not in attendance at this meeting
are asked to visit the city's website (www.somervillama.gov) for access
to the zoning maps and handouts given out at this meeting. The OSPCD
can be reached at 617-625-6600, ext. 2500.

Boston
— Protesters converged on seven Rite Aid drugstores in Massachusetts
on Friday, April 3 to condemn the company's abuse of workers' rights
and urge Congress to pass the "Employee Free Choice Act" — a law
backed by President Barack Obama that would better protect employees
who want to form unions by limiting employer interference in the
process.

"Right Aid and other companies think it's fine to
threaten and fire workers who want a union," said Sylvia Estrada, a
48-year-old mother of six, who has worked at the Rite Aid distribution
center in Lancaster, CA, for almost 10 years with more than 500 other
employees. "After all the threats and firings, we still voted for the
union, but the harassment continues and now they won't negotiate a
contract with us."

Rite Aid is a textbook example of why
workers need the Employee Free Choice Act," said Russ Davis, Director
of Massachusetts Jobs with Justice.

The Employee Free Choice
Act would make it easier for workers to form unions to bargain with
their employers for better wages, health care, and job security. The
legislation would also help employees secure a contract in a reasonable
period of time and toughen penalties against employers who violate the
law.

"Today we are sending Rite Aid managers a message that we
expect this company to comply with the law and respect workers'
rights," Davis added. "We want an economy that works for everyone —
including the warehouse workers in Lancaster. Winning the employee free
choice will help spread prosperity to more working families."

In
2007, the federal government was prepared to charge Rite Aid with 49
labor law violations for threatening and firing employees at the
Lancaster distribution center. Flaws in federal labor laws allowed the
company to evade the violations with only a slap on the wrist and
promise to behave in the future.

Massachusetts protests were
held yesterday in Amesbury, Boston (Gov't Ctr. and Kenmore Sq), East
Boston, Everett, Methuen and Somerville and by the Western Mass. Jobs
with Justice chapter in Springfield, Easthampton, and Greenfield on
April 2. They were part of dozens of similar actions organized by Jobs
with Justice coalitions at Rite Aid stores in Albany, Bangor, Buffalo,
Nashville, New York City, Portland, OR, Providence, Richmond, and
Tacoma. Fifteen similar protests took place on February 13 in
California, Oregon, Washington and Pennsylvania.

Photos from
today's events can be seen at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/randwilson.aflcio/ProtestsAtRiteAidShowSupportForTheEmployeeFreeChoiceAct?feat=directlink

Jobs
with Justice is a community-labor coalition that links workers'
struggles to help build a larger movement for social and economic
justice. Learn more at www.massjwj.net

For more info contact: Rand Wilson, (617) 803-0799

Alderman
Heuston has scheduled a series of walks in Ward 2 aimed at doing just
that. After a tough winter it's a good time to walk around and figure
out what needs attention and how neighborhoods can be improved.

Walks
have been scheduled by neighborhood meeting up at specified locations,
usually one our fabulous neighborhood businesses. Walks will be at a
good pace and no longer than 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on the
preference of the group.

Bring the kids, your pets, visiting relatives, your neighbors and friends and let's get walking!

Dates, Times and Starting Locations

Contact Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston at mheuston@hotmail.com or 617-492-5331

Date

Time

Meeting place

Neighborhood

April 4

10am

Playground Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park

April 17

6pm

Argenziano School

Lincoln Park

April 18

10am

Sherman's Cafe

Union Square

April 27

10am

1 Fitchburg st

"The City and school department have been working
diligently to secure the necessary funding and conduct selective
demolition over the last year, and now that the City has been awarded
$12 million by the Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, I am eager to begin
working with the Advisory Group," said Ward 1 Alderman Bill Roche.
"Though we've made a lot of progress, there is still much to do to
bring the entire ESCS community together again."

"We know that
parents, teachers, and students alike are eager to see this Group
formed and moving toward final design plans, and we all hope to do so
as soon as possible," said Ward 1 School Committee Representative
Maureen Bastardi, who also Chairs the Committee. "The ESCS community
has been strong, positive, and supportive through a very difficult
time, and I commend you all for your efforts, and promise we will bring
you back home soon."

"We can
almost pay the mortgage," one Somerville resident told The Somerville
News, speaking on condition of anonymity. She and her husband bought a
condominium in 2006, and although the interest rate on their mortgage
has not increased, they earn enough money that they do not qualify for
assistance from the government. "We work very hard in this family," she
explained. "My husband and I each have two jobs, but we can't always
pay."

It is difficult to assess the true impact of the
mortgage crisis in Somerville, in part because many hesitate to discuss
their financial situations, and also because of the absence of a clear,
quantitative assessment of its impact. It is clear that housing prices
are down and foreclosures up statewide-average home prices have
decreased by about 20% in the past year, according to the Warren Group,
a real estate news/information source, and the number of foreclosures
in 2008 increased 64% from 2007 to over 12,000-but the relationship
between those numbers, and how they compare to the situation in
Somerville itself, is more ambiguous.

By some measures,
Somerville certainly appears to be better-off than the state average.
Real estate prices in Somerville have decreased by about 13% over the
last year, the Warren Group reported, and officials with the city's
Assessor's Office explained that the average assessed property
values-the figures used to calculate property taxes by the city-have
only decreased by a few percent so far. It did note that assessed
values are determined from last year's sale prices, and may yet decline
more. "Somerville has fared fairly well. It's fairly stable, with low
vacancy rates," asserted Phil Ercolini, head of Somerville's Housing
Department.

But foreclosures and evictions are happening. "In
the last 12 months, there have been at least 48 evictions from
foreclosed-on units," said Melissa McWhinney, Director of Advocacy at
the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS), an anti-poverty
nonprofit agency in Somerville. She said that the real number of
evictions in 2008 was almost certainly greater than 48, but that it is
difficult to obtain a reliable number, because not all foreclosure
proceedings lead to eviction, and because some foreclosures may result
in the eviction of multiple tenants.

Whatever the actual number
of evictions, one thing is for sure: there were many more in 2008 than
there were even a few years ago. Exact numbers are hard to come by, but
McWhinney said that a figure of three to four foreclosures per year was
typical in the years before the real estate market peaked in 2006. This
dramatic change is challenging even the banks behind the foreclosures.
"Banks used to try to sell the foreclosed property, to get as much of
the principle back as possible, McWhinney explained. "When there were
three to four foreclosures a year in Somerville, it was manageable.
Now, I have no idea what they do."

But the real measure of the
crisis, of course, must be taken at the level of the individuals whom
it affects. For the Somerville resident who spoke to with The
Somerville News, the crisis has meant stress and frustration.

"I
love this country, I am an American citizen, and many people who don't
have a job get help. I don't receive help because I work, and I'm
supposed to have enough money," she explained. "We try, we work very
hard, but it's not enough."

Asked whether she could renegotiate
the terms of her family's mortgage to reduce the monthly payments, she
explained that "we want to, but I have made some late payments, so they
won't renegotiate." And she and her family cannot sell their
condominium for ten years, she said, for legal reasons associated with
aid they received from the city to pay the closing costs when they
bought the condo. For these reasons, she said, "we can do nothing with
the banks."

There are programs in place to help those facing
mortgage-related financial difficulties. The first line of defense is
often counseling and financial advice offered to those worried about
foreclosure. Many nonprofit organizations, like the Cambridge-based
Homeowners Rehab, Inc. and the Homeownership Preservation Foundation,
offer professional counseling services for those whose homes are
threatened by foreclosure. While Somerville's city government does not
offer counseling itself, it recently added information about the
mortgage crisis, including links to organizations that do offer
counseling, to its online database of FAQs.

"Our hope is that
people who may be experiencing foreclosure will seek counseling,"
Ercolini said. "We like to get to folks before foreclosure becomes an
issue," he explained, because "once the situation gets to foreclosure,
it becomes that much more difficult to find a solution. The city does
not have resources to remedy those situations."

CAAS does try to
prevent evictions once a bank has initiated foreclosure proceedings.
"If your home is foreclosed on, we do eviction prevention. We try hard
to keep people in their homes," McWhinney explained, but acknowledged
that negotiating foreclosures is complex and difficult. If eviction
does occur, many of the programs that CAAS regularly offers can help
evicted residents or tenants.

But no amount of counseling or
assistance can take away the stress inherent in losing one's home-and
even living with the prospect of that eventuality may feel daunting.
The Somerville resident who spoke to The Somerville News has found
perhaps the best way to cope with the stress. When asked whether she
worries about what might happen if she falls too far behind on her
mortgage payments, she said simply, "I never think that if I don't pay,
we will lose our apartment. I don't think that way. This is my dream,
living with my family."

SCC
is currently redeveloping the area to create approximately 60
condominiums, some market-rate and some for lower income individuals,
some retail space and a building for the Just A Start Corporation, a
program for young mothers and their children.

The first phase
of construction, that of a four-story building for
neighborhood-oriented mixed-use and affordable rental housing, is
currently underway and the second building is set to begin this Spring.

An assembly of laid-off union workers have turned up with
picket signs in hand against what they consider unacceptable treatment
of workers by Miller and Son Painting. "We consider it a community
standards issue," said IUPAT Council 35 organizer Mark Lohan. "These
wages and working conditions are not compatible with community
standards."

Lohan, a painter by trade from Ireland, said that
despite rumors, the protests were not about their hiring of non-union
workers. "It's not an objection to the non-union workers, it's an
objection to their employer who is taking advantage of them," he said.

When
asked about these tactics, Lohan said, "Our union is diverse and broad:
immigrant and non-immigrant, Black, White, Latino, and we all believe
that just because an economy is bad doesn't mean people have to be
treated badly. We don't want to be part of a race to the bottom. Not
only in construction, but in any trade."

Project Manager Marc
Champagne indicated that his company's policies would not change,
quickly dismissing Lohan's allegations by saying, "We're not running an
unsafe job. He hasn't been in the building. I don't know where he's
getting his information. If he was in the building he would know."

For
the moment it is unclear how long the protests will go on. "We'll be
out here as long as we have to: until we get justice," Lohan said. For
the moment, no one can tell how long that will be.

***************

Congratulations
to Ward 1 Alderman "Grandpa" Bill Roche with the birth of his new
granddaughter – Savannah Jean Langkopf – who was born March 15th at
11:57am and was 20.5 inches long and 6 lbs 11 oz at birth. Proud
parents Kelly Roche Langkopf and Jonathon Langkopf welcomed their new
arrival along with proud grandparents Jean and Alderman Bill Roche and
Jon and Deborah Langkopf. Best of luck with the new arrival to a great
family.

***************

Ward 5 Alderman Sean O'Donovan
had his fundraiser last Friday night at the Dante Club – it was very
well attended by an overflowing crowd of Ward 5 residents. It was one
of the old fashioned get together that we haven't seen here in
Somerville in a long time – and it was nice to see so many old friends.

***************

Senator Anthony Gallucio is sponsoring
legislation to give City of Somerville some say in what and where the
MBTA billboards may or may not go, have you seen how big and ugly they
are? Nice to see we have a real State Senator again that listens to the
average person, just too bad he only serves a small part of Somerville
but at least he gets what it means to serve. Senator Jehlen must be out
of town on a walking tour – has anyone seen her in awhile? Oh that's
right its not election time of year yet!

***************

We
applaud and support the drive to support local businesses first when at
all possible. A couple of local organizations are doing just that!
Somerville Local First and the Somerville Chamber of Commerce are up
and running in high gear delivering that very message everyday. Many
other cities and towns are following suit and keeping their "business"
within their local neighborhoods first, so when you need to go
shopping, keep it in Somerville first!

***************

Colonel
Sanders and KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) is picking four cities out of
a nation wide search to be the recipient of $5,000.00 of free asphalt
that will be stamped with a "KFC" advertising the fried chicken king's
name in a central location with white permanent chalk, word is that
Somerville is one of the four they're looking at.

***************

Congratulations
to Police Officer Scott Whalen upon his recent promotion to Sergeant
couple of weeks back, Scott works very hard.

****************

Condolences
to the Emery family here in Somerville, with the recent passing of
David Emery, he was known well here in Somerville in particular the
Ball Square area.

****************

Also condolences to
the family of Danny Escobar, owner of Danny's Diner on Beacon Street
who passed away this past weekend! Danny's Diner has been on Beacon
Street serving great meals and great conversation for as long as anyone
can remember, considered a landmark here in Somerville, sources told us
that the family is going to close the doors to the dinner for good this
week.

***************

Just a reminder that the
ever-popular The Somerville News blog is more popular then ever! So log
on to www.thesomervillenews.com and click onto "The Somerville News
blog line over at the top right hand corner of the online page.

*****************

We
hear rumblings out there about possible runs for office here in the
city, but not just from the PDSers – who by the way are trying
desperately to get people to run against some incumbents, but not
having much luck. We did hear that their President Marty might move
again (for the 9th time?) to Ward 3 – but interestingly enough, we hear
that maybe one or two of the PDSers might have a tough challenge
themselves this year. We also hear that the PDSers candidate classes
that were supposed to be held last Saturday had to be canceled, we're
wondering if it was because of lack of participation? They may boast of
an email list of about 100, but they can't manage to attack more then
15 to 20 to a meeting at any given time, wonder why?

***************

We
hear that there was a big meeting of the Farm Team owners down in
Florida recently (you know who we mean) and seems the economy is
hitting them as well, everyone has to tighten their belts, has anyone
been following the stock of the company?

****************

The
Somerville Recreation Commission will offer a five week course for
children ages eight and older with local artist Chris LeGare. The
program will be held on Thursdays from 3:30pm – 5:30pm beginning April
9th at the Recreation Building, 19 Walnut Street. The program will
focus on a different aspect of art each week including printmaking,
cartooning and painting. The cost for the program is $40 and covers all
materials. Class size is limited and pre-registration is required. For
more information, please contact the Recreation Department at
617-625-6600 Ext. 2980.

***************

The Center for
Arts at the Armory hosts a building dedication ceremony celebrating the
opening of the newly renovated historic armory at 191 Highland Ave., on
Friday, April 3, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Somerville Mayor Joseph
Curtatone as well as Ward Five Alderman Sean O'Donovan and members of
the Somerville legislative delegation; Senator Patricia Jehlen and
Representatives Carl Sciortino and Denise Provost, will be on hand to
offer dedications and citations. The event also includes an interfaith
building blessing, a youth music performance from Somerville High
School students and a community reading.

***************

Celebrate
the vibrancy of design economy north of the Charles on Friday, April 3,
2009 in Union Square. The event combines an official welcome of three
design-oriented businesses to Union Square and the launch of Design
Annex, a co-working community for those in the creative economy.  At
374 Somerville Avenue, Somerville from 6 to 8 pm you are welcome to
visit Grand, Brian Healy Architects and Ground Inc. to be part of the
festivities. Refreshments will be served.

Some of the
industries that are being "stimulated" are in need some of serious
overhauling on a systemic level – the kind of changes that can't be
solved overnight by throwing money at them. On the other hand, for
communities and regions that have been fiscally responsible over the
last couple of years and have been bracing for the worst, like
Somerville has, every little bit will help.

There will be just
enough pain to realize that this is for real, but not so much that it
will be catastrophic to the local economy. Programs like Somerville
Local First are just what a city like Somerville needs – a way for
people here, today, to spend their very hard earned money here, today.

It
only makes sense – why drive over to Medford to go food shopping or to
go to dinner? Buy your groceries here – and there are certainly enough
restaurants around, aren't there?

We applaud organizations like
Somerville Local First and urge every local business owner to get on
board and listen to what they have to say – and to those people who
live here – please stay here, spend your money you are going to spend
elsewhere in a local business.

The policy has been in place for a year
and was unpopular with the Aldermen when it was announced, but
complaints from constituents have brought the issue back before the
board at its March 25 meeting.

"I understand that organizations
are having a hard time financially, but this gets on my last nerves,"
said Alderman at Large Bruce Desmond, who sponsored a resolution asking
CHA to stop charging for handicapped parking along with Ward 5 Alderman
Sean O'Donovan and at-large member Jack Connolly.

"(Disabled
persons and seniors) have no alternative. It's required by law. It's
reprehensible that (CHA) would charge to park there."

While the
Americans with Disabilities Act dictates the size, location and number
of accessible parking spaces, there is no law dictating that fees
cannot be charged.

Handicapped parking was free at Somerville
Hospital until February 2008. The current rate for seniors and disabled
persons to park at the lot on Tower Street is $5, which is required
upfront.

O'Donovan amended the resolution to request CEO Dennis
Keefe to appear and justify the practice. "I find it disgusting that
you'd have people come to your lot and charge," he said. "I'd like the
CEO to come to this podium and explain to the city what the policies
are. He should be ashamed of himself."

CHA Chief
Communications Officer Doug Bailey said the BOA had been informed of
the rate changes when they were made last year, and that the hospital's
parking fees remain among the lowest in Massachusetts.

The
initial decision to charge, Bailey said, stemmed from research that
showed every hospital in the country that charges for parking asked for
those using handicapped spots to pay as well.

"We're going to review some of the policies," Bailey said. "We have had some complaints."

"We
lose money on parking," he added. "We have discounted rates below that
of other hospitals around us. We're not doing anything that isn't the
norm of our industry."

The city solicitor has been asked to report to the board regarding the applicable laws on the issue.