Clarendon Hill Towers is a
federally-subsidized housing complex located at 1366 Broadway in
Somerville, and is the largest housing provider in the city. The
building has been tenant-owned since 1990, when a bill in Congress
helped them raise the necessary $25 million in order to keep the rent
affordable for its residents.

In recent years, however, the
complex's three high-rise towers have fallen into disrepair. "The
development was in danger of foreclosure if its financial and physical
condition was not restored" MassHousing said in a press release issued
last Tuesday. Michael Etchu, who has been the president of the CHTTA
since early 2008, confirmed this statement, and added that the building
had failed state inspection for the past five years.

Mr.
Etchu, attributes the state of the complex to the property's management
company, the Cornerstone Corporation, which he says has failed to
repair structural problems with the buildings.

After going
door-to-door to inspect each of the complex's 501 apartments, Mr. Etchu
documented serious problems in over half of them, including broken
kitchen appliances, cracked walls, and faulty plumbing. He says that
the management company is largely unresponsive to tenants' needs,
including his own.

"It's a disgrace," said Mr. Etchu.
"Thirty-four percent of our $8.1 million budget goes to the management
company. If we still have to live with rats and cockroaches, our money
is not being well spent" he said, questioning how shrewdly the
management company was spending the money.

Another priority of
the tenants' association, which is comprised of 15 residents of the
towers, is to make changes that would stem vandalism and drug usage on
the premises. Mr. Etchu says that these efforts require cooperation of
the management company, which they have not had.

According to
Mr. Etchu, the management company cut the number of overnight hours
that security officers were on duty without the tenants' association
approval, and requests for repairs to the video security system also
were ignored. Mr. Etchu and his board have initiated changes themselves
in recent months, including replacing video cameras and restoring the
security officers' overnight hours. He says this has already helped to
reduce the incidents of vandalism at Clarendon Hill in recent months.

"I realized that no management company could repair Clarendon Hill's condition," he said, "so I went looking for an investor."

He
negotiated a partnership with Connolly and Partners LLC, which develops
mixed-income and affordable housing, and they then went after
investors. They were able to secure the $23.3 million loan from
MassHousing, and will be applying for a $2 million state grant that is
available to large, urban residences.

In the upcoming months,
the partnership will begin accepting bids from new management
companies. Whichever company wins the bid will have to adhere to a set
of tenets drafted by the tenant's association. According to Mr. Etchu,
these will include requirements that the company work with them to
reduce vandalism and drug dealing on the premises.

In order to
ensure that the new management company is a responsive and cooperative
partner in "reviving the vibrant community at Clarendon Hill," Mr.
Etchu says that he "will not be handing out any long term contracts."

Mr.
Etchu, who has a masters degree in business strategy, also spoke about
the need to get "business-minded" individuals in to manage the
property, saying the next property manager must have a business degree.

Mr.
Etchu says that the Towers' residents have seen drafts of the planned
renovations, and that they are very excited about the changes.

February 2, 2009

To the Editor:

I
feel compelled to respond to the January 28th Newstalk column's
personal attack on me in connection to my comments at a School
Committee meeting about removing Good Friday as a public school
holiday. As an elected official, I expect to be criticized for my
positions on issues – that's fair game – but I do not appreciate being
labeled something that I am not.

The (anonymous) writers of
Newstalk called me a "Secular Progressive" and implied that I do not
believe in God. While I am a progressive, the secular part is untrue.

Really,
it is none of Newstalk's business and should not be a topic for public
discussion what my – or anyone else's — religious views and beliefs
about God are. Furthermore, it is fundamentally un-American to try to
discredit someone for their religious views – or lack of them. One of
the great things about our nation and a key principle of the founding
fathers is the separation of church and state.

However, since
Newstalk has labeled me as secular and implied that I do not believe in
God, I feel compelled to state publicly that nothing could be further
from the truth. Somerville is a small community and I do not want
people to think I am someone that I am not.

While I firmly
believe there is nothing wrong with being secular, I am an observant
Jew. My religious and cultural identity as a Jew is more important to
me than anything except my family. For 20 years, I have been a leader
in Congregation B'nai Brith, the synagogue at the top of Central Street
on Winter Hill. I teach 2nd and 3rd grade in the Sunday morning
children's school there and have done so for eight years. I served as a
member of the Congregation's Board of Directors for 10 years.

Newstalk
uses the phrase "Secular Progressive" to slam elected officials whose
views Newstalk does not agree with. Newstalk is trying to discredit
these leaders by calling them "Godless and faithless." What's important
in public life is not elected officials' religious beliefs, but what
they do and say. I urge the writers of Newstalk to stop their personal
attacks on elected officials. These attacks hurt all of us in
Somerville because they are nasty and unkind. They poison the political
atmosphere and turn people off to public life.

I will close
with one of my favorite phrases from the Bible: "You have been told
what is good and what the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love
kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." [From the prophet Micah,
6:8]

Mark Niedergang

School Committee, Ward 5

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

1/28/2009 6:00:00 AM

Newstalk for January 28

According to the Medford
Green Line Neighborhood Alliance (MGNA), by extending the Green Line to
Route 16, 9,000 additional residents will have direct access to rapid
transit. This will undoubtedly be a landmark action on behalf of the
commuter population of Medford. If this estimate is correct, that would
mean a potential 9,000 less people and however many cars that
translates to off the roads during rush hour. In addition, if received
by these potential customers in a desirable way, that could mean that
much more money going back into the MTA's budget.

The original
terminus of this project was going to be Ball Square/Tufts University
to Medford Hillside. This changed last Wednesday when the
Transportation Secretary James Aloisi, Jr. recommended that the Green
Line be expanded to the Route 16 terminus, pending federal funding.
This alternate plan of action came at the heels of an in depth public
planning process on behalf of the EOT. This change, they believe, will
meet their goals of public input, environmental impacts, costs and
rider ship.

The transit aficionado Aloisi went on the record
last Wednesday, stating that: "While we expect that this alternative
will qualify for federal funding, the decision to extend to Route 16 is
contingent upon federal participation." So, this plan is heavily
dependent on probably the chanciest matter on the table these days: the
gathering of Federal Funds.

Aloisi also explained how "Extending
the Green Line terminus to Mystic Valley Parkway will bring rapid
transit service to East Cambridge, Somerville and Medford neighborhoods
that have waited a long time for rail transit," said Aloisi. "The Green
Line Extension will advance community plans for smart growth and urban
redevelopment and provide environmental justice communities with faster
rides to jobs and destinations. EOT is very pleased to advance this
project and we will continue to work with local officials to make it
very successful."

The project is expected by the EOT to be
completed by sometime in 2014. The Conservation Law Foundation
commended the Patrick Administrations decision to go through with this,
and expressed their excitement to help the cause along and ensure that
it will be built on time and that it will meet the air quality targets
which are required under law.

Carrie Russell, the staff attorney
of The Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) stated that "the announcement
by the EOT illustrates that the state is striving to fully realize the
promise it made to the residents of Massachusetts to reduce air
pollution and improve access to rapid transit."

This all began
in 2006, when the CLF settled a renewed Boston transit lawsuit which
committed the State Government to a rigid timeline in which this
particular project would have to legally follow. Then, in 2007 the
Patrick Administration made a legal promise to the residents of the
Commonwealth that this measure would be taken, along with others, to
meet the air quality requirements.

The CLF has been incredibly
active since it was founded in 1966 in order to fight the development
of ski slopes on Mt. Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts. They
have fought to prevent major environmental hardships, such as the
blocking of multiple highways constructions that would have impeded on
particular regions of New England like Rhode Island and New Hampshire.
The Rhode Island highway case in 1988 was particularly important,
because it was the first example of citizens' rights to sue to enforce
the Clean Air Act's transportation planning requirements.

The
CLF has exhibited a much-needed short leash on both the State
Government of the Commonwealth and the National Government, in a much
less officious fashion than other Environmental Groups.

The meeting came on the heels of an announcement that,
due to cuts in state funding, CHA will eliminate 300 jobs across the
network and will consolidate and eliminate some services. Major changes
in Somerville include the elimination of the Addictions and Detox Unit
and inpatient services at Somerville Hospital.

Other changes
include the closure of six primary care centers, including two in
Somerville. The dental practice in Somerville will close and merge with
their Cambridge site, the number of beds in psychiatric units across
the system will be halved, and adolescent inpatient services will be
eliminated at Cambridge Hospital.

The mood at the community
meeting was somber as the panelists laid out the budgetary context that
lead to the proposed cutbacks.

"We're facing dramatic cuts
related to the loss of revenue from the Commonwealth," said the
alliance's chief executive officer Dennis Keefe, explaining that 15% of
its budget being cut halfway into 2009, and 25% beginning in July 2009.
CHA is especially sensitive to fluctuations in state funding, since
these funds account for 67% of its budget, he said.

These levels
of reductions, however, are a significant improvement over the state's
initial proposal, Keefe said. Had Somerville's Congressional delegation
had not stepped in to negotiate with the administration, CHA would be
facing bankruptcy. The higher level of state funding, however, is
contingent on CHA consolidating.

Mayor Curtatone urged the
attendees to keep the proposal in perspective, saying that "the changes
to services at Somerville are intended to make sure it survives in the
long run." When attendees suggested that they hadn't tried hard enough
to fight the budget cuts, the Mayor countered strongly, saying that if
the Somerville delegation hadn't worked together to counter the initial
budget, Somerville Hospital would be closing.

"Even a victory is
a loss for the community," State Senator Anthony Galluccio said of the
delegation's success in securing higher levels of funding than
originally proposed.

Many of the community members who
contributed to the discussion were skeptical that CHA would remain able
to serve all its members if the proposed changes pass. Some argued for
the necessity of eliminated programs, and many expressed disappointment
over the losses sustained by CHA.

Several community members
responded strongly to the closing of the Addictions and Detox Unit. One
of the unit's staff members said that many of their patients are
homeless, and that if they lose this safe space they will have nowhere
to go, and will start using again. Panelists admitted that they did not
have any definitive solutions, but said that they will be working
closely with community providers and the Department of Public Health
(DPH) to figure out how to meet the needs of those who are losing the
service.

A staff member from the dental services unit addressed
the panel, asking how they would be able to serve the same number of
patients with the proposed system-wide reduction from 12 to 5 dentist
chairs. Chief Operating Officer Allison Bayer responded by saying "we
can do more with less," and that implementing administrative lessons
learned will help them increase their operational efficiency.

Another
CHA staff member asked the panel how the issue of how parking would be
handled at merged sites that will absorb new patients, saying that the
parking situation is already bad enough at some locations to cause
patients to switch providers. Panelists responded that they are looking
into shuttle services to alleviate this issue.

A staff member
from the pediatric inpatient unit, which would close under the current
proposal, asked the panel about their basis for this decision. CEO
Dennis Keefe responded by saying that it was a utilization issue, and
that in the past year, 43% of the time the unit had one or zero
patients.

One attendee explicitly called for single-payer healthcare, and this comment garnered the loudest applause of the night.

Panelists
concluded by acknowledging limitations presented by both budget and
current state policies, but maintained that this proposal would provide
the best possible outcome. "If this fails, we have no backup" cautioned
State Representative Denise Provost.

CHA board members will vote on the proposal on February 10.

In
an effort to correct a few items in last week's story that were
misreported, Doug Bailey was interviewed to set the record straight.

The
reported cut of 300 employees will be spread throughout the entire CHA
network and not all at Somerville Hospital. These cuts are combinations
of layoffs, resignations, hourly changes, retirement and regular
attrition, according to Doug Bailey, CHA Chief Communications Officer.

Clinics
will not be cut at Somerville Hospital. Bailey said,"Clinic and
administrative services will be expanded under the proposed plan,
preserving the hospital as a vital and thriving institution."

The
reduction in psychiatric beds is almost entirely at Cambridge Hospital,
not Whidden as previously reported, and the SH Adolescent Psych unit
will be transferred to Cambridge Hospital.

After the changes, CHA will still have 95 mental health beds, one of the largest facilities of its kind in the state.

Bailey
continued, "We believe we can continue to meet the needs of core
communities with this level of attention and focus on mental health
services."

There is no existing pediatric unit at SH and thus there will be no cuts in this type of service there.

Bailey
praised the work of Mayor Curtatone and his office, referring to the
many hours of hard work put in between CHA and the mayor's office in
helping make these tough decisions.

"It's really difficult to
convey how much painstaking research goes into these decisions. We're
keeping the Somerville ER open and the Cambridge Hospital is less than
a mile away."

Nobody wants to admit
that we have much of a crime problem here, and you certainly can't
fault the police department – these guys are getting assaulted almost
every time they try to arrest someone.

So what happens when the
budget is cut back and every department – from the DPW to the Schools
to the Police and Fire Departments – are all asked to share the pain?
It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that this is not going to
be a pleasant next few months (and next fiscal year most likely as
well).

There is no surprise then to watch our elected officials
and the city department heads squirm and become more and more anxious
about their upcoming budgetary woes – because they will try as hard as
they can to avoid cutting services, and it really won't be their fault,
but, the haters in this city will remember every step they take in
budgetary bludgeoning that is inevitable.

So what does that mean
for the low-income people of the city? There are many who have already
lost their jobs and unemployment will only last so long. Then crime
will be up even higher than before and this pattern of violence related
to drugs and alcohol will escalate.

Will less money in the
budget this and next fiscal year mean fewer police patrols? Will there
be cuts to services in our schools that the lower income families need
more of, not less of? Will there be more drinking and drug use on a
wider scale out of economic desperation?

These are all tough
questions that follow lockstep with how we as a community (as a whole)
react to the upcoming budgetary process. One only needs to look at the
arrest logs to see what is happening right here, right now. Let's hope
that this part of urban reality doesn't get worse before it gets better.

But
here is what we do know: Very soon (perhaps as soon as next week),
President Obama is going to get a stimulus bill that he can sign into
law – and when that happens, Somerville will be ready with a list of
precisely the type of "shovel-ready" infrastructure projects that the
President, as well as Governor Patrick, has asked us to provide. In
fact, we've already submitted our list. As soon as funds are available
at the federal level, we can expect immediate and favorable action on a
number of significant initiatives.

At the top of the list (both
for us and for the Governor's Office) is a package of 56 million
dollars' worth of roadway and water-sewer improvements associated with
the $1.36-billion Assembly Square project. Using federal recovery
dollars for these elements of the project will speed up construction
(the designs are already complete) and allow the developers to apply
their private financing to the development of the Phase II waterfront
urban village. Assembly Square would remain on track even without this
funding, but an injection of federal dollars into its necessary public
roadway and water-sewer utility development will create more jobs more
quickly and will accelerate the rate at which other kinds of new
construction can increase the commercial value of the district and
enhance our property tax base.

Assembly Square is a prime target
for federal recovery dollars not only because it's ready to go but also
because, as a transit-oriented project with a mix of retail, housing
and office uses, it embodies all of the most desirable elements in
sustainable urban development. That's why the Governor has already
included Assembly Square in his Growth Development Initiative and why
it continues to enjoy the strong backing of private investors. Assembly
Square is a solid bet – and speeding it up will have beneficial
consequences for the entire regional economy. It's a project that
represents 8,000 construction jobs and 4,000 permanent office and
retail jobs. Hastening its completion is a perfect use of stimulus
money.

We have also submitted smaller but similarly valuable
projects slated for lower Broadway in East Somerville and for Magoun
Square. In each of these areas, improvements in roadways, sidewalks,
landscaping and other public amenities will support local business
districts while creating dozens of construction jobs over the near
term. And, in the case of the East Somerville project, $2.8 million in
federal money would be augmented by $2.2 million in local and state
dollars, so that a timely federal investment would help us make the
best possible use of our own scarce and valuable development dollars.

In
Union Square, the cleanup and redevelopment of the former Kiley Barrel
site provides another good possibility for the use of federal stimulus
money. A $2-million federal investment in the environmental cleanup of
this prime, 32,000-square-foot parcel would clear the way for new
commercial and office development on the site, creating 145
construction jobs in the near term – and up to 300 jobs when any new
facility is complete.

Somerville has even put in a request for
the $570,000 it would take to build out a citywide Wi-Fi wireless
internet system using the City's existing fiber access points. This
project would ultimately be operated for the city under license by a
private company, and would have far-reaching economic development
implications, especially for small businesses. It offers an opportunity
to bring very low-cost, reasonably fast Internet access to many people
who currently can't find a provider or can't afford the cost. Such a
system might not satisfy those seeking fast streaming video or other
high-demand access, but it could be a powerful teaching tool for our
schools and libraries.

Of course, the Senate's retreat from the
school construction package included in the House bill means that some
of our other funding applications – notably for the Brown and East
Somerville Community Schools – may ultimately not be eligible for
stimulus financing. That's too bad. After all, as President Obama asked
in this week's prime time news conference, "Why wouldn't we want to
build state-of-the-art schools with science labs that are teaching our
kids the skills they need for the 21st century, that will enhance our
economy and, by the way, right now will create jobs?" I hope the school
funding gets included in the final version of the bill, and if it is,
then we're ready.

Despite the concerns raised by some critics in
both parties, this is all happening fairly quickly – but Somerville has
moved just as quickly to offer constructive ands appropriate
suggestions about how to put stimulus dollars to work. We will continue
to work closely with federal and state officials to ensure that our
residents benefit from this historic initiative.

The Beatles totally took over our young
lives. We were drawing pictures of them, collecting their trading
cards, buying their records and getting all we could of this phenomenon
from across the pond.

I immediately wanted to be Paul McCartney,
and this meant the rebellious act of growing my hair began. It was a
constant fight with my father about the length of my bangs. They had to
be in my eyes.

As we watched the Beatles perform, I can still
recall that sense of euphoria. There was definitely something magical
about the music and the performers. They had a mesmerizing quality
about them that totally consumed us. Every time there was a new 45rpm
record out, we had to go down to the Record Shop in Davis Square and
buy it.

My friend Sharon M recalls: "I remember hearing my
friends talk about them in the Brown School playground before class and
wondering to myself why Ed Sullivan would feature insects on his show,
and what possible entertainment value that would have."

The
Beatles were the reason I wanted to play guitar. Me and millions of
other kids around the world. Then came the onslaught of Beatles
merchandise. There were the lunch boxes and buttons, the Beatle wigs
and the collector cards with the bubble gum, and of course – the Beatle
boots, wig and official suit (my friend Pat O 'Neil's father bought him
one). Mickey Finn's, the men's store formally in Davis Square, actually
sold those Beatles suits. A Beatles lunchbox from 1965 with the thermos
was going for $1,100.00 on eBay.

To this day when I hear "She
Loves You" or "I Want to Hold Your Hand," it brings back very fond
memories. We used to sit around and draw pictures of the Beatles while
playing their 45's over and over. We knew every word, and we couldn't
get enough. Those 45's are now 45 years old! A lot of the fans of 50's
doowop music actually hated the Beatles and their music, but we were
ready for the invasion. Some of you were lucky enough to actually see
the Beatles live.

My friend Mary Ellen recalls: "When I found
out they were coming to Boston Garden, of course I wanted to go. My dad
(may he rest in peace) went in to the Boston Garden to get tickets for
me and a friend to go. The tickets were $4.50, $5.50 and $6.50. When I
found out my dad had not gotten the most expensive – $6.50, I was
disappointed. So he went back in to get two more. Now he's stuck with 2
extra tickets. So my dad at age 40 (almost 41) went to see the Beatles
and took Eileen (her sister) who was not quite 10 years old yet. My dad
would often tell the story of how scared he was that night when he felt
the Boston Garden actually shaking from everyone stomping their feet
and going crazy. What I remember is that from the moment they came out,
through the entire set, you could barely hear them because everyone was
screaming so loud and kept it up the entire time."

Another
friend of mine, Eileen C, had this great Beatles story: "Years after
the event happened, my sister and I were going through an old trunk and
found the outfit she wore to her first Beatles concert at Boston
Garden. It had a skin tight straight skirt with a fitted jacket. It was
bright orange and olive green with large white flowers. To go with
this, she had olive green high heels and a matching pocketbook (she
never missed the 1/2 price sale at Baker's shoes). She teased her
beautiful red hair all up and put it in a bun. She completed the look
with ghoulish white lipstick! I also remember playing the Beatles board
game and everybody always wanted to be Paul. Ringo was the booby prize,
just like Poindexter in the dating game. I remember seeing "A Hard Days
Night" at the drive-in with my friend Susan. We were in our pajamas and
much to his dismay, her father agreed to take us. Parents did not like
the Beatles. My father called them long haired beatniks and sang "I
want to hold your hand ya ya ya" (very sarcastically). My dad bought a
brand new car and told us the radio didn't work because he didn't want
us to listen to it when we went on our long rides after Sunday mass. My
brother Jimmy started to let his hair grow to look like Paul and my
Father told him to get it cut. Jimmy said it was the style and my
Father said only sissies have long hair, get your damn hair cut! Off to
Dente's Barber Shop he went." My good old friend Billy Connors says: "I
was 8 years old when the Beatles first appeared on Ed Sullivan on Feb.
9 1964. I remember watching intently and at that moment I knew what I
wanted to do with my life. I remember turning to my parents and saying
"I want an electric guitar." I'm still playing today."

Thanks Billy, Eileen, Sharon and Mary Ellen for sharing your stories with me.

My
own sister saw the Beatles along with 24,000 other fans at Suffolk
Downs on August 18th 1966. I remember being very upset that I couldn't
go. I was lucky enough to see Paul McCartney a few years ago at the TD
Bank North Garden. It was so great I shed tears of happiness. Last
summer I took the family to see Ringo Starr at the Bank of America
Pavilion. Two out of 4 ain't bad.

So it was 45 years ago that
our lives were changed by four lads for Liverpool who came into our
living rooms and into our souls. Though we watched in black and white,
The Beatles added vivid colors to the fabric of our young lives. No
other music can stir up the memories, feelings and emotions like the
Beatles music can – at least for this baby-boomer. Some of you may
insist that Glen Miller, Frank Sinatra, The Flamingos, the Crests, the
Platters, Buddy Holly or Gene Vincent played the best music ever. They
did. It's America and we can listen to what we love. How lucky every
generation has been growing up with such great music! I still can't let
the tunes or the long hair go, so I will just say, The Beatles 4-ever!
I'm a little worried about this generation's music, but stay tuned.

According to Somerville authorities,
at around 2am, a man suffered a non-lethal gunshot wound to the leg on
the corner of Chester and Elm Streets in Davis Square, and what
transpired next could be the basis for an action sequence in the next
Quentin Tarantino film. The shooting victim allegedly proceeded to run
down the street, assault a cab driver and hop into the driver's seat,
speed down Chester Street and turn onto Herbert Street, where the
shooting victim allegedly drove up onto the sidewalk to strike the man
who he alleged to be the shooter with the hijacked cab, succeeded in
doing so and then crashed the car into the wall of a building on the
street, all the while with two passengers still in the back seat of the
cab.

When the authorities arrived on the scene, they found the
gunshot victim, the cab attack victim and the cab driver, but no gun
and neither of the two passengers that were in the cab when it was used
to hit the alleged shooter. Both men were brought to a local hospital
where they were treated for non-life threatening injuries. As a follow
up to the investigation, the authorities took the gunshot victim into
custody shortly after his release from the hospital. He was identified
as Marcel Laurol, a 32 year-old male from Malden. The other man, a 25
year-old male from Brockton, has not been identified or arrested as of
yet.

Laurol was arraigned on Monday morning in the Somerville
District Court for charges that include carjacking, two counts of
kidnapping, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (the cab),
operating a motor vehicle with a revoked license and reckless operation
of a motor vehicle.

Laurol was released by the Court after the
arraignment on Monday, by way of personal recognizance by the Judge
assigned to the case, with an order to stay away from all of the
victims and witnesses of the case.

The Somerville Police are
looking for any information on this incident from any witnesses,
especially the passengers who were in the taxicab at the time of the
carjacking. If you have any information please call the Somerville
Detectives at (617) 625 – 1600, ext. 7235. Keep your eyes and ears open
Somerville, who knows what will happen next.