By Andrew Firestone

With the $30.6 billion state budget approved last week, Somerville has joined cities and towns across Massachusetts in coming to grips with a frightening situation: for the first time City healthcare costs have risen above state aid. This means that, for the $29.1 million in state aid for the fiscal year 2011, all of it has gone to bridge the $34.1 million in healthcare costs. In the last decade, aid to Somerville has fallen by $28.3 million, and while the City has managed to stave off any cuts to services, it is becoming clearer that tax reform might be needed in order to save failing municipalities across the state.

Director of Prevention Cory Mashburn (left) is leading the effort to consolidate resources for drug abuse prevention and recovery. - Photo by Harry Kane

By Harry Kane

The City of Somerville Health Department’s Office of Prevention hosted a workshop entitled How to Save a Life on June 28 at the Cross Street Senior Center.  “SOP is a coalition of 700 volunteers consisting of the Trauma Response Network, Tobacco Control, and programs to prevent underage drinking and substance abuse.  They’re all under one umbrella now,” stated Cory Mashburn, The Director of Prevention at City Hall.

What a great time last Thursday night at the city fireworks, the night was enjoyed by an estimated crowd of over 10,000. Entertainment was great and the fireworks were awesome, thanks to Mayor Joe and his administration. The News was there and scenes from the night are online. Now, did anyone notice anything strange this past weekend, especially after Thursday night? Deserted streets for the most part around the ‘Ville? It appears that everyone has headed for Summer Somerville either down the Cape or up to NH. There were very few cookouts that we could see but there were a few.

Confrontational residents of Ward 6 questioned official policies and practices at the Ward 6 ResiStat get-together last week. - Photo by Meghan Frederico

By Harry Kane

Tempers flared at the final ResiStat meeting in Ward 6 last week, as Mayor Joseph Curtatone came under fire from angry residents in the community. Several of the community’s impassioned members descended on Mayor Curtone for mainly one issue, the Summer Street Project.

These unidentified citizens commented extensively on their dislike of recent activities amidst the ongoing project. Specifically they felt that the open meeting laws had been violated during a planning board meeting. One disgruntled woman, only referred to as Liz, accused the Somerville government of corruption.

In the first game of the MiddleEssex softball season against Winthrop the Somerville Storm lost 5-15 against a good Winthrop team.  They managed only 3 hits, one each by Charolette Schofield, Amolee Hawkins and Diedra Matthews.  After starting strong and leading 5-3 after 2 innings, and in spite allowing only four hits to Winthrop, the walks took their toll in the 3rd and 4th innings.

If Memorial Day weekend signals the onset of the summer high season, then nothing makes it more official than enjoying the 4^th of July fireworks celebration. The annual tradition was greatly appreciated by the thousands who turned out at Trum Field to take part in the spectacle and the patriotic spirit of the occasion.

Spotty weather conditions aside, we are well on our way into a great time of the year. It’s a time for family vacations, outdoor activities, and an overall celebration of the vitality and passion that the sunny months ahead will bring forth.

By Jim Clark

Somerville police officers responded to reports of an assault at a Sewall Street apartment building last Saturday evening, only to find the alleged victim outside the residence, behaving in a very animated manner and, in the officers’ opinions, highly intoxicated.

Mark Bowler, 57, complained that another resident of the building had struck him in the face for no apparent reason. Bowler was then advised that it was a matter of simple assault and that he himself would have to file charges at the District Court the next day, police said. Bowler then reportedly began swearing at the police officers, according to their report.

Jody Azzouni has been writing since he was twelve: Poetry, Fiction, Philosophy. He’s been a professor in the philosophy department at Tufts University since 1986, and lives in Somerville. His most recent book of poetry is Hereafter Landscapes, published with the Poet’s Press.

Arrests:
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Michael Wallace, 44, of 10 Dysart St., June 27, 7:34 p.m., arrested at 219 Broadway on a warrant charge of armed robbery.

Mark Bowler, 57, of 10 Sewall St., June 27, 8:07 p.m., arrested at home on charges of threatening to commit a crime, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.

Reynaldo Canas, 57, of 68 Moreland St., June 28, 3:27 a.m., arrested at home on a charge of assault and battery.

- Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

On the afternoon of Tuesday, July 5, an Nstar crew that was working on secondary utility lines high in the air from a bucket truck at the intersection of Clarendon Avenue at Weston Avenue were put into harm’s way when a spark ignited, creating a flame and causing the Nstar truck to combust into fire.

- Photo by Bobbie Toner