Eagle Feathers #205– Father’s Day

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

William Jackson Smart was the original inspiration for Father’s Day. He was born in Arkansas in 1842, the year of Somerville’s birth, and fought for both sides during the Civil War. After his supply wagon was captured, the North offered him the choice to be imprisoned or to join them … so he chose to become a Yankee.     

While passions heat up over the recent incidents of death of black men and women at the hands of police officers in cities throughout the nation, one movement has emerged as a rallying cry for those who are protesting in the streets: the “defunding” of police departments.

While the term itself is rightfully alarming to many at first, the exact meaning of what this action would actually entail ought to be made clear.

Arrests:
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Jodie Perkins, of Dorchester, May 29, 2:33 p.m., arrested at Union Sq. on a charge of unarmed robbery.

Joseph Mendez, of Medford, May 29, 5:59 p.m., arrested at Temple St. on a charge of distribution of a class A drug.

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Preeti Mehta is a social entrepreneur and the sole proprietor of Premaasi Textiles, a social enterprise based in Davis Square, Somerville.

Inspired by beautiful, hand-crafted textiles worldwide during her travels, Preeti chose to indulge her passion after pursuing careers in telecommunications, management consulting and non-profit management. Premaasi’s mission is to promote unique, hand-crafted, globally-sourced textile products in the U.S. market and to educate consumers about the value of hand-made products, the techniques used to make them and the skill of the artisans.

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Andy Hoffman writes fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Best-known for his Pulitzer-nominated biography, Inventing Mark Twain, he has recently completed a new novel, How to Live Forever. He holds a PhD from Brown University and has been an entrepreneur, primarily in educational technology, since 1997. He lives in Providence, RI.

Help celebrate Somerville class of 2020 graduates! You can display a sign or banner in your window or yard, or create sidewalk chalk art to show your support. Graduations begin tomorrow, Wednesday June 10.

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The Somerville Police Department has adopted all of the 8 Can’t Wait police reform policies espoused by Campaign Zero (see the graphic ). Six of the policies were already formally in place in writing and two were existing, taught standard procedures (a ban on choke- and strangleholds and duty to intervene) that will now be added to written policy and procedures. Officers will continue to be educated on all of these policies.

The Somerville School Committee will conduct a public hearing on the School Department’s FY2021 Budget, Wednesday,  June 17, 2020, at 6:00 p.m.

GoToWebinar Online Meeting Platform.

Please use the following web address to join the Budget Hearing: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5352296567632079115

The Public is Cordially Invited to Attend.

A candlelight vigil in honor of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and others killed by police brutality and racist violence took place Sunday evening at the East Somerville Public Library.