By Jim Clark

Both new and familiar faces were seen Monday night at the city’s 2018 inaugural ceremony held at Somerville High School Auditorium.

The newly elected and re-elected aldermen, School Committee members, as well as the mayor, were in attendance for a public swearing in and general celebration of the latest configuration of Somerville’s civic government.

Best of luck in the new year to our almost new Board of Aldermen. A grand total of five new aldermen were installed into their positions this past Monday evening, January 1. We wish the new government here in the city the best of luck for 2018. Congratulations to Ward 7 Alderman Katjana Ballantyne, who was elected by her peers to be President of the Board for this coming year, along with Ward 1 Alderman Matt McLaughlin as the new Vice President. We congratulate them, as well the School Committee members and its new Chairman, Andre L. Green. And finally, to Mayor Joseph Curtatone. We hope he has a successful term in office, with this being the beginning of his eighth term. Incidentally, if you’re interested in reading the full transcript of the mayor’s inauguration speech, we have it posted on our website: www.thesomervilletimes.com.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to a Broadway location on Christmas Eve on reports of a dispute between a MBTA bus driver and a passenger.

Upon arrival, officers separated a man, later identified as Peter Piantidosi, of Andover, and female bus driver.

Arrests:
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Antonio Filho, of 34 Mt. Pleasant St., December 19, 6:46 p.m., arrested at Canal St. on charges of removal of theft prevention device and larceny over $250, and on warrant charges of uninsured motor vehicle or trailer, operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended registration, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

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At 62 it is a lot harder to get up for the class that I teach at Endicott College on the North Shore – especially in the winter. I like to do a lot of my prep at the office – so I bite the bullet – and get ready at 4 a.m. I meet the morning demands of my cat – Ketz – brush my crowned teeth, take a brush to the remains of my hair – and I am out the door.

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Syed Zaman is a graduate of Sofia University and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.  He writes, “I currently work in academia at Harvard University. I enjoy exploring creativity through contemplative photography, drawing, word-play, and working as a creativity coach. While in constant engagement with writing, I feel words carrying me forward to places where I am able to articulate to myself that which helps refine a consciousness that is capable of registering the most minute changes in sensation and feeling through a sense of self with an enlarged sense of creative identity.”

“I want to say a quick word to everyone who ran in this election—and really to all of us. In my years in Somerville government, I’ve seen many candidates win and lose hard-fought campaigns. According to politics, these opponents should now be enemies, but so often, I’ve seen instead how their love for this city made them compatriots. So to each of you—and everyone—I say, let us also show that same dedication. Let our commitment to working together while valuing our differences be our strength as we strive toward our community’s shared goals going forward.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan hosted more than 450 students from 30 middle and high schools across Middlesex County at this year’s Empowering Girls 2017 Conference: Women with Vision held at the Cary Memorial Building in Lexington. This year’s theme focused on leadership, self-discovery and goal-setting in the face of obstacles.

Seventeen Somerville students were selected for the 2018 All-State Treble Chorus. Students in grades 4 through 6 are accepted through an audition process and will represent the best singers of their age group in the state. The concert, which takes place on March 3 at Boston’s Seaport Hotel, will be directed by Dr. Janet Galván, Director of Choral Activities at Ithaca College. Congratulations to the following Somerville Public Schools students.

The Massachusetts Bankers Association Charitable Foundation recently presented a $5,000 check to support community programs at Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES). The check was accepted by SCES Assistant Director Mary Ann Dalton. The agency was nominated for the award by Roma Mayur (right) of the Cambridge Trust Company.

The Massachusetts Bankers Association (MBA) Charitable Foundation recently donated $5,000 to support programs and services at Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES).

The MBA foundation is supported by 150 member banks and loan associations across New England, and distributes community grants at the end of each year. The foundation awarded 43 grants totaling $167,000 in 2017—the most in its 21-year history, said foundation chairman William Parent.