Bob, age nine, holding forth on his porch with Muhammed Ali. — Photo by Gordon Parks

By William C. Shelton

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Thirty-two years ago, Bob Massie came to Somerville to serve as pastor for Christ Church, a small Episcopal congregation that was on the border between Winter Hill and East Somerville.

On May 16, his campaign kickoff at the Armory will be the next step in a circuitous journey, strewn with adversity and accomplishment.  And it should presage the most intriguing gubernatorial race in a long time.

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In addition to the over two dozen local candidates running this year for elective office in Somerville, the candidates for Massachusetts Governor already are campaigning in Somerville. SCATV’s Greater Somerville producer and host Joe Lynch, recently spoke with candidate for Massachusetts governor, Jay Gonzalez.

Seven students from Somerville High School’s Career and Technical Education Program competed on April 27-29 for the Skills USA State Competition.

The program’s purpose is preparing the high school students for the workforce. They focus on their vocation training as well as leadership and business skills.

By Louise Carpenter

During the House budget debate this week, Medford and Somerville State Representative Christine P. Barber successfully secured an amendment in the House budget establishing a special commission to study and report on childhood vision and eye health. Charged with studying children’s vision care and quality, commission members will ultimately develop recommendations to ensure all children receive vision screenings and necessary follow-up care.

By Jim Clark

Somerville police conducted a selective enforcement operation last week aimed at spotting motor vehicle operators who were distracted while driving.

One officer was stationed at the upper parking lot of the Police Station, acting as a spotter. Another officer maintained a position at the corner of Merriam and Washington Street, where motorists in violation could be pulled over.

Please join Mayor Joe Curtatone, the Somerville Arts Council, The Welcome Project, and Somerville Photographer Randi Freundlich for an exhibit of her ongoing series Children of the World. Twenty-eight color photographs are on exhibit at Somerville City Hall, at 93 Highland Avenue in Somerville, through June 2017. A public reception will be held on May 4, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Freuindlich’s exhibit is on display in Somerville City Hall through a Somerville Arts Council grant.

Many of Somerville’s finest artist will be throwing open the doors to their studios for the 19th annual Somerville Open Studios.

By Hannes Remmert

This coming weekend, local artists will open their studios and workshops all over the city to the public during the 19th annual Somerville Open Studios (SOS).

SOS will take place this Saturday and Sunday, May 6 and 7, from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. Organized by the non-profit organization of the same name, over 340 artists will be participating in the admission-free event. Additionally, on Friday, May 5, some artists will open their studios as a preview of the event from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.

~Photo by Claudia Ferro

To celebrate the opening of Road to the Races, a nationwide tour inviting fans of #95 to gear up for the upcoming big-screen release of Disney/Pixar’s Cars 3, a grand opening kick-off celebration took place last Friday at Assembly Row, Sylvester Baxter Riverfront Park.

Infrastructure improvement is an unavoidable priority for the city, according to Mayor Curtatone in his presentation to the Board of Aldermen last week.

By Jordan Deschenes

Somerville’s Board of Aldermen held an official meeting on Thursday to officially discuss a variety of items, most notably a communication from Mayor Joe Curtatone regarding infrastructure redevelopment.

Mayor Curtatone’s communication pertained to the city’s outdated sewage system, the redevelopment of which he considered a responsibility to both the state and the city’s SomerVision Comprehensive Plan.

US2 agreement receives SRA approval after key 4-1 vote
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By US2 – Union Square Station Associates

US2 is proud to announce that at last Thursday’s Somerville Redevelopment Authority meeting, the Master Land Disposition Agreement (MLDA) between the Somerville Redevelopment Authority (SRA) and Union Square Master Developer Union Square Station received a 4-1 vote of approval. The Agreement sets the terms for the acquisition and redevelopment of 15.5 acres of designated development land in Union Square by US2. The properties are part of the state-approved Union Square Revitalization Plan that was adopted by the Somerville Board of Alderman in 2012.