By Joseph A. Curtatone

(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)

Recently, I’ve been asked a number of times to discuss Somerville’s status as a sanctuary city and each time I do, I try to emphasize that we will not waiver from our commitment to being a city that welcomes and serves all. When we say all, we mean all – and that means acknowledging and addressing inequity on other fronts too.

The Somerville Chamber of Commerce announced today that it will host a panel discussion on February 28 entitled The Next Innovation Center: Why Not Somerville?. Attendees will learn insights from industry thought leaders as to how the City of Somerville can capitalize on the current market environment to realize its goals of becoming a regional jobs and innovation center. The event is scheduled to occur at the Holiday Inn – Bunker Hill, 30 Washington Street, Somerville, at 4:00 p.m. Doors open at 3:30 p.m.

The Prospect Hill Academy Lady Wizards finished its 2016-2017 season undefeated with a divisional record of 12-0 (14-0 overall) and will be the #1 seed from Division I in the upcoming final tournament. — Photos by Correen Demers

By Ashley Richardson

The final horn has just sounded to conclude 2016-2017 regular season play for girls’ basketball in the Massachusetts Charter School Athletic Organization (MCSAO).

The Lady Wizards of Prospect Hill Academy with a divisional record of 12-0 (14-0 overall) will be the #1 seed from Division I and pitted against the winner of Division II’s #4 v #5 play-in game to be scheduled for early next week.

The City of Somerville is looking at ways to improve the chances of local residents and immigrant workers to land jobs in construction and other key sectors through various workforce jobs initiatives.

By Jim Clark

At last week’s catch-up regular meeting of the Board of Alderman on February 14, the report of the Committee on Housing and Community Development’s meeting on February 6, included details regarding development of and funding for the local hiring and workforce development First Source program, and report on the outcome of FRIT’s recent job fairs for Assembly Square, including Somervillians getting jobs.

Opioid-related deaths, unintentional/undetermined January 2000 – December 2016.

By Charles Lane

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health released preliminary 2016 fourth quarter data for opioid-related deaths among Massachusetts residents last week.

The report shows death rates involving heroin continue to decline, however, those deaths have decreased at approximately the same rate that fentanyl-related deaths have increased. The report also shows a 15 percent decrease in 2016 in the number of prescriptions for schedule II and III opioids compared with 2015.

Local Rotarian Rod Laurenz took the Polar Plunge with some 250 brave volunteers in an effort to raise funding and awareness for polio eradication research.

By Rebecca Danvers

To raise awareness and critically needed funds to fight polio, Rod Laurenz from the Rotary Club of Somerville joined over 250 volunteers and Rotarians who plunged into the icy waters off of Gloucester as part of the Rotary District 7930’s 7th Annual Polar Plunge on February 4.

So far were correct on the re-election rally for Alderman At Large Mary Jo Rossetti on February 28 at Orleans Restaurant in Davis Square across from the parking lot on 65 Holland Street, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Alderman-Lady Mary Jo works very hard for the city, she is always thinking of us the residents. She’s running for re-election and is one of many of the present alderman that is dedicated and listens to the residents here in Somerville.

Newly-announced Alderman at Large candidate Will Mbah.

By William C. Shelton

Will Mbah, a Woods Avenue resident, has announced his candidacy for Alderman at Large. His background is unique among modern aldermanic candidates.

It involves a circuitous journey from a West African household of modest means to advocating for economic development and affordable housing in New England’s densest city. Yet its elements of hope, endurance, and determination are common among generations of immigrants who settled in Somerville over the past two centuries.

Eagle Feathers #123 – Happy Anniversaries

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

She’s 175 years old this year and counting. It’s not polite to ask a mature lady her age, but she doesn’t mind at all. Her roots as part of Charlestown, her maiden name, go back to July 4, 1629, the day Charlestown was founded. This makes her older than Boston and Cambridge. Thus, her history before becoming Somerville in 1842 is also Charlestown’s history.

Why is it that so many of us have to get in our cars or board public transportation each day when we go to work?

Is it just our bad luck that that the only job we can possibly work at happens to be 40 miles or more away from where live and shop and play and…well, live our lives?