By Charles Lane

Workbar Union is a significant contribution to the revitalization efforts taking place in Union Square.

General Electric’s move from Connecticut to Boston is the latest high profile employer to make the greater metro area its home. The unique combination of a highly educated workforce, a cluster of elite universities, and an ecosystem of high-tech, research and development, and health science firms make the region highly attractive to cutting edge industries.

It’s almost embarrassing that we even have to confront an issue such as gender wage disparity in this day and age. We should be years, if not decades, past this unjust practice and not still worming out the last vestiges of its insidious presence in our economic systems.

Thankfully, our conscientious legislators on Beacon Hill are tirelessly working towards fine tuning and asserting laws that will assure women an equal day’s pay for an equal day’s work.

Eagle Feathers #96 – The Chiefs

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

“The First Combination Chemical, and Hose Reel, with Ladders, was invented by the Chief of Somerville, and exhibited Aug. 10, 1887. Humphrey (Dumps) of Engine 4, Boston operated the Tanks. The First Fire that it performed splendid service at was in Cambridge, Box 71. The fire was in the Cambridge Poor-House.”

(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)

To the Editor:

The redevelopment of Union Square represents a unique opportunity for Somerville.  As the owner of commercial property (the former Union Square police station) since 1989, an architect and planner, an emeritus board member of Union Square Main Streets, and a member of the steering committee which helped write SomerVision, I can offer an informed view about the importance of moving the redevelopment process forward without further delays and the benefit that housing as an early piece of a mixed use development will bring to the city and neighborhood.

By Charles O’Rourke

The girls team after their victory.

For the third year in a row, the Somerville High Girls Track Team led by Captains Maureen McNabb, Leighann Nguyen and Melissa Sanon won the Greater Boston League Championship Meet.

The meet was held on Saturday, January 30 at the Reggie Lewis Center. The SHS Girls scored a total of 120 points, followed by Malden with 92, Chelsea was 3rd with 58, Everett was 4th with 41, Greater Lawrence Tech had 37 and Medford with 19.

Our Somerville guest reviewer-at-large William Falcetano chimes in with his latest take on the movies for Off the Shelf:

Carol is a film adaptation of a story by Patricia Highsmith (The Talented Mr. Ripley) about a love affair between two women in the 1950s. One woman is a society wife, Carol Aird, played with her usual brilliance by the inimitable Cate Blanchett. The object of her affections is a young shop girl, Terez Belivet, played by Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), who bears an uncanny resemblance to Audrey Hepburn, with her bangs, wide eyes full of wonder, and a touch of innocence.

Our poet this week is Linda Larson. Linda used to be editor of the Spare Change News, a newspaper sold by the homeless throughout the city. I used to be an arts reporter under her and the late Cindy Baron. They taught me a lot. Linda let me write a couple of feature stories in their All Poetry issues that they used to publish. Since then I have published a poetry collection by Linda, and she has appeared numerous times in Ibbetson Street magazine. She has long been an advocate for the homeless and mentally ill and has struggled with both of these demons throughout her life.

Friends and loved ones are pulling together in support of Warren Goldstein-Gelb in this time of need.

By Haley ED Houseman

Community members are coming together to give back to Warren Goldstein-Gelb, a devoted leader of local non-profit The Welcome Project. A large number of local nonprofits have joined together to host a benefit for Goldstein-Gelb, who recently suffered a stroke that will require a long road to recovery.

With bills to pay and the stress of long-term illness lingering, the community will hold a benefit on February 3 that will feature family-friendly food and music, with numerous raffle prizes and a silent auction, at Aeronaut Brewery on Tyler Street.

Who can be a poll worker?

Any registered voter in Massachusetts can be considered for a poll worker position.

Will I work in my own precinct?

You must be willing and able to go to any precinct. We always try to place you in a precinct close to your home, or we may place you in your home precinct if there is a vacancy.

Arrests:
*

Paul Young, of 132 Pearl St., January 26, 11:30 p.m., arrested at McGrath Hwy. on warrant charges of assault and battery, threat to commit a crime, and unarmed robbery.

Herman Blanco, of 58 Medford St., Charlestown, January 27, 8:37 a.m., arrested at Somerville Ave. on warrant charges of trespassing on county or state property and possession of a burglarious instrument.