On September 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the First Church Somerville UCC, 89 College Avenue, all of the Ward 6  candidates who will face off in the only primary this municipal cycle have agreed to take part together in a forum.

~Photos by Donald Norton
Union Square Farmers Market has been a neighborhood institution for over 10 years. It operates on Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the central plaza in the heart of Union Square.

By William C. Shelton

This article was previously published on February 18, 2009.

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

In past columns, I’ve written about what an extraordinarily rich community Somervillians created and enjoyed in the first half of the Twentieth Century, and how it gradually disintegrated in the second half. Yet I don’t think I’ve ever defined what I mean by “community.”

By Josie Grove

An updating of an old friend of the city is soon at hand, as the West Branch Library prepare for major renovation. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

Somerville’s oldest public library, the West Branch, is about to enter the present day. At a community meeting last Monday, neighbors met with designers and library staff to provide feedback on the plans for the impending renovation.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

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

This week, first graders through high school seniors return to Somerville Public Schools, and next week will be the first day of school for our newest Highlanders in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten. Parents have been busy preparing their kids, getting them all the materials they need for the new school year. We’ve been preparing, too—not only teachers, administrators and educators in the schools, but those of us on the City side. Somerville Public Schools have a commitment to development of the whole child, because we know that the factors that determine academic achievement do not exist only in our schools. If we want our students to excel, we have to holistically support them—and their families—in and out of school.

Believed to be First of its Kind. STEPS Initiative Police Officers to Each Mentor One School Class over 7 year period. Officers to Progress with Same Students fromSixth Grade through High School Graduation.

Come this September, the Somerville Police Department will be increasing its presence in the schools, but nobody is in trouble—and the City’s new STEPS initiative aims to keep it that way.

Mayor Curtatone briefed the Board of Aldermen on recent developments in the GLX funding issues currently being addressed by the administration and state officials. — Photo by Donald Norton

By Jim Clark

The recent announcement by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority that the Green Line Extension project may be facing a $1 billion shortfall in its budget sent many concerned individuals and institutions into a tailspin of near panic and clear confusion.

On Thursday, September 17, 2015, the voters of Ward 6 will give their ballots for a Candidate for Alderman in Ward Six for the term of two years. The Somerville Times asked each of the qualified candidates to answer five questions on their views relating to their possible tenure as Alderman, as well as provide a brief biography. Their responses are presented here in alphabetical order based on their last names.

Less than two weeks left for the 15th Annual John T. Forcellese Memorial Fund Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, September 12 at the Falmouth Country Club. To get more information and to sign up go online at www.johns-team.org. A great event every year and a worthy cause. Get a group together and spend a nice day down on the Cape.

By Donald Norton

— Photo by Donald Norton

Chuckie Harris Park on Cross Street East was brand new last year. The city spent a lot of money on the park for families in East Somerville to use. The Board of Aldermen voted to allocate funds to purchase a new slide that has been ruined for a few months now. The city has told the Board that the cost of the new slide is reasonable at $17,000. The vote was taken and the city decided to order the slide the next day. The park should once again have a nice slide for the kids to play on.