The proposed FY2017 budget has been submitted for scrutiny and debate by city officials and the general public alike.

By Amy Swain

On Tuesday, June 7 the city’s Budget Analyst Mike Mastrobuoni made himself available, along with Deputy Director of Communications Jackie Rossetti, at City Hall to discuss the budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2017.

The city is looking for answers as to why street repairs are taking so long to accomplish and what can be done to expedite them.

By Josie Grove

“When is my street going to be paved?”

Ward 5 alderman Mark Niedergang says it’s one of the most common questions he hears from his constituents. “And I still don’t know what to say.

Ward 3 Alderman Bob McWatters will be having a fundraiser on Wednesday, June 22 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the ever-popular Sally O’Brien’s on Somerville Avenue, Union Square. We hear that three special guests will be showing up to wish Bob good luck, of course along with the huge crowd he gets. One is his good friend Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan (don’t forget he’s campaign coordinator here in Somerville for her), the first District Attorney for Middlesex County who grew up here, in Ward 3, and her family is still here. No one packs them in like Bob does. Last time hardly anyone could move around. He’s very popular on his own, doesn’t need anyone especially property owners and developers and whatever to throw him a sellout time. He’s popular because he is truly a constituent Alderman and reaches out to all the residents of Ward 3, not just the special interest of a few. He’s got support from all sides, and yes, he’s a great guy.

By Mariya Manzhos

Last Sunday morning nearly 400 participants gathered at the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse on the Mystic River Reservation to run a 5K race in support of lives affected by addiction.

Somerville’s Peter Fantasia recently received a citation from the Board of Alderman and the Mayor celebrating his 100th Birthday. Ward 3 Alderman Bob McWatters presented the citation to him on his porch with friends and family present.

~Photos by Bobbie Toner

That annual celebration of accordions, button boxes and other free reed instruments known as Squeezebox Slam took place last Sunday in and around Davis Sq. The 5th Somerville Squeezebox Slam was presented by Nave Gallery and the Somerville Arts Council.

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Many people agree that James Franco is a fine actor … but poet? Critic Dennis Daly has strong reservations:

Review by Dennis Daly

Some purist reviewers of poetry posit the importance of their responsibility as gatekeepers. I don’t see it that way. My critiques tend toward books that I like either in whole or in part. But … but there are limits. My button gets pushed by elitist practitioners of award winning drivel or wannabe celebrities showcasing their narcissism by caricaturing the artistic tradition they pretend to comprehend. The subject of this review is an example of the latter.

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Steven Ablon is a psychiatrist whose main purpose as a poet is (in his words) “to break your heart.” Ablon, a Harvard Medical School faculty member who is well-seasoned in the practice of psychoanalysis, is acquainted with heartbreak. In his poetry he wants his words to be strongly evocative. He wants to reach the reader on a visceral level.

Fourth of July Fireworks, Family Fun Day set for June 25 & 30, at Trum Field.

Summer officially kicks off next weekend with the annual Family Fun Day in Somerville on Saturday, June 25, from noon to 4 p.m. at Trum Field. Summertime in Somerville from June to September will include annual favorite events and series as well as some new programs for residents of all ages. Following Family Fun Day, the City will host its annual Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration at Trum Field on Thursday, June 30.

Arrests:
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 Jose Olivo, June 6, 1:06 p.m., arrested at Parker St. on a charge of felony daytime breaking and entering of a vehicle or boat.

Henry Alvarez, of 26 Kensington Ave., June 6, 6:33 p.m., arrested at Assembly Row on charges of assault and battery, shoplifting by asportation, and resisting arrest.