The Dominican Republic’s Boston Consulate was the scene of a recent protest by several local organizations including The Haitian Coalition in Somerville. At issue is the Dominican government’s recent push to enforce a five-year old law that puts Dominican born citizens of Haitian ancestry at risk of deportation. In 2010 the Dominican government passed legislation to tighten citizenship policies. The new policy stated that children of immigrants born in the DR would take the nationality of their father, and not be considered Dominican citizens.

By Jim Clark

A Somerville police officer patrolling in an unmarked car took notice of a vehicle that failed to yield to oncoming traffic as it pulled out of Randolph Pl., almost hitting a another car moving along Cross St. last Wednesday evening.

Part 2: We are all Greeks
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By William C. Shelton

(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 the U.S. criminal justice system, we assign more serious punishment to those who sell addictive drugs than to those who use them. This seems intuitively just.

By Donald Norton

Last Wednesday evening Police Chief David Fallon, along with several of his officers and patrolmen, met with a group of about 30 kids from Teen Empowerment to walk and talk to neighbors and residents.

By Sanjeev Selvarajah

“I am not currently living off of my artwork, but I use my art skills to do art restoration to pay the bills,” says Holly Curcio, a contributor to The Nave Gallery Annex’s Who Might I Be exhibit, holding its opening reception this Friday, August 7.

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)

Last Friday we kicked off the first critical step in our City greenhouse gas inventory. We launched an intensive, two-week push to collect all our energy use data so that we can make informed decisions about how to reduce the City’s and the community’s contribution to climate change. We need good data that sets a baseline of our usage now, so we can track how future initiatives we undertake affect our greenhouse gas emissions. The inventory is part of SustainaVille, our plan to become carbon neutral by 2050. And while the inventory is just ramping up, we’re taking steps right now to reduce Somerville’s carbon emissions. That includes the installation last week of new public charging stations for electric vehicles, and the forthcoming delivery of electric vehicles we’re adding to our fleet.

Representative Christine Barber, Representative Denise Provost and Senator Patricia Jehlen were among the twenty representatives and eleven senators to vote to oppose the sales tax holiday this week. In the House, the bill passed 136-20; in the Senate the vote was 27-11.

Somerville Police Chief David Fallon recently looked back on his first year as head of the Department, and reflected on its policies, goals and achievements.

By Josie Grove

Over the last year, police departments have been under intense public scrutiny after a series of high-profile instances of police violence and community protest. This month marks the grim anniversaries of the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, and the beginning of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Stan Ridgway entertains at Johnny D’s this Wednesday night.

By Jim Clark

Stan Ridgway, founding member and former lead singer of the 80’s new wave group Wall of Voodoo, can easily be described as a musical whirlwind of versatility. He is adept at playing various musical instruments; is widely regarded as an uncommonly talented songwriter; and has enjoyed a prolonged career as a performer as well as a composer of music for film and television.

Today, Wednesday, at Powder House Park is the 35th annual Mayor’s Senior Picnic. Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone invites all to attend this popular yearly event running from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s a wonderful day of dancing, music, entertainment and prizes galore. Tickets are available at the following locations: Holland St Center, 167 Holland St.; Cross Street Center, 165 Broadway; and the Mayor’s Office/City Hall, 93 Highland Ave.