By Jim Clark

Tufts University School of Engineering 2015 Outstanding Career Achievement Award recipient Paul Kelly (left) with Tufts President Anthony P. Monaco (right). ~Photo by Kelvin Ma/Tufts University

Paul Kelly, Senior Principal at the engineering firm Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc., Boston branch, was recently honored with the Tufts University School of Engineering 2015 Outstanding Career Achievement Award.

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)

Thousands have died in a massive earthquake that has ravaged Nepal, thousands are injured, and the death toll will likely climb even higher. This is a humanitarian crisis that requires a massive response. The coming months are critical. Supplies are needed and could quickly run out, and getting supplies to affected areas across the mountainous country is difficult with widespread damage to roads and bridges. Hospitals are tending to the injured while services and utilities, already challenged in Asia’s second-poorest country, are disrupted and unreliable. Almost a million-and-a-half people are in need of food assistance and many require temporary shelter. Last week, we held a candlelight vigil in remembrance of the earthquake’s victims and to support Somerville’s Nepali community. Our community will continue to step up to support our friends, neighbors, and Nepali community here and in their native country.

The Somerville Board of Alderman issued a citation to Robert Schofield at their latest regular meeting on April 23 for his winning the Joao Rodrigues Distinguished Service Award presented by the MA Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Association. Born and raised in Somerville (SHS Class of 1985), the citation states that he has re-invigorated youth baseball and softball in Somerville, serving more than 200 youth with the Somerville Youth Softball and Somerville Babe Ruth programs in the last three years. The mayor and the membership of the Board extended their gratitude and offered their best wishes for continuing success in this endeavor.

(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)

The dilapidated MBTA building at the corner of Avon and School Streets will be sold at auction on May 21. The opening bid will be $487,000 according to Alderman Bob McWatters. The owner of the abutting gas station, Adam Dash, is supposedly the most likely buyer. Presumably the property would be developed as luxury condos.

Here are some headlines from the most recent Somerville Neighborhood Newscast:

Almost 100 Tufts students, janitors, union members and supporters marched from Davis Square to the university on April 30, and some were dressed at cockroaches and rats. Why?

Board President, Alderman At Large William A. White Jr., explained the need for a more thorough analysis of the aircraft noise problem confronting the city.

By Jim Clark

The Somerville Board of Alderman passed a resolution at their last regular meeting on April 23, requesting that the Administration, through city departments such as SomerStat and Communications, work with the Board to develop a strategy to analyze the increasing use of Runway 33L at Logan Airport and document the adverse noise impacts of this increased use on Somerville residents.

— Photo by Claudia Ferro

The creative heart and soul of the city opened its doors to the public this past weekend as the artists participating in Somerville Open Studios welcomed those interested into their workspaces.

Attendees of last week’s vigil in support of Nepal earthquake victims stood in solidarity as they remembered those who lost their lives as well as those recovering from the devastation. — Photo by Douglas Yu

 By Douglas Yu

Somerville is over 7,000 miles away from Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. When the historic earthquake traumatized the region by killing 7,500 people and injuring over 10,000 near the end of last month, the Nepalese community in Somerville was deeply saddened.

Tonight Wednesday May 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 celebrate with Ward 4 Alderman Tony Lafuente at his third annual Cinco de Mayo fundraiser Party at Cantina La Mexicana in Union Square. Tony sure is popular. It seems like no one is going to run against him again this year. Many of us here at The Times reside in Ward 4 and we think he’s doing a great job. Join him, his family and friends in helping to kickoff his campaign.

By Josie Grove

“We exist to implement your vision of the city,” said the head of the Transportation and Infrastructure Division in the Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development, Brad Rawson, at last Thursday’s Ward 6 ResiStat meeting held at the offices of web design firm Velir in Davis Sq. Despite their stated focus on participatory planning, Rawson and Mayor Joseph Curtatone also made it clear that Somerville is reacting to forces outside its control, from the regional housing shortage to the blizzards of last winter.