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)

In my inaugural address, I called upon the Board of Aldermen to pass the most restrictive campaign finance legislation in Massachusetts. Seven aldermen co-sponsored a proposal I submitted to the Board last May, while the remaining members of the board co-sponsored a similar bill put forth by Board President Bill White. These two proposals, taken up by the Board this week, show that I and the Board of Aldermen are united in our purpose to deliver a government that is open, honest and transparent. Our taxpayers deserve the reassurance that our government is accountable to one value and one value only: What’s best for the people of our city.

SJC’s ruling is devastating to our family

(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)

My beloved aunt, Janet Downing, was murdered by juvenile Edward O’Brien in 1995 [in Somerville].

Her defensive wounds were plentiful. He was 6 foot 4 and 260 pounds. My aunt was 5 foot 3 and 114 pounds. She never had a chance, but she fought so hard to keep her life.

A comprehensive report commissioned by the schools, the City and the School Committee on preparing children for kindergarten recommends that rather than pursuing solely school-based universal preschool for 4-year-olds, that the community establish an innovative early childhood system for pre-kindergarteners of all ages via a provider network, which would include Somerville Public Schools, nonprofit and private early childhood care providers and other local agencies working collaboratively to support universal kindergarten readiness.

The Somerville High School Drama Club performed the musical Annie this past Thursday and Friday at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square.

Over 100 residents turn out for tax bill hearing
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By David R. Smith

“I thought it was big mistake when I got my bill,” Edna Murphy told the Board of Aldermen Finance Committee, and she was not alone.

State Representative Denise Provost is back from her climate change fact-finding odyssey.

By State Representative Denise Provost

Science first

First of all, what is climate change, does it even exist? Often linked with – or hidden behind – the expression “global warming,”  “climate change” refers to a set of measurable, related phenomena that greatly increases the likelihood of unusual and even violent weather. The main driver is generally accepted to be increasing amounts of certain gases, particularly carbon dioxide, in the earth’s atmosphere.

Tonight (Wednesday the 12th) at the Arts at the Armory is the Medford-Somerville Relay for Life kickoff party. Join in for a fun night! There will be speakers, food, and you will have a chance to learn about relay. Activities for all ages. Come learn about the Relay For Life event and how to sign-up your team. Don’t miss out on a chance to win some awesome prizes.

By Jim Clark

A Somerville Police officer on paid detail at a Somerville High School Varsity Hockey game Saturday evening took notice of a man who was being verbally abusive to the Somerville High coach.

Wednesday, Feb. 12

Ice Hockey: Girls Varsity Game vs. Marblehead at Simoni Rink – 4 p.m.

Ice Hockey: Boys Varsity Game vs. Revere at Veterans Memorial Rink – 7:30 p.m.

The timing of the Finance Committee’s public hearing last week on the recent property revaluations that resulted in significantly higher tax bills for some property owners was curious, to say the least, as it came the day after the deadline to file an abatement had come and gone the day before.