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)

Federal transportation funding is on the brink of a crisis that could cripple our economy for years to come. The Highway Trust Fund faces insolvency as gas tax revenues, the primary source of replenishing the trust fund, continue to decline. Massachusetts could lose almost a billion dollars in funding next year, and the Greater Boston region alone could lose $335 million in transportation funding according to a report released last week by nonprofit Transportation for America. Congress has a number of options to choose from that could rescue the Highway Trust Fund and the projects that keep our economy growing, but our leaders in Washington must act quickly and decisively if our nation is to remain competitive in the 21st century global economy.

Kourtney-Shea Yurko and Saladin Islam sing and play for the highly receptive audience at this year’s Youth Peace Conference.

By Jack Adams

Every year for the past eight years, the Somerville Center for Teen Empowerment holds a Youth Peace Conference. The 2014 conference was hosted last Saturday evening at the East Somerville Community School, reopened this year after it burned down 10 years ago.

This year’s conference was called “Rising from the Ashes,” a nod to the rebuilding of the East Somerville Community School having risen from its former ashes. Stephanie Berkowitz, the director of external relations at the Center for Teen Empowerment, said it was also a reference to how all of Somerville has bounced back after setbacks over the years.

By Jeremy F. van der Heiden

In response to a new report published by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR), the student body rallied around Tufts University’s administrative building May 1 to protest the school’s Title IX status.

At the Board of Aldermen’s meeting at 7 p.m. this Thursday, May 8, the BOA will honor former Ward 3 Alderman Tom Taylor for his many years of public service on the board, representing not just his constituents in Ward 3 but throughout Somerville as a community. His family will be present, along with many residents here in the city, to witness the outpouring of thanks from a grateful community here in Somerville. This entire event Thursday night will be a great boost to Tom, who has suffered many physical problems he’s had to endure over these past few years. Tom has been an inspiration to many here over the years, and especially now that he has braved adversity. We hope that the Aldermanic Chamber at City Hall overflows with grateful city residents.  His family, and in particular his lovely wife, Celia, truly appreciate the kindness shown to Tom over these past several months with his many complications with his cancer.

The state Supreme Judicial Court will rule on whether a petition to ban casino gambling statewide will appear as a ballot question this November. The appeal to the SJC, arguments for and against which were heard Monday, comes after Attorney General Martha Coakley would not certify the petition, for which the group Repeal the Casino Deal collected more than the required 68,911 signatures. The SJC will likely issue its decision by next month.

By Jim Clark

Police detained and arrested a man who fit the description of the suspect in two separately reported cases of breaking and entering last week.

Michael Denning, 36, of Everett, was stopped by police officers who noted how closely his appearance matched that of the home intrusion suspect.

(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)

On behalf of Union United – a multi-issue coalition of community stakeholders, including small business owners, residents, activists, immigrant groups, religious congregations, labor unions, and community-based organizations – we are writing to express our views on the Union Square redevelopment process and project. As we talk to neighbors, we hear harrowing stories of rising rents, business and resident displacement, and calls for greater inclusion and transparency in the planning process. We recognize the value of strengthening the city’s commercial tax base and we want to ensure that Union Square’s unique social fabric is protected. In order to meet that goal, it is essential that affordability, workers’ rights, and public safety are also prioritized as new development and infrastructure investments occur. This is an important opportunity for an entire community to shape its built environment on the basis of inclusion, equity, and future prosperity for all residents.

The annual M.O.M.’s Run 5k Run/Walk for Cancer raises funds for cancer research.

The annual M.O.M.’s Run 5k Run/Walk for Cancer will take place on Sunday, May 11 and could be a record breaker.

Last year’s race, which was dedicated in memory of Officer Sean Collier, had 600+ participants and raised over $21,000 for cancer research, putting the total raised in the 11 years of the event at over $85,000. This year’s event has the highest number of pre-registered participants in history and has the potential to break $100,000 for total dollars raised.

Historic Milk Row Cemetery.

Tuesday, May 13, 6 – 8 p.m., docents, dressed in period clothing, open this historic cemetery founded in 1804 by Samuel Tufts. Barbara Mangum, Objects Conservator and President of Historic Somerville, Inc., will lead an informative tour from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Meet at the front gate at 439 Somerville Ave. Rain or shine. Other public openings June-October TBD.

In late April the flames in the fireplace in the back of the Bloc 11 Cafe in Union Square no longer burn. But poet Afaa Michael Weaver’s flame is very much in view. He joined me at my usual table near the fireplace, a makeshift office with a comfortable disarray of students’ essays, newspapers, and the discarded skins of whitefish on my plate that once adorned my morning bagel. It has been a while since we had a chance to talk as he has been in a whirlwind of activity as of late.