By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

The latest debate over how best to cope with the costs of our regional transportation system has been prompted by the June 25th release by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation of a list of “public ideas and recommendations received by MassDOT for interim emission offset mitigation measures needed to compensate for any delay in the implementation of the MBTA Green Line Extension project.”

Passengers get ready to board.

The Somerville Council on Aging had a great day cruising around Boston Harbor and then having a wonderful lunch in the North End.

The majestic tall ship at Boston Harbor.

State lists ideas for offsetting GLX delay
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By Elizabeth Sheeran

One of the interim steps proposed to make up for the Green Line Extension delay involves running more trains to Lechmere. – Photo by Elizabeth Sheeran

A 2007 legal settlement gave the state a 2014 deadline to either extend the Green Line through Somerville, or come up with other projects that would have the same positive impact on air quality. Now that state transportation officials have said they’ll miss that deadline for the Green Line Extension by years, it isn’t certain they’re going to have any better success with the “or else” scenario.

Somerville native Thomas Vasconcelos has taken out papers as a Republican candidate to run against Rep. Timothy Toomey, who represents part of Somerville and Cambridge. Also running is independent candidate Mike Connolly from Cambridge. The younger Vasconcelos is a SHS graduate.

The North Street Veterans Playground is about to get bigger and better, according to city planners. – Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Tiffani Westbrook

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Ward 7 Alderman Robert Trane hosted a community meeting  to discuss the renovation plans for the North Street Veterans Playground. The proposed design would add approximately 4500 sq. ft. of additional land to the existing park, offering a more inviting and inspiring area with more trees and green space that will be 100% accessible to residents with disabilities.

The recent efforts by the Davis Square Streetscape group to bring together residents and city planners for the purpose of seeking solid direction in the future development of the area are to be lauded. It is always encouraging to see citizens involved in community planning, and civic leaders receptive to the input given.

The Somerville Alibrandis are going strong heading into mid-summer play.

By Benjamin Klein

The first-place Somerville Alibrandis finished June with two wins and now have a four-game winning streak after defeating the Malden Bulldogs and South Boston Saints to start July.

Somerville welcomed the second-place Bulldogs to Trum Field last Monday and, just like they have for most of the season, the Alibrandis scored first with a run in the first inning. Malden would respond with a run of their own in the top of the second, but Somerville struck for three in the bottom half of the inning to take a 4-1 lead.

By Cathleen Twardzik

Poor Old Shine takes to the stage at Arts at the Armory this Thursday.

An Americana Dance Party will occur each Thursday in July from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at The Arts at the Armory. This free event will include food and different types of beer, all of which will be local, as well as music and dancing.

The Somerville News Person of the Week, Dave Lebahn.

Meet Dave Lebahn, a newly planted Somerville resident originally form Scranton, PA, where he grew up and attended and graduated from Bishop Hannon High School. David is recently married to our Publisher Emeritus Bob Publicover. Since moving here to his new permanent home in the ‘Ville, Dave has been going to school to become a Registered Nurse, presently half way through his classes.

By Jim Clark

While making a routine patrol of the area around 299 Broadway, a police patrol unit stopped to investigate an apparent instance of open container violations last Thursday afternoon.