Somerville High freshman Daishawn Ulysse shows his stuff at the city’s first skateboard-friendly public park, which officially opened on Saturday. In the background is Community Police Officer Bill Carr. – Photo by Elizabeth Sheeran

Park makeovers include skateboard space

By Elizabeth Sheeran

When the sun finally came out to stay last weekend, city dwellers went out to play. And West Somerville residents had not one but two new parks to enjoy.

City officials cut ribbons Saturday on the new and improved Morse-Kelley and Dickerman Playgrounds, both on Craigie Street between Summer Street and Somerville Avenue. And the twin projects breathed new life into neighborhood spaces that by most accounts had fallen into disrepair and disuse.

– Photos by Bobbie Toner

A section of Chester Street was blocked off Monday night as Redbones hosted the 16th Annual Bike Party to benefit Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition (MassBike) and New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA). Originally held during Bike Week in May, the party moved to June three years ago to benefit from warmer weather, additional daylight, and more cyclists on the road for the season.

– Photos by Bobbie Toner

The Somerville Public Schools hosted the annual Special Olympics School day Games at Dilboy Stadium Thursday, June 7. The event began with a Parade of Athletes participating in the games.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone presented a budget proposal to the Board of Alderman on June 5.~ Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Francisco L. White

Fiscal year 2013 begins in July and the City of Somerville is in great shape financially. Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone presented a budget proposal to the Board of Alderman on June 5. According to that proposal, fund appropriation for the coming fiscal year, July 1 through June 30, is $171,726,330; this is a $2,054,489 (1.2 percent) increase from fiscal year 2012, which the mayor has explained is “well below the rate of inflation.” Somerville Public Schools will benefit most, receiving $52.2 million of the funds.

What’s going on up at Magoun Square? The city just spent millions doing over the entire square. New sidewalks, streets, and when it was done it looked really good – until the company that did the work did it wrong. We hear that Alderman Sean O’Donovan has been so upset over this being done to the residents and business owners he’s asked the administration to sue the company. The streets are a mess and the cost is more than just tearing things up and repaving. What about the five police officers standing there getting paid, the loss to businesses, and the pain of driving through? Hopefully, that company will pick up that bill. But when all is said and done what a huge stupid mistake for the residents of Somerville to go through. One wonders if this was Newton would they allow this to happen? There should be a penalty for these companies that do this. If they made a mistake then not only should they pick up the cost of doing it over but a fine by the city for the inconvenience to the businesses should be levied, and those funds should be given to the local businesses as compensation.

By June of 2018, all Greenline stations will be completed through College Ave.

By Emmanuel Vincent

This past Thursday, June 7, a Ward 7 community meeting was the held at the Tufts Administration Building.  It was the first of two meetings that will take place this year. Approximately 100 people were in attendance. They had a chance to get feedback and also were able to ask questions if they needed answers. The speakers at the meeting included members of the police force and Mayor Curtatone.

The Magoun Sq. area awaits repaving. – Photos by Bobbie Toner

Magoun Square had to be torn up again because back in February the contractors ended up paving the roads on a very cold night, causing it to settle incorrectly.  Mayor Joe Curtatone walked the area and noticed problems with the paving. He insisted the entire area be torn up and done over correctly and that the costs should be passed on to the contractor.

It appears as though the City of Somerville will be spared public employee layoffs if Mayor Curtatone’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2013 is accepted and implemented according to plan. Many who depend on these jobs are breathing a collective sigh of relief as this news is disseminated throughout the city grapevine.

RESPOND, Inc. was this year’s grateful beneficiary of the Taste of Somerville event. – Photo by Bill Rogers

By Tatiana Kombo

On June 5, over 30 restaurants from the Somerville area gathered for the 14th annual Taste of Somerville event at the Holiday Inn. Participating eateries included Highland Kitchen, the infamous Redbones- which celebrated its 25th birthday this year- and Kickass Cupcakes.

The Somerville News Person of the Week, Bert Gay

Meet Bert Gay, husband of Dorothy Kelly Gay, a nice guy who has had some health setbacks of late, but he doesn’t show it. He was recently diagnosed with lung cancer and had a long stay at Mt. Auburn Hospital. The bad news, according to Bert, was a setback. But he’s turning that around and making positive strides to get better and enjoy a long life with his wife Dorothy. Born in England about 70 years ago, he later met Dot his wife-to-be as she served as a nurse in England. They both immigrated here to Somerville in 1968.