By William C. Shelton

(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.)

Last week, Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry attacked Mitt Romney’s claim to having created 100,000 jobs as owner of Bain Capital. Instead, they said, Romney had practiced “vulture capitalism,” neither venture capitalism nor free enterprise.

Somerville Firefighters Union Local 76 President Jay Colbert (l.), and Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone (r.) sign a memorandum of agreement for a multi-year collective bargaining accord. ~Photo by Jackie Rossetti

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Somerville Firefighters Local 76 President Jay Colbert announced today that they have signed a memorandum of agreement on a comprehensive eight-year collective bargaining accord covering Fiscal Years 2008-2015.  Mayor Curtatone said he planned to submit a new $3.3-million appropriation to the Board of Aldermen to cover the costs of retroactive and current-year increases in firefighter pay.  The new appropriation would supersede a $4.3-million appropriation that the Mayor submitted last week under the terms of a compensation award issued on December 13, 2011 by the Massachusetts Joint Labor Management Committee (JLMC).

By Savath Yong

Adventures Close to Home, an art exhibition and silent auction, presented by Boston Lady Fest and the Snow Project kicked off its opening day celebration on Friday, January 13 at the Washington Street Art Center in Somerville. The auction will take place throughout the month of January and aims to raise funds to benefit the Ladyfest Boston, a three-day festival that takes place February – 5 at the Cambridge YMCA. All proceeds from the festival will be donated to the Eastern Massachusetts Abortion Access Fund.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Director of the City’s Housing Division, Dana LeWinter, today released the results of the 2011 Continuum of Care renewals application.  The Somerville-Arlington Continuum of Care was awarded $2,237,821 in funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for homeless assistance programs.  The funding for the Somerville-Arlington Continuum has steadily increased in the last several years, with $2,235,913 awarded in 2010, $2,233,788 in 2009 and $1.9 million in 2008.  Overall this year, the Obama Administration has awarded nearly $1.47 billion in homeless assistance grants.

The Mayor's 2012 inaugural address included plans to transfer control of Foss Park from the DCR to the city. – Photo by Elizabeth Sheeran

Mayor’s vision includes new recreation facility

By Elizabeth Sheeran

It is the largest open public space in Somerville. But Foss Park is not even a city park. And it has been plagued by a legacy of sub-par facilities, spotty maintenance, and vulnerability to crime.

By Jim Clark

A Somerville Police Traffic Unit performing speed enforcement on Mystic Avenue last week stopped a driver who was reportedly exceeding the speed limit, according to reports.

Chief of Staff William "Mo" Cowan

Remembers the work of MLK

The City of Somerville and firefighters' union, Local 76, are hoping to resolve their longstanding dispute in the near future.

$4.3 million in back pay could lead to layoffs

By Andrew Firestone

A contract dispute between the city and the firefighters’ union, Local 76 to the tune of $4.3 million is set to go before the public today and tomorrow, with a final hearing before the Board of Aldermen financial matters committee on January 30. The dispute, which goes back to 2007, is whether or not to award the firefighters four successive pay raises, amounting to about 13 percent.

On Tuesday, January 31, the Somerville Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Breakfast will be held at Mount Vernon Restaurant, 14 Broadway, Somerville. Special guest speaker Congressman Michael E. Capuano will address issues facing the current Congress and will look to hear from Chamber members and guests on issues of importance to the business community. Member cost is $25 and non-members will be charged $30. There is limited seating so make your reservations fast by calling Stephen Mackey at 617-776-4100 or email smackey@somervillechamber.org.    

By Savath Yong

Somerville Food and Nutrition Services is currently accepting submissions for its recipe contest to improve Somerville Public School lunches. The winners will be awarded gift cards, their recipes served on the lunch line and recognition on the menu.