By Andrew Firestone

Somerville might have found a solution to their education demographics problem with a new charter school. With 18 percent of public school students needing intensive studying in the English language, the proposed school would take up the work brought on by an incredible demand for basic English language services in the city education system.

Connecting individuals through imagery, People You May Know, photography by Sean Allen Fisher examines a world of its own.

By Cathleen Twardzik

Photography, a relatively new art form in the grander scheme of things, is a type that piques the interest of many individuals.

The exhibit, People You May Know, photography by Sean Allen Fisher, will be displayed at the Washington Street Art Center (WSAC) at 321 Washington Street in Somerville. Fisher, the sole artist in the show, resides in Somerville.

By Jim Clark

Somerville police received reports that a man was repeatedly making obscene and hate-filled calls to 911 operators last Thursday.

By matching audio recordings of prior incidents to the current caller, it was determined that Richard Killeen, 66, was the perpetrator of the offensive calls, according to police.

Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

Somerville and Cambridge firefighters practice rescuing passengers from a simulated flipped over motor vehicle at the Somerville fire station parking lot on Somerville Ave. late Thursday morning.

By Mayor 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.)

Usually I pick a single topic to concentrate on, but Somerville has too many important things going on at the moment to limit myself to one. Instead I am going to touch upon a number of the big issues that face us at this moment.

Entering the GIC – The Board of Aldermen meets tomorrow to vote on accepting entrance into the Group Insurance Commission (GIC). The GIC comprises nearly 400,000 state and municipal employees in Massachusetts. It is the biggest insurance pool in the state, which gives it buying power the City of Somerville cannot begin to match.

Bringing his poetic passion
to the Paris of New England
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Somerville poet Harris Gardner is many things. This fairly recent transplant to our town is a substitute teacher at Somerville High, a real estate broker, and founder of the much lauded poetry organization “Tapestry of Voices” that has put on the Boston National Poetry Festival for the last decade at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square.

Governor Deval Patrick will work with Department of Transportation Secretary Richard Davey, but can they bring the GLX?

GLX highlights  American problem
*

By Andrew Firestone

Following an announcement from the state that the Green Line Extension would be delayed until at least 2018, the people of Somerville saw the other shoe drop, as the economy was hit with yet another massive loss. With stock markets down 15 percent in the last month, it begins to seem doubtful that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation would delay the project due to their stated reason: land-takings.

The annual Mayor’s picnic is set for this Friday, August 12, at Powderhouse Park, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. As usual, a good time will be had by all of the elderly attending. Call the council on aging at 617-625-6600 for information. This is a long time tradition here in Somerville, started by former Mayor Gene Brune.

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Mayor Joseph Curtatone signs an agreement with SPD union president Joseph Aufiero.

By Andrew Firestone

Somerville Police Superior Officers’ Association (SPSOA) and the city have signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday, August 9, ensuring a deal until at least June 2012. The agreement retroactively puts all officers back on contract, a situation in flux since 2009.

What was that rushing by so quickly? Yet another announcement of delay in a major development project for our community?

We share the frustration felt by our friends and neighbors in Medford and Arlington as we here in the ‘Ville stand scratching our heads, wondering what it is we can believe when presented with court mandated schedules and the associated promises of fulfillment by officials that accompany them. We are left with the unsettling realization that no such commitments are sacrosanct, that no contract is unbreakable.