Re: Pensions For Politicians Are A Bonus At The Taxpayer’s Expense

(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.)

Dear Editor,

This is one Democrat who believes Karyn Polito, a candidate for Treasure, has it right.

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.)

Question 3, proposing to reduce the state sales tax to three percent, on the Nov. 2 ballot is the latest attempt to gut local and state government. Obviously the temptation is to pay less taxes, but this is just a different version of the state income tax rollback that was rejected by 70 percent of state voters (and by every city and town in Massachusetts) on the 2008 ballot. In fact, it’s the same people who were behind the failed income tax rollback who are behind the sales tax rollback proposal in 2010.

By Lauren C. Ostberg

Just before the ceremony. By Lee Kilpatrick

The words of a wedding ceremony are, for the most part, uninteresting. They’re rehearsed, formulaic, vaguely impersonal. Do you, I do. Do you? Me, too.

Contrary to cinematic interpretations, no one speaks up to offer “a reason why these two should not be wed.” Even during the toasts, you can expect sugarcoated synopses of a relationship. An eavesdropping guest would be more intrigued by the murmurs of acquaintances.

Two Somerville-based amateur wedding photographers prefer the warts-and-all candid shot to a generically-posed engagement photo. Their exhibit, called “Forever Hold Your Peace,” is on display at the Washington Street Art Center until the end of the month.

By George P. Hassett

A 41-year-old Boston man was arrested at KMart for shoplifting Oct. 14.

Mark Aviles used a box cutter and a knife to cut open packages and remove items before stuffing them into his pockets, police said.

To the Editor:

(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 Somerville School Committee has taken a firm stand in opposing Questions #1 and #3 that will be on the ballot on November 2nd.  We ask all voters in Somerville to Vote NO on these questions.
Question #1 would eliminate the sales tax on alcoholic beverages. In 2009, the State Legislature removed the special status exemption given to beer, wine and alcohol products sold in package stores and made these sales subject to the state sales tax like most other goods.

Oiste?

To The Editor:

(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.)

I’m a mom, I live on Clewley Road in Medford and I have three daughters. A year ago my husband lost his job and until two months ago when he got hired at a local hardware store, I was providing our sole source of income. Since he lost his job we have had trouble paying our bills and keeping up with the mortgage.  While all of this has been happening I have not told my three daughters, who are age 13, 16, and 18. They will learn of the difficulty their father and I have been having after the publication of this letter.

DREAM act would give children education opportunities

By Lauren C. Ostberg

Students and local immigrant rights advocates celebrate the Somerville School Committee's resolution to support the passage of the DREAM Act. - Photo by Lauren Ostberg

Somerville’s School Committee unanimously passed a resolution in support of the passage of the DREAM Act during their October 18 meeting.

The resolution also asks that the Chairman convey the Committee’s support to the congressional delegation.

- Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

The Somerville Fire Department responded to an incident at the Mayer Campus Center at Tufts University. The center was shut down  Wednesday evening around 5:30pm after smoke spread throughout the building caused by an elevator machinery malfunction. The campus center elevator’s hydraulic oil overheated and smoked filled the area, creating a pungent smell throughout the building, according to the Tufts University Police Department  no injuries were reported. The building is scheduled to reopen today.

Kelsey Garrity, a three sport athlete and also a two sport captain in basketball and football was named this year's Homecoming queen on Friday night. In Friday night's contest, the Highlanders romped to a 35-8 win over Medford.

By Mike Rubin

On a night where there was a homecoming king and queen, the Somerville High School football team was king on the gridiron.

Skerby Odivin rushed for a pair of touchdowns and Joshua Scarry also rushed for a score as the Highlanders cruised to a 35 to 8 win over the Medford Mustangs in Friday night’s windswept contest at Dilboy Field. With the win, the Highlanders improved to 2-3 overall.

Recovered e-mail may show city wrongly skipped over disabled vet

By George P. Hassett

Sean O’Brien says he wants to be a Somerville firefighter for the same reason he joined the U.S. Marines: “I want to do my part to help.”

O’Brien, a disabled veteran who served in Iraq between 2005 and 2009, has been denied the opportunity to help despite being number one on a civil service hiring list since last year. He and his supporters say his effort to get on the Somerville Fire Department has been blocked by political cronyism and back door dealing.