The Somerville Times

Heavy trucking damaging city crosswalks

On May 20, 2010, in Latest News, by The News Staff

~Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

DPW Commissioner Stan Koty and Mayor Joseph Curtatone inspect and assess a crosswalk on Elm Street late Thursday afternoon.

The crosswalk is one of three damaged crosswalks within the city that were damaged by heavy trucks and MBTA buses.

The other two damaged crosswalks are located on College Avenue and Grove Street.

Somerville play exposes dangers for day laborers

On May 20, 2010, in Latest News, by The News Staff

Immigrants
who gather at Foss Park each morning as early as 5 am looking for work
as day laborers are the subject of a new play that will enjoy its
community premiere on Friday, May 21st , at the Black Box Theater at
the Elizabeth Peabody House, 277 Broadway. The program begins at 7:30
pm.

The new play, "They Don't Tell You Anything!" will be
performed as part of an evening of theater, stories and conversation
about the struggles and challenges that many Somerville residents face
after they are picked up by contractors each morning to paint or
perform demolition work. Written by playwright and English teacher
Meryl Becker, the play will be performed by student actors from the
Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences (SCALE).

Becker
wrote the play in consultation with day laborers, union organizers and
worker safety experts. SCALE student actors modified and finalized the
play based on their own work experiences. SCALE, The Welcome Project
and the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Health and Safety
(MassCOSH) are co-producing the event.

Ground Breaking in Davis Square

On May 20, 2010, in Latest News, by The News Staff

Photo left to right: ISD Superintendent Ed Nuzzo, DPW Commissioner Stan Koty, Attorney Ann Vigorito, Mayor Joseph Curtatone, ECSB John Macomber, Attorney Rich DiGirolamo, Developer Chris Poutahidis, Alderman Jack Connolly, Alderman Dennis Sullivan, Reg Roome and Peter Quinn. ~Photo by William Tauro

By William Tauro

Mayor Joseph Curtatone attended a ground breaking ceremony Thursday afternoon at 377 Summer Street. Project owner/developer Chris Poutahidis developed this as a mixed use project– residential and commercial on the 1st floor.

Curtatone praised Poutahidis with his willingness to go forward with such a project during tough economic times and said that the building would be an asset to Davis Square.

The site is the former location of the Enterprise Rent-a-car company that is located directly next door to the Rosebud Diner.

Masonic leaders gather to recognize Prince Hall

On May 20, 2010, in Latest News, by The News Staff

Photo from left to right: Past Grand Master of Prince Hall Mason Leslie Lewis, Worshipful William B Tauro PM King Solomon's Masonic Lodge of Somerville, Monument Committee Rt Worshipful Ernest A Pearistein Director of Service Grand Lodge, Cambridge Councillor former Mayor E. Denise Simmons Founder and Chair of Prince Hall Monument Committee, Most Worshipful Grand Master of Prince Hall Anthony I Jakes Sr., Rt Worshipful Lawrence J Smith Jr. Grand Lodge Treasurer, Worshipful Secretary Donald F. Norton PM King Solomon's Masonic Lodge of Somerville. Photo by Stephen & Dennis Maclone Photography

By William Tauro

A well attended crowd gathered at a reception in honor of the Prince Hall Monument Unveiling Ceremony held at the Sheraton Commander Hotel in Cambridge during Prince Hall Memorial Weekend.

Cambridge is the first city in the United States to recognize the Revolutionary War-era figure with a monument in his honor.

Cambridge City Councillor, former Mayor E Denise Simmons, founded and chaired the Prince Hall Monument Committee, got the ball rolling in 2005 to get to her ultimate goal, which was Saturday's unforgettable and historical unveiling of the Prince Hall Monument in the Cambridge Common.

East Somerville Community School plans begin

On May 20, 2010, in Uncategorized, by The News Staff

The East Somerville Community School will be back, promise city officials.

By Ashley Taylor

As
the end of the school year approaches, students look forward to summer
vacation, but for those involved in renovating the East Somerville
Community School, the work is just beginning.

Sixty parents
and community members met with architects and elected officials at the
Capuano Early Childhood Center on Glen Street Tuesday night to discuss
ideas for the renovation of the East Somerville Community School.

The school has been closed since it was ravaged by an over night electrical fire in December 2007.

Galluccio denied parole

On May 19, 2010, in Uncategorized, by The News Staff

Board: Ex-senator 'a public safety concern'

By George P. Hassett

Disgraced state senator Anthony Galluccio will stay in the slammer a little longer after a parole board hearing on May 14 denied him an early release from Billerica House of Correction.

Galluccio was sentenced to one year in jail in January after violating the terms of his probation in connection with a hit and run accident that left a 13-year-old boy injured. He resigned from his senate seat, which includes two precincts in Somerville and parts of Cambridge, shortly after going to jail.

In four months of jail time Galluccio has made "progress in addressing his substance abuse issues," according to parole records. That was not enough to get him out from behind bars.

Newstalk for May 19

On May 19, 2010, in Uncategorized, by The News Staff


Newly elected Senator Sal DiDominico will be sworn in at the State House this Thursday and we here at the News congratulate him, several of his supporters will be on hand to witness it. Sal was just elected in a special election but he's already running for re-election, we know he'll do well and think he will be the kind of Senator that will be responsive to the citizens, unlike others we know.

The View From Prospect Hill for May 19

On May 19, 2010, in Latest News, by The News Staff

Newly elected Sal DiDomenico will be sworn in as state senator at the State House on Thursday.

DiDomenico replaces jailed ex-senator Anthony Galluccio after winning 30 percent of the vote in a democratic primary and easily defeating an unknown independent candidate last week. His district includes two precincts in Somerville and about a quarter of Cambridge.

As a former Everett alderman, DiDomenico should take the challenges of municipalities more seriously than his colleagues in the Somerville delegation.

Ex-Somerville cop loses appeal bid in child rape case

On May 19, 2010, in Latest News, by The News Staff

Keith Winfield's appeal was denied Friday. At his trial, seen here, Winfield, a Somerville police officer, was convicted of child rape and sentenced to life in prison.

By George P. Hassett

An ex-Somerville cop convicted of a horrific sexual attack on a 23-month old child had his appeal denied on Friday, May 14.

Lawyers for Keith Winfield were asking judges to vacate a 2007 guilty verdict or grant the former police officer a new trial.

Winfield was convicted of burning and raping his infant niece with a hot object while he babysat her in his Melrose home.

Somerville struggles with $8 million shortfall

On May 19, 2010, in Uncategorized, by The News Staff

By George P. Hassett

Expect layoffs and fee increases as city officials grapple with an $8.1 million budget gap, said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone last week.

Curtatone said some city departments will have full time staff reduced to part time and some work will be outsourced to save money as the city deals with rising health care costs and diminishing state aid.

"This is not a spending issue, this is a revenue issue," Curtatone said at a press conference last week in his office.