According to the Medford
Green Line Neighborhood Alliance (MGNA), by extending the Green Line to
Route 16, 9,000 additional residents will have direct access to rapid
transit. This will undoubtedly be a landmark action on behalf of the
commuter population of Medford. If this estimate is correct, that would
mean a potential 9,000 less people and however many cars that
translates to off the roads during rush hour. In addition, if received
by these potential customers in a desirable way, that could mean that
much more money going back into the MTA's budget.

The original
terminus of this project was going to be Ball Square/Tufts University
to Medford Hillside. This changed last Wednesday when the
Transportation Secretary James Aloisi, Jr. recommended that the Green
Line be expanded to the Route 16 terminus, pending federal funding.
This alternate plan of action came at the heels of an in depth public
planning process on behalf of the EOT. This change, they believe, will
meet their goals of public input, environmental impacts, costs and
rider ship.

The transit aficionado Aloisi went on the record
last Wednesday, stating that: "While we expect that this alternative
will qualify for federal funding, the decision to extend to Route 16 is
contingent upon federal participation." So, this plan is heavily
dependent on probably the chanciest matter on the table these days: the
gathering of Federal Funds.

Aloisi also explained how "Extending
the Green Line terminus to Mystic Valley Parkway will bring rapid
transit service to East Cambridge, Somerville and Medford neighborhoods
that have waited a long time for rail transit," said Aloisi. "The Green
Line Extension will advance community plans for smart growth and urban
redevelopment and provide environmental justice communities with faster
rides to jobs and destinations. EOT is very pleased to advance this
project and we will continue to work with local officials to make it
very successful."

The project is expected by the EOT to be
completed by sometime in 2014. The Conservation Law Foundation
commended the Patrick Administrations decision to go through with this,
and expressed their excitement to help the cause along and ensure that
it will be built on time and that it will meet the air quality targets
which are required under law.

Carrie Russell, the staff attorney
of The Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) stated that "the announcement
by the EOT illustrates that the state is striving to fully realize the
promise it made to the residents of Massachusetts to reduce air
pollution and improve access to rapid transit."

This all began
in 2006, when the CLF settled a renewed Boston transit lawsuit which
committed the State Government to a rigid timeline in which this
particular project would have to legally follow. Then, in 2007 the
Patrick Administration made a legal promise to the residents of the
Commonwealth that this measure would be taken, along with others, to
meet the air quality requirements.

The CLF has been incredibly
active since it was founded in 1966 in order to fight the development
of ski slopes on Mt. Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts. They
have fought to prevent major environmental hardships, such as the
blocking of multiple highways constructions that would have impeded on
particular regions of New England like Rhode Island and New Hampshire.
The Rhode Island highway case in 1988 was particularly important,
because it was the first example of citizens' rights to sue to enforce
the Clean Air Act's transportation planning requirements.

The
CLF has exhibited a much-needed short leash on both the State
Government of the Commonwealth and the National Government, in a much
less officious fashion than other Environmental Groups.

The meeting came on the heels of an announcement that,
due to cuts in state funding, CHA will eliminate 300 jobs across the
network and will consolidate and eliminate some services. Major changes
in Somerville include the elimination of the Addictions and Detox Unit
and inpatient services at Somerville Hospital.

Other changes
include the closure of six primary care centers, including two in
Somerville. The dental practice in Somerville will close and merge with
their Cambridge site, the number of beds in psychiatric units across
the system will be halved, and adolescent inpatient services will be
eliminated at Cambridge Hospital.

The mood at the community
meeting was somber as the panelists laid out the budgetary context that
lead to the proposed cutbacks.

"We're facing dramatic cuts
related to the loss of revenue from the Commonwealth," said the
alliance's chief executive officer Dennis Keefe, explaining that 15% of
its budget being cut halfway into 2009, and 25% beginning in July 2009.
CHA is especially sensitive to fluctuations in state funding, since
these funds account for 67% of its budget, he said.

These levels
of reductions, however, are a significant improvement over the state's
initial proposal, Keefe said. Had Somerville's Congressional delegation
had not stepped in to negotiate with the administration, CHA would be
facing bankruptcy. The higher level of state funding, however, is
contingent on CHA consolidating.

Mayor Curtatone urged the
attendees to keep the proposal in perspective, saying that "the changes
to services at Somerville are intended to make sure it survives in the
long run." When attendees suggested that they hadn't tried hard enough
to fight the budget cuts, the Mayor countered strongly, saying that if
the Somerville delegation hadn't worked together to counter the initial
budget, Somerville Hospital would be closing.

"Even a victory is
a loss for the community," State Senator Anthony Galluccio said of the
delegation's success in securing higher levels of funding than
originally proposed.

Many of the community members who
contributed to the discussion were skeptical that CHA would remain able
to serve all its members if the proposed changes pass. Some argued for
the necessity of eliminated programs, and many expressed disappointment
over the losses sustained by CHA.

Several community members
responded strongly to the closing of the Addictions and Detox Unit. One
of the unit's staff members said that many of their patients are
homeless, and that if they lose this safe space they will have nowhere
to go, and will start using again. Panelists admitted that they did not
have any definitive solutions, but said that they will be working
closely with community providers and the Department of Public Health
(DPH) to figure out how to meet the needs of those who are losing the
service.

A staff member from the dental services unit addressed
the panel, asking how they would be able to serve the same number of
patients with the proposed system-wide reduction from 12 to 5 dentist
chairs. Chief Operating Officer Allison Bayer responded by saying "we
can do more with less," and that implementing administrative lessons
learned will help them increase their operational efficiency.

Another
CHA staff member asked the panel how the issue of how parking would be
handled at merged sites that will absorb new patients, saying that the
parking situation is already bad enough at some locations to cause
patients to switch providers. Panelists responded that they are looking
into shuttle services to alleviate this issue.

A staff member
from the pediatric inpatient unit, which would close under the current
proposal, asked the panel about their basis for this decision. CEO
Dennis Keefe responded by saying that it was a utilization issue, and
that in the past year, 43% of the time the unit had one or zero
patients.

One attendee explicitly called for single-payer healthcare, and this comment garnered the loudest applause of the night.

Panelists
concluded by acknowledging limitations presented by both budget and
current state policies, but maintained that this proposal would provide
the best possible outcome. "If this fails, we have no backup" cautioned
State Representative Denise Provost.

CHA board members will vote on the proposal on February 10.

In
an effort to correct a few items in last week's story that were
misreported, Doug Bailey was interviewed to set the record straight.

The
reported cut of 300 employees will be spread throughout the entire CHA
network and not all at Somerville Hospital. These cuts are combinations
of layoffs, resignations, hourly changes, retirement and regular
attrition, according to Doug Bailey, CHA Chief Communications Officer.

Clinics
will not be cut at Somerville Hospital. Bailey said,"Clinic and
administrative services will be expanded under the proposed plan,
preserving the hospital as a vital and thriving institution."

The
reduction in psychiatric beds is almost entirely at Cambridge Hospital,
not Whidden as previously reported, and the SH Adolescent Psych unit
will be transferred to Cambridge Hospital.

After the changes, CHA will still have 95 mental health beds, one of the largest facilities of its kind in the state.

Bailey
continued, "We believe we can continue to meet the needs of core
communities with this level of attention and focus on mental health
services."

There is no existing pediatric unit at SH and thus there will be no cuts in this type of service there.

Bailey
praised the work of Mayor Curtatone and his office, referring to the
many hours of hard work put in between CHA and the mayor's office in
helping make these tough decisions.

"It's really difficult to
convey how much painstaking research goes into these decisions. We're
keeping the Somerville ER open and the Cambridge Hospital is less than
a mile away."

Nobody wants to admit
that we have much of a crime problem here, and you certainly can't
fault the police department – these guys are getting assaulted almost
every time they try to arrest someone.

So what happens when the
budget is cut back and every department – from the DPW to the Schools
to the Police and Fire Departments – are all asked to share the pain?
It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that this is not going to
be a pleasant next few months (and next fiscal year most likely as
well).

There is no surprise then to watch our elected officials
and the city department heads squirm and become more and more anxious
about their upcoming budgetary woes – because they will try as hard as
they can to avoid cutting services, and it really won't be their fault,
but, the haters in this city will remember every step they take in
budgetary bludgeoning that is inevitable.

So what does that mean
for the low-income people of the city? There are many who have already
lost their jobs and unemployment will only last so long. Then crime
will be up even higher than before and this pattern of violence related
to drugs and alcohol will escalate.

Will less money in the
budget this and next fiscal year mean fewer police patrols? Will there
be cuts to services in our schools that the lower income families need
more of, not less of? Will there be more drinking and drug use on a
wider scale out of economic desperation?

These are all tough
questions that follow lockstep with how we as a community (as a whole)
react to the upcoming budgetary process. One only needs to look at the
arrest logs to see what is happening right here, right now. Let's hope
that this part of urban reality doesn't get worse before it gets better.

But
here is what we do know: Very soon (perhaps as soon as next week),
President Obama is going to get a stimulus bill that he can sign into
law – and when that happens, Somerville will be ready with a list of
precisely the type of "shovel-ready" infrastructure projects that the
President, as well as Governor Patrick, has asked us to provide. In
fact, we've already submitted our list. As soon as funds are available
at the federal level, we can expect immediate and favorable action on a
number of significant initiatives.

At the top of the list (both
for us and for the Governor's Office) is a package of 56 million
dollars' worth of roadway and water-sewer improvements associated with
the $1.36-billion Assembly Square project. Using federal recovery
dollars for these elements of the project will speed up construction
(the designs are already complete) and allow the developers to apply
their private financing to the development of the Phase II waterfront
urban village. Assembly Square would remain on track even without this
funding, but an injection of federal dollars into its necessary public
roadway and water-sewer utility development will create more jobs more
quickly and will accelerate the rate at which other kinds of new
construction can increase the commercial value of the district and
enhance our property tax base.

Assembly Square is a prime target
for federal recovery dollars not only because it's ready to go but also
because, as a transit-oriented project with a mix of retail, housing
and office uses, it embodies all of the most desirable elements in
sustainable urban development. That's why the Governor has already
included Assembly Square in his Growth Development Initiative and why
it continues to enjoy the strong backing of private investors. Assembly
Square is a solid bet – and speeding it up will have beneficial
consequences for the entire regional economy. It's a project that
represents 8,000 construction jobs and 4,000 permanent office and
retail jobs. Hastening its completion is a perfect use of stimulus
money.

We have also submitted smaller but similarly valuable
projects slated for lower Broadway in East Somerville and for Magoun
Square. In each of these areas, improvements in roadways, sidewalks,
landscaping and other public amenities will support local business
districts while creating dozens of construction jobs over the near
term. And, in the case of the East Somerville project, $2.8 million in
federal money would be augmented by $2.2 million in local and state
dollars, so that a timely federal investment would help us make the
best possible use of our own scarce and valuable development dollars.

In
Union Square, the cleanup and redevelopment of the former Kiley Barrel
site provides another good possibility for the use of federal stimulus
money. A $2-million federal investment in the environmental cleanup of
this prime, 32,000-square-foot parcel would clear the way for new
commercial and office development on the site, creating 145
construction jobs in the near term – and up to 300 jobs when any new
facility is complete.

Somerville has even put in a request for
the $570,000 it would take to build out a citywide Wi-Fi wireless
internet system using the City's existing fiber access points. This
project would ultimately be operated for the city under license by a
private company, and would have far-reaching economic development
implications, especially for small businesses. It offers an opportunity
to bring very low-cost, reasonably fast Internet access to many people
who currently can't find a provider or can't afford the cost. Such a
system might not satisfy those seeking fast streaming video or other
high-demand access, but it could be a powerful teaching tool for our
schools and libraries.

Of course, the Senate's retreat from the
school construction package included in the House bill means that some
of our other funding applications – notably for the Brown and East
Somerville Community Schools – may ultimately not be eligible for
stimulus financing. That's too bad. After all, as President Obama asked
in this week's prime time news conference, "Why wouldn't we want to
build state-of-the-art schools with science labs that are teaching our
kids the skills they need for the 21st century, that will enhance our
economy and, by the way, right now will create jobs?" I hope the school
funding gets included in the final version of the bill, and if it is,
then we're ready.

Despite the concerns raised by some critics in
both parties, this is all happening fairly quickly – but Somerville has
moved just as quickly to offer constructive ands appropriate
suggestions about how to put stimulus dollars to work. We will continue
to work closely with federal and state officials to ensure that our
residents benefit from this historic initiative.

The Beatles totally took over our young
lives. We were drawing pictures of them, collecting their trading
cards, buying their records and getting all we could of this phenomenon
from across the pond.

I immediately wanted to be Paul McCartney,
and this meant the rebellious act of growing my hair began. It was a
constant fight with my father about the length of my bangs. They had to
be in my eyes.

As we watched the Beatles perform, I can still
recall that sense of euphoria. There was definitely something magical
about the music and the performers. They had a mesmerizing quality
about them that totally consumed us. Every time there was a new 45rpm
record out, we had to go down to the Record Shop in Davis Square and
buy it.

My friend Sharon M recalls: "I remember hearing my
friends talk about them in the Brown School playground before class and
wondering to myself why Ed Sullivan would feature insects on his show,
and what possible entertainment value that would have."

The
Beatles were the reason I wanted to play guitar. Me and millions of
other kids around the world. Then came the onslaught of Beatles
merchandise. There were the lunch boxes and buttons, the Beatle wigs
and the collector cards with the bubble gum, and of course – the Beatle
boots, wig and official suit (my friend Pat O 'Neil's father bought him
one). Mickey Finn's, the men's store formally in Davis Square, actually
sold those Beatles suits. A Beatles lunchbox from 1965 with the thermos
was going for $1,100.00 on eBay.

To this day when I hear "She
Loves You" or "I Want to Hold Your Hand," it brings back very fond
memories. We used to sit around and draw pictures of the Beatles while
playing their 45's over and over. We knew every word, and we couldn't
get enough. Those 45's are now 45 years old! A lot of the fans of 50's
doowop music actually hated the Beatles and their music, but we were
ready for the invasion. Some of you were lucky enough to actually see
the Beatles live.

My friend Mary Ellen recalls: "When I found
out they were coming to Boston Garden, of course I wanted to go. My dad
(may he rest in peace) went in to the Boston Garden to get tickets for
me and a friend to go. The tickets were $4.50, $5.50 and $6.50. When I
found out my dad had not gotten the most expensive – $6.50, I was
disappointed. So he went back in to get two more. Now he's stuck with 2
extra tickets. So my dad at age 40 (almost 41) went to see the Beatles
and took Eileen (her sister) who was not quite 10 years old yet. My dad
would often tell the story of how scared he was that night when he felt
the Boston Garden actually shaking from everyone stomping their feet
and going crazy. What I remember is that from the moment they came out,
through the entire set, you could barely hear them because everyone was
screaming so loud and kept it up the entire time."

Another
friend of mine, Eileen C, had this great Beatles story: "Years after
the event happened, my sister and I were going through an old trunk and
found the outfit she wore to her first Beatles concert at Boston
Garden. It had a skin tight straight skirt with a fitted jacket. It was
bright orange and olive green with large white flowers. To go with
this, she had olive green high heels and a matching pocketbook (she
never missed the 1/2 price sale at Baker's shoes). She teased her
beautiful red hair all up and put it in a bun. She completed the look
with ghoulish white lipstick! I also remember playing the Beatles board
game and everybody always wanted to be Paul. Ringo was the booby prize,
just like Poindexter in the dating game. I remember seeing "A Hard Days
Night" at the drive-in with my friend Susan. We were in our pajamas and
much to his dismay, her father agreed to take us. Parents did not like
the Beatles. My father called them long haired beatniks and sang "I
want to hold your hand ya ya ya" (very sarcastically). My dad bought a
brand new car and told us the radio didn't work because he didn't want
us to listen to it when we went on our long rides after Sunday mass. My
brother Jimmy started to let his hair grow to look like Paul and my
Father told him to get it cut. Jimmy said it was the style and my
Father said only sissies have long hair, get your damn hair cut! Off to
Dente's Barber Shop he went." My good old friend Billy Connors says: "I
was 8 years old when the Beatles first appeared on Ed Sullivan on Feb.
9 1964. I remember watching intently and at that moment I knew what I
wanted to do with my life. I remember turning to my parents and saying
"I want an electric guitar." I'm still playing today."

Thanks Billy, Eileen, Sharon and Mary Ellen for sharing your stories with me.

My
own sister saw the Beatles along with 24,000 other fans at Suffolk
Downs on August 18th 1966. I remember being very upset that I couldn't
go. I was lucky enough to see Paul McCartney a few years ago at the TD
Bank North Garden. It was so great I shed tears of happiness. Last
summer I took the family to see Ringo Starr at the Bank of America
Pavilion. Two out of 4 ain't bad.

So it was 45 years ago that
our lives were changed by four lads for Liverpool who came into our
living rooms and into our souls. Though we watched in black and white,
The Beatles added vivid colors to the fabric of our young lives. No
other music can stir up the memories, feelings and emotions like the
Beatles music can – at least for this baby-boomer. Some of you may
insist that Glen Miller, Frank Sinatra, The Flamingos, the Crests, the
Platters, Buddy Holly or Gene Vincent played the best music ever. They
did. It's America and we can listen to what we love. How lucky every
generation has been growing up with such great music! I still can't let
the tunes or the long hair go, so I will just say, The Beatles 4-ever!
I'm a little worried about this generation's music, but stay tuned.

According to Somerville authorities,
at around 2am, a man suffered a non-lethal gunshot wound to the leg on
the corner of Chester and Elm Streets in Davis Square, and what
transpired next could be the basis for an action sequence in the next
Quentin Tarantino film. The shooting victim allegedly proceeded to run
down the street, assault a cab driver and hop into the driver's seat,
speed down Chester Street and turn onto Herbert Street, where the
shooting victim allegedly drove up onto the sidewalk to strike the man
who he alleged to be the shooter with the hijacked cab, succeeded in
doing so and then crashed the car into the wall of a building on the
street, all the while with two passengers still in the back seat of the
cab.

When the authorities arrived on the scene, they found the
gunshot victim, the cab attack victim and the cab driver, but no gun
and neither of the two passengers that were in the cab when it was used
to hit the alleged shooter. Both men were brought to a local hospital
where they were treated for non-life threatening injuries. As a follow
up to the investigation, the authorities took the gunshot victim into
custody shortly after his release from the hospital. He was identified
as Marcel Laurol, a 32 year-old male from Malden. The other man, a 25
year-old male from Brockton, has not been identified or arrested as of
yet.

Laurol was arraigned on Monday morning in the Somerville
District Court for charges that include carjacking, two counts of
kidnapping, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (the cab),
operating a motor vehicle with a revoked license and reckless operation
of a motor vehicle.

Laurol was released by the Court after the
arraignment on Monday, by way of personal recognizance by the Judge
assigned to the case, with an order to stay away from all of the
victims and witnesses of the case.

The Somerville Police are
looking for any information on this incident from any witnesses,
especially the passengers who were in the taxicab at the time of the
carjacking. If you have any information please call the Somerville
Detectives at (617) 625 – 1600, ext. 7235. Keep your eyes and ears open
Somerville, who knows what will happen next.

Since 2002, the Dakota Partners has planned to build a
14-unit condo development on property it purchased at 343 Summer
Street. After successfully repelling legal challenges from an abutting
orthodontist that went to the Massachusetts Supreme Court, the
developer has waged its own legal battle against the city to keep the
project moving forward.

The Feb. 4 ZBA meeting would have
brought a ruling on whether the construction permit could be extended
for a year because of hardship faced by the developer.

Dakota
Partners' Attorney Richard DiGirolamo told the board the request for
the extension was based on the hardship faced by the litigation process
against the developer and the refusal of the city to allow them to cut
down a shade tree to place a required fire lane.

Dakota Partners has an ongoing lawsuit against Mayor Joseph Curtatone to force him to remove the tree.

Four
Aldermen and 15 residents tore into DiGirolamo's reasoning, citing
legal records and an unwillingness for the Dakota Partners to work with
neighbors. The property was purchased by the group (then known as
Emerald Development) from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation
Authority in 2002.

According to their website, these condos
would be the company's sixth development project in Somerville, joining
high-end condos built on Park Street, Osgood Street, Weston Avenue,
Belmont Terrace and Broadway.

Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz,
named in the lawsuit instigated by Dakota against the city, said that
as one of the city officials responsible for signing off on the
construction management plan the developer had not submitted a complete
application before attempting litigation to force her to review it.

"It
is worth considering (Dakota Partners') tactics in attempting to strong
arm their way through our processes and their spurious claims of
hardship when they knew all along about environmental factors like the
healthy public shade tree and their requirement to submit an acceptable
plan," Gewirtz said.

At-Large Aldermen Bill White and Dennis Sulllivan and Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero also spoke against the permit renewal.

The residents' testimony ranged from challenges against the legality of an extension to impassioned diatribes.

"Hardship
has been on the neighbors and you know this," Nancy Iappini said as her
two-minute time limit ran out. "This application is false and
misleading."

Both Alderman Bill White and resident Evdokia
Nikolova raised issues relating to the timeline of the permit, saying
the law prevents the developer from asking for an extension. Assistant
City Solicitor David Shapiro will give his opinion at the Feb. 18 ZBA
meeting.

For his part, DiGirolamo said the testimony against the development had little bearing on the application before the ZBA.

"Dakota
fought and won, played by the rules, and now that the neighbors lost
they want to raise the merits of the case again," he said after the
meeting. "The only real issue is whether or not (Dakota) acted in good
faith."

Dr. Mohamed Hanif Butt, who operates an orthodontist
office at 341 Summer St. and was the plaintiff in the unsuccessful
lawsuit that went to the Massachusetts Supreme Court, said the seven
year battle against the project has cost him $100,000 and taken a toll
on his health.

"To see it going on and on is painful," he said, "but there's hope."

According to the
FBI and unnamed sources close to the case, the FBI, along with the
Massachusetts State Police and various other local, regional and
national law enforcement agencies, have been working together over the
last week – conducting their investigation and executing search
warrants in various spots within the Cambridge and Somerville areas.

Since
the incident in 1982, there have been no suspects charged with the
murders. Rather, one man who was what many believe to be the only
serious suspect to have ever been found by the authorities, was brought
up on charges of extortion and convicted.

This case was and is
truly a tricky one, then and now. James W. Lewis, a resident of 170
Gore Street, Cambridge (by the Somerville line), was charged with and
convicted of extortion relative to the murders in late 1982. Lewis had
sent a letter to Johnson & Johnson (the parent company of Tylenol)
demanding they give him $1 million, with the continuing of the pill
poisonings being the ultimatum. Since the murders, he has been saddled
with the moniker "Tylenol Man."

Authorities across the country
and Lewis are no strangers to one another. According to published
information, Lewis was charged with the killing and dismembering of a
seventy-two year old man back in 1978 in Kansas City, MO, as well as
the kidnapping and rape of a woman in Cambridge in 2004. The murder
case was thrown out because of a lack of evidence, while the rape case
was dropped because the alleged victim refused to testify.

Authorities
in Chicago and Arlington Heights, IL have cited how he went by many
aliases while being a resident in those neighborhoods back in the early
1980's, as well as how he posed as being a member of multiple different
professions. While in custody in 1982, after the nationwide manhunt for
the murderer, Lewis even explained to authorities in detail how the
perpetrator may have carried out the poisoning of the pills. In regards
to the extortion letter he sent to Johnson & Johnson, Lewis
described his actions as merely trying to capitalize financially on an
incident that he had no part in.

Lewis hasn't exactly dodged
the silver hammer of the law altogether for the past thirty years or
so. He was incarcerated in a Federal prison between 1983 and 1995,
serving twelve years of a twenty year sentence for the extortion
charges. Shortly after his release, he moved to Cambridge. Nine years
after that, the rape charges occurred, for which he spent three years
in prison awaiting the trial that was eventually thrown out.

Although
the FBI hasn't disclosed any specific information as to why they are
doing this now, one can assume that with the vastly more effective and
accurate forensic technology available, they feel they can finally
apprehend the murderer. The pivotal task will be the finding of enough
supporting evidence to actually file charges this time around, whether
on Lewis or someone else.

The biggest drawback in the case in
1982 was Lewis' ability to prove that he was in New York at the time of
the poisonings. This, coupled with the fact that after a short amount
of time, cyanide poison would basically dissolve the capsules, making
it much more obvious that something was wrong to the consumers that
bought the tainted pills – that time limiter placed Lewis safely away
from the grasp of a murder trial at the time.

This incident
was responsible for the nation-wide adoption of tamper-proof seals on
over the counter drugs. The case lives in infamy because of its
uncharged suspects, lack of hard evidence and general fear that was
experienced by the people across the country in the early 1980's.
Although no arrest has been made at this time, the FBI has stated that
there might possibly be a statement regarding the recent investigation
in the near future.

***************

With a lot of
controversy of what is a Secular Progressive, it was decided to look it
up and believe it or not, if you just simply Google the words "the
meaning of Secular Progressive" – we couldn't find anywhere on the 'net
that says it means a person who is labeled as such wasn't religious, so
is it possible that even the Cardinal can be a secular progressive?
Absolutely. We think that the Progressives Liberals should properly
think before they write stuff, but hey the PDSers are the same group
who were holding secret meetings back over a year ago according to
their own secret emails sent out.

***************

We
heard through the grapevine that a local restaurant owner wants to
bring to Somerville a new "Youth Center" and they're looking at the old
Carey Limousine building on Lower Broadway. Nice to hear it, and we
certainly wish him luck.

***************

Wishing again
Joey Mongiello from John's Auto sales a get well soon! Joey is now home
recovering after a lengthy hospital stay – we wish him well and hope
that he gets back to selling cars again real soon, everyone misses him.

***************

The
Somerville High Adult Education classes are beginning – if you're
interested in the various courses they offer it's a great inexpensive
way to expand your educational horizons – under Mike Ciampa's
leadership, a lot of new classes and instructors have been added this
semester. Call the school at 617 625-6600 or email mike at
mciampa@k12.somerville.ma.us for times, dates and classes being offered.

***************

Congratulations
to Somerville's own Peter L. Miller, who has joined the Castle Group as
a principal. The Boston public relations agency focuses on such market
segments as consumers, financial services and higher education. Peter
will work on business development and corporate strategy. His resume
includes stints as chairman of Massachusetts Communications College in
Boston and he was the chairman of the Somerville Zoning Board of
Appeals for many years.