By 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.)

With the Massachusetts Presidential Primary less than a week away, every Democratic leader seems to be lining up to express a preference.  People ask me every day who I’m endorsing, and the answer is that I haven’t endorsed anybody – yet.

This is a heavily Democratic – and supremely political – city in which almost everyone I know feels torn between three good candidates, which is actually a very good problem to have. I also think that, with very few exceptions, the people who vote for a Democrat on February 5 will rally around the eventual Democratic nominee – whoever she or he may be – and join in the effort to end eight years of G.O.P. mismanagement in Washington.  But the worst thing we can do right now is to let the race for the Democratic nomination drive a wedge between political leaders in Massachusetts who will need to be  working together every day to make sure that our economy grows, that our communities are safe, healthy and livable, and that our citizens enjoy a prosperous and secure future.

Off The Shelf by Doug Holder

As you probably know by now McIntyre and Moore Booksellers is going to close April 1. Along with the recent closing of Jimmy Tingle’s Off Broadway Theatre this is a big loss for Davis Square and Somerville. Word has it they might relocate to the old Bookcellar site in Porter Square. The site will be much smaller. The Bookcellar was another fine used bookstore that hit the dust some years ago.

If I were to go to central casting and say “Hey, Mac. I need a used bookstore and make it snappy!” McIntyre and Moore would fit the bill perfectly.

By George P. Hassett

The Medford Street home has paid tribute to troops in Iraq, been lit up for Christmas and honored the New England Patriots, all with lavish signs and decorations. So this year when Marco Soares didn’t get his Patriots regalia up immediately after his favorite team (‚Äúthe Pats – those are my boys,‚Äù he says) won the AFC championship, the neighbors were worried.

‚ÄúI had old ladies and little kids telling me they were afraid I had moved. One lady saw me putting a few things up and says, ‘Oh thank god, I was worried you weren’t doing it this year,’‚Äù he says. ‚ÄúSo the neighborhood expects this stuff now.‚Äù

On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

(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.)

Today our kids have computers, games galore, text messaging and the excitement of The New England Patriots to keep them occupied. When I was a kid, there was no “New England Patriots” Рthe team was known as the “Boston Patriots.”

Increasing local participation in elections and in the “process” as a whole has been an uphill battle over the last 20 years, due mainly to lack of interest of the voting population. Battles have waged over why that is the case Рranging from bad/dirty politics to disillusionment with politicians/system Рwith many others in between.

Low voter turnout to regular elections has remained the standard and can only be helped by local interest groups (whether you agree with their politics or not). It becomes harder for these groups when they look to the local party leadership, only days away from their Ward caucuses, and find data that hasn’t been updated and missing locations/times for these caucuses on their web site.

by Walter Smelt III

You know a band is strange when they mention being influenced by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, the late, great bluesman who sang “Constipation Blues” and carried a scepter topped with a skull. But the Alrighters, a local band who bring their punk version of 50s R&B to the Abbey Lounge on Feb. 2, have a few things in common with the old self-styled witch doctor.

By George P. Hassett

The city’s top lawyer pled guilty to drunk driving on Jan. 22 and is seeking medical help.

John Gannon the city solicitor under Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone since 2004, lost his driver’s license for one year after admitting he was driving drunk on Soldiers Field Road in Brighton on Feb. 13, 2007, according to court records.

By George P. Hassett

The first move by an elected official to explore changes to the city charter was voted down by the School Committee Monday.

Just as he promised to do in his campaign, Ward 4 School Committee member James Norton, who is also the editor of this newspaper, submitted a motion to support Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone’s proposal to create a charter reform commission and asking ‚Äúthat said commission take special consideration as to the composition of the School Committee, specifically in the way and manner in which the School Committee is elected.‚Äù

By George P. Hassett

After weeks of discussion, and despite allegations of labor law violations, aldermen renewed the city’s contract with trash collector F.W. Russell Disposal this week for the next year.

The trash collector has been embroiled in controversy in the last month after a labor dispute with Teamsters Local 25 in December ended in arrests for 10 Teamsters and Russell owner Charles Carneglia donning a red sombrero while stomping on union signs in an act of apparent triumph. The video of the melee can be seen on YouTube.

Some satisfaction with jobs agreement, but oversight committee wanted

By Kimberly Geronimo

IKEA, and all of its low priced furniture, is coming to Somerville. And with it more jobs, more construction, and a lot more traffic.

Somerville residents met with city officials, developers, and IKEA representatives at a community meeting last Wednesday to discuss the retail giant’s arrival and other development plans for Assembly Square.