By Nuria Chantre

A candidate in the special election for alderman-at-large drew from personal and
professional experiences to highlight the importance of education, law enforcement and youth opportunities, at The Somerville News contributors’ meeting March 15.

“I think what separates me from the other candidates is my totality of experiences; my experience as a mentor to youth gives me a unique perspective,” said Robert Daut, one of three contenders for the citywide position.

By David Taber

Errors made by the city’s voting machine supplier have been cited as the cause of miscounts throughout the country, and in one instance last June, almost altered the outcomes of a number of Iowa races.

Despite this, experts say, the machines the city uses, the Optech Eagle and the newer, handicapped accessible, Automark, developed by Election Systems and Software (ES&S), are preferable to other options, because they leave a clear paper trail.

“The most recent case was in Pottawatamie, Iowa, Election Systems and Software programmed their elections. An election official noticed that some kid who didn’t even campaign was in the lead,” said Beverly Harris director of the election reform group Black Box Voting.

Ward 7 Alderman Bob Trane seemed a little upset about a comment made by Marty Martinez in our paper last week, saying that there were streets not plowed in Ward 7. Guess Marty must be stuck in his Winter Hill home during the snow, because we know for a fact that Alderman Trane takes this part of his job particularly seriously. He was responding to calls from constituents all weekend and helping them get out from underneath the snow with a little help from DPW Commissioner Stan Koty (more on that later). Now maybe Marty should think twice or maybe come out of his house during the next storm and see for himself, we hear Bob will show him personally.

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Now speaking of the snow storm Friday, was that Commissioner Stan Koty himself on the two way radio complimenting certain employees that were doing a great job plowing the streets and then there was that one employee he wasn’t exactly happy with, at least over the air he wasn’t. Several listeners were a little shocked to hear his comment. Some of us here at News Talk aren’t, we know Stanley expects a job well done by everyone, and he’s not afraid to speak his mind. Personally we think Stan and the DPWdid a great job collectively all over the city and some of us were out in it so we know.

By George P. Hassett

The opposing parties in one of the city’s longest labor disputes are coming closer to reaching an agreement. City officials and patrol union representatives met Friday, March 16 to try and put an end to the 33 months patrolmen have gone without a contract.

‚ÄúWe had a constructive meeting,‚Äù said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone.  ‚ÄúThe city upped its offer and we made some progress.‚Äù  Patrolmen‚Äôs Union President Jack Leutcher said he met with city attorneys Friday for three hours. The negotiations have improved since police began picketing City Hall with firefighters who also have not had a contract in nearly three years, he said.