Source: Pero refused to honor hero

Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero refused to sign a citation honoring Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and this year’s Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshall Thomas G. Kelley because of a past political dispute, said a source close to the Board of Aldermen today.

Pedestrian struck by bus dies

A sixty-seven year old woman, who was struck by an MBTA bus May 11th, died early Thursday morning at Massachusetts General Hospital.  The victim, identified as Perina Salemme from East Cambridge, was struck in front of 240 Elm Street in Davis Square.  No charges have been filed against the bus driver as of this date. 

The accident remains under investigation by the Somerville Police Accident Reconstruction Unit, the Massachusetts State Police and the Middlesex District Attorney‚Äôs office. 

Cops break up drag racing on McGrath Highway
By George P. Hassett

   Officer Derek Dottin approached the southbound side of McGrath Highway Wednesday May 17 and witnessed an unusual criminal act.
   ‚ÄúI observed two motor vehicles exit the plaza, cross over the southbound lane and pull even, side by side, on the northbound lanes. Both motor vehicles sat there with their headlights off. I then observed an unidentified male step out into the middle of the two vehicles and raise his arms over his head,‚Äù said Dottin in the incident report.

Crook robs bank, in retro style

By George P. Hassett

Somerville police are looking for a man they say walked into the Sovereign Bank at 125 Broadway Monday and, wearing a large afro wig, passed a note to the bank teller demanding money.

News Talk for the week of May 24
      
The Memorial Day parade this coming Sunday is being hyped as Somerville‚Äôs biggest ever. Biggest ever? Since when, 3 years ago? Some of us go all the way back to the ‚ÄúAll American City Parade‚Äù in the early 70‚Äôs, and remember some pretty big events. Yes it‚Äôs true Somerville won the All American City Award once and that parade went on for hours. The News will have another float this year. Hopefully this year we‚Äôll be less controversial than in the past. The News personnel and families will be in front of 125 Highland Avenue Masonic Building, feel free to join us and say hello.             

Condo concern and controversy
By George P. Hassett

   Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone‚Äôs proposal to strengthen the city‚Äôs condo conversion laws is being called ‚Äúde facto rent control‚Äù by local realtors.
  ‚ÄúThis is rent control in disguise,‚Äù said Skip Schloming, a Cambridge realtor who said he owns 1,200 units in Somerville. ‚ÄúAnd rent control is like an infection that grows from a small bacteria to disease homeowners and eventually the entire community.‚Äù

The View From Prospect Hill for the week of May 17

“This resolution effectuates nothing,” said one alderman of an act meant to express Somerville’s support of immigrants.

Reality Bites by James Norton

Who cares about the money when the real theft has been from the public trust

   I was thinking this past weekend about all the silly stuff thats been going on lately around this great city of ours.  In all honesty it was the whole money in the desk that was thrown out (would I be a hack if I called it ‚ÄúDesk-Gate‚Äù?) embarrassment that prompted me to think about it a little more than I normally would have.