Special Election today

Somerville voters will once again make their way to the polls for a special election. Today, they will select the city’s newest state representative.

Democratic voters throughout all of wards 3, 5 and 6, as well as Ward 2, Precinct 3, and Ward 4, Precinct 3 will cast their ballots for either Denise Provost or Elizabeth Moroney. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Provost and Moroney are vying to replace Patricia D. Jehlen, D-Somerville, who vacated the seat after being elected to the Senate in September. 

Reality Bites by James Norton for the week of Jan. 4th

You can stick your Auld Land Syne where the sun don’t shine, sweet cheeks

I was actually thinking about writing something nice and mushy about the New Year – giving thanks for everything from this past year and looking ahead with a positive attitude towards 2006.  In the immortal words of Whitney Houston to her husband on Being Bobby Brown:  ‚ÄúHell to the NO.‚Äù
2005 was forgettable at best.  Sure, business was good all around, yippity bippity boo.  What‚Äôs left?

Blowing Smoke

A Commentary by William C. Shelton

(Editor’s note: The views and opinions expressed in The Somerville News’ opinion pieces belong solely to the authors of the articles and in no way reflect the views and opinions of The Somerville News).

In this week‚Äôs Somerville News, there is a report on a local marijuana seizure. Few topics are more fraught with ignorance, hypocrisy, and hysteria.  Yet, I hesitate to write about marijuana for fear that young people might imagine that I‚Äôm encouraging them to use it.  I‚Äôm not.  Don‚Äôt.

It seems almost impossible to have a rational, fact-based discussion on the subject.  One blogger, posting in response to our story, commented about victimless crimes.  This sparked a name-calling fury by others, but few ideas and no evidence.   Responding to this assault, another blogger insisted that we didn‚Äôt know anything about marijuana, but instead of enlightening us, went on to call the name-callers more names.

Those who get deeply into the evidence usually arrive at a conclusion similar to that of conservative icon William F. Buckley:  ‚ÄúThe anti-marijuana campaign is a cancerous tissue of lies, undermining law enforcement, aggravating the drug problem, depriving the sick of needed help, and suckering well meaning conservatives and countless frightened parents.‚Äù

Fifteen minutes of shame: Dunkin’ Donuts loses business to zealously ticketed metered spaces

By Catherine Rogers

In a mad dash against time, Dunkin’ Donuts employees in Magoun Square frequently race a vigilant meter maid to prevent her from ticketing customers’ cars, said longtime store owner Victor Vogis. Each day he spends around $15 to allay patrons’ fears of parking tickets, so he sends cashiers outside to feed quarters to the ticking meters.

Newstalk for the week of Jan. 4

Happy New Year to everyone – lets all hope that Somerville becomes an
even better city in 2006 – this goes out to all the residents from us
here at Prospect Hill Publishing, Inc./The Somerville News.  The
Publishers of The News are proud to be going into their fourth year as
the owners of the paper and we wish everyone a great upcoming year.

News endorses Provost for state rep.

   Before Denise Provost was ever elected to public office, Somerville knew she had courage. She began her municipal career as assistant city solicitor to former Mayor Eugene C. Brune in the corruption-ridden days of 1981. Her first assignment ‚Äì investigate if the city could fire employees who had been indicted. Hardly a light undertaking.
    In 1993, Provost once again proved she was a courageous advocate for clean, open government when she ran for alderman in Ward 5 ‚Äì the center of the city‚Äôs good old boy political machine. She lost by 60 votes in a race with an incredibly high voter turnout.

Happy New Year Somerville!

The Somerville News would like to wish its readers a happy and healthy New Year. The publishers — the Norton’s and the Tauro’s and editor George P. Hassett, along with Publisher emeritus Robert J.L. Publicover, wish everyone in Somerville a New Year full of health, wealth and happiness.