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Provost wins PDS endorsement
By George P. Hassett
The Progressive Democrats of Somerville (PDS) announced this week they have endorsed Denise Provost for State Representative in the 27th Middlesex District Special Election.
PDS held its endorsement meeting Tuesday, Nov. 29 with both Democratic candidates, Provost and Elizabeth Moroney, in attendance. Each candidate delivered opening remarks and answered questions from the attendees. PDS members then voted to endorse Provost.
"Denise has always been the independent voice who asks the tough questions and comes up with the creative solutions," said Kate Wallace, Chair of PDS. "She is prepared to tackle any complex issue she might face and she is out every day on the streets of Somerville. Our members feel confident that she is the candidate with the best experience to do the job right."
Provost and Moroney are the only two candidates in the Jan. 10 Democratic Primary, which has, in effect, become the General Election because there is no Republican challenger. The seat became vacant when its former occupant, Patricia D. Jehlen, won the race to replace the late Charles E. Shannon, in the senate. The seat is the only state rep. district that is solely with the boundaries of Somerville.
Tell us what is best
Votes for "Best of Somerville" due next week
Somerville, you have the chance to tell us what you think is best in your city. To vote for your either email us your vote at somervillenews@aol.com or call our office and leave a message on the newstalk line or you can do it the old fashion way and mail in your ballot to 21a College Avenue. Here are the categories:
Best Restaraunt, all around
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Residents map out East Somerville how they see it
By George P. Hassett
The community that is often suffocated by McGrath Highway and Route 93 is finally beginning to get some air. East Somerville is beginning to get the attention it deserves thanks to the Somerville Community Corporation (SCC) and the neighborhoods’ own young residents.
Tonight at the main branch of the Somerville Public Library, SCC will unveil their East Somerville Community Map – a reference tool for all things East Somerville. The detailed map not only denotes the neighborhoods’ landmarks and icons but also informs its observers of how residents feel about their corner of the city.
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Paraprofessionals picket city hall
By George P. Hassett
The paraprofessionals who work in Somerville classrooms took advantage of tonight’s public meeting at city hall to express their outrage.
"We have no salary advancement for five years. We get no paid holidays or vacation days and we have little or no chance to earn overtime," said Linda Vitiello, president of the Somerville Teachers association.
The public hearing was organized by state rep. Carl M. Sciortino, D-Somerville, and Ward 7 School Committee member Mary Jo Rosetti to discuss the funding of Somerville schools. But Vitiello and more than thirty other paraprofessionals used it to call attention to what they believe is an unfair situation.
Paraprofessionals in Somerville make $13,000 a year and are currently working without a contract, said Vitiello.
Developing…
Thief was ready to take the girl’s arm and her money
By Andrea Gregory
A car full of guys attempted to steal $20 from the young woman who offered them directions. Later, Jonathon Alexis, 21, of 19 Braemore Road, Medford and Tony Salvador, 18, of 20 Canal Lane, were both arrested and charged with unarmed robbery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
Around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, two sisters were walking down Albion Street when a car pulled up to them. The man in the rear passenger’s seat rolled down his window and asked the two girls for directions to Broadway.
The sisters had no problem telling the men in the car how to get there. One of the sisters walked right up to the open window and began directing them to Broadway. In her hand was a $20 bill, allegedly very tempting for the party in the car.
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Drug bust
By Andrea Gregory
Police got one of Somerville’s alleged drug dealers off the streets last week.
On Tuesday, Nov. 23 just before 5 p.m., police entered apartment 17 at 17 Bow St. Armed with a search warrant out of the Somerville District Court, police were able to gather enough evidence to charge Colin Gardinier, 33, with cocaine trafficking.
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Thanksgiving fire investigation continues
Man still in hospital and no charges filed
By Andrea Gregory
Fernando Araujo, 34, remains in critical care at Massachusetts General Hospital following a Thanksgiving blaze that torched two cars and his apartment building.
Police continue to investigate the back-to-back car fires that happened on Thursday, but are yet to charge anyone with the incident.
The first fire was at 3:51 a.m. in the driveway of Araujo’s Wheatland Street apartment. The car belonged to Cheri Ellis, of Malden, who was staying at Araujo’s place.
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Police pass on Tufts death investigation
By George P. Hassett
The Somerville Police have passed the investigation of a 22 year old Tufts students’ death on to the state police because of a conflict of interest.
Boryana Damyanova was struck by two cars and killed Tuesday Nov.22 when she was crossing Broadway at Wallace Street near Powderhouse Sq. One of the drivers who struck Damyanova is related to a Somerville Police Officer, said Lt. Paul Upton.
“This is a no-win situation for us,” said Upton. “If we did our job and then decided not to file charges, there would be a lot of suspicious people out there. So to avoid any conflict of interest, the State Police will handle this investigation.”
Upton said Damyanova was initially struck by a vehicle heading westbound toward Arlington. He said the driver of that vehicle was Francis D. Privitera, a 74 year old Somerville attorney. Once hit, Damyanova was thrown to the other side of the street and struck by a second vehicle heading eastbound, he said.
Damyanova, who came from Bulgaria to study at Tufts, was transported to Somerville Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 7:20 p.m.
Upton said the incident is being investigated by the State Police and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. At this time, speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the incident, he said.
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O’Donovan’s out
By George P. Hassett
The Ward 5 alderman who pulled papers for the 27th Middlesex district state rep. race Wednesday said today he will not pursue the seat.
Sean T. O’Donovan said he is placing the needs of Ward 5 residents ahead of his own political ambitions.
"There are too many important things going on in Ward 5 for me to get involved in the state rep. race," he said.
O’Donovan’s in
By George P. Hassett
The Ward 5 alderman pulled papers at City Hall Wednesday and entered the race for state representative of the 27th Middlesex district. Sean T. O’Donovan is the third Democrat and fourth candidate overall to declare for the open seat.
The seat was vacated when Patricia D. Jehlen, D-Somerville, became the state Senator for the 2nd Middlesex district.
Elizabeth Moroney, Denise Provost and John A. Roderick are also in the race to replace Jehlen. Moroney and Provost are Democrats, while Roderick is an Independent. The deadline to declare is tomorrow at 5 p.m.
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