(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

By Wilfred Mbah
Candidate for Somerville City Councilor at Large

The City Council held a lively public hearing last week at which residents and workers from neighborhoods around the city called on the council to correct a variety of procedural problems and a pro-developer bias in planning and zoning.

Senator Patricia Jehlen (D- Somerville) is happy to announce that the Senate recently approved a FY24 budget of $55.9 billion. It includes expansion of childcare funding, first steps toward free community college, and increased funding for the MBTA, thanks to $1 billion in revenue from the Fair Share Amendment. The most spirited debate in the Senate was on a Republican amendment to strike the plan to allow Massachusetts high school graduates without documents to pay in-state tuition at state colleges and universities. Senator Jehlen was pleased that this amendment was defeated 3-37, although it had previously been controversial.

Another year passes and we pause at this time to congratulate and honor the hard-working students who achieved their goal of successfully completing their courses of studies at their respective high schools and colleges.

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While at Open Studios in Somerville I came across conceptual artist JT Bullitt. According to his website: “My studio work is an ongoing series of conceptual listening experiments that investigate the invisible, inaudible, intangible forces surrounding us and underlying human experience. I am particularly fascinated by questions of identity & name, language & symbol, and the fluidity of our perception of time & space. I work primarily in sound — both large and small — and in mark-making.”

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Lynn Fitzgerald is a Chicago native and citizen of the world. She is member of Poets and Patrons, Illinois State Poetry Society. Currently, an adjunct professor of English for the City Colleges of Chicago, where she teaches research, poetry, and film. Her chapbook, Closer to the Earth, was awarded a CAAP grant and was published by Moon Journal Press.

Former City Councilor Bob McWatters, Deputy Fire Chief Mike Avery, and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll attended Mayor Katjana Ballantyne’s announcement for reelection on Wednesday, May 31, at The Burren in Davis Sq.

For 38 years, children, teens and adults have learned circus skills from the OPENAIR Circus of Greater Somerville. Everyone is welcome to learn new skills and join the circus community.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne honors LGBTQ+ Pride Month with the annual Pride flag raising ceremony on Thursday, June 1, 2023. The ceremony include remarks from Mayor Ballantyne, City of Somerville LGBTQ+ Liaison Izzy Starr, and representatives from the John F. Kennedy School GSA.