Community members sought for anti-violence working group to collaborate with RSJ, city staff, and the Urban Peace Institute to Help Create Violence Reduction Proposals

As part of Public Safety for All efforts, the City of Somerville is bringing in the nationally recognized Urban Peace Institute for an anti-violence initiative that will include the creation of a community-based Anti-Violence Working Group. Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the city’s Department of Racial and Social Justice (RSJ) announced today that Somerville residents and workers are invited to apply to join the working group, which will collaborate closely with the Urban Peace Institute, on community safety and violence reduction including  gun and gang violence in Somerville. Applications are available starting the week of April 3 and must be received by Friday, April 28, at 7:00 p.m.

Voices of Poetry is pleased to present a free program of exceptional poetry on Saturday, April 22, at 2:00 p.m. at Cambridge Public Library. This event will feature five acclaimed poets: Toni Bee, Eileen Cleary, Deborah Leipziger, Michael McInnis and Lloyd Schwartz.

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to an Assembly Row place of business last week on reports of a man masturbating.

Upon arrival, the officers were met by the store manager, who directed them to the dressing room area, and to a stall around the corner where the defendant was.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte 

So, what do you think about all the speed humps throughout the city? Did you go over one by accident too fast and everything in the car lifts up in the air and crashes back down? I did that once. Those humps are popping up all over the place. I asked my Somerville social friends for their opinions. Each new comment is in quotes.

Somerville residents ages 17 and older can apply now to review ideas submitted for the city’s first-ever round of Participatory Budgeting. Applications due May 20.

The City of Somerville is now accepting applications from residents ages 17 and older to join the city’s Participatory Budgeting process as Budget Delegate Volunteers. This role will give residents hands-on experience working directly with city staff to review Participatory Budgeting idea submissions and determine which 20 ideas will be voted on by their fellow residents. No previous finance or budgeting experience is required; all residents will be given training and background as needed.

City officials met with the public recently to discuss gunfire incidents and other threats to the public safety.

By The Times Staff

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 4 Councilor Jesse Clingan, Somerville Chief of Police Charles Femino, and Director of the Department of Racial and Social Justice Denise Molina Capers invited community members to a Community Safety Meeting on Tuesday, March 28, at the Healey School Cafeteria.

(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)

Every day, members of our community are asked to make an almost impossible choice: Remain in an unsafe relationship, or leave at the risk of losing their housing? Domestic violence survivors are already at an increased risk for housing instability and eviction. In the midst of our affordable housing crisis, open access to these records is further narrowing survivors’ housing options. The Community Action Agency of Somerville and RESPOND are two of the many organizations in Somerville that see firsthand the relationship between housing instability, eviction, and domestic violence. For that reason, we support the passage of the HOMES Act, and urge our legislators to help lessen the barriers to housing access that exist for domestic violence survivors.

Somerville’s Arts at the Armory is hosting an exhibition by Brad Casler at its ROOTED Café now through April 29.

Casler is a native Bostonian who has spent the majority of his life living in Boston. He is an abstract expressionist artist who draws upon the flavors, smells, sights, and events of his own experiences to assemble an artwork that moves both mind and spirit.

(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)

From any perspective, US2 is the wrong developer to be building on the 200 McGrath Highway (Glass Stop) site.

As Somerville welcomes commercial development in its transformational zones, the administration needs to be more selective in the choices it makes for who does the building.  The latest purchase by US2 of the 200 McGrath Highway site (across from the Target parking lot) is an example of how not to choose a developer. Indeed, US2 is the wrong developer to build on the 3.1-acre former Glass Stop and Pat’s Towing site for five significant reasons.

Happy Easter and Passover this week to all who celebrate. May the holidays bring joy and fun to families, friends and everyone who gathers together to observe the occasions.