After years of hard work Union Square station opened on Monday, March 21. — Photo by Doug Holder

By Ryan DiLello

On Monday of this week, after decades of planning and debate, the city of Somerville celebrated the opening of the Green Line stop within Union Square. Last Thursday, Mayor Ballantyne held a press conference to field questions about the historic project from the community.

By Fernando Cervantes Jr.

On March 5, the Somerville Democratic Ward Committees met to select delegates to the Massachusetts Democratic Convention on June 3 and 4. Committees for Wards 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 met to select these delegates.

According to an email from the Maura Healey Campaign, 54 delegates were elected for the Maura Healey camp to represent the candidate at the Convention in June. Candidates need at least 325 delegates to win the Democratic nomination.

(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 Jason Mackey

Dear neighbors,

As you may have heard, the former home of the First Universalist Church and current home of King Solomon’s Lodge A.F. & A.M. at 125 Highland Avenue was recently sold to make way for desperately needed affordable housing. This is all well and good, but on Monday, March 28th, the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission (SHPC) will vote on establishing a Local Historic District (LHD) at this address (and only this address); effectively killing the sale and any hopes of affordable housing along with it.

STV’s collaboration with the MBTA in helping to bring the Green Line Extension project closer to completion has been lauded by everyone involved in the process. — Photo courtesy of STV

STV, a leader in engineering, architectural, planning and program and construction management services joined the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to celebrate the opening of the Green Line Extension (GLX).

Revenue service has begun on the Union Square branch, the first of two segments to be completed on this $2.3 billion design-build. STV serves as the lead designer for GLX as part of the design-build team led by Fluor Corporation/Middlesex Corporation/Herzog Contracting Corp/Balfour Beatty joint venture (GLX Constructors).

Please join Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, the City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS), and the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) for a webinar about tenants’ rights in Somerville, housing advocacy and rental assistance services, and community organizing to prevent eviction and displacement. Somerville’s local eviction moratorium, established in March 2020, currently remains in effect until Saturday, April 30. The webinar is Wednesday, March 23, at 6:30 p.m. Learn more and register to attend at somervillema.gov/ohs. Spanish and Portuguese interpretation will be provided, and other languages can be requested on the registration form. If you are facing eviction, need help paying your rent or mortgage, or need help accessing affordable housing, contact OHS at somervillema.gov/ohs or 617-625-6600 ext. 2581.

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This is a great time of year to visit farmers markets and farm stands in the area. I like to meander through the rows and look for fresh and vibrant fruits and vegetables. The last time I went to the farm stand I came upon a large display of radishes. This time of year radishes tend to be a little more bitter than in the spring and winter. But this recipe will bring out the sweetness and have you craving more of these crisp nuggets of flavor. First off, only pick radishes that have vibrant green tops. These are not only fresh, but as an extra bonus, the greens can also be prepared and eaten.

Peter F. White, Somerville – Beloved son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, Peter F. White “Frannie”, 87 passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 8th in his home in Stuart, Florida.

Peter was born on November 19, 1934, in Somerville son of William and Mary Ann (Flaherty) White. He grew up in Somerville with a large Irish Catholic family that he loved and then raised his own family there as well.

So, I was at the opening of the subway station in Union Square, Somerville. A lot of pols were there basking in the glory. At a news conference with Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, I asked if they were concerned about the gentrification that the subway will inevitably bring. Warren took the question and replied, “I am very concerned about rising rents. This transportation will spur new housing and more housing means lower rents.” Now I have been around the block – tell me, does this pan out in the real world? Not from what I have seen.  Anyway, after the question a woman bumped into me and angrily said, “I am not here for the back slapping, let me through.” She looked like a veteran Somervillian, no happy horse sh*t for her.

— Doug Holder

After the long chilling days of winter, it’s nice to know that springtime has officially arrived. We anxiously await the final thaw and balmier days ahead.

One of the finer benefits of New England living is standing witness to the massive explosion of nature’s rebirth and renewal, seemingly amplified here. Grass, trees, wildlife and flowers all seem to go forth and multiply at an astounding rate, as if on cue to the call for “Action!”