Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, along with Somerville’s Department of Public Works and Parks & Recreation Department, invites all for a hauntingly good time at the fourth annual “Truck O’ Treat” on Thursday, October 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. outside City Hall (93 Highland Avenue). In the event of inclement weather, the event will be moved to Thursday, October 30.

(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 Willian C. Shelton

“I know of no safe repository of the ultimate power of society but the people.”

-Thomas Jefferson

American democracy is now under constant assault and is contracting. Yet the proposed City Charter that will be on the November 4^th ballot would deny Somerville’s citizens a critical right that is enjoyed by voters in 83% of Massachusetts’ cities.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Growing up in Somerville over the last few decades gave us lots of delicious dining memories. We had a lot of very good local restaurants. I remember those Friday nights at The Continental on Somerville Ave. for pizza and orange tonic. There was also Frascatis and The Venice in Davis Square. The Paddock and The Mount Vernon were also great places, among many others.

Step into a century of Somerville history and leap into the future at Rewind, Record, PLAY!, a one-night-only retrofuturist fundraising cocktail event celebrating the Museum’s 100th anniversary. The celebration takes place on Thursday, October 23, from 5:30–8:30pm at The Crystal Ballroom in Davis Square.

Homelessness and public safety in the Davis Square and Seven Hills Park areas were the topic at a public meeting held on October 6. ~Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Jordan Pagkalinawan

Dozens of residents joined Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Deputy Police Chief Jim Donovan, and other city leaders inside the Somerville Community Baptist Church on October 6 to discuss concerns over homelessness and public safety around Davis Square and Seven Hills Park.

(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 Somerville United Against Discrimination

We are writing to respectfully ask that voters across Somerville vote NO on Question 3.

This ballot question does nothing to constructively help Palestinians, and instead hurts our neighbors and our city itself. Implementing the question is illegal, sows division in our community, and takes our attention and resources off urgent issues facing our city.

(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 Mayor Katjana Ballantyne

 In 2024, my administration released the first update of Climate Forward, our community’s climate action plan. Our vision is to create a carbon net-negative Somerville by cutting emissions to zero and beyond, while adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change. To do that, we’re taking bold, strategic, and inclusive action to tackle global challenges with local solutions.