A number of important issues were discussed at the latest Somerville Traffic and Parking Committee meeting. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Jordan Pagkalinawan

The Somerville Traffic and Parking Committee met on September 29 to discuss 13 orders related to signage updates, crosswalk and stop sign installations, and an update on changes to MBTA bus route 90.

(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

A few years ago, a resident approached me for help electrifying their condo building, but they hit a major roadblock: costs. In addition to behind-the-meter upgrades, they were surprised to learn they needed to install a costly transformer, one not covered by their electric provider.

Transformers are part of our shared power grid, so it’s understandable they were shocked to learn they, not the utility, had to pay. Unable to make that investment, their hopes to go electric were dashed.

(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)

Somerville to vote on whether tax dollars should continue to fund genocide this November.

By Somerville For Palestine

Amid a growing trend of local cities and towns reclaiming control of local investments to align with community values, the city of Somerville Elections Commission elected to place a Ballot Question 3 on the November Ballot which would call on the city to end business with companies that contribute to the ongoing genocide, apartheid, and illegal occupation of Palestine. Grassroots organizers faced a legal challenge funded by national special interest groups, attempting to disqualify thousands of voter signatures. However, at a hearing this morning, Monday, Oct 6, the Somerville Elections Commission overruled the objections, certifying over 8000 signatures, and placing Ballot Question 3 on the November ballot.

The 20th Annual Honk Festival of Activist Street Bands will be hitting the streets of Somerville this weekend from October 9 through 12 (rain or shine). HONK! 2025 will feature a wide variety of musical/activist events planned for Tufts University, in Medford (HONK! U Conference on Thursday), Davis Square, in Somerville (street music, workshops, lantern parades on Friday and Saturday); and Harvard Square, in Cambridge (with a vast Parade out of Davis Sq. to then participate in Oktoberfest, on Sunday). More info at: https://honkfest.org/.

(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)

Legal counsel for Somerville United Against Discrimination (SUAD) presented arguments today detailing why Question 3 should not appear on Somerville’s November ballot. The arguments included the untimely collection of signatures, the impropriety of placing an unconstitutional and discriminatory question on the ballot, and the unwillingness of city officials to have each side, for and against, file a 150-word argument as required by state law so that voters can make an informed choice. SUAD seeks to ensure that all applicable laws and rules have been followed and to promote voter transparency.

Eagle Feathers #339 – Our Tripolitan Hero

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

In 1808, a 20-foot-tall Italian marble monument was erected just inside the gates of the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. The U.S.S. Constitution delivered it from Italy via Boston. It was the city’s first outdoor memorial, the first American monument approved by Congress, and the only one for decades to follow.

Whether it be homegrown or imported, we have at our fingertips an incredibly diverse and nearly exhaustive supply of mellifluous entertainment to keep us amused and amazed as we watch it pass through our community.

The same goes for commitment to political and social issues. It’s natural for the HONK! Festival organizers to choose our community in which to hold this event. Activism thrives here, driven by a long tradition of dialog on important issues of the day and a genuine concern for the betterment of our own community as well as that of the world at large.

*

I caught up with poet bg Thurston to talk about her new poetry and prose collection, The Many Lives of Cathouse Farm. Judith Ferrara writes of her book:

“This compelling and singular collection is an expert weaving of history and poetry. The story of Cathouse Farm begins when poet bg Thurston spies “a small red farmhouse nestled behind tall sugar maples,” which beckons her with its For Sale sign. Images presented throughout these pages elucidate Thurston’s narrative of dwelling and landscape. We listen as the very house itself speaks in Sister Houses, 1771, and The Ruined House and hear occupants, such as Sarah Weeks, who “labored long for all / these years on this forlorn farm, / birthed and buried our babies- / once within the same week.” Section 3 links us to Prohibition-era owner George F. Rivers, who “set the property up as a speakeasy and rural brothel” and inspired persona poems that do not look away from these women’s struggles. This book is a significant and fascinating accomplishment, full of curiosity, empathy, and respect for the ghostly inhabitants of Cathouse Farm.”

*
Sanjeev Sethi is an award-winning poet who has authored eight poetry collections. His poems have been published in forty countries and appear in over 600 journals and anthologies. Some credits: London Magazine, The Fortnightly Review, Stand Magazine, Erbacce Journal, 3:AM Magazine, London Grip, Morphrog, North Dakota Quarterly, Hamilton Stone Review, NOON | journal of the short poem, Postcolonial Text, and Indian Literature.