The depths of the suffering borne by the people of Haiti in recent decades – whether hunger, disease, natural disaster, or economic crisis – seems fathomless. But the gauntlet of hardship faced by this island nation has not extinguished the spirit of its people. Even after Saturday’s earthquake, Monday’s tropical storm, the ravages of COVID-19, and the recent assassination of President Moïse, Haitians continue to strive to help one another. They are determined, as we should be too.

— Photo courtesy of City of Somerville

By Fernando Cervantes Jr.

On August 5, the Somerville Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) hosted a virtual town hall in regards to the rising number of COVID cases around Somerville and throughout the Commonwealth.

The meeting, hosted by Economic Development Assistant Nicholas Schonberger and Mayor Joseph Curtatone, mainly focused on the spread of COVID in the city and vaccine statistics throughout the last couple months.

A third virtual town hall meeting covered possible impacts on businesses and the community at large. — Photo courtesy of the Dr. Peter Center

By Camille Andersen

The third virtual town hall on the proposed supervised consumption site (SCS) took place on Thursday, August 12. This meeting focused on the community and business impact of a site in Somerville.

The panelists included Mayor Joe Curtatone, Mélanie Renaud who is a Canadian business owner next to a SCS, Michael Pizziferri who works for the Quebec government from Boston, and TJ Thompson who is a harm reduction specialist.

The Somerville Fair Housing Commission asked a series of six questions of the mayoral and City Council candidates concerning housing issues in the city. Last week we published the first two questions and answers. The questions were presented to all of the candidates, and the answers presented here were the ones received by the Commission. The remaining two questions and answers will be published next week.

(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 Justin Klekota

The recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that global temperature increases are accelerating underscores the urgency with which Somerville and Cities worldwide must transform our economy to be free of fossil fuels. Along with concerted efforts to transition to renewable energy (cleanchoiceenergy.com), increase energy efficiency (masssave.com), and transition our buildings and vehicles to all-electric (masscec.com), we must prepare our students and workforce for the green economy of the future. This means increased resources for our schools and expanding public education to guarantee after-school programs including extra courses in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), as well as life-long training opportunities for in-demand job skills as we transition to a greener economy.

Because of rising COVID-19 cases fueled by the Delta variant, Mayor Curtatone has submitted a request to the Board of Health to reinstate a face covering mandate for indoor public spaces for anyone age two or older. If approved at the August 19 BOH meeting, the mandate would go into effect on August 20.

Julie Ann Otis’ “Wondering” from her Textbook Behavior series, as installed at Dugger Park in Medford, then vandalized two days later. (click to enlarge)

By Rachael Hines

Textbook Behavior is an 8-piece visual art installation by artist and intuitive healer Julie Ann Otis. The project is set to debut in Somerville on September 8 and be displayed for 8 to 10 weeks.

The project initially debuted to some controversy earlier this summer in Medford, at Morrison Park, Duggar Park, and Tufts Park. Otis said the art was installed for less than two days before she received a concerned phone call from a Medford resident, notifying her that multiple pieces of artwork had been vandalized.

— Photos by Monica Calvo

The Somerville Community Growing Center, located at 22 Vinal Ave. in Somerville, hosted Photography in the Garden last Sunday from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. An Artist Reception with Iaritza Menjivar featured First Generation, a photography exhibition from photographer Menjivar about family life will be “popping” in the Growing Center through the month of August. Menjivar is exhibiting newer work made before and during quarantine. See more of Menjivar’s work at www.iaritza.com.

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Just a few weeks ago I picked up a package of store-bought corn tortillas and was extremely disappointed with the texture, taste, and overall quality of the product. Then I thought, how hard could it be to make my own? Let me tell you, not hard at all!

Those in public service must be ready willing and able to rise to the occasion when called upon to do so. Each one of us, whoever we may be supporting in this year’s local election races, is searching our heart to determine whom we feel will best fill those roles.

Most of us seem to be very confident that our favored candidates are up to the task. Others bemoan a lack of integrity or skills required to do the job well among those who are running.