Somerville Voices » fberman

Tuesday, March 2 at 8pm – BOA’s Legislative Matters Committee to Discuss Russell Contract

fberman — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:53:07 +0000

Aldermen will hear from City Solicitor John Gannon tonight (Tuesday, March 2 at 8pm in City Hall) about the City's options for terminating the new five year contract with Russell Disposal, in the wake of the Attorney General's announced settlement agreement "... to resolve allegations that the company violated the Massachusetts Wage and Hour Laws."

Letter Against the Senior Housing Zoning Ordinance

fberman — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:44:19 +0000

I believe that both the premise for the Ordinance and the approach that it takes are wrong.

Why the Debate About Expanding Legalized Gambling is a Big Deal

fberman — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:03:53 +0000

If you're on the fence about attending Sen. Pat Jehlen's forum on expanded State gambling tomorrow night (Thurs. Oct 15 from 7-9pm at Century Bank, 400 Mystic Avenue in Medford), at which State Sen. Sue Tucker and State Rep Kathi-Anne Reinstein will debate the issue, here are some reasons why you should come, and why this really is a big deal.

Save Our Somerville: An Interview with Matt and Mark McLaughlin About Harnessing Anger and Grief to Fight Displacement and Speak Out for More Adequate Resources for Addressing Drug Addiction

fberman — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:34:03 +0000

Help Us Pass a Resolution Against Predatory Slot Machine Gambling at the Mass. Democratic Party Convention

fberman — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 07:04:31 +0000

At next week's Mass. Democratic Party Issues Convention (Saturday, June 6 in Springfield), opponents of legalizing predatory slot machine gambling in Massachusetts will mount an effort to pass a Resolution "oppos[ing] the legalization of slot machines and any similar efforts to promote addictive and predatory gambling as a means of raising public revenues." (The full Resolution is printed at the end of this posting.) WE NEED YOUR HELP collecting delegates' signatures.

Support the Proposed Condo Conversion Ordinance – Speak Out Now

fberman — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 08:01:40 +0000

On March 3rd, the Somerville Board of Aldermen will hold its hearing on the proposed Condo Conversion Ordinance. If you are a Somerville homeowner, you know that the Libertarian, Cambridge-based Small Property Owners Association (SPOA) -- which mailed letters to every Somerville homeowner -- is seeking to derail that legislation by disseminating inflammatory and baseless claims about how passage will result in plummeting property values and escalating property taxes.

Upcoming Caucuses for Issues Convention: Why Bother?

fberman — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 22:29:49 +0000

PDS Vice Chair Rachel Heller sent around information about the Democratic Party Caucuses scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 5th (see below). Readers may be wondering "Why bother to go to an "issues" convention ... or to the Caucus where delegates are elected? Here are my thoughts on why it's worth our time.

Union Sq.: Jan. 6 mtg. on open space plan, Jan. 2 deadline for re-zoning testimony

fberman — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:37:37 +0000

Madeleine Masters, Planning Director with the Somerville Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development emailed an announcement about the upcoming meeting on the Union Square Open Space and Recreation Plan, which will be held on Tuesday, January 6th at 6:30 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chambers at City Hall.

My Testimony to Charter Advisory Committee

fberman — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 07:21:43 +0000

If you've been waiting to submit your written testimony to the Charter Advisory Committee, now's the time. If you haven't reviewed the Committee's preliminary recommendations, check them out here. Here are my thoughts:

Testimony at the Charter Reform Hearing

fberman — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:56:46 +0000

This past Monday, the Charter Advisory Committee held a public hearing ... Perhaps the most frequent themes of testimony were · Opposition to the appointment (instead of election) of School Committee members · Filling Vacancies on the BOA / Instant Runoff Voting as the means of