The tree is gone. Several of us confronted the arborist. Ellie and Kirsten went to court in Woburn where Joe Benoit mysteriously turned up and successfully challenged their request for a temporary restraining order. (with video)

A few significant things to report from today: (1) At 3 today, Deborah Henson-Conant and 70 of her friends from the Arlington HS choir sang to the Belinda-Bertha-Tim tree. It was fantastic. Picture attached. A video is promised on YouTube soon. Check out the Bertha song in the link below. It would fit right in at Honk!:

Friends, neighbors, tenants, and people passing by were aghast to see four massive trucks from Cambridge Landscape setting up to take down one of Somerville’s grandest trees. Tenants complained that the landlords representative had told them only that “tree work” would be done, not that a tree which affects the entire neighborhood would come down.

I’m sure I’m not the first person to say that ArtBeat has become lame. Other than some interesting music, it is mostly a lame, generic craft festival. It is almost always too hot and not that unique or interesting.

Honk, on the other hand, showcases what makes Somerville unique and compelling. Like the Fluff festival and Open Studios, Honk is becoming a great example of funky, creative Somerville.

Unfortunately, rumor has it that Honk may not necessarily continue. This would be a huge loss.

Does anyone else share my views that ArtBeat should be substantially changed and that public and Arts Council funds should be dedicated more towards saving Honk?

Committee Urges Residents to Submit Comments on City Charter Beginning September 1st through September 8th; Comments Accepted Via Email, Mail and Voicemail

I attended another positive, constructive Charter Advisory Meeting this morning. Discussion focused on the Board of Aldermen structure (elections, terms, make up, selection of president).
Proportional representation and other changes that could increase participation and representation were discussed. All agreed that increased participation and representation are a top goal for any changes.

My name is Greg Nadeau and I am serving as a resident representative on the Mayor’s Charter Advisory Committee. This committee will spend 6 months developing recommendations to change the city’s charter (base constitution). All changes would need to be ratified by the Aldermen, then Legislature,then voters.

One of the questions that is being considered is the structure of the Board of Aldermen.

I would be interested if anyone on this service has had experiences with our current Alderman structure that suggest improvements to the structure(at-large vs ward, terms, committees, public participation, etc).