Agenda includes discussing alternative methods for choosing aldermen in case of a resignation before the end of term.

Agenda includes a rules change to make the replacement of Board members subject to time-limited community review. Selection of replacement by the previous Alderman has been controversial.

Historically, primary elections have low turnout, which sometimes results in suboptimal candidates. Be sure to show up!

The Alderman’s meeting could result in a vote the same night. This is the second Aldermanic appointment in the last few months. It might be worthwhile to attend and find out what’s happening.

Somerville Library as a digital laboratory, community service, and creative resource to both city and national users.

If you had an urgent need to get to Denver, would you begin by sailing east? Probably not. Most of us don’t pursue important goals by heading in the opposite direction.

But that is…

Another public meeting for Beacon Street Reconstruction meeting is coming on up on Tuesday, March 5th at 6:00pm in the Argenziano School cafetorium (290 Washington Street). I strongly urge all with an interest in the…

The Committee to Elect Mark Niedergang invites you to enjoy delicious free food from Redbones, Taco Loco, and Gauchão , fun entertainment, good company, and provocative discussion at a party and fundraiser to kick off Mark’s campaign for Ward 5 Alderman. Alex the Jester will entertain. State Representative Carl Sciortino (Somerville/Medford) will speak.

Episode Link:  http://scatstaffvlog.blogspot.com/ Tonight on a special edition of Greater Somerville, host Joe Lynch is  joined in the SCATV studios by two time Emmy winner, WBZ-TV political analyst  Jon Keller to discuss the state of the national political scene, the comings and  goings of Massachusetts elected officials and speculated on the political future  of two Joes.  [...]

Reposted from the Somerville-4-Schools email list, a message from School Committee Chair Paul Bockelman about the process that the School Committee agreed to use to fill the Ward 1 School Committee seat. The seat is…

Hardly a shocker, but President Barack Obama has out-fundraised former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney by a very, very wide margin among Somerville residents.

VOTE! In addition to the Presidential and Senatorial elections we all know about, there are seven initiatives on the ballot.

2012 election year rhetoric features “The market versus the state”, “Big capital versus big government”, and so on. What about creating a web of collaboration where no one is in charge because everyone is in charge?

Please join us for the New England Premier of “Shift  Change”,

What: An inspirational new documentary by veteran filmmakers Melissa Young and Mark Dworkin about the real possibilities offered by worker cooperatives during this…

Join host Joe Lynch as he talks with 26th District State Representative Tim Toomey about the upcoming election and why he deserves your vote in November.
Visit: http://www.timtoomey.org/

Prior to and on statewide Elections Day, the MA Secretary of State’s Office publishes arguments for and against every ballot measure that is placed before the voters of the Commonwealth.  In 2012, Massachusetts voters will…

In my efforts to understand and follow the business of city government in Somerville, I have tried to view or download official minutes of official meetings of boards, departments, commissions and one Authority which are identified on the public minutes and meeting agendas page of the city website.…

Still wondering why the old Winter Hill Star Market site is vacant?  Join host Joe Lynch and Ward 4 Alderman Tony Lafuente tonight on Greater Somerville, 7:30 PM from the SCATV studios, channel 3, to get the latest.  Lafuente will also be discussing the latest initiatives in Ward 4 and what he’s been hearing at [...]

The letter to resistat previously posted on SV is copied below. The response (which follows)  was posted on the resistat blog within 72 hours of the letter’s submission.…

The following letter (circa Fall 2011) was recently obtained by Somerville Voices from Peter Blaikie with the Somerville Labor Coalition after a reference to the letter appeared in the 12/29/2011 SJ article Somerville unions form coalition against recent health care switch by Andy Metzger…

The following letter was submitted to the resistat blog on 3/5/2012 after its writer read David Dahlbacka’s announcement of upcoming HUD Plan hearing:…

State Representative Denise Provost and Somerville Climate Action present the Oscar-nominated film “GASLAND”. The billion dollar energy industry has a dirty little secret… Followed by a discussion. Free of charge.

The in-depth interview covered the important topics of the day, such as the economy, the national debt, health care reform, tax policy, the environment, money in politics, and the upcoming elections.

Somerville Representative Provost has just published a piece at bostinno called: MBTA Troubles Just a Symptom of Systemic Crisis.
This Monday February 6, 2012 at 11:30 will be the Public Hearing on Rep. Provost ‘s House Bill 2659, a bill relative to transportation finance and equity. Location: State House, room A-1.
Rep. Provost article link: http://bostinno.com/2012/02/01/mbta-troubles-just-a-symptom-of-systemic-crisis/

Agenda: Convention caucus, Replacing Scott Brown, Affordable housing at the Boys & Girls Club, Charter school politics, Green Line advocacy, and Energy services from the city. Rep. Provost will be a guest.

Mayor Curtatone will introduce Candidate for US Congress in the newly created 7th (yes seventh) Congressional District, Congressman Michael Capuano. Candidates for US Senate have been invited to address the meeting.

Monday 12/5 is the Ward 2 ResiStat meeting.
Union Square, Brickbottom, Perry Park, Lincoln Park, Somerville Ave. corridor

Mayor Curtatone and Alderman Heuston invite you to a community meeting to discuss the latest city…

Somerville’s economic development policies should place the highest priority on creating the good jobs our community needs.…

So, yeah, I guess Mayor Joe wants to tiptoe carefully around this one, though it’s hardly a secret, as the incident was fully reported on Wicked Local Somerville November 7.

Mayor Curtatone, Alderman Roche and the ResiStat program invite you to a community meeting in West Somerville to discuss the latest city data, news, updates and issues most important to you.

Join us for a discussion on how this will affect the community and what you can do about it!

Reminder: The beginning of next week community leaders will get together with you in Wards 3 and 6

• Meet with Mayor Curtatone, Alderman, City officials, aldermen-at-large and police
• Share your concerns and ideas
• Stay for a Meet & Greet with light refreshments

The Young Democrats of Massachusetts (YDM) and Greater Boston Young Democrats (GBYD) have endorsed Katjana Ballantyne and Christine Barber in their races for Somerville Alderman seats.

Yesterday, the Somerville Journal announced (see quote below) it would not endorse in the race for Ward 7 Alderman.…

Here in Somerville more and more residents are choosing to ‘buy local’.  Shoppers flock to the seasonal Farmers Markets in Davis Square and Union Square as well as a Winter Farmers Market at the Armory. Residents…

Tuesday October 25, 6:30 pm to 8 pm

West Somerville Neighborhood School, [cafeteria] 177 Powder House Blvd, Somerville, MA

Mayor Curtatone, Alderman Trane and the ResiStat program invite you to…

Have you always wanted to know what your alderman really thinks about poverty, immigration, the environment? What if there was an Occupy.Somerville movement–would they support it, and how?

First Church Somerville UCC, a progressive…

Hypocrisy. Negativity. Obsolescence.

As we launch on October 2, we will: take positions on public policies through a democratic process; organize members to directly contact elected officials to support these policies; and help elect and support progressive candidates for public office.

The latest robocall announced the 4th Annual Riverfest, Saturday, 9/17, featuring “fireworks, entertainment, food and family activities” for Somerville residents. The familiar and friendly voice of Jackie Rossetti encouraged residents to participate. The latter part…

Ward 7 Alderperson Candidate Joan Whitney Puglia is proving to have a keen awareness of conditions around town.  Her mention of Dilboy Field‘s tot lot and baseball field has the Community Access Project members…

On Tues, Aug 9th, the Progressive Democrats of Somerville held a meeting at which they cast endorsement votes in the upcoming municipal races. Challenger Katjana Ballantyne received the group’s endorsement in the Ward 7 race. However, given what happened, that endorsement might be more of a liability for her ……

“There is no accountability in the existing zoning approval process…. I believe decisions about developments that could substantially impact our neighborhoods should be made by the aldermen, who must answer to the voters every two years.”

A good way to get to know interesting neighbors and maybe even accomplish something:
My husband and I hosted a MoveOn.org “American Dream” house party Saturday. …

Collaboration beats what we see in Congress, and…in…the Planning Board’s “solution” to Union Square affordable housing.

City government should not misrepresent its hostile revenue-boosting scheme as a policy to improve parking conditions. For many residents it imposes greater hardship.

The following email was sent to me as a subscriber to Change.org. I have forwarded the body of the notice, and you will find the link to the online petition in the text of the story. It brings to mind the maxim that if it sounds too good to be true (as with the detente reached by parties to  Assembly Sq. development/IKEA), it probably is.…

Greetings all. Just a reminder about next week’s community meeting: On Monday, June 27, 6:30-8 p.m., please join Mayor Curtatone, Alderman Gewirtz, at-large aldermen, City officials…

At least seven Somerville organizations, including civil rights, immigrant, anti-poverty, churches and peace groups, have signed on to a letter urging Governor Patrick “to decline to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement to participate in a program that damages the social fabric of our Commonwealth and makes our communities more vulnerable and less safe.” The letter was delivered on May 27, 2011 by the ACLU of Massachusetts.

Barber will discuss her campaign to bring the community together and advocate for the residents of Somerville.

From local jobs, to development, to budget cuts … what are the issues facing Somerville? It’s a local election year and it’s time to talk about the issues candidates and elected officials need to address! Come to the PDS  Spring Potluck and join in the discussion!…

Neighborhood Meetings in Each of the City’s Seven Wards Start May 9

Meet with the Mayor, your ward and at-large aldermen, City officials, Somerville Police representatives, and your neighbors to get updates on City and Ward news and discuss the issues important to you. Each meeting will include a presentation as well as an open Q&A from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. where you can bring up your concerns and ideas. A Meet & Greet with light refreshments from 7:30 to 8 p.m. will follow and conversations can continue there. All locations are wheelchair accessible.…

Congressman Capuano lays down the stats in response to US Senator Scott Brown’s call to establish “a new congressional district centered in Suffolk County that creates a majority-minority seat under the Voting Rights Act. . .”

Saying “we need an alderman who represents us at least as effectively as the parking control officers ticket us,” Joan Whitney Puglia announced her candidacy for Ward Seven Alderman.

Joan Whitney Puglia

Without a doubt, these are challenging times – the struggle for democracy in North Africa and the Middle East, the impending nuclear disaster in Japan, and a recent union defeat in Wisconsin. Progressive values in our community, state, and country are under attack by Big Money and there seems to be no end in sight.

Unless we do something about it, starting in our own communities, starting now.…

The City Democratic Committee presents special guest, Representative Mike Moran (Brighton) House Chair of Elections to speak about the re-districting process and its implications.

The following is a campaign press release sent to SV by Christine. In January, she attended an EmergeMA event meant “to boost the number of women holding elected office in Massachusetts”. Current Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero will not be seeking re-election , so Christine will be challenging former mayoral candidate Tony Lafuente for the seat.…

What began as an organized Statehouse rally by Somerville-based immigrant advocacy group Centro Presente Monday ended in a stand-off with Patrick administration officials after he would not receive the group personally.…

More than 50 Somerville residents signed a petition requesting a hearing by the Board of Alderman on union jobs and local hiring.

The hearing will be at 6:00 PM on February 17. There will be a short rally beforehand at 5:45 PM.…

Happy snow emergency! Do you know where your towing dollars go?

On this week’s episode of Greater Somerville, Joe Lynch asked Mayor Joe Curtatone the question that’s on a lot of minds these days.…

Read more in the Boston Globe’s article The timely return of Bob Massie and check out his new campaign website Bobmassie.org

As part of Tom Nash’s investigation into the campaign finance reports of Somerville’s mayor and Aldermen, he has discovered that the state’s Office of Campaign and Political Finance referred Ward 7 Ald. Bob Trane to the Attorney General for failing to file a year-end 2009 report.…

The groups fighting for the inclusion of local residents and union jobs on the proposed MaxPac development petitioned the Board of Aldermen on December 22 to hold a hearing on the Covenant language for union jobs that KSS Realty signed with the City of Somerville.

See case summaries and read my update in Help discover the relationship between ICE and Somerville police

Residents of Somerville concerned about the development of the old MaxPak paper factory where 199 units of new housing are being built will picket and rally for jobs at the entrance to the site (56-61 Clyde Street) in Somerville, MA on Thursday, Dec 2 from 6:00 to 9:00 AM.…

Our Alder(wo)men and School Committee Members are elected to represent us. In order to do that, they need to hear from us and let us know what’s going on at City Hall.  This gets me wondering if there’s a good way to score / track / rate them on how well they communicate with constituents. Perhaps you and I can come up with a set of criteria and then collectively keep tabs on how they’re doing.…

The following announcement was sent to the PDS membership yesterday:

Nov 5, 2010

PDS Members,

Besides the good news of keeping Massachusetts blue this week, the PDS leadership team wanted to send out an announcement that we hired a new Organizing and Communications intern to help us as an organization grow and thrive. We know this was a top priority coming out of the visioning work we did and we are so excited to bring on Andrew Bunyard!…

SCATV will cablecast live, national election coverage from Free Speech TV on Channel 3, beginning at 9:00pm…

By law, public officials in Massachusetts have to disclose a lot of information regarding where they receive their campaign funding from, and what they spend it on. These reports paint a vivid picture of who scratches whose back, and can help map political connections and motivations. Unfortunately, many of these reports are relatively inaccessible to the general public.

It was confirmed yesterday that Bill Galvin would rather hide away from the voters, and hope they blindly follow him again, than actually face questions from the people he is charged to serve.  GALVIN IS

Dear Somerville Voters:

This Wednesday, Jim Henderson, the independent candidate for Secretary of the Commonwealth,  may have his one and only opportunity to debate the incumbent, Mr. Galvin, and he needs your support and…

One all-expenses paid volunteer weekend to make history and win IRV in Portland.

Hosts Joe Lynch & KyAnn Anderson discuss the impact of budget cuts, casino gambling & the benefits of political competition during election season with Massachusetts State Senator & longtime Somerville resident, Pat Jehlen.

Watch

Gubernatorial candidate for the Green Rainbow Party Jill Stein is fighting to join the final debates.  I think she is a creditable candidate whom I’d like to see debating with the other guys, but…

In these final crazy hazy days of summer 2010, Mayor Joseph Curtatone has succeeded in sneaking a detour around a new State rule. Here’s why that matters to Human Rights advocates..

Labor Day is coming up. I hope all everyone gets a chance to enjoy some time with their friends and families.

This is the holiday brought to you by the labor movement. What is the labor movement? …

Come to CSfC’s 2010 Election Campaign Kickoff on Wednesday, July 14, at 7pm and learn about how you can help us re-elect the governor, help Mac D’Alessandro win the Democratic nomination in the 9th Congressional District, and defeat the states Sales Tax Reduction initiative.

The Mayor of Somerville has yet again stolen another idea from Cambridge: road races. He should be spending time and energy to help get us out of this financial crush.

After a year of many successes and some direction setting work, we are excited to end one year and begin another!

On May 25, 2010 my union received a letter that stated that as of the new fiscal year the school custodians would be privatized out… The mayor mentions that he does not want to cut public safety or education but this mayor has packed the police and fire with all his friends…

As a member of the Democratic City Committee, I received the following meeting announcement today:

Where : VNA, 259 Lowell St.

Agenda includes:

• Election of a new Female Vice Chair

We’ll be holding the third meeting of the Somerville Coffee Party this Wednesday, May 19 at 7:00PM. It’s a great chance to talk about your vision for engaged, functional democracy, and particular steps we can take at the local level to make it happen. The meeting is at 14 Herbert Street (right behind Redbones). Join us!…

Immigrants who gather at Foss Park each morning as early as 5 am looking for work as day laborers are the subject of a new play that will enjoy its community premiere on Friday, May 21st at the Black Box Theater at the Elizabeth Peabody House, 277 Broadway. The program begins at 7:30 pm.

The new play, “They Don’t Tell You Anything!” will be performed as part of an evening of theater, stories and conversation about the struggles and challenges that many Somerville residents face after they are picked up by contractors each morning to paint or perform demolition work. Written by playwright and English teacher Meryl Becker, the play will be performed by student actors from the Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences (SCALE).

An all-present and accounted-for Gubernatorial Candidates Forum will be held May 18, 2010 from 1 p.m. – 3:30p.m. at the Perkins School in Watertown. WBUR’s Bob Oakes will be the Moderator.

A heated debate has developed recently in the op-ed pages of The Somerville News between columnist Bill Shelton and Somerville’s Fire Chief Kevin Kelleher over the City’s use of a Reserve Fire Force/List.…

Personally, I was very impressed with the quality and civility of the conversation we had and the enthusiasm we developed around our idea for organizing a community-wide event.

Before the emergence of Coffee Parties, we saw, locally, the advent of Somervillevoices.org, a courageous and worthy experiment in a 21st Century democratic, community- controlled public media forum, and of the much heralded, government- built Resistat program…

We’re going to get together and find strategies to fix our democracy, and then we’re going to put them into action. Bring your ideas and your energy. Join us.

Representative Capuano has agreed to be a sponsor of the Community Access Preservation (CAP) Act in Congress that would protect access television stations across the country. Many states have passed statewide franchising laws that have…

The AGO, through its Division of Open Government is requesting public comment on proposed alternatives to the notice posting requirement in the Open Meeting Law. Comment should be submitted by April 23, 2010.

On Tuesday evening, State Sen. Pat Jehlen sat down with Joe Lynch for his show “Greater Somerville” on SCAT to discuss the pending driving bill, the shrinking state budget, health care reform, and casino gambling. I just watched the show and took some notes from their conversation.…

Never let it be said that the far-right in the USA can’t make fools of themselves when given half a chance.

Please join me at Carl’s campaign kick-off party, Today, April 11, 3-5 pm, at Sabur Restaurant, 212 Holland Street

Where are Senator Jehlen, Representatives Toomey, Provost, and Sciortino on holding state-chartered corporations to account to their shareholders for their political influence?

Well, she doesn’t scare this citizen and I doubt she scares you, dear reader, but her sojourn into the birthplace of this here nation sure calls for a strong non-violent response.

The timing of support is worth lots more than just a single vote.

You are invited!

The Progressive Democrats of Somerville (PDS) have joined with Cambridge and Somerville for Change and the Cambridge Democratic City Committee to host a candidates forum for the Middlesex, Suffolk & Essex State Senate race. This is the race to fill the seat that was left vacant by Senator Galluccio’s resignation. As progressives in Somerville, it will be a great chance for us to hear about what these candidates propose to do to address the important isssues that face our community. …

BOA Legislative Matters Committee of the Whole

Tues. Mar. 9 7:00 PM

Somerville City Hall
Aldermen’s Chamber
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

Agenda (PDF)

After six years as an organization, PDS is spending some time assessing our work and visioning about our efforts moving forward.

Approximately fifteen people crowded around two small tables this afternoon at the Danish Pastry House in Medford to share their concerns and questions in a wide-ranging conversation with State Representative Carl Sciortino at his first district coffee hour of the year.  …

Having only lived in Somerville for about three and a half years, I have much to learn about the city’s past. Here are some historical articles that may be of wider interest. I hope others will share other stories that can inform the newer residents of what life was like in the good/bad old days.…

Committee on Legislative Matters

Tues. Feb. 9 7:00 PM

Aldermen’s Chamber
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

Agenda (PDF)

This is…

Cambridge-Somerville for Change will host a “Debrief, Regroup, and Go Forward” community meeting at the Cambridge YMCA on Tuesday, February 9th from 6:30-8:30pm.

Registered Democrats in Somerville will be holding a caucus at the Capuano School, 150 Glen St. on Monday, February 8 at 7:20 PM to elect 8 delegates and 3 alternates to the 2010 Massachusetts Democratic Convention to be held on Fri June 4th and Sat, June 5th at the DCU Center in Worcester. At that time, Democrats from across the state will gather to endorse statewide candidates.

Perversely (in both literal and political sense), the Shanley case shows that Brown may not have been as bad a choice as Coakley. And that gloating rarely makes up for lousy organizing on behalf of an arrogant and opportunistic candidate. Thanks Carl, Thanks Martha for the lesson. We will remember.

In this close race, your vote counts more than ever!

Find your polling place here and then go vote while you can before 8pm…

This post came today from Cambridge-Somerville for Change:
The Elections Team held their first meeting Monday night, and we’re working on a bunch of initiatives. We’ll be holding our first phone bank on…

Cambridge Somerville for Change presents:

• Next meeting: Jan. 20th 6:30 pm
• 359 Cambridge St. #8 East Cambridge
• Email Pamela: immigration@cambridgesomervilleforchange.com

We need your help and ideas to help to get CSfC‘s energy and climate effort going. So please come to our meeting on January 12th, at 7pm, at 154 Auburn Street in Cambridge…

Cambridge Somerville for Change

• Next meeting: Jan. 5th 7:00 pm
• 175 Harvey St. Cambridge
• Email Karly: health.reform@cambridgesomervilleforchange.com

1.  The Disability Policy Consortium hoped to be able to offer some guidance to its constituency on the candidate most likely to fill the late Senator’s big shoes on disability issues. In mid-November, DPC sent…

Somerville’s Women Elected Officials Support Mike Capuano for U.S. Senate

If you want to help Mike Capuano become our next senator, join us in a Somerville lit drop this weekend, Saturday, Dec 5th & Sunday, Dec 6th between 9am and 4pm. We will be dropping…

Come to Cambridge-Somerville for Change’s Winter ’09 General Meeting on Monday, December 14th at 7pm at the Central Square YMCA in Cambridge. We’ll hear an update on each of our current issue campaigns, including Health Care, Energy and Environment, and Immigration and In-State Tuition. And we will ask for your feedback as we start to work on upcoming elections.

According to a Globe article published earlier this evening [Coakley picks up endorsements from Capuano's hometown] endorsements from current and former Somerville pols break down like this:…

The Somerville Democratic City Committee is hosting a Debate Watch Party. What: Candidates for US Senate televised debate. Where: The Precinct Bar in Union Square. When: 6:30 pm Tues December 1st

Update: This event has been canceled. PDS will instead be co-hosting a Debate Watch Party with the Democratic City Committee.

Somerville Voices will sponsor a public forum on Sunday, Nov 15th, 7-9:30 pm about our city’s changing parking regulations and how they will affect residents, visitors, businesses, and the city budget. …

Hey PDSers…As we approach the late afternoon of this city election, we need to get out there and help one of our endorsed candidates! Christine Rafal, our ward 4 school committee endorsed candidate, has the votes needed to win this race but she needs more help to get her voters to the polls.

School Committee candidate Christine Rafal is making a courageous run against retrograde incumbent James Norton – and she can use all the help she can get on election day! To help out please call: 617-335-6343…

The city elections are Nov. 3.

Here are the three SCAT-sponsored televised debates of the School Committee and Ward Alderman races.…

What’s the biggest problem facing our city?
Compare your answer with what the five candidates for alderman-at-large said they’re hearing door-to-door. They all took part…

Capuano: A Washington Insider, Unknown At Home

Oct 14, 2009

by Fred Thys

http://www.wbur.org/2009/10/14/capuano-background

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.

Somerville Community Access Television, in collaboration with the TV program “Greater Somerville with Joe Lynch,” will present four half-hour forums for each contested race for Alderman and School Committee. This is an excellent opportunity for Somerville residents to compare the candidates’ perspectives before the election on November 3.

As part of ‘Our Voices, Our Vote,’ a civic participation campaign, Centro Presente would like to invite you to an Electoral Forum (Oct 7, 6pm) to hear from local candidates on the issues of concern to the community of Somerville, to talk about how to increase civic participation in the city, and to educate ourselves about the next electoral process.

PDS is proud to endorse incumbents Bill White and Dennis Sullivan for reelection, and challenger Luis Morales. Each candidate brings something different to this race and the PDS membership voted to support those perspectives.

2 degrees of warming. 350 parts per million. Does it seem as though we are on track to achieve these? Are you concerned about the chance of passing a meaningful global climate treaty in Copenhagen? Do you want to have a say in the future of our planet? Come to our Climate Action Party! [October 3rd, 7 p.m.] We will broaden our local network of activists, strategize how to make our voices heard, and plan for the days between now and December.

Hyatt or Tufts, Deval’s choice is the hotter bed.

Rep. Michael Capuano, Democrat from Somerville, MA,  is running for the seat left by Senator Edward M. Kennedy.  He says that he is the candidate “most like Kennedy,” and his first TV Campaign ad claims: “As Mayor, he turned Somerville around.”

Let’s hear it from Somervillians who’ve been there:  What was Mayor Mike like?…

Somerville Voices does hereby (and by other means) invite all candidates for contested races in the upcoming election to explain their positions on the issues and why voters should choose them on November 3…

Almost half of the Aug 27th BOA mtg agenda (pdf) basically consists of 311 service requests like orders to fix potholes and sidewalks. The other half contains some interesting items including these highlights (emphasis added by me):

Note that Ward 7 Alderman Bob Trane was the only member to not have sponsored any items. The Aldermen each earn a salary of $24,521.03 in FY2010.…

Senator John Kerry will be holding a Town Hall at Somerville High School this Wednesday, September 2 from 7:30-9:00pm. The event information from his website has been copied below.

Join Senator John Kerry…

A five month delay in filling Kennedy’s seat with a similarly minded temporary successor guarantees a health care bill to the advantage of current insurers. Can it be coincidental that CEO of the largest of…

Join the Progressive Dems at the kick off of one of their endorsed candidates for School Committee!

Christine Rafal will be kicking off her campaign for School Committee on Sunday, September 13th from 3pm to 5pm at the Paddock Rest at 249 Pearl Street in Somerville. Suggested donation is $50.…

Thursday’s event at City Hall was a far cry from the tense, emotion-high fracas that went down at the Traffic Commission meeting two weeks ago. The stately Aldermanic chamber was likewise filled with concerned Somerville citizens, but this time, the city’s controversial May 21 vote was the agenda.…

How do we get the silent majority of residents in Somerville — most in this city are either blue-dog, conservative or liberterian — more active and attend city meetings to voice our displeasure with the…

It seems as if the Somerville Traffic Commission has a sticky situation on it’s hands. I attended the regularly scheduled Somerville Traffic Commission meeting at the Tufts Administration building this evening, and from what was printed on the agenda, I expected a fairly run-of-the-mill session. But the 75-odd residents who packed the TAB cafeteria had a different agenda in mind…

Come out to our first endorsement meeting of the year! We will be making endorsements in the contested ward races which include the Ward 6 Alderman’s Race, the Ward 5 School Committee Race and the Ward 4 School Committee Race. This will be a great chance to learn about the candidates running, ask some important questions and put our PDS support to work!

We’re working on educating the public about the incredible amount of money spent on weapon systems, and the need to get the government to redirect that money to basic human needs, such as jobs, education, housing, and health care. … and that’s where you can help. We’re going to ask the Board of Aldermen of Somerville to endorse the campaign. As preparation for that, we’re asking you to call your alderman/ woman to urge their endorsement of this campaign.

On Monday the 22nd of June at 7:30 at the Somerville High School the School Committee approved the Welcoming Massachusetts pledge. All the members said “Yes” to the pledge with great enthusiasm…

Come out to the next Progressive Democrats of Somerville Meeting!
When: Tuesday, June 23rd, 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Where: VNA, 259 Lowell Street, Community Room

We campaigned, we won and now we want to hear from YOU about changes you want to see in our community. Please join us on Mon. June 22nd at 6:30pm for a Cambridge-Somerville for Change community meeting

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.

I have been a democrat my entire voting life.  My first election was my vote for Clinton in 1992.  I will state that I am not a native Somerville nor MA resident.  Since moving to Somerville, where I own my house, I have become very interested in the elected officials and their votes.  It comes as no surpirse that I am a little disgusted with how they vote sometimes.…

Come on out to our next PDS meeting. There is a lot going on so come on out and get involved in one of the most exciting organizations in the city!

When: Tuesday, May…

According to the Somerville Journal:
Somerville Democrats will meet Tuesday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the community room at the Visiting Nurses Association at 259 Lowell St.

Mayor Joe Curtatone will…

Forum on Gentrification and Displacement!
Thursday, May 14th, 6 PM
Elizabeth Peabody House
277 Broadway (at Broadway & Grant Street) Somerville, MA

Please join us!

Spring Reception to Support

Rebekah Gewirtz

Ward 6 Alderman

Where: Sagra Restaurant, 400 Highland

The City of Somerville, as an Entitlement Community, receives millions of Federal dollars from HUD each year from the Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Shelter Grant, and HOME programs.  These monies must be spent on…

Bill Bumpus and regular Somerville Voices contributor Fred Berman are the co-hosts of a live, (roughly) biweekly show on Somerville Cable Access Television (SCAT, Channel 3) titled “Progressive Voices”.

If you or your organization are working to make a difference on a local, state, national or world level, we’d like to interview you!  …

On March 19, 2009, the City of Somerville was one of the 118 recipients of an “e-government Award,” from Common Cause. This citation is given for providing online access to Board

A member of Eighth District Rep. Mike Capuano’s staff will hold office hours Thursday, April 23, from 4 to…

Come out to the Progressive Democrats of Somerville (PDS) Annual Meeting. See what exciting things are happening with PDS as it celebrates the start of its 6th year.

Bill Bumpus and regular Somerville Voices contributor Fred Berman are the co-hosts of a live, (roughly) biweekly show on Somerville Cable Access Television (SCAT, Channel 3) titled “Progressive Voices”.

If you or your organization…

No Fooling: Budget Forum April 1

Every day we learn of more cuts in services and proposed tax increases. Why are we in this situation? What can we do to protect the basics we…

No Fooling: Budget Forum April 1

Every day we learn of more cuts in services and proposed tax increases. Why are we in this situation? What can we do to protect the basics we…

Answer President Barack Obama’s call to action and get involved in your community by preparing for the next election cycle! You are invited to our training to learn the basics of how to run and…

Answer President Barack Obama’s call to action and get involved in your community by preparing for the next election cycle! You are invited to our training to learn the basics of how to run and win a local campaign.

Hey PDSers…

Its time for another great PDS meeting. Come out and see what exciting things PDS is up to this month. Our agenda includes:

• Update on our March Candidate and Campaign

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.

According to “Latest News” on the website of the Somerville Democratic City Committee www.SomDems.org :
The Ward Caucuses to elect delegates to the 2009 State Convention in Springfield will be held on…

This sounds like a proactive and timely step on the part of the mayor, but is this “outside” panel of “experts” truly a good source of guidance for our city in these dire times?

Seriously, I am feeling like celebrating.  Our friend Seth Itzkan (Planet Tech, Davis Sq.) took off for DC yesterday at dawn.  He said that they would be closing the roads after that so you couldn’t…

[Note, I am the Endorsements Chair of PDS - Barry]

Come out to the first meeting of the new year!

What: PDS January Meeting

When: Tuesday

Rep. Denise Provost and I invite people to join us in a celebratory inauguration lunch at Orleans Restaurant in Davis Square on Jan. 20 at 11:30. There will be a large-screen TV tuned to the…

A focus group of Civil and DisAbilities Rights advocates will join with the longest-running TV Access producers group in the country during Civil Rights Week in MA to tackle the challenges of designing equal opportunity communities.

I’ve been reviewing some of the reasons Obama will need to be pushed if he is going to be a progressive President, and some of the major areas in which we need to push him. The key thing is, we can’t wait.

Over the last five years, the city has seemed to be augmenting its revenue by issuing me one trash citation after another, often for no cause… It has become clear to me that this city government is rife with nepotism and cronies who are willing to lie in order to protect each other’s misconduct and dishonesty.

To the Charter Review Committee, I sincerely appreciated the opportunity to give testimony at your November 10th public hearing. I hope you are not discouraged that, from mildly to passionately, all but one person who spoke was critical of your preliminary recommendations.

I don’t agree with his accusatory tone–I think most people voted for Obama with their eyes open–but Sam Smith has “listed nearly three dozen things that Obama supports or opposes with which no good liberal or progressive would agree.” Most prominent among them to my perspective:

And now, a meeting announcement from the Chair of the Progressive Democrats of Somerville…
HEY PDSers…

Come to our November meeting at the VNA at 259 Lowell Street on Tuesday, November 25th from 6:30 to…

How do we in Somerville know that the Obama administration will be under pressure to cave to corporations? I couldn’t say it any better than Derrick Jackson did in the Globe…

Progressives in Somerville, as elsewhere, have invested a lot of hope in an Obama presidency. After the Bush administration’s systematic attack on rights, liberties, and the common good, Obama can hardly help doing better! Yet on some of the most basic issues, Obama has been silent.

[Posted on behalf of Alisa Wind]

Dear friends at Somerville Voices,

We would like you to join us at a special “What’s Next?” event with Noam Chomsky next Wednesday, Nov 19th. We would…

Somerville went heavily for Obama in the last election. Now we have to push him to make good on some of his promises; where he doesn’t go far enough, to go further; where he is silent, to speak up and act; and where he is wrong, to change.

On key issues, Obama either doesn’t go far enough, or he hasn’t said anything at all… I could go on and on, but you probably have an example of your own. What issues are most important to you, and how does Obama address them but fall short? Along with pressing the new administration to keep its promises, we have to make them exceed them. WE have to. They won’t do it on their own.

One week ago, Somerville went overwhelmingly for Obama-Biden. To keep the promises made by the Obama campaign, the Obama Administration will need all the help it can get. We in Somerville should do our part to help–and to keep the politicians honest.

Here is a very partial and incomplete list of campaign promises that I think Obama should keep:

In anticipation of next week’s public hearing on Charter Reform, Fred Berman and Bill Bumpus interviewed local activist Bill Shelton, who favors a City Manager form of government, as compared with our current “Strong Mayor” form of government…..

The results of last night’s election are about as good as I could have wished. Obama-Biden won by a large enough margin that no amount of cheating could affect the outcome. Democrats widened their lead in Congress, and progressives held onto their seats. There’s still a chance that Al Franken could become the next Senator from Minnesota. Most important to me personally, Massachusetts voted 2-1 against eliminating the state income tax.

As promised here is the latest and greatest from Somerville Community Access Television. Check out the footage from the Community Arts Festival and from a Nepali Community Event. See a separate posting for the interview with Bill Shelton about Charter Reform on Fred Berman and Bill Bumpus’ Monday evening show, Progressive Voices.

Rev. Molly Baskette, Senior Minister of First Church Somerville UCC, asked us to post this for her:

On November 4, you will be making one of the most important political decisions of your life. It’s not McCain vs. Obama. It’s the decision about whether or not to repeal the state income tax in Massachusetts.…

This Sunday, the Progressive Democrats of Somerville are headed up to New Hampshire with the Cambridge and Somerville for Obama group. The Cambridge and Somerville for Obama group has been doing fantastic work and just last Sunday, sent 130 canvassers up to New Hampshire!

Hi Gang, for those of you yearning for alternative media coverage of the big day November 4th … keep reading, we have the answer

Hi Gang, for those of you yearning for alternative media coverage of the big day November 4th …. keep reading, we have the answer.

Click here for the article with details.

SMUJP (Somerville-Medford United for Justice with Peace) invites you to a post-election dialogue: thoughts on the election results and implications for the Somerville and Medford progressive community. We hope to define three key areas to focus on going forward, relating to peace, economic justice and local issues. This open, nonpartisan conversation will start with brief presentations and move to lots of discussion. We hope you can join us!

Hi Gang… lot going on since my last post. Later this week I will have a massive update, but, in the meantime I wanted to share the latest episode of the Progressive Voices TV program here at SCAT. Fred Berman and Bill Bumpus have as their guest: Harris Gruman to talk about Question one on the upcoming November Ballot. See the video below.

More than most cities and towns, the city of Somerville and its public schools rely very heavily on state aid. In fact, this year, state aid makes up more than half (58 percent) of the Somerville schools’ budget. This much-needed money would be cut drastically if Question 1 passes, eliminating the state income tax. According to one estimate by groups including the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, our schools could lose as much as 90 percent of its aid if Question 1 passes, and our city could lose 65 percent.

This year’s third annual HONK! Festival from Oct. 10 – 12 was an exuberant street party!

The Progressive Democrats of Somerville have weighed in on two key ballot questions and the uncontested State House seats in the November election.

Stand Up for Peace in the Middle East
BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!
Visit our website: http://oct11boston.org

Music at 11, Rally at noon, March at 2 pm
Boston Common Parade Grounds (Entrance on Beacon…

Somerville Ward 5 Alderman Sean O’Donovan was defeated in last night’s Democratic Caucus for Register of Probate of Middlesex County despite his supporters’ attempts to deceive other delegates into believing that he had been endorsed by third-place candidate Maria Sheehy. O’Donovan finished in second place to Medford attorney Tara DeChristofaro…

From the homepage of the Somerville Democratic City Committee www.SomDems.org :
Our first annual Somerville Democratic City Committee Picnic has been rescheduled to Saturday, October 4th, from noon to 4:00 p.m. at…

On September 16th, our campaign made history, winning an incredibly challenging write-in campaign. To the many campaign volunteers and supporters, and to the hard-working wardens, police officers, and other elections officials and staff, I would like to say thank you. I also want to thank my challenger, Alderman Bob Trane, for running a spirited campaign. But most of all, I want to thank all of you who cast your vote on September 16th.

The Committee to Re-Elect Rep. Carl Sciortino today announced the launch of a new website and mailing to residents of Somerville and Medford to raise awareness about Rep. Sciortino’s write-in campaign for re-election on September 16th.

At a fundraiser for his reelection campaign at Sabur Restaurant this evening, Representative Carl Sciortino got some strongly worded support from Governor Deval Patrick, and announced that an upcoming environmental bond bill would include two million dollars for improvements to Somerville’s largest open space, Foss Park.…

Here’s just a short post to encourage folks to take a listen to the Open Media Boston interview with incumbent Representative Carl Sciortino. I was lucky to stumble upon it!

I certainly agree with Barry’s post of 7/15/08 in this SomervilleVoices blog entitled, “City’s Commission Staffing Plan Hurts Human Services.” Three questions seem particularly germane to this issue: 1. Are Somerville’s municipal resources distributed equally and fairly to all residents? 2. Are all residents offered equal participation within public programs, without regard to differences in age, income, birth culture, abilities, religions, race, gender, job status, or city address? 3. Do certain Somerville residents experience social and economic inequities that would support the fuller engagement and investigation of the specialized Human Rights Commissions?

The Mayor has called a special meeting of the Board of Aldermen to create two new Deputy Chief of Police positions that he then wants to take out of civil service. Without any community input or community process on the impact of creating two new politically appointed positions in the leadership of the police department, the Mayor is pushing the Board of Aldermen to agree to their removal from the civil service process.

I share Melissa McWhinney’s concerns about the impact of the Mayor’s new commission staffing reorganization on the quality of the city’s human services. The HRC and other commissions should not have to compete with each other for staff services as they now do under the new arrangement.

Please join us for a wonderful evening of folk, rock, pop, and jazz music to benefit Veterans For Peace and Iraq Veterans Against The War. The benefit will be on Tuesday, July 29 at 8:30 PM at Johnny D’s, 17 Holland St. Davis Square Somerville. Performers include Celia Slattery, Deb Pasternak, Porch Party Mamas, Media Made, and Katrina Degel Jazz Quartet. Admission is $15.

I would like to briefly explain why I will NOT be participating in the “No Attack on Iran” demo in the hope that it might provide some food for thought for PDSers (of which I am one) and others on the left. First off, I am against an attack on Iran – by the U.S. and/or Israel. But…the way this particular demo is framing the issue is – unfortunately – all too typical these days (on the left).

At a time when voices calling for real diplomacy and negotiations are being silenced, it is up to us to speak out clearly against another illegal war, which would be a catastrophe for all involved.

You are invited to attend a reception for State Representative Carl Sciortino, candidate for re-election in the 34th Middlesex District, featuring Governor Deval Patrick.

Tuesday, July 22
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Sabur Restaurant
212 Holland St., Teele Square, Somerville

Suggested donation: $30 $150 $300 $500

We hope to see you there!…

Come to the Somerville/Cambridge General Election Kick Off Event at Precinct in Union Square this coming Wednesday, July 16th! Have fun, get plugged in and learn how we’re going to win!

PDS has endorsed Rep. Carl Sciortino for re-election in the 34th Middlesex District (Somerville/Medford) House race. PDS members were impressed by Rep. Sciortino’s hard work on behalf of the district on a variety of issues including working for increased local aid for education, advocating for the extension of the Green Line and his continued efforts on behalf of all the residents of the district.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone will hold Community Office Hours on Wednesday, July 9th from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Diesel Café in Davis Square. Residents can…

Who says all summer reading lists have to be filled with fluff? CAAS, the Community Action Agency of Somerville, is offering a summer reading list about poor people and people rising out of poverty–and what we can all do to help. “There is something on this list for every reader”

The National Council on Disability (NCD) is gathering public input for a study of emerging issues and trends affecting the lives of people with disabilities. Information gathered will be used in the development of NCD’s next annual progress report to the President and Congress, “National Disability Policy: A Progress Report,” which is required by Section 401(b) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

There will be a Public Hearing before the Board of Aldermen on Monday, June 23, 2008, at 6:30 PM, in the Aldermen’s Chambers, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 93 Highland Avenue, on the Order of Alderman Maryann M. Heuston, Chairman of the Committee on Finance, for public input on the proposed FY 2009 budget. THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND AND BE HEARD.

Come out to the next PDS Meeting:

Tuesday, June 24th at 7:30pm at the College Avenue United Methodist Church on Chapel Street.

PLEASE NOTE: We have moved our meeting to start a little later so interested people can attend the Union Square Zoning Meeting that starts at 6pm.

Check out our June meeting which will…

Somerville Democratic City Committee Public Meeting, all are welcome!

Attorney General Martha Coakley will be our guest speaker on Wednesday from 6 – 8 pm at the Somerville Museum, 1 Westwood Road in Somerville, at the corner of Central Street, just south of Highland Ave. There’ll be music by Michelle Nover and Pamela Ambrose of the Winchester Community Music School. And of…

The Progressive Democrats of Somerville (PDS) invites you for a night of trivia, food and good company.

TRIVIA NIGHT at Johnny D’s – 17 Holland Street in Davis Square
Monday, June 9th
8:00pm – Trivia Night with Free Pizza
Come on down and join a PDS team in the ever so popular Trivia Night!

If you have…

This week, the Progressive Democrats of Somerville officially launched their endorsement process for the upcoming round of state elections. Invitations were emailed to candidates in local contested races: Rep. Carl Sciortino and Ald. Bob Trane in the 34th Middlesex (Somerville/Medford) House race and Patrick McCabe, Jim Caralis, and Rep. Paul Donato in the 35th Middlesex…

From the 1950s, through the 1970s, well over half of Somerville’s long-term residents permanently left the city. The first clearly identifiable group of newcomers who replaced them was Portuguese immigrants.

The attraction of Somerville’s affordable housing, Irish and Italian enclaves, and thriving industrial economy made it the most densely populated American city in the middle of the last century. Its 170 manufacturing plants provided wages sufficient to support a family, often with only one parent working.

Check out this link about PDS’ Annual Meeting. Progressive Dems are ready to kick off another year of empowering community residents to get involved and advocate for the issues they care about.

Bill Shelton’s post made me wonder… is an ecological politics possible in Somerville?

Do you want to help set the direction for Somerville’s anti-poverty agency? The Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) is seeking candidates—and voters—for its Board elections, coming up the week of May 19th at two locations in Somerville.

When a region’s climate changes over long periods, its ecosystems change as well. Woodlands can become grasslands, tundra or desert. This process involves prolonged conflict between differing plant and animal groups, and between how they change their environment by living and propagating. Even if they were conscious, they would not see themselves as at war, but rather merely doing what they can to survive.…

It isn’t often that the words “surplus” and “parking” are associated with Davis Square. But the request currently before the Board of Alderman to declare three municipal parking lots surplus property in our hippest square does that as well as bring up the long simmering, but little acknowledged question of responsible management of city owned real estate.…