All posts by thesomervillenewsweekly

Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line: How to Buy an Election

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Disclaimer:The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of Somerville/Medford News Weekly, Boston News Group’s News Publications belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville/Medford News Weekly, Mass Publishing and Boston News Group, it’s publications, its staff or publishers.)

Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,

By Robert L. Peters

1 – Make sure no money exchanges hands in a verifiable way.
2 – Blackmail. Elite Membership Prostitution Ring, Epstein-style.
3 – Big Tech Censorship Assistance.
4 – Schmooze with Royalty to Legitimize yourself.
5 – Mask your involvement with a Front.

​Crystalizing Public Opinion – 101 Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line: How to Buy an Election →

Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line: 300% increase through for elected officials, meanwhile we have female teachers who only got 3% raise and to get the funds for this 90k

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Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,

Okay am I the only one who has an issue with the fact Nicole Morell is trying to pull a sneak move and push this 300% increase through for elected officials, meanwhile we have female teachers who only got 3% raise and to get the funds for this 90k it will come from the school department???

Wow is all I have to say our teachers deserve better than this shame on you Nicole. I’m so disappointed.
Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line: 300% increase through for elected officials, meanwhile we have female teachers who only got 3% raise and to get the funds for this 90k →

Somerville COA December Press Outreach 12-1-23

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Open Enrollment Begins on October 15th and runs to December 7th. Medicare recipients can change their health insurance plans for January 1, 2024. While having the freedom to change your health insurance plan can save you money, there are many health insurance plans and companies to choose from. You don’t have to make the decision alone, the Somerville Council on Aging has SHINE Counseling available in person, over the phone, or on Zoom to assist you with comparing what health insurance options are available for you. You can call Natasha Naim at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317 or Molly Pagliuca at ext. 2318 to book an appointment. Continue reading Somerville COA December Press Outreach 12-1-23 →

This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill

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By Bob Katzen

“I promise all the constituents of this district that I will work hard to ensure that your interests are represented on Beacon Hill. I will work continuously to make a positive difference for our district and our commonwealth. I will always stand with the taxpayers, help small businesses and ensure that our state government is accountable.” Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill →

BAN HOSTILE ARCHITECTURE THAT TARGETS THE HOMELESS (H 3963)

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By Bob Katzen

The State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Committee held a hearing on a proposal that would prohibit the state, the MBTA and cities and towns from constructing “hostile architecture” that supporters of the ban say targets the homeless and tries to push them out of certain areas. The bill defines hostile architecture as “any building or structure that is designed or intended to prevent unhoused individuals from sitting or lying on the building or structure at street level.” Continue reading BAN HOSTILE ARCHITECTURE THAT TARGETS THE HOMELESS (H 3963) →

MA House of Representatives: 29.4 percent (47 representatives out of 160) have missed one or more roll calls

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By Bob Katzen

THE HOUSE AND SENATE: There were no roll call votes in the House or Senate last week. This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call reports local representatives’ roll call attendance records for the 2023 session through December 1.

The House has held 70 roll calls so far in 2023. Beacon Hill Roll Call tabulates the number of roll calls on which each representative was present and voting, and then calculates that number as a percentage of the total roll call votes held. That percentage is the number referred to as the roll call attendance record. Continue reading MA House of Representatives: 29.4 percent (47 representatives out of 160) have missed one or more roll calls →

Local Dancer Performs in Anthony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker this December at the Boch Center Shubert Theatre

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The buzzy Boston production brings its core mission of “diversity through
dance” to the stage with ballet, hip-hop, tap, and more. All set to music by Pyotr
Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Duke Ellington
Highlights include the inclusion of Bollywood dance, a partnership with the Continue reading Local Dancer Performs in Anthony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker this December at the Boch Center Shubert Theatre →

QUOTABLE QUOTES

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“Through the creation of readiness plans on college campuses, we are ensuring that more people will have safe and effective options for reproductive health care. Schools can and should use this toolkit to evaluate and improve their capacity to provide sexual and reproductive health services. Every student in Massachusetts deserves thoughtful and comprehensive support when making decisions about their own health.”
Continue reading QUOTABLE QUOTES →

A CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY AND INTEGRITY IN ELECTIONS, PUTTING CITY ON NOTICE

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By Rick Scirocco

After the November election, more than one city and town have the belief that abnormal election results have been unofficially declared.
Including Somerville, Medford, Revere, and other local cities, the questions of impropriety have cited challenges and discrepencies, and plan on taking action. Continue reading A CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY AND INTEGRITY IN ELECTIONS, PUTTING CITY ON NOTICE →

RENT CONTROL QUESTION WILL NOT APPEAR ON THE 2024 BALLOT

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By Bob Katzen

It’s the end of this year’s campaign to put on the November 2024 ballot a question that would allow cities and towns the right to impose rent control, a practice which voters banned nearly 30 years ago on a 1994 ballot question.

Organizers announced that they will fall far short of the 74,574 signatures needed by November 22 to qualify for the ballot. Continue reading RENT CONTROL QUESTION WILL NOT APPEAR ON THE 2024 BALLOT →

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT (S 2502)

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By Bob Katzen

The Senate 3-36, rejected an amendment that would amend the state’s Right to Shelter Law which requires the state to provide shelter and other necessities to homeless parents with young children, pregnant women and recently the many migrant families arriving in the Bay State. Homeless individuals are not covered by the Right to Shelter law. Continue reading RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT (S 2502) →

Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn‘s Senior’s Food Drive Thanksgiving Event

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Thanks to the incredible work of our Medford Police Department, Medford Senior Center and local partners Wegmans and DICK’S Sporting Goods, seniors in Medford will have plenty of items to enjoy this Thanksgiving!

So many people helped make this food drive a huge success and I’m so grateful that our community cares so deeply for one another.

Awesome job coordinating by MPD Officer Jessica Walsh, and thanks to all the volunteers for making this years holiday so meaningful for our seniors.
Continue reading Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn‘s Senior’s Food Drive Thanksgiving Event →

This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill

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By Bob Katzen

“We are grateful to these 12 companies for choosing our state as their new home and are thrilled to welcome them to Team Massachusetts. These companies represent sectors where Massachusetts is leading, like life sciences and healthcare, innovation and technology, and clean energy and climate tech. We’re excited to see how these businesses will create new jobs and foster economic growth within our state and our administration stands ready to partner with them to ensure they succeed.” Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill →

REGULATE DOG SHELTERS AND DAYCARE (H 835)

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By Bob Katzen

This bill Would require the Department of Agricultural Resources to establish rules and regulations for boarding kennels and daycare facilities for dogs, including home-based kennels and daycare facilities — including staff to dog ratios group sizes and supervision, minimum housing and care requirements, indoor and outdoor physical facility requirements, dog handling, insurance and penalties for violations.
Continue reading REGULATE DOG SHELTERS AND DAYCARE (H 835) →

NARCAN IN SCHOOLS (S 1274)

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By Bob Katzen

The Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Committee held a hearing on legislation that would allow school districts the option of creating a Narcan overdose prevention program. The measure would require every school nurse to be trained in Narcan assistance and to have Narcan in the nurse’s office. Narcan is an emergency treatment used for the complete or partial reversal of opioid overdose. Continue reading NARCAN IN SCHOOLS (S 1274) →

$2.8 BILLION FISCAL 2023 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET (H 4167)

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By Bob Katzen

The House 133-25, approved and sent to the Senate a $2.8 billion supplemental budget to close out the books for fiscal year 2023. Provisions include $2.1 billion for MassHealth for caseload adjustments; $300 million for a reserve to fund collective bargaining agreements with state employees; and $10 million in additional flood relief for municipalities hit by severe rain events this summer. Continue reading $2.8 BILLION FISCAL 2023 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET (H 4167) →

My Sincere Congratulations to the Somerville Voters Who Actually Came Out and Voted For Who and What They Believed In

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By William Tauro

I applaud all the residents who actually took the time out of their daily lives and came out and voted for their candidate, Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne who they supported and believed in who supports their causes. I think that is so totally awesome and like I said, I totally applaud them. Continue reading My Sincere Congratulations to the Somerville Voters Who Actually Came Out and Voted For Who and What They Believed In →

Madame Mayor Please Help These People

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By William Tauro

Temperatures are dropping below 27° overnight tonight! For God’s sake please help these homeless people that live under the Route 93 bridge on Mystic Ave across from the Super Stop & Shop who are actually sleeping on the streets of Somerville crying desperately for help and being ignored by this heartless administration! These are the same people that you had removed from Broadway by first taking away the benchs and then escorting them off Broadway.  Continue reading Madame Mayor Please Help These People →

My Sincere Congratulations to the Somerville Voters Who Actually Came Out and Voted For Who and What They Believed In

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By William Tauro

I applaud all the residents who actually took the time out of their daily lives and came out and voted for their candidate, Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne who they supported and believed in who supports their causes. I think that is so totally awesome and like I said, I totally applaud them. Continue reading My Sincere Congratulations to the Somerville Voters Who Actually Came Out and Voted For Who and What They Believed In →

Somerville Police Department Weekly Crime Log

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Robbery

23062864: On 10/29/23 at approximately 8:18 PM, Somerville Police responded to a business on Broadway for report of a robbery. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the clerk who stated a male party entered the store and asked her how much cigarettes were. When she turned around, the male ran around the counter then brandished a small handgun and forced her to open the register. He took approximately $2300 USD and fled westbound on Broadway.

Robbery Continue reading Somerville Police Department Weekly Crime Log →

Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line: Violence at Somerville High School is out of control and the administration and the mayor’s office are to blame!

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Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,

Fights are occurring at the High School on a daily basis. This isn’t news to anyone who attended SHS. However, things have escalated to a very dangerous level lately, and the administration is more concerned with politics than they are with protecting our kids.
Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line: Violence at Somerville High School is out of control and the administration and the mayor’s office are to blame! →

MASS MADE (H 229/S 139)

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By Bob Katzen

The Community Development and Small Businesses Committee held a hearing on a measure that would create a MassMade program designed to identify, connect and support businesses that produce consumer goods in Massachusetts; identify obstacles to conducting business in the Bay State; and act as a resource for consumers seeking consumer goods made in Massachusetts. MassMade would develop a searchable online directory of Massachusetts-based manufacturers and consumer goods companies, helping to connect them with potential customers. Continue reading MASS MADE (H 229/S 139) →

ICE OR SNOW ON CARS (H 3474)

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By Bob Katzen

The Transportation Committee’s agenda also included legislation that would require drivers on public roads to make reasonable efforts to remove accumulated ice or snow from their vehicle including the hood, trunk and roof within 24 hours after the end of the falling snow or ice. A driver who violates this new law may be stopped on a public roadway by a police officer if the officer believes the accumulated ice or snow may pose a threat to persons or property. Continue reading ICE OR SNOW ON CARS (H 3474) →

LITTERING FROM YOUR VEHICLE (H 3346)

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By Bob Katzen

Another bill heard by the Transportation Committee would make littering by the driver or any passenger, on public or private property, a civil offense punishable by a fine of $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second offense and $500 for a third and all subsequent offenses. The violation would be a surchargeable offense which under Bay State law, can lead to temporary higher insurance premiums for the driver. Continue reading LITTERING FROM YOUR VEHICLE (H 3346) →

RAISE FINE FOR “RIGHT OF WAY” VIOLATIONS (H 3477)

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A bill heard by the Transportation Committee would raise from $35 to $200 the fine for violating the traffic rule that provides when two vehicles approach or enter an intersection at approximately the same instant, the operator of the vehicle on the left must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right. The proposal also imposes additional penalties and/or license revocation for up to six months for any of these violations that cause death, serious bodily harm or bodily harm. Continue reading RAISE FINE FOR “RIGHT OF WAY” VIOLATIONS (H 3477) →

$7.6 MILLION FOR COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES (H 4040)

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The House 129-25, Senate 37-1 overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of the entire $7.6 million for operational support grants to community action agencies to “assist the agencies in their mission to assist residents of the commonwealth living with low incomes to stabilize their lives and achieve economic prosperity, and in creating and expanding opportunity for those residents in the neighborhoods and municipalities where they live and work.” Continue reading $7.6 MILLION FOR COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES (H 4040) →

$100,000 FOR ADVANCED MATH AND SCIENCE (H 4040)

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By Bob Katzen

The House 151-3, Senate 37-1, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of $100,000 (reducing funding from $3.3 to $3.2 million) for a program to increase participation and performance in advanced placement courses, particularly among underserved populations, to prepare students for college and career success in science, technology, engineering, math and English. Continue reading $100,000 FOR ADVANCED MATH AND SCIENCE (H 4040) →

$774,000 FOR HOUSING SERVICES (H 4040)

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By William Tauro

The House 129-26, Senate 38-0, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of $774,000 (reducing funding from $10,474,000 million to $9,700,000 million) for housing services and counseling to find and maintain housing for many people who face significant barriers to sustaining housing payments. The money would be distributed via grants to regional housing consumer education centers operated by the regional nonprofit housing authorities. Continue reading $774,000 FOR HOUSING SERVICES (H 4040) →

ESCALATING VIOLENCE AT SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL IS BEING IGNORED BY AN ADMINISTRATION THAT PRIORITIZES POLITICS OVER SAFETY

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by Tony Bottiglio

I grew up in Somerville. I attended Conwell, Powder House, West Somerville, and Somerville High. Back then, the city still had most of its charm, but it wasn’t always the safest place to live. My parents moved us out of Somerville, like so many others, and we settled in the suburbs. Twenty years later, I have returned with my own family. Continue reading ESCALATING VIOLENCE AT SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL IS BEING IGNORED BY AN ADMINISTRATION THAT PRIORITIZES POLITICS OVER SAFETY →

Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:Billy Just Loves Our Somerville Seniors

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Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,

Thank you William Tauro (Billy) for the spaghetti and meatballs supper. You’re a great family man and hope that you win my friend. I listened to everything that you said tonight and everyone wants you to be our next mayor of Somerville,especially me. Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:Billy Just Loves Our Somerville Seniors →

Global Warming Attributed By Design

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By Richard Scirocco

The acknowledgment of the high rise buildings, contributing towards the Global Warming Crisis has finally been addressed and recognized by all in attendance, at a local Ward 2 meeting held on October 25th by Mayor Ballantyne. An individual question was raised, by a calmly spoken woman named Alice referring, to the challenge of large buildings blocking the wind, and, in consequence, of the domino effect, heating up the areas surrounding it. Continue reading Global Warming Attributed By Design →

Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:Current Administration Conspired With Previous Administration On Severability Clauses For Their Own Personal Gain

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This should be exposed immediately!

Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,

Everybody in Somerville should know about and be aware of that they have been sold out on the Secondary Market. They deserve to know this answer. This clause was created by your former mayor who conspired with your current mayor to make it easier for them on their development projects for their own personal gain.
Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:Current Administration Conspired With Previous Administration On Severability Clauses For Their Own Personal Gain →

Somerville City Water Poses Major Safety Concerns

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By Somerville/Medford News Weekly News Staff

Safety issues loom as the winter months approach. Upon investigative discovery,  many of the city fire plugs are in need of immediate repairing. As it currently stands to date, the count of sixteen plugs throughout the city have reached their functional life expectancy and two are out of use completely as the damages are beyond underground repair, and require replacement. Continue reading Somerville City Water Poses Major Safety Concerns →

Join the Spring Hill Sewer Separation Virtual Fall Community Meeting on November 13

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Virtual Meeting Will Highlight Winter/Spring Construction Schedule and Forthcoming Streetscape Improvements

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and Ward 3 Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen invite you to join a virtual community meeting to learn about construction progress on the Spring Hill Sewer Separation project. Continue reading Join the Spring Hill Sewer Separation Virtual Fall Community Meeting on November 13 →

Nine Arrested after Police Assaulted During Protest Including Two Somerville Residents

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass., October 30, 2023 – Nine individuals were arrested after several Cambridge Police officers were assaulted during a protest outside 130 Bishop Allen Drive. Starting at 10am, Cambridge Police officers were monitoring a protest outside Elbit Systems, an Israeli defense contractor, whose office has been the site of numerous protests and acts of vandalism and property destruction in recent weeks. The crowd, estimated to be about 200 people, was initially peaceful. Continue reading Nine Arrested after Police Assaulted During Protest Including Two Somerville Residents →

Random acts of kindness go along way in my book!

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By William Tauro

Only just a few minutes ago I was in the Santandare Bank on lower Broadway doing some business when it started pouring buckets of rain outside. A young lady was making a deposit at the next window. I overheard her say “oh my God I just walked a block and I half to get here and now I am going to get soaked now.” Continue reading Random acts of kindness go along way in my book! →

Somerville Police Department Weekly Crime Log

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Assault

23058349: On 10/4/23 at approximately 6:40 PM, Somerville Police responded to 355 Broadway for report of an assault. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim who stated he was picking up food and was approached by an unknown male who yelled at him and threatened to come back with a gun. Shortly after, the male came back with another male party and they started attacking the victim with a metal pole. Continue reading Somerville Police Department Weekly Crime Log →