Vol. 3, No. 9
July 16, 2003
Contents
1) MANY PULL PAPERS FOR CITY RACES
Surprise in Final Hour
Last Friday, July 11, was the final day for prospective candidates to take out nomination papers
to run for city offices this year. Until July 10, only myself and the three other aldermen-at-large
had taken out papers to run for that office in 2003. On the 11th, Alderman Joe Curtatone
returned his nomination papers for the at-large race, and took out nomination papers to run for
mayor. A total of four people have now pulled papers to run for mayor.
If more than two of these candidates qualify for the ballot, then there will be a preliminary
election for the mayor's race.
Possible Crowd in at-Large Race
By the time the Elections Office closed Friday, seven other people had taken out nomination
papers to run for alderman-at-large. The new challengers, in the order that they took out
nomination papers are: Elio LoRusso, of Ward 1, a business man and former candidate for Ward
1 Alderman and for Alderman-at-Large; Frank Bakey, former School Committee Person and
Ward Alderman in Ward 2; Todd Kaplan, a lawyer and activist from Ward 6; Laurie Foley of
Ward 4; Dennis Sullivan, former School Committee person from Ward 1; John L. Sullivan from
Ward 5; and Mark Horan from Powderhouse Boulevard.
If more than eight of these candidates qualify for the ballot, then there will be a preliminary
election for the at-large race.
Only Two Ward Incumbents Unchallenged
Five Ward Alderman's races have incumbents that face potential challengers. These are Ward
1, where Michael Trembicki has pulled papers to run against Bill Roche; Ward 3, where
Kenneth Kelly and Gerard Amaral have taken out papers to oppose Tom Taylor; Ward 4, where
Walter Pero is challenging Jim McCallum; Ward 6, where Stephen Glines and Melissa Walsh
are seeking signatures to oppose Jack Connolly; and Ward 7, where Marty Martinez has
declared against Bob Trane. It has been a long time that so many individuals expressed an
intention to run against sitting aldermen.
School Committee Sees Little Action
By contrast, no one has taken out nomination papers to challenge any incumbents on the School
Committee. The only School Committee races are in wards 1 and 5, where the incumbents are
not running for re-election. In Ward 1, Maureen Bastardi, Kenneth Salvato, and Alan Ball have
pulled papers. In Ward 5, Meghan Foster, Kenneth Oliver, and Janine Lotti have done the same.
If at least three candidates in these wards turn in all their signatures and get certified for the
ballot, there will be preliminaries in these races as well.
2) ZONING NEWS
My Proposal to Protect Residential Neighborhoods
Having got fed up with the size, mass, and scale of many of the developments proposed as
"infill" in Somerville's residential neighborhoods, I have taken action. At the last Board of
Aldermen meeting, I filed a set of zoning amendments designed to reduce the density of new
development in existing residential neighborhoods. The text of the zoning amendments
can be viewed on my website.
The zoning proposal is co-sponsored by Aldermen Taylor and Heuston, and will likely be
scheduled for public hearing in September.
North Point Zoning Hearing
The Aldermanic Committee on Legislative Matters and the Planning Board will be holding a
joint public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2003, in the Alderman's Chambers on
the proposed new zoning for the North Point area. I am informed that the zoning amendment
can be viewed online.
The amendment may also be viewed at the Planning Department, on the third floor of City Hall.
Call 617-625-6600 x2500 with questions.
3) TAKE BACK THE GREEN SPACE
The Somerville Women's Commission is organizing a TAKE BACK THE GREEN SPACE:
THE FREEDOM TO FEEL SAFE IN OUR SPACE event, to be held in Foss Park on Saturday,
August 9, 2003, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.. There will be speakers, live music, safety
demonstrations, and other activities. Co-sponsors include BARCC, Model Mugging,
Groundwork Somerville, and the Somerville Conservation Commission.
To get more information, or to volunteer to help, contact the Commission at
scw@ci.somerville.ma.us
or 617-625-6600 ext. 2406; or contact Commissioner Wendy Irvine
at 617-625-2423.
4) SUMMER TIME SCIENCE QUIZ
School may be out, but this one is a toughie! The first person to come up with the correct
answer will get a prize.
Assume that a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee travels 12,000 miles in a year. In that year:
a) Approximately how many pounds of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide will the Jeep emit?
b) What is the ratio of the weight of carbon dioxide emission to the weight of the vehicle?
To help out: a gallon of gasoline weighs 6 pounds, and the Cherokee gets 17 miles to the gallon.
Now, sharpen that pencil, brush up on your chemistry, and have fun!
copyright 2003 Denise Provost
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