SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT
February 5, 2003
Contents
1) DATE, CORRECT LOCATION FOR DEMOCRATIC CAUCUSES
It seems that it was just as well that I omitted the date from my notice of the Democratic Ward
Caucuses, because I have to announce a change of location. ALL Democratic Ward Caucuses
will be held this Saturday, Feb. 8, at 10:00 a.m., in the Police Academy Room of the Public
Safety Building, 220 Washington Street, Union Square (more or less opposite the main Post
Office.)
The time and place given for the Duhamel Pancake Breakfast is correct; that is also Saturday,
Feb. 8, 2003.
2) BRIEF SCHOOL UPDATE
At the Monday, Feb. 3, meeting of the School Committee's Finance and Facilities
subcommittee, the NESDEC report was on the agenda, but no discussion of the subject took
place. The first agenda item was an announcement by the Mayor Gay of approximately $3
million in cuts from state aid for FY 2003, approximately half of which amount she asked the
School Committee to take from this year's school budget. Superintendent Argenziano announced
cuts, effective immediately, to the School Breakfast program, the Somerville Family Network,
and to the school's day care program.
Mayor Gay asked the School Committee to authorize the sale of the Conwell School, asking the
Committee to take a vote at its next meeting. A "FY 2003 Budget Reduction Options" sheet was
circulated, which lists, along with the proceeds of sale of the Conwell, the closure and sale of
otherwise unidentified "Building 1" and "Building 2." The proceeds from the Conwell sale are
estimated to be $1.75 million; the other buildings $1.2 and $1.5 million, respectively, which
suggests that someone in the city knows what these unidentified buildings are.
More information about the city's real plans might be coaxed out at the Long Range Planning
meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium at the East Somerville
Community School.
3) READERS' QUIZ WINNERS
Eleven of you promptly and correctly reported that Ulysses S. Grant had said, of the United
States' war against Mexico (1846-1848), that it was "one of the most unjust ever waged by a
stronger against a weaker nation. It was an instance of a republic following the bad example of
European monarchies, in not considering justice in their desire to acquire additional territory."
Grant served with distinction as a Lieutenant in the Mexican War, once receiving a
commendation from then-Captain Robert E. Lee. Ah, history!
Most of you confessed to having found this information via Google search, opening my eyes to
an internet feature I had not previously appreciated. Two of you supplied URLs to very
interesting websites pertaining to Grant - thank you, Daniel and Todd, and thanks Alan for your
brief history of that war - though I'm not sure I can agree with you that "thanks to google,
thinking is no longer necessary!"
So here's one you can't find on the net (?): How much did it cost the City of Somerville to clean
up the Christmas Day, 2002, snow storm?
(We'll all be needing to think more about the city budget in the months ahead.)
copyright 2003 Denise Provost
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