I am tired of people liking John Shea pimping off someone elses ideas. Can someone tell Mr. Shea that he probably watched to many Spike Lee movies or Soprano specials? I find it particularly insulting that someone needs to resort to using cheap and demeaning steroptypes that are demeaning to the long time residents (current and past) of Somerville..
To minimize and insult "old" Somerville in any way... is no less insulting than it is to minimize the American-Italian culture as "mafia", the American-Irish as "drinkers", or the African-Amercians as "lazy".
I lived in Somerville from 1967 to 1994, and have remained active in the City my entire adult life. I knew all of the Mayors on a first name basis back to Jim Brennan (circa 1965). I own property in Somerville- and now and my wife and I are likely to move back there. Whether I live in Somerville or not- I have always been proud to say that I am from Somerville- because of the content of the people I knew and grew up with.
I lived through the years that people from the outside called Somerville.. Slumerville... in large part - because as Mr. Shea inacurately depicts - they had no clue as to what was going on in the old Somerville. There was a perception by couch potatoes and people afraid of urban life that the sensationlism depicted on an occassional news show was reality. The fact is the "old" Somerville has a lot I hope it will pass along to the "new" Somerville.
The old Somerville took care of its family and friends when no one else would. The Somerville I grew up in was not afraid of newcomers- the reason most of us where Irish and Italian was not one else wanted to live in Somerville. People from Somerville then as they do now went to work every day, took care of their families, restored property, where spiritual, and had a great sense of community. Most of us welcomed newcomers... Please tell Mr. Shea the "old" Somerville was not like one of those Spike Lee movies... we never vandalized or burnt down any restaraunts... we just ate at them... We never had a Mayor who set up an immigrant... we had Mayors who looked out for their friends and families when no one else would...The "old" Somerville I knew did not consist of newcomers getting a beatdown. The rough and tumple that existed was applied to everyone- and it made most of us smarter and stronger. Please tell Mr. Shea he needs to do some homework.... however I am sure he is welcome to stay in Somerville whether he is right or wrong... because thats the way it has always been.
Finally... I really like Davis Square area... but I am a little tired of people wanting to make Somerville the next Cambridge.. I believed then as I do now that the character of Somerville was a unique and wonderful... and we should pass it along... not crap on it ... or try to make it into something it is not.
Sincerly
Bud (O'Brien) Melaragni
Saturday, November 20, 2010
this was not somerville then
Seventeen people are crowded into a classic Somerville two-family that's split between worlds. On the traditional side, there are drop ceilings and huge school portraits; on the artsy side, framed Broadway posters and playbills.
It's a fitting juxtaposition. The play they're rehearsing, "Welcome to Somerville: Permit Parking Only," by lifelong resident John Shea, shows a city that's trembling between old and new. The play gets a two-night reading this weekend.
In Shea's vision, resident permit parking is a metaphor for the city's insularity: No outsiders need apply. And though the parking policy went into effect citywide only this year, the play depicts a xenophobia you might have thought melted away years ago, or at least in the mid-2000s when the blue-collar group Save Our Somerville began forging alliances with newcomers who also wanted to preserve the city's neighborhood fabric.
In fact, the level of anti-outsider hatred, especially towards non-white immigrants, is startling. (Never mind that the angry characters all have Italian, Irish, and Greek last names.) After the first dinner with her son's Connecticut girlfriend, an unemployed boozer mom spatters bitterness at the girl's fancy vocabulary and snobby restaurant choice: Gargoyle's in Davis Square.
The 20-somethings in the play aren't so far away from the days when they used bullying, beat-downs, and vandalism to push newcomers out. A fist is more effective than a ticket.
Some of the characters are still at it. In the play, an Indian restaurant is vandalized; a Latina teenager is beat up in retaliation for a wrong her brother didn't even commit. Says Mikey Dee, one of "the Mikes," an unemployed duo that hangs out in Magoun Square, "I'm sick of everyone coming here thinking they can change how things are."
In Shea's Faulknerian city -- to use a reference the alcoholic mom would despise -- the past isn't even past. The Ball Square waitresses and Davis Square liquor store clerk are hubs of (mis)information, recirculating the old stories that stain people's current endeavors. Everyone knows troubled teen Michelle was born out of wedlock -- except Michelle.
Knowledge is power, and the mayor in particular loves to wield it. The (immigrant) teen who's accused his School Committee pal of abuse ... well whaddaya know, his brother's up on drug charges. Maybe the family will trade one dropped charge for another.
Despite the ugliness, there's something comforting about this world where everyone knows everyone and the retired guys have the same quarrel every day. The Mikes try to pin down a story:
"Who, Eddie Mahoney?"
"No, Eddie Murray."
"From over the drugstore?"
"No, from over Foss Park."
By the end of the play, Shea's world is starting to come to terms with Somerville's new normal. Pizzeria owner Dom badmouths the Indian restaurant -- until it's vandalized. "I might not like them but I know how hard it is to run a business," he says. The mayor acknowledges that while he can still pull strings, "It's not as easy as it used to be," and thus being in charge isn't as much fun anymore.
For the performers, it's not all make-believe. Shea cast the play partly with old friends from across the city like first-time performer Connie Fillios, the manager of the Hacienda restaurant where he worked as a waiter. Curtis Eames, who plays Dom the pizza guy, teaches English and drama at Somerville High; Kathryn Long, the troubled teen Michelle, is one of his students.
In fact, the challenge for city native Krystal Batzek, 25, is twisting her acting away from reality. "You are the only character in this play not from Somerville so I need to hear some Rs," Shea coaches.
Jeff Benoit, 35, thought the play got it dead-on. "100 percent," he says. The Shea family friend plays the quieter of the Mikes. "Not that I hang on the corner," he says, but "I've seen all that."
"It does. It does reflect parts of Somerville," Long says, though "up until the play I had no idea that most of this is going on."
Metaphor aside, the play's title resonates with Poul LaPlante (right) who plays the mayor. He once was fined for putting his Somerville resident sticker in the wrong corner of his windshield. His neighbor "got a ticket for not taking care of her garden because the guy didn't know what the plants were," he says. (The hearing clerk, a gardener himself, dismissed the ticket.)
When the Nov. 17 rehearsal ends, everyone splits except one last visitor who's hardly a visitor at all. Lori Batzek, Krystal's mom, grew up on the same street as Shea and now works for the city. In 2010, isn't the kind of vicious hatred of outsiders depicted in the play generally gone from Somerville?
"One would think that, wouldn't one?" Lori says. But "there are ignorant people in the world that don't know any better."
Lori's playing her mother, Joanie, a retired city meter maid known to old-timers as the raspy waitress at the original Paddock restaurant and to brunchers as the sarcastic counter gal at Kelly's Diner. She was in the Osco mural in Davis Square until it was painted over. Secretly the play is a tribute to Joanie, Shea says, the only character given a real name.
Joanie's had to stop working at Kelly's "Cancer," Lori says quietly. But she's coming Friday by hook, crook, or transfer chair.
A gust of wind lifts the dining room's acoustic tiles straight off their frame. The old-timers, perhaps, are watching.
The reading of "Welcome to Somerville: Permit Parking Only" takes place tonight and tomorrow at 7 p.m. at First Church Somerville, 89 College Ave. Tickets are $15. Non-residents who drive to the play should make sure not to park on the side streets. Learn more at playsbyshea.com.
Contact Danielle at somervillescene@gmail.com.
It's a fitting juxtaposition. The play they're rehearsing, "Welcome to Somerville: Permit Parking Only," by lifelong resident John Shea, shows a city that's trembling between old and new. The play gets a two-night reading this weekend.
In Shea's vision, resident permit parking is a metaphor for the city's insularity: No outsiders need apply. And though the parking policy went into effect citywide only this year, the play depicts a xenophobia you might have thought melted away years ago, or at least in the mid-2000s when the blue-collar group Save Our Somerville began forging alliances with newcomers who also wanted to preserve the city's neighborhood fabric.
In fact, the level of anti-outsider hatred, especially towards non-white immigrants, is startling. (Never mind that the angry characters all have Italian, Irish, and Greek last names.) After the first dinner with her son's Connecticut girlfriend, an unemployed boozer mom spatters bitterness at the girl's fancy vocabulary and snobby restaurant choice: Gargoyle's in Davis Square.
The 20-somethings in the play aren't so far away from the days when they used bullying, beat-downs, and vandalism to push newcomers out. A fist is more effective than a ticket.
Some of the characters are still at it. In the play, an Indian restaurant is vandalized; a Latina teenager is beat up in retaliation for a wrong her brother didn't even commit. Says Mikey Dee, one of "the Mikes," an unemployed duo that hangs out in Magoun Square, "I'm sick of everyone coming here thinking they can change how things are."
In Shea's Faulknerian city -- to use a reference the alcoholic mom would despise -- the past isn't even past. The Ball Square waitresses and Davis Square liquor store clerk are hubs of (mis)information, recirculating the old stories that stain people's current endeavors. Everyone knows troubled teen Michelle was born out of wedlock -- except Michelle.
Knowledge is power, and the mayor in particular loves to wield it. The (immigrant) teen who's accused his School Committee pal of abuse ... well whaddaya know, his brother's up on drug charges. Maybe the family will trade one dropped charge for another.
Despite the ugliness, there's something comforting about this world where everyone knows everyone and the retired guys have the same quarrel every day. The Mikes try to pin down a story:
"Who, Eddie Mahoney?"
"No, Eddie Murray."
"From over the drugstore?"
"No, from over Foss Park."
By the end of the play, Shea's world is starting to come to terms with Somerville's new normal. Pizzeria owner Dom badmouths the Indian restaurant -- until it's vandalized. "I might not like them but I know how hard it is to run a business," he says. The mayor acknowledges that while he can still pull strings, "It's not as easy as it used to be," and thus being in charge isn't as much fun anymore.
For the performers, it's not all make-believe. Shea cast the play partly with old friends from across the city like first-time performer Connie Fillios, the manager of the Hacienda restaurant where he worked as a waiter. Curtis Eames, who plays Dom the pizza guy, teaches English and drama at Somerville High; Kathryn Long, the troubled teen Michelle, is one of his students.
In fact, the challenge for city native Krystal Batzek, 25, is twisting her acting away from reality. "You are the only character in this play not from Somerville so I need to hear some Rs," Shea coaches.
Jeff Benoit, 35, thought the play got it dead-on. "100 percent," he says. The Shea family friend plays the quieter of the Mikes. "Not that I hang on the corner," he says, but "I've seen all that."
"It does. It does reflect parts of Somerville," Long says, though "up until the play I had no idea that most of this is going on."
Metaphor aside, the play's title resonates with Poul LaPlante (right) who plays the mayor. He once was fined for putting his Somerville resident sticker in the wrong corner of his windshield. His neighbor "got a ticket for not taking care of her garden because the guy didn't know what the plants were," he says. (The hearing clerk, a gardener himself, dismissed the ticket.)
When the Nov. 17 rehearsal ends, everyone splits except one last visitor who's hardly a visitor at all. Lori Batzek, Krystal's mom, grew up on the same street as Shea and now works for the city. In 2010, isn't the kind of vicious hatred of outsiders depicted in the play generally gone from Somerville?
"One would think that, wouldn't one?" Lori says. But "there are ignorant people in the world that don't know any better."
Lori's playing her mother, Joanie, a retired city meter maid known to old-timers as the raspy waitress at the original Paddock restaurant and to brunchers as the sarcastic counter gal at Kelly's Diner. She was in the Osco mural in Davis Square until it was painted over. Secretly the play is a tribute to Joanie, Shea says, the only character given a real name.
Joanie's had to stop working at Kelly's "Cancer," Lori says quietly. But she's coming Friday by hook, crook, or transfer chair.
A gust of wind lifts the dining room's acoustic tiles straight off their frame. The old-timers, perhaps, are watching.
The reading of "Welcome to Somerville: Permit Parking Only" takes place tonight and tomorrow at 7 p.m. at First Church Somerville, 89 College Ave. Tickets are $15. Non-residents who drive to the play should make sure not to park on the side streets. Learn more at playsbyshea.com.
Contact Danielle at somervillescene@gmail.com.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Ward Captains
In 1977 the race for Mayor was between Tom August, Bill Pickett, and Gene Brune. More on each of them later.
Each had organizations in place that where the standard of any serious candidate for Mayor. There was a Campaign Manager, and reporting to him where Ward Captains.
The role of the Ward Captain was central to the campaign. He was responsible for getting things done during the campaign and then getting out the vote on election day.
In Somerville all elections where local and very personal. So the more connected you where to each ward and precint with a representative who was from his neighborhood and would do the work needed the stronger your candidacy was.
The effectiveness of Ward Captains varied widely. There was no training or selection process. It was catch as catch can ... and give each some broad instruction on what was needed.
The hope was that the candidate could leverage the local personality and his or her family and friend connections to enhance his own campaign. It did not always work that way. When it did the Ward Captain would get the all important coffee party, have roof racks put on, load up bumper stickers, stand outs, do the all essential drops, and have people at the polling place on primary and election day. The more effective ward captain would keep a list of the voters and have a yellow marker to identify who was with the candidate. They would then organize a drop and pull- and in a close election that was the difference without question. They would also be constantly looking to expand the base of the candidate by bringing people in as precint captains, standouts
Tom August had appointed the following Ward Captains: Jimmy (Ward 1), Gerry Redman and Jim Stace (Ward 2), Joe and Joanne Mitzer (Ward 3), Jay Holmes (Ward 4), Ray Gauthier (Ward 5) ...
The named campaign manager was Ray Gauthier- the campaign manager in practice and behind the scenes was Larry Bretta. The focus here was money and message
Jimmy was a red faced large belly former Ward 1 Alderman- who did a lot more talking than working.
Each had organizations in place that where the standard of any serious candidate for Mayor. There was a Campaign Manager, and reporting to him where Ward Captains.
The role of the Ward Captain was central to the campaign. He was responsible for getting things done during the campaign and then getting out the vote on election day.
In Somerville all elections where local and very personal. So the more connected you where to each ward and precint with a representative who was from his neighborhood and would do the work needed the stronger your candidacy was.
The effectiveness of Ward Captains varied widely. There was no training or selection process. It was catch as catch can ... and give each some broad instruction on what was needed.
The hope was that the candidate could leverage the local personality and his or her family and friend connections to enhance his own campaign. It did not always work that way. When it did the Ward Captain would get the all important coffee party, have roof racks put on, load up bumper stickers, stand outs, do the all essential drops, and have people at the polling place on primary and election day. The more effective ward captain would keep a list of the voters and have a yellow marker to identify who was with the candidate. They would then organize a drop and pull- and in a close election that was the difference without question. They would also be constantly looking to expand the base of the candidate by bringing people in as precint captains, standouts
Tom August had appointed the following Ward Captains: Jimmy (Ward 1), Gerry Redman and Jim Stace (Ward 2), Joe and Joanne Mitzer (Ward 3), Jay Holmes (Ward 4), Ray Gauthier (Ward 5) ...
The named campaign manager was Ray Gauthier- the campaign manager in practice and behind the scenes was Larry Bretta. The focus here was money and message
Jimmy was a red faced large belly former Ward 1 Alderman- who did a lot more talking than working.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Two of a kind
It seems there are many families where there are two children who take totally different paths. A well known are the Bulger brothers. It has often struck me how often I see that in Somerville. Take Mike Capuano and his brother as an example.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
The Election Process
Getting off your street
Who is with me
Dear Friend Cards
Roof Racks
Pieces
Drop
Identified Voters
Poll Checking
Door to Door
Getting out the vote
Thank you
Endorsements
Governing
Who is with me
Dear Friend Cards
Roof Racks
Pieces
Drop
Identified Voters
Poll Checking
Door to Door
Getting out the vote
Thank you
Endorsements
Governing
The Character
Bretta
Ralph
August
Piro
McKenna
Koty
Capuano
Ralph
Campo
Creedon
Bakey
Norton
Gay
ODea
Callahan
Mackey
Jehlen
Ralph
August
Piro
McKenna
Koty
Capuano
Ralph
Campo
Creedon
Bakey
Norton
Gay
ODea
Callahan
Mackey
Jehlen
In Transition
When it comes to pass it will be clear when and to what things transitioned from the Italian and Irish dynasty. For now I’ll just tell my story about what I knew as Somerville. During my time it was a fun and exciting place if you enjoyed being involved in political combat. It was the time after World War II and leading up to the internet age.
It as a unique and special place that had its own character- sometimes passive aggressive –sometimes angry- sometimes happy and proud. The character of the City was often found in its focus on politics and family.
The family dynamic was brought into politics. And there was an expectation that you would remain loyal to those who helped you.
Since life is always changing so was and is Somerville. During my lifetime the Irish and Italians moved what we call the WASPs out . And, now we have urbane professionals, students, and Brazilians moving the Italians and Irish out.
During the 1980’s it was a time for the 2nd generation of Somerville Italians and Irish to play their role as city leaders. Many of us had gone to college- but we held most who did not in high regard- since they were our parents, brothers, sisters, friends, and neighbors. We also realized that school only taught us a small part of what we needed to be happy and successful in life. And, for those who aspired to take the political route we could not do it alone- we needed our community to support us.
One of the smartest pieces of advice that was offered when it came to running for office was to start with your base. In Somerville that meant your family, friends, and your neighborhood- more specifically your street. If you got your base interested and supportive- it gave you the momentum to move on. In the alternative if you did not the saying was “he won’t get off his own street”.
People who had success in the 70’s and 80’s not only knew both sides of Somerville- but they embraced it within themselves. They may have gone to college or been successful in other areas- but they valued, understood, and appreciated those who did not.
For many of us the goal continued to be up and out – or if just out. For some the decision was made that they would stay and try and make things better. People like Mike Capuano, Joe Mackey, and others made that decision freely and openly because they loved Somerville for what it gave them and what they hoped they could give it. Others stayed because they needed Somerville more than we needed them- the Piro’s Howe’s, Koties, Bakey’s, and Campos hung around so they could continue to feed off the system in one way or another. And then there where the outsiders who worked their way in Tom Taylor, Pat Jehlen, etc. who found their own way of making things work for them.
Until Lester Ralph came along it was pretty straightforward. Whether we trusted and liked them or not the options where the same … Many who lived through the Lester years will tell you he came in on white horse but left dirty – They did not add just like the rest of us. That may be true. But he also opened the door that ultimately led to the Somerville we see today. Without Lester there likely would not have been Davis Square task force …. Redline … or revitalization of the surrounding areas … all of which came after he was long gone.
Pat Jehlen is the prototypical newcomer- and one who got it and hung around
Joe Mackey got caught in transition
Mike Capuano
If nothing else the Somerville village I knew was in a transition and
http://transitioninaction.com/profile/VanessaRule
I am not sure why Michael Capuano was successful when Joe Mackey was not when it came to winning elections. Both emerged in the post-Ralph era as the best of Somerville. Both where children of established Somerville families. Joe's family had been involved in the Somerville school and sports systems. Michael's had been involved in government and Somerville politics. Both attededed Somerville High, and graduated from Ivy league and top law schools. Both got elected as ward Alderman in 1978.
Irish vs. Italian Round I
Bretta
Piro
Brenan
Irish vs. Italian Round II
Motivation - Michael refused to take no for an answer. Michael thought he had an answer that made sense- and maybe it just had to be repackaged. Joe was more aloof and soft spoken than Michael- but equally as smart and tenacious on most issues. Michael seemed less liberal and very respectful of his heritage. Joe thought he had the answers- and if he built it others would see the way. Michael and Barbara kept everything close- and appeared to be highly organized and together. Joe had to struggle with organization and let others help with the part during campaigns.
It as a unique and special place that had its own character- sometimes passive aggressive –sometimes angry- sometimes happy and proud. The character of the City was often found in its focus on politics and family.
The family dynamic was brought into politics. And there was an expectation that you would remain loyal to those who helped you.
Since life is always changing so was and is Somerville. During my lifetime the Irish and Italians moved what we call the WASPs out . And, now we have urbane professionals, students, and Brazilians moving the Italians and Irish out.
During the 1980’s it was a time for the 2nd generation of Somerville Italians and Irish to play their role as city leaders. Many of us had gone to college- but we held most who did not in high regard- since they were our parents, brothers, sisters, friends, and neighbors. We also realized that school only taught us a small part of what we needed to be happy and successful in life. And, for those who aspired to take the political route we could not do it alone- we needed our community to support us.
One of the smartest pieces of advice that was offered when it came to running for office was to start with your base. In Somerville that meant your family, friends, and your neighborhood- more specifically your street. If you got your base interested and supportive- it gave you the momentum to move on. In the alternative if you did not the saying was “he won’t get off his own street”.
People who had success in the 70’s and 80’s not only knew both sides of Somerville- but they embraced it within themselves. They may have gone to college or been successful in other areas- but they valued, understood, and appreciated those who did not.
For many of us the goal continued to be up and out – or if just out. For some the decision was made that they would stay and try and make things better. People like Mike Capuano, Joe Mackey, and others made that decision freely and openly because they loved Somerville for what it gave them and what they hoped they could give it. Others stayed because they needed Somerville more than we needed them- the Piro’s Howe’s, Koties, Bakey’s, and Campos hung around so they could continue to feed off the system in one way or another. And then there where the outsiders who worked their way in Tom Taylor, Pat Jehlen, etc. who found their own way of making things work for them.
Until Lester Ralph came along it was pretty straightforward. Whether we trusted and liked them or not the options where the same … Many who lived through the Lester years will tell you he came in on white horse but left dirty – They did not add just like the rest of us. That may be true. But he also opened the door that ultimately led to the Somerville we see today. Without Lester there likely would not have been Davis Square task force …. Redline … or revitalization of the surrounding areas … all of which came after he was long gone.
Pat Jehlen is the prototypical newcomer- and one who got it and hung around
Joe Mackey got caught in transition
Mike Capuano
If nothing else the Somerville village I knew was in a transition and
http://transitioninaction.com/profile/VanessaRule
I am not sure why Michael Capuano was successful when Joe Mackey was not when it came to winning elections. Both emerged in the post-Ralph era as the best of Somerville. Both where children of established Somerville families. Joe's family had been involved in the Somerville school and sports systems. Michael's had been involved in government and Somerville politics. Both attededed Somerville High, and graduated from Ivy league and top law schools. Both got elected as ward Alderman in 1978.
Irish vs. Italian Round I
Bretta
Piro
Brenan
Irish vs. Italian Round II
Motivation - Michael refused to take no for an answer. Michael thought he had an answer that made sense- and maybe it just had to be repackaged. Joe was more aloof and soft spoken than Michael- but equally as smart and tenacious on most issues. Michael seemed less liberal and very respectful of his heritage. Joe thought he had the answers- and if he built it others would see the way. Michael and Barbara kept everything close- and appeared to be highly organized and together. Joe had to struggle with organization and let others help with the part during campaigns.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
It was personal
It was personal when one of the pols got indicted which felt like it happened too often. We felt embarrased and the need to explain to those outside.
We probably knew him and his family. We probably where not surprised- and sometimes we felt badly. When Michael McKenna got taken down for $500 by the FBI I dont know anyone who felt good about it. Michael was a father of 5 boys, and an alcoholic like his parents- Michael also was generally a good guy. Like his dad the Senator - Michael basically took pleasure in helping others get an opportunity.
We didnt really mind pols taking some on the side. Particularly if they where approachable- and had an issue or two we could related to. It was only when they became bigger than Somerville like Vinnie P. that the feeling where mixed when the indictments came down.
We probably knew him and his family. We probably where not surprised- and sometimes we felt badly. When Michael McKenna got taken down for $500 by the FBI I dont know anyone who felt good about it. Michael was a father of 5 boys, and an alcoholic like his parents- Michael also was generally a good guy. Like his dad the Senator - Michael basically took pleasure in helping others get an opportunity.
We didnt really mind pols taking some on the side. Particularly if they where approachable- and had an issue or two we could related to. It was only when they became bigger than Somerville like Vinnie P. that the feeling where mixed when the indictments came down.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Random
We sometime wish for the way we remember things where. The truth is are memory of what was is often not very accurate or complete. Perhaps more important we need to keep in mind that all we have is now and the future.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Where we came from
Like our immigrant ancestors, politics continued to offer a way. It could be a way to survive, move up, or move on. The key was it provided a way. And, the good thing about it was an equal employment opportunity. For those who didnt make it through school, or needed a second chance it was a way for survive and move up. For those who kept things together and went to college it became a way to move up or move on. The main criteria was a desire and willingness to be part of one of the political organizations.
Bobby Campo was a 5'1" bowed leg 2nd generation Italian American with a decayed and crooked teeth. He probably officially dropped out of high school in the 10th grade. Probably because he needed a job, and he was willing to pitch in he worked on a few campaigns and became known as a worker.
Bobby Campo was a 5'1" bowed leg 2nd generation Italian American with a decayed and crooked teeth. He probably officially dropped out of high school in the 10th grade. Probably because he needed a job, and he was willing to pitch in he worked on a few campaigns and became known as a worker.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Chapter 1- The way I see it
The Somerville I grew up in and learned to love no longer exists. Some people seem to love the current Somerville. I miss the Somerville I grew up in.
The main thing I loved about the Somerville I grew up in was the culture. It was about who you knew, and taking care of your own, and taking care of each other. This was not some abstract thinking, it was day to day reality. When I grew up in Somerville there was a geniune concern about how to get a job and pay the bills. The same concern that people have today. But in the days I loved- there was some relief we could count on each other to help. Today it has become about what you know and its unlikely that you will find a community focused on helping those they know.
Many speculate about why Somerville change. Some think it was the RedLine. I think the end of rent control played a factor. I guess at the end things do change because thats how life works.
I do know that the caring culture I grew up in was largely self perputating. It was centered in the political realm because that how the Irish and Italian immigrants in the Boston area learned how to make sure they could get a hand up- and then build a community where they could help their kids, relatives, and friends. The center of the self perpuation was making sure that people you could count on got elected
I understand it was not perfect. In my Somerville culture I lived in it was about inclusion of those that we knew and trusted- and by default and lack of trust- exclusion of those who we did not know- and those that where not with us.
The main thing I loved about the Somerville I grew up in was the culture. It was about who you knew, and taking care of your own, and taking care of each other. This was not some abstract thinking, it was day to day reality. When I grew up in Somerville there was a geniune concern about how to get a job and pay the bills. The same concern that people have today. But in the days I loved- there was some relief we could count on each other to help. Today it has become about what you know and its unlikely that you will find a community focused on helping those they know.
Many speculate about why Somerville change. Some think it was the RedLine. I think the end of rent control played a factor. I guess at the end things do change because thats how life works.
I do know that the caring culture I grew up in was largely self perputating. It was centered in the political realm because that how the Irish and Italian immigrants in the Boston area learned how to make sure they could get a hand up- and then build a community where they could help their kids, relatives, and friends. The center of the self perpuation was making sure that people you could count on got elected
I understand it was not perfect. In my Somerville culture I lived in it was about inclusion of those that we knew and trusted- and by default and lack of trust- exclusion of those who we did not know- and those that where not with us.
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