Rebekah Gewirtz

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Spring 2009 -- update!

Dear Friends,
Although you just received my Spring 2009 Community Newsletter there are several events and important meetings in May that were not included as I didn't have the dates at the time or I have since learned about them. So I'm sending you another newsletter because I want to be sure you know about them. This will be an abridged newsletter so as not to be repetitive.

As always, if you have information you'd like me to share with others through my e-newsletter, send me an email to rebekah@rcn.com.

Best wishes and happy May!
Rebekah

Tree Preservation Ordinance PASSES!

At the April 23, 2009 Board of Aldermen meeting the Tree Preservation Ordinance passed unanimously. This ordinance, which I sponsored and worked on collaboratively with Mayor Curtatone and his administration and other aldermen in the Legislative Matters Committee for over a year, will help us preserve our healthy public shade trees in the city. Specifically, the ordinance creates a brand new tree preservation committee that will advise the city on best practices with respect to our tree inventory; there is a new notice provision in the ordinance so if a healthy public shade tree is to come down in the city it won't happen without neighbors knowing about it; and there is a new tree preservation fund to support the purchase of new trees when others are removed. For more information about the new Tree Preservation Ordinance, please be in touch with me rebekah@rcn.com or you can contact city hall for a copy. Passage of this ordinance helps advance Somerville's reputation as a true "Tree City USA" and demonstrates how important local initiatives are to preserving the urban canopy and combatting global warming.

Upcoming Events in MAY

Arbor Day Celebration, Friday May 1, 2009 at 10am at the West Somerville Neighborhood School, 177 Powderhouse Blvd.
The Arbor Day celebration will include two tree plantings in front of the school grounds, as well as a brief ceremony acknowledging the renewal of Somerville's "Tree City USA" status for the 14th consecutive year. The Arbor Day tree plantings are part of the City's ongoing efforts to increase overall tree cover and improve the health of the urban forest.

Somerville Open Studios May 2 and 3rd, 2009 throughout the city 12- 6pm both days.
Over 300 artists in over 100 venues will open their homes and studios for the Eleventh Annual Somerville Open Studios Event. During this free showcase for the arts, mid-career and emerging artists working across a broad spectrum of fine art styles and craft media -- including painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, glass, fiber, jewelry, furniture and ceramics - will exhibit their work to the public. For more detailed information about Open Studios click here.

Shape Up Somerville Walk and Run Road Race, Sunday May 3, 2009 starting and ending at the Somerville High School concourse
Part of the Shape Up Somerville program, this event includes a kids' Fun Run for children 12 and under beginning at 10:00 A.M and the 2.7-mile adult road race begins at 11:00 A.M. There will be a Health & Wellness Fair at the finish line. Registration fee for the kids' race is $5, and adult fee is $20.

Spring Clean Up, Saturday, May 9, 2009 10am-12pm in locations around the city.
For people living in Ward 6, meet in Davis Square. BBQ to follow at Nunziato Field. (Rain date, May 10th.)

The cleanup will focus on the city's parks, community gardens, schoolyards and grounds, and will be followed by a cookout for volunteers at Nunziato Field. Meet Ward 6 School Committee member Paul Bockelman and I at Statue Park at 10am to help clean up the area! Following the Cleanup, the city will partner with Groundwork Somerville for their third annual SomerGreen Festival, an eco-fair that features organizations and community groups promoting green practices and strategies for healthy living. All participating community members are invited to Nunziato Field and the Community Growing center for a free community barbecue and SomerGreen Festival.

Ward 6 Resistat Meeting, Wednesday May 20, 2009 7-9pm at the First Congregational Church of Somerville, 89 College Ave.
Mayor Curtatone and I invite you to a discussion of city services and neighborhood concerns at this neighborhood meeting in Duhamel Hall of the church. The meeting will include a discussion of how the City's administration and the Board of Aldermen are grappling with a spending gap of almost $12 million dollars in the upcoming fiscal year's budget, which starts July 1st. Please come and have your opinions heard. Contact me at rebekah@rcn.com or Stephanie Hirsch for more information or with questions: shirsch@somervillema.gov, 617- 625-6600 (ext. 2103).

HONK! Neighborhood meeting, May 28th, 2009 7-8:30 PM at the West Branch Library in Davis Square, 40 College Ave.
The HONK festival returns October 9-11th in and around Davis Square. This community meeting will be about how you can get involved in helping to make HONK happen again. Check out www.honkfest.org for more information and for updates on the festival or contact Rand Wilson for questions about the community meeting: rand@mindspring.com.

May Alderman Committee Meetings

Board of Aldermen committee on Public Health and Public Safety will take up the issue of Surveillance Cameras on Monday, May 4, 2009 7pm City Hall, 2nd Floor
This meeting will be a follow up to the Public Hearing that was held on March 31st on this issue. At the public hearing many members of the public expressed their concern about the surveillance camera system installed at various locations throughout the city. The committee, of which I am a member and chaired by Alderman at Large Bill White, will be taking follow up steps to address the issue at this upcoming meeting. The meeting will not be another public hearing but it is, of course, open to the public and I would encourage you to come if you're interested in this topic.

Board of Aldermen committee on Rules will take up how the Board of Aldermen does its business on Monday May 18, 2009 7pm City Hall, 2nd Floor
This will not be a public hearing but the meeting is open to the public. The committee will address the issue of whether or not resolutions and citations should be kept privledged and confidential until they are passed by the Board of Aldermen among other things.

Board of Aldermen committee on Licenses and Permits will take up request of extended hours by Wing Works, Wednesday May 13, 2009 6pm
Wing Works on Cutter Ave has requested extended hours from the Board of Aldermen until 2am. What do you think? Come to this meeting or contact me in advance to let me know your opinion. rebekah@rcn.com or 617-718-0792.

Spring Reception to Support my Re-Election Campaign

You're invited to a spring reception to support my re-election campaign!

Where:Sagra Restaurant, 400 Highland Ave. Davis Square.
When:Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Time: 6-8pm
Light appetizers will be served

Suggested Donation is: $35, $75, $150 but if you're unable to make a contribution please come as my guest anyway. $500 is the maximum contribution allowed by law. Checks can be made to: Committee to Elect Rebekah Gewirtz or on-line at www.rebekahgewirtz.org.

Committee to Elect Rebekah Gewirtz | 36 College Ave. #53 | Somerville | MA | 02144