USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1956 > Part 19
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117
74
136
107
600
Blanks
127
82
111
199
160
218
228
1125
Sheriff
John Frederick Cahill
321
171
359
525
399
679
638
3092
Blanks
33
43
52
72
54
79
79
410
District Attorney
Edward J. Bushell
173
74
149
245
178
291
279
1389
Thomas F. Maher
38
20
31
51
42
53
56
291
Ephraim Martin
113
94
202
231
187
350
303
1480
Blanks
30
26
29
70
46
62
79
342
226
274
384
313
1197
251
144
320
451
330
1496
295
BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS
NOTICES
Notices were sent to Voters who did not appear on Police Listing taken January 1, 1956.
NOTICES SENT TO VOTERS NOT ON POLICE LISTING APRIL 6, 1956
Men
Women
Total
WARD 1
269
27
540
WARD 2
368
337
705
WARD :
256
304
560
WARD 4
367
413
780
WARD 5
307
298
605
WARD 6
261
330
591
WARD 7
334
322
656
TOTALS
2162
2275
4437
296
ANNUAL REPORTS
NATIONAL AND STATE ELECTION NOVEMBER 6, 1956
Wards
1
2 3 4
5
6
7 Totals
Total No. of Votes
5667 5892 5825 8170 6791 5999 6811 45155
President and Vice President
Eisenhower & Nixon
2614 2250 2806 4090 3285 3531 3766 22342
Hass & Cozzini
11
15
16
20 9
2
10
1
32
Stevenson & Kefauver Blanks
2933 3501 2895 3856 3388 2331 2898 21802
104
124
105
195
108
109
104
849
Governor
Foster Furcolo
4062 4571 3884 5589 4755 3116 4028 30005
Sumner G. Whittier
1462
1181
1812
2429
1920 2776 2653
14233
Henning A. Blomen
26
31
27
20
19
14
22
159
Mark R. Shaw
5
3
7
6
3
9
3
36
Blanks
112
106
95
126
94
84
105
722
Lieut. Governor
Charles Gibbons
1483 1146 1840 2504 2003 2677 2663 14316
Robert F. Murphy
3862 4352 3714 5207 4464 3116 3879 28594
Harold E. Bassett
19
19
14
28
24
16
22
142
Francis A. Votano
93
93
67
140
98
37
54
582
Blanks
210
282
190
291
202
153
193
1521
Secretary
Edward J. Cronin
3975 4443 3783 5227 4506 3164 3917 29015
Richard I. Furbush
1378 1052 1745
2487
1955
2579
2590
13786
Earl F. Dodge
31
33
31
39
29
34
23
220
Lawrence Gilfedder
43
39
33
49
38
15
26
243
Blanks
240
325
233
368
263
207
255
1891
Treasurer
John F. Kennedy
4020 4493 3742 5253 4551 3050 3896 29005
Robert H. Boudreau
1383 1025
1791
2491
1912 2671 2612 13885
Isaac Goddard
14
23
25
45
23
35
21
186
Willy N. Hogseth
32
33
26
35
30
18
20
194
Blanks
218
318
241
346
275
225
262
1885
Auditor
Thomas J. Buckley
4053 4583 3877 5336 4666 3401 4243 30159
Joseph A. Nobile
1316
907
1649 2412 1789 2336 2255 12664
John B. Lauder
16
19
13
22
13
23
22
128
Anthony Martin
42
62
50
56
50
31
33
324
Blanks
240
321
236
344
273
208
258
1880
8
18
42
130
Holtwick & Cooper
5
2
3
297
BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS
Wards 1
2 3
4 5
6
7 Totals
Attorney General
George Fingold
1714 1476 2040 2818 2211 2810 2791 15860
Fred M. Ingersoll
23
31
23
36
34
21
20
188
Howard B. Rand
11
9
13
16
8
14
13
84
Edward J.
McCormack, Jr. 3719 4144 3558 5035 4338 2995 3783 27572
Blanks
200
232
191
265
200
159
204
1451
Congressman-8th Dist.
Torbert H. MacDonald
C. Eugene Farnum Blanks
279 217 179 219 894
Congressman-11th Dist.
Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. 4162 4759 4132
13053
Rudolph E. Mottola 1281 872 1462
3615
Blanks 224 261 231
716
Councillor-6th Dist.
Joseph Ray Crimmins 4335 4860 4197 5830 5125 3567 4431 32345
Lawrence W. Lloyd 1085 744 1378 1959 1426 2192 2095 10879
Blanks 247 288
250
381 240
240
285
1931
Senator-2nd. Mid. Dist.
3195 4059
7254
Francis X. McCann James N. Gabriel Blanks
2574 2473
5047
230 279 509
Senator-3rd Mid. Dist.
James J. Corbett
4157 4628 3959 5561 4809
23114
Gordon E. Hughes
1289 1004 1640 2242 1719
7894
Blanks
221
260 226 367 263
1337
Representative 1st Dist.
Thomas F. Coady, Jr. 4737
4737
John J. Toomey
4078
4078
Blanks
2969
2969
Representative - 24th Dist.
G. Edward Bradley
3680
3809 4927 4391
16807
Harold A. Palmer
3404
3343 4996 4150
15893
Michael J. Simonelli 3768
3448 5032 4408
16656
John Cambria
1027
1410 2041 1535
6013
Ralph J. DiPinto
1151
1292 1828 1363
5634
Arthur Vitt Vittagliano 1045
1310 1647 1408
5410
Blanks
2926
2863 4039 3118
12946
5468 4741 3376 4148 17733 2423 1833 2444 2444
9144
298
ANNUAL REPORTS
1
2 3
4
5
6
7 Totals
Wards Representative - 25th Dist.
James R. Doncaster
3368 4360
7728
Joseph F. McEvoy, Jr.
3419 4420
7839
Leslie E. Knox
1896 1646
3542
David Y. Ross
1813
1503 3316
Joseph F. O'Brien
332
395 727
Blanks
1170 1298
2468
County Commissioners
William G. Andrew
1442 1348 1751 2428 1969 2610 2627 14175
H. Herbert Applin
1072
768 1381 1928 1488 2200 2112 10949
Edward L. Buckley
4170 4501 3995 5625 4809 3383 4183 30666
Patrick Joseph
McGlinchey
2931 2978 2801 3846 3381 2342 2953 21232
Blanks
1719 2189
1722 2513 1935 1463 1747 13288
Sheriff
Howard W. Fitzpatrick 4127 4540 3928 5481 4742 3380 4158 30356
John Frederick Cahill Blanks
1238
929 1578 2216 1666 2348 2295 12270
302
423
319
473
383
271
358
2529
District Attorney
Ephraim Martin
1401 1147 1742 2446 1879 2517 2461 13593 3976 4369 3786 5311 4593 3213 4041 29289
James L. O'Dea, Jr. Blanks
290
376
297
413
319
269
309
2273
Wards
1
2
3 4
5
6
7 Totals
Question No. 1
A.
NO
1063
932
1431 1719 1519 1844 1824 10332
Blanks
893 1132
1026 1495 1148 941 1016
7651
YES
3616 3730
3269 4898 4060 3171 3917 26661
B
NO
926
805
1338 1515 1385 1697 1639
9305
Blanks
1125
1357
1218 1757 1346 1131 1255
9189
C.
NO
714
645
941
1073
974 1181 1077
6605
Blanks
1030 1260 1067 1616 1218
974 1094
8259
NOMINATION PAPERS
The Board of Election Commissioners received four hun- dred ten (410) papers on which fifteen thousand, one hundred sixty-one (15,161) names were certified.
JURORS
In accordance with Chapter 234 of the General Laws, as amended by Chapter 211 of the Acts of 1924, The Election Commissioners prepared a list of the inhabitants of Somerville, liable to serve as jurors.
YES
3711 3828 3368 4956 4124 3214 3971 27172
-
YES
3923 3987 3817 5481 4599 3844 4640 30291
299
BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS
The Board had established a system, whereby each person, provisionally selected for jury service, fills out a questionnaire, and appears before the Board at the office and makes oath to the statements contained therein. This gives the Board an opportunity to meet each individual and note, if any, his phys- ical defects or disability to render the county the service that would be required from him as a juror. These personal ex- aminations, also, enable the Board to know the educational qualifications of each prospective juror.
The Jury List for the year 1956, prepared by the Board, contains the names of One thousand, Eighty-six (1,086) pros- pective jurors.
EXPENSES
The Expenses for the Election Department for the year end- ing December 31, 1956, were as follows :-
Board of Election Commissioners $39,035.05
Pay of Election Officers 13,818.00
Total Expensese $52,835.05
The Board has had the co-operation of His Honor, the Mayor and the Honorable members of the Board of Aldermen and all City Officials, for which it is deeply grateful.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. McDONNELL, Chairman THOMAS W. ORPEN DENNIS L. DONOVAN CHARLES S. JOHNSTON
Board of Election Commissioners of Somerville
300
ANNUAL REPORTS
To the Honorable the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville
Gentlemen:
The Listing Board of the City of Somerville respectfully submits the following report for the year 1956.
Listing of males, twenty years of age and upwards, for poll taxes, and listing of females, twenty years of age and upwards.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. McDONNELL, Chairman THOMAS W. ORPEN DENNIS L. DONOVAN CHARLES S. JOHNSON AUGUSTINE F. SHARRY
Listing Board of the City of Somerville
BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS
301
Ward
Prec.
Males
Females
Total
Males
Females
Total
]
1
954
938
1892
1
2
736
821
1557
1
3
747
780
1527
]
4
851
934
1785
1
5
833
923
1756
4121
4396
8517
2
1
549
542
1091
2
2
681
768
1449
2
3
557
626
1183
2
4
878
951
1829
2
5
793
930
1723
2
6
737
822
1559
4195
4639
8834
3
1
791
915
1706
3
2
713
877
1590
3
3
829
965
1794
3
4
709
882
1591
3
5
603
807
1410
3645
4446
8091
4
1
940
1056
1996
4
2
650
711
1361
4
3
860
1096
1956
4
4
856
994
1850
4
5
903
1021
1924
4
6
982
1135
2117
5191
6013
11204
5
1
677
727
1404
5
2
755
794
1549
5
3
747
838
1585
5
4
746
857
1603
5
5
736
817
1553
5
6
789
878
1667
4450
4911
9361
6
1
757
883
1640
6
2
862
988
1850
6
3
675
852
1527
6
4
655
839
1494
6
5
698
896
1594
3647
4458
8105
7
1
849
974
1823
7
2
821
940
1761
7
3
801
921
1722
7
4
995
1087
2082
7
5
806
921
1727
4272
4843
9115
302
ANNUAL REPORTS
THE RECREATION COMMISSION 1956
THE REVEREND NAZARENO PROPERZI, Chairman
Term Expires
MEMBERS
January
Mrs. Marion M. Cabral
1958
James L. Colbert
1957
William J. Crotty
1957
Edmund Hadley
1958
William J. Koen
1958
Edward M. McCarty
1957
Mrs. Angela B. Mercurio
1958
Harold D. Taylor
1958
Francis E. Wiley
1957
Secretary to the Commission: CHARLES C KELLEY
303
RECREATION COMMISSION
December 31, 1956
To the Honorable The Mayor And The Board of Aldermen:
Gentlemen:
It must be evident to even the most uninterested of citizens that Municipal Recreation has grown and expanded not only in the last quarter century but especially in the past ten years in those communities where a year-round program is in oper- ation. This growth and expansion is generally the result of the various branches of the municipal government co-operating with the Public Recreation agency charged with the responsi- bility for planning, organizing, and conducting a year-round Recreation program for people of all ages; or else it is brought about by the citizens themselves requesting it.
Despite the concrete and tangible evidence of improvement and expansion via programs, participation, and facilities, and the recognition given these improvements by many of the citizens, Recreation will never take its proper place in the community until such time as the responsible people of the community think of it in terms of VALUES, rather than in terms of activities, programs, leagues, participation, "keeping the kids busy" or "keeping them off the street," etc .- values that not only shape the physical, mental, and moral life of the participant, but which will also have an effect upon those to whom the boy or girl is exposed, now and in the future- values that affect the welfare of the community and make it a better place in which to live. It is unfortunate that these values are for the most part intangible, and that the average citizen is unaware of their extent.
There is a growing tendency today in many circles to over- emphasize such achievements as "winning the game," instead of recognizing the values to the individual which result from such competition. And this over-emphasis not only defeats one of the primary purposes of competitive sport but also has a harmful effect upon the individual himself. It should not be construed from these statements that there is any objection to trying to "win the game," but only to an OVER- emphasis on the winning. This lack of recognition of the true values of community recreation impedes the successful operation of an agency such as this Recreation Commission, which in its attempt to continuously expand and improve in the best interests of the community finds itself handicapped, and in some instances its objectives misunderstood. And this
304
ANNUAL REPORTS
misunderstanding will continue to exist until the people of Somerville come to think of public recreation not only in terms of values but also its importance to the community; that it consists of not just a Summer Playgrounds program, athletic leagues, or programs for children only; that it has a very large place in the life of the community; that its problems are the people's problems; and that money invested in its behalf will pay dividends and not only insure their children a better future but the City a better citizen.
ACTIVITIES PROGRAM
The year 1956 found further expansions in the Commis- sion's program. As to the Summer program, a more extensive summary follows this brief recapitulation of the September- to-June program. In March the Superintendent, on behalf of the Commission, conducted a City-wide survey to determine the extent of recreation programs being conducted by the vari- ous churches and schools, and by public, semi-public, and private agencies and organizations throughout the City; the age groups served; facilities used; and leadership provided. An attempt was made to keep the survey as simple as possible. Much more information than the form provided was desired, but the Superintendent felt that a too-involved form would result in complications and limit the response. As it was, the response was very good, and the reports indicated that there is a good variety of activities being conducted by many groups throughout the City. However, there is much room for im- provement, and the survey could very well result in many organizations becoming conscious of their omissions in the matter of the promotion and encouragement of leisure-time pursuits.
Three new schools were completed in 1956, and already the Commission is making extensive use of the All Purpose Room in the Healey School. Inasmuch as the Recreation Commission played an important part in the establishment of the All Purpose Room, the response is especially gratifying. However, the Commission realizes that without the co-opera- tion of the City fathers and the school authorities, the inclusion of this very desirable room would not have been possible. An illustration as to the extent of the program recently in operation in the All Purpose Room should portray the potentials embraced in the phrase "adequate facilities." On Monday and Wednes- day evenings there is in operation a "Fisical Fitness" pro- gram for boys between the ages of 12 and 16 years; on Saturday afternoons a Basketball League for boys of the same age group is conducted; and on Tuesday and Thursday evenings
305
RECREATION COMMISSION
there is a Gymnasium Program for girls of ages 14 to 18 years. The response to all of these activities in a neighborhood where the need is extensive has even exceeded the hopes of the Commission. Each of these activities indicated an increase in attendance as the season progressed, and there was even alarm that the attendance in some instances was beyond capacity. Certainly good could not help but result from such programs, where the assigned leadership is typical of the high quality engaged by the Commission in the promotion of its programs, and where the previously mentioned "values" are bound to be absorbed in some degree by the participants.
IT'S EASY WHEN YOU KNOW HOW
Forming a human pyramid like this is easy as tumbling into a feather bed for the young lads who form the core of the Recreation Commission's "Fisical Fitness" Program. Other activities of the program include tumbling, elementary drill, group games, calisthenics, and light weight-lifting. Drudgery? Not for these tykes. They're searching for the "sound mind in a sound body," and having a barrel of fun in their quest.
While on the subject of teen-age programs, an enumeration of some of the September-to-June activities seems appropriate here to indicate the extent of the Commission's efforts on behalf of this age group :---
A Junior Municipal Basketball League, with games
306
ANNUAL REPORTS
every Monday evening at the Southern Jr. High School Gymnasium, from December to April.
A Municipal Basketball League, with games every Monday and Thursday evening (and some Tuesday eve- nings) at the High School Gymnasium, from December to April.
Two outdoor Twilight Basketball Leagues, with games four nights a week at Trum Field and Shaw Playground, from May to July.
Four Boys' Basketball Leagues on Saturday after- noons, at the High School, Western, Vocational, and Healey School Gymnasiums, from December to April.
A Gymnasium Program for Men and Teen-Age Boys on Wednesday evenings at the High School Gym- nasium, from October through March.
A Gymnasium Program For Women and Teen-Age Girls on Thursday evenings at the Western Jr. High School Gymnasium, from October through March.
A Gymnasium Program For Teen-Age Girls on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Healey School All Purpose Room, from October through March.
Four "Fisical Fitness" Clubs for Boys, afternoons and evenings, at the Healey, Southern, Vocational, and Western Jr. High School Gymnasium, from November through March.
Afternoon Supervised Athletics (Basketball, base- ball, volley ball, track, touch football, etc.) for teen-age boys at the various athletic units on several afternoons a week, in the Spring and Fall seasons.
Model Aircraft Clubs For Boys, with sessions on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons, at the Hodgkins, Latta Memorial Pool Building, and Southern Jr. High School building, from September to June.
A Teen-Craft Club for Girls, with sessions each
307
RECREATION COMMISSION
Saturday morning or afternoon in the Recreation Com- mission's "Workshop," from September to June.
A Junior Recreation Chorus, with sessions one aft- ernoon each week in the High School, from October through May.
Boys' and Girls' Clubs activities (including basket- ball, volley ball, baseball, chess, etc.) at various times during the week, from September to June.
-
"AND THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT"
Leaders Josephine Fierro, left, and June DeCourcey, right, explain a point or two to three interested members of the Adult Arts and Crafts Club during the weekly ceramic sessions at the Bow St. Workshop. Close to one hundred craft enthusiasts gather regularly to mold cookie jars, Nativity figures, ashtrays, statues and the like from clay under the personal supervision of the Recreation Commission's trained personnel.
Impressive as this list may be, there is further need for expansion in programs for this age group. ACTION is the factor to be taken into consideration when dealing with these boys and girls, and provision for some type of program should be the concern of all who are entrusted with the responsibility of these teen-agers.
Deserving of particular attention in this report is the Commission's Arts And Crafts program. In addition to the
308
ANNUAL REPORTS
Arts And Crafts Clubs for boys and girls under thirteen years of age, a new program for teen-age girls was established early in 1956, and has proved to be very successful. The Adult Arts And Crafts program continues to expand; and is now being conducted three evenings each week, with major emphasis on ceramics. The response, interest, and enthusiasm engen- dered here is beyond imagination. The success of this activity alone is ample justification for the work done in repairing the building known as the "Workshop," in the rear of the build- ing which houses the offices of the Recreation Commission. The Workshop is now in use every day and evening of the week, and gives further evidence of what can be done with adequate facilities and qualified leadership.
The fire in the High School in June caused the loss of facilities for the Commission's choral activities both for adults and teen-agers, and the resultant change in the High School schedule was responsible for the complete discontinuance of this activity during the Fall season, and more than likely for the duration of the school year.
Athletic leagues continue to grow, and 1956 found a further expansion in the Commission's outdoor Twilight Basketball and Softball Leagues. The Municipal Basketball League (indoors) includes many former high school and college stars, and the calibre of play and competition are the best. However, extension of this program is restricted because of facilities and personnel.
Another activity of an athletic nature operating year after year with great success and a minimum of fanfare, is the Commission's Bowling Leagues For Men. Sixteen teams par- ticipate in two Leagues, eight each on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Averages are high, and a better community spirit results from this activity. Some of the men have been bowling in these Leagues for years, and they are among the Commis- sion's best rooters.
For the sixth consecutive year the Baseball Clinic for Boys, known officially as the "James P. Curtin Baseball Clinic," was conducted in June by the Commission with the co-operation of the Ford Motor Company. The late closing of the public schools and the early opening of the Summer Playgrounds season caused an overlapping of these two programs. How- ever, this did not affect the success of the Clinic as there were more entrants than ever before, and participants in the All- Star Game on June 27 reached a new high of 160. The Clinic
309
RECREATION COMMISSION
was again under the supervision of Mr. Thomas R. Palombo, teacher and coach of all sports at the Southern Jr. High School, and he was assisted by three capable members of the Com- mission's leadership corps who themselves have established reputations in baseball.
In a reciprocal arrangement with the Ford Motor Company the Recreation Commission again conducted a Play Program for the children of employees of the Ford Company at their Annual Outing in June. This year's outing was held prior to the opening of the Summer Playgrounds season, on June 25 and 26, which seemed to be a better time for the Commission than in previous years, when the planning, preparation, and conduct of the outings always occurred at the busiest time of the Summer season, resulting in additional demands on the personnel involved.
HALLOWE'EN PROCEDURE
It has become more and more obvious during the past several years that the policy initiated by the Superintendent six years ago, with respect to the observance of Halloween in Somerville, is the best procedure to be followed, in view of the results. This procedure includes (1) that the Superin- tendent of Schools issue a message to all schools on the true meaning of Halloween, to be followed up with talks by each teacher on the conduct of the boys and girls; (2) that the Superintendent of Recreation contact all churches and paro- chial schools in Somerville, by means of a form letter, to urge their co-operation; and (3) that parents be encouraged, both by the schools and the churches, to conduct home and neighborhood parties for the children.
City Officials, including His Honor The Mayor, the Chief of Police, and the Chief of the Fire Department, and church and school authorities, all heartily endorse this policy and pro- cedure on the basis of its past success, and all recommend its continuance. As a result of such community-wide co-oper- ation during the past six years, the observance of Halloween by Somerville boys and girls has been more in keeping with the intent of this day.
SUMMER PLAYGROUNDS
During the opening week of the 1956 Summer Playgrounds season, when the major part of the July 5 and July 6 sessions had to be cancelled because of rain, it appeared that the bene- fits of the opening days might be lost. However, not only
310
ANNUAL REPORTS
were the cancelled sessions used to advantage with staff meetings, demonstration of Special Activities, and Handcraft instruction, but, with the exception of one day during the closing week of the season, this was the extent of the inclement weather; and the remainder of July and August saw ideal playground weather. There was not one single postponement of a "Mother's Day," local Athletic Meet, any of the contests during "Bicycle Safety Week," or any of the major demon- strations throughout the season. The ideal weather was a welcome relief from the excessively hot weather of the 1955 season, and this was evident in the enthusiasm of the thousands of participants.
The spirit of the Play Leaders themselves was high through- out the season, and disciplinary problems were few-a record in itself when one considers the potentials-a staff of 72 Leaders, the majority of whom are between the ages of 18 and 22; the total participation mentioned above; and an attempt on the part of everybody to operate smoothly a well-rounded, highly organized, continuous program. The sustained Summer program of the Recreation Commission is in itself a subject that could be developed extensively. Suffice to state there is not one single breathing period between the morning of the opening day and the closing afternoon of the Summer Play- grounds season. And only ideal weather makes such a program possible. There are those who might think the program too highly organized and too sustained. But when one considers the benefits obtained as a result of this procedure, is there any alternative? This report will not attempt to go into a development of the program except to mention the annual highlights-the two major demonstrations. And this only be- cause each involved features not previously experienced.
The 35th Annual Inter-Playground Athletic Meet on August 7 included a brief ceremony in public recognition of Phil Reavis, former playground athlete and Somerville's en- trant in the 1956 Olympic Games. Presentations to Reavis were made on behalf of the City by His Honor The Mayor, by the Superintendent on behalf of the Recreation Commission, and by the James A. Logan Post and the Somerville Lodge of Elks. Phil started his high jumping career at Shaw Playground, and in 1952 established a new Class A record of 5 feet, 8 inches. The Athletic Meet this year surpassed all others with a record number of 211 boy participants, and was conducted with its customary smoothness, to the credit of all responsible.
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