Two challengers look to unseat two-term mayor
In his bid for reelection Tuesday, Joseph A. Curtatone, the two-term mayor of Somerville, faces off against librarian Suzanne Bremer and a construction company owner, Richard J. Scirocco, who acknowledges he is under a restraining order filed by a former girlfriend.
The challenge by two political newcomers has not been a quiet one. Last month, a supporter of Scirocco was accused of threatening Curtatone, and the mayor was assigned protection by the city's Police Department.
Scirocco's close friend, Lenny DiCicco, said in an interview he told a Curtatone supporter that he should join Scirocco's campaign because "he's going to bury Joe." Scirocco said the comment by DiCicco - godfather of Curtatone's brother and a close friend of the mayor's late father - was "twisted" by Curtatone supporters into a threat.
Scirocco, 41, called Curtatone's decision to have police protection "totally ridiculous, " and said it was "just another way to create a negative impact on my campaign against Joe."
Curtatone, also 41, declined to comment on the incident or Scirocco, and his administration refused to provide details about the security detail, which cost the city $1,034. Neither the mayor nor police would say how long the detail lasted.Bremer, a 49-year-old Union Square resident, said news about the alleged threat was a distraction to the campaign.
"It sounds like this is playground bullying," she said. "It doesn't serve the people and it doesn't move the issues along."
Bremer, a career librarian who is coordinating a project for a Tufts University research institute, said that as mayor she would work to provide affordable housing, draft a transportation plan for the city, and create more open space. She would also listen to residents' visions for the city.
"I want to include them in the plans for Somerville," she said. "What we need to do is come together as a community to decide what's important."
Curtatone, a Prospect Hill resident, said he is running on his record of performance as mayor.
A former alderman who was elected mayor in 2003, Curtatone said he has worked to balance the budget, improve city services, develop Assembly Square, invest in schools, fight crime, and clean up the city.
His work, he said, has brought Somerville recognition as "a model city" in its control of the budget, management of department heads, and delivery of services.
"Somerville's not only back on track, we're moving," he said.
Scirocco, who lives in Winter Hill, said he decided to run against Curtatone because "people are being bullied by the current administration." He said residents are afraid to stand up to Curtatone.
"I feel he's lost his way in many respects and focused on issues that don't impact the entire city," said Scirocco, a lifelong Somerville resident who takes pride in his involvement in city youth programs, including Little League.
He said he wants to put a stop to the high property taxes and excessive water and sewer charges that are forcing people to leave the city.
Scirocco acknowledged his skirmishes with the justice system. He said in an interview he's had four restraining orders filed against him by former girlfriends, including an order in Malden that is still in effect. Scirocco, who has represented himself in court, said the Malden restraining order was "created by a falsehood of lies."
In 2004, Scirocco, a four-time president of Somerville Little League, was charged with serving alcohol to minors. The charges were later dropped.
Charges filed against him in Somerville District Court for assault and battery in 2000 were also dismissed.
He said he was willing to subject his record to scrutiny in what is his second run for public office - he ran for alderman in 1995 - because he can admit he made mistakes.
He said voters should feel comfortable supporting him because he's grown from those mistakes.
"I don't claim to be perfect."
All 21 polling locations will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the preliminary election. Residents of Ward 6 will also choose between three candidates for ward alderman.
Alderwoman Rebekah Gewirtz is being challenged by Bob Adams, a real estate agent and first-time candidate, and a former alderman, Charles Chisholm.
In both races, the top two vote-getters advance to the Nov. 6 final election. 