星期三, 9月 30, 2015

TEAMSTERS INDICTED FOR ATTEMPTED EXTORTION OF REALITY TELEVISION PRODUCTION COMPANY

TEAMSTERS INDICTED FOR ATTEMPTED
EXTORTION OF REALITY TELEVISION PRODUCTION COMPANY
 
BOSTON – Five members of Teamsters Local 25 were arrested today in connection with attempting to extort a television production company that was filming a reality show in the Boston area in spring 2014. 
 
“The indictment alleges that a group of rogue Teamsters employed old school thug tactics to get no-work jobs from an out of town production company,” said United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz. “In the course of this alleged conspiracy, they managed to chase a legitimate business out of the City of Boston and then harassed the cast and crew when they set up shop in Milton.  This kind of conduct reflects poorly on our city and must be addressed for what it is – not union organizing, but criminal extortion.”
 
“While unions have the right to advocate on behalf of their members, they do not have the right to use violence and intimidation,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division.  “The strong-arm tactics the FBI has seen in this case are egregious and our investigation is far from over. Today’s arrests should send a message to those who think they can get away with manipulating the system that they better think twice.”
 
Mark Harrington, 61, of Andover; John Fidler, 51, of Holbrook; Daniel Redmond, 47, of Medford; Robert Cafarelli, 45, of Middleton; and Richard Jeffrey, 55, of Woburn, were indicted on conspiracy to extort and attempted extortion of a television production company in order to obtain no-work jobs for fellow Teamsters. 
 
According to the indictment, beginning in spring 2014, a non-union production company began filming a reality television show in and around Boston. The company hired its own employees, including drivers, for the filming of the show and did not need work performed by union members.  Beginning on June 5, 2014, the defendants conspired to force the production company to pay Local 25 members for unnecessary work by threatening physical and economic harm to the company. 
 
Among other things, the indictment alleges that on June 10, 2014, the defendants showed up at a restaurant in Milton where the production company was filming.  The defendants entered the production area and began walking in lockstep toward the doors of the restaurant where they accosted film crew members and attempted to forcibly enter the restaurant.  Throughout the morning, the defendants yelled racial and homophobic slurs at the film crew and others, threatened crew and cast members, and shouted profanities.  The defendants also blocked vehicles from the entryway to the set, and used physical violence and threats of physical violence to try and prevent people from entering the set. 
 
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 
 
U.S. Attorney Ortiz; FBI Acting SAC Bonavolonta; Cheryl Garcia, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigation, New York Region; and Milton Police Chief Richard G. Wells, Jr., made the announcement today.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura J. Kaplan and Kristina E. Barclay of Ortiz’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit and Public Corruption Unit, respectively. 
 
The details contained in the indictment are allegations.  The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 
 

Representative Ultrino Joins Economic Empowerment Trust Fund Board

Representative Ultrino Joins Economic Empowerment Trust Fund Board
Board promotes wage equality, financial literacy, and smart spending programs

BOSTON –State Representative Steve Ultrino (D-Malden) was sworn in last week as an inaugural member of the Commonwealth’s Economic Empowerment Trust Fund Board, which is responsible for supporting and promoting wage equality, establishing financial literacy programs, creating college savings accounts, and establishing college and career readiness programs in the fields of STEM.

“The Commonwealth’s Economic Empowerment Trust Fund Board informs and educates Massachusetts residents about issues that help keep families economically stable and provide avenues for growth,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “In his short tenure in the House, Representative Ultrino has proven himself to be a hardworking and passionate public servant. I look forward to seeing the good work he’ll do on the board.”
“Wage equality and financial literacy are vital issues for working-class families living paycheck to paycheck, for veterans looking to settle down after time overseas, and for students preparing to make big financial decisions that could last a lifetime,” said Representative Ultrino. “I am excited to join my fellow board members in this new endeavor.”
Representative Ultrino’s extensive career in education includes serving as a teacher at Malden Catholic High School and as Education Director for the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department, where he supported financial literacy efforts.

The Economic Empowerment Trust Fund was created earlier this year when the Legislature merged the Financial Literacy Trust Fund and the Commonwealth Covenant Fund. The new Trust Fund has an expanded mission to help empower residents across the state.

Other members of the Financial Literacy Trust Fund Board include the Attorney General, the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, and appointees of the Treasurer’s office. The Board is chaired by Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, and held its first meeting on September 21, 2015.

2016 BOSTON MARATHON QUALIFIER ACCEPTANCES

2016 BOSTON MARATHON QUALIFIER ACCEPTANCES

Notification to applicants on Wednesday, September 30

BOSTON – The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) today continued its notification to applicants of their acceptance into the 2016 Boston Marathon®. In preparation for the 2016 Boston Marathon, the B.A.A. implemented the same registration process for qualified runners as it used in the 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 Marathons, allowing the fastest qualifiers to register first. The 120th Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 18, 2016 and will mark the 31st consecutive year that the event will have John Hancock Financial as its principal sponsor.

In cooperation with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the eight cities and towns along the Boston Marathon route, the B.A.A. has set the field size for the 2016 Boston Marathon at 30,000 official entrants. More than 80% of the field will be comprised of athletes who have met the qualifying standards. The balance will consist of invitational entrants, many of whom run for local charitable organizations. Since 1989, between the B.A.A.’s Official Charity Program and principal sponsor John Hancock Financial’s Non-Profit Bib Program for the Boston Marathon, more than $234 million has been raised for charity. 

Registration for runners who met the B.A.A.’s Qualifying Standards for the 2016 Boston Marathon began on Monday, September 14 at 10:00 a.m. ET using a “rolling admission” schedule and continued through Saturday, September 19 at 10:00 p.m. ET. Registration re-opened on Monday, September 21 at 10:00 a.m. and application submissions were received through Wednesday, September 23 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Qualifiers who were two minutes, 28 seconds (2:28) or faster than the Qualifying time for their age group and gender were accepted into the 2016 Boston Marathon.

·         28,594 applications were received during the registration period for qualifiers.
·         24,032 Qualified applicants have been accepted to date or are in the process of being accepted, pending verification of their qualifying performance.
·         4,562 applicants were unable to be accepted due to the large number of eligible qualifiers who submitted an application for entry combined with field size limitations.
·         Details of the B.A.A.’s registration process for Qualifiers can be found on the following web page:http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/participant-information/athlete-registration.aspx

During the registration period, the breakdown of accepted Qualifiers was as follows:

·         4,744 Qualifiers met their qualifying time by 20 minutes, 00 seconds or faster.
·         7,495 Qualifiers met their qualifying time by 10 minutes, 00 seconds or faster.
·         6,849 Qualifiers met their qualifying time by 05 minutes, 00 seconds or faster.
·         4,540 Qualifiers met their qualifying time by 02 minutes, 28 seconds or faster.
·         404 Qualifiers were accepted based on finishing 10 or more consecutive Boston Marathons.

During the second week of registration, 5,252 Qualifiers were accepted.

Those who submitted a verified qualifying performance that was 2 minutes, 28 seconds or faster than the qualifying standard for their age and gender have been accepted into the race. Qualifying performances for the 2016 Boston Marathon must have been run between September 13, 2014 and September 19, 2015.  Notices via e-mail to those accepted will be issued by the B.A.A. beginning today.

Of the registered athletes, 404 Qualifiers who have an active streak of ten or more consecutive Boston Marathons completed entered during a pre-registration period in August and have been accepted. In the coming months, qualified elite athletes and athletes with disabilities will be added to the field.

For reference, Qualifiers needed to be one minute, 02 seconds or faster for their age group and gender for the 2015 Boston Marathon, and one minute, 38 seconds or faster for their age group and gender for the 2014 Boston Marathon. 

The names of those runners who have been accepted will be posted on the “Entrants” page of the B.A.A.’s web site: http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/participant-information/entrants.aspx

“For so many runners, qualifying and participating in the Boston Marathon is the highlight of their running careers," said Tom Grilk, B.A.A. Executive Director. “It is extraordinarily difficult to inform those who have qualified that the field size is limited and there is not enough space for everyone. We have worked hard to ensure a fair and balanced registration process that gives qualified runners the best opportunity to participate in the Boston Marathon. In order to ensure the greatest race experience for runners, spectators, and everyone in the community, we work with many constituencies to determine the most optimal field size.”

Notices to those who submitted an application for entry but who were not accepted were also issued today.

2016 BOSTON MARATHON: Men’s Qualifying Standards and Accepted Times*

AGE GROUP       QUALIFYING STANDARD                               QUALIFICATION TIMES ACCEPTED (faster than and including)
18-34                     3hrs 05min 00sec                              3hrs 02min 32sec
35-39                     3hrs 10min 00sec                              3hrs 07min 32sec
40-44                     3hrs 15min 00sec                              3hrs 12min 32sec
45-49                     3hrs 25min 00sec                              3hrs 22min 32sec
50-54                     3hrs 30min 00sec                              3hrs 27min 32sec
55-59                     3hrs 40min 00sec                              3hrs 37min 32sec
60-64                     3hrs 55min 00sec                              3hrs 52min 32sec
65-69                     4hrs 10min 00sec                              4hrs 07min 32sec
70-74                     4hrs 25min 00sec                              4hrs 22min 32sec
75-79                     4hrs 40min 00sec                              4hrs 37min 32sec
80 and older       4hrs 55min 00sec                              4hrs 52min 32sec

2015 BOSTON MARATHON: Women’s Qualifying Standards and Accepted Times*

AGE GROUP       QUALIFYING STANDARD                               QUALIFICATION TIMES ACCEPTED (faster than and including)
18-34                     3hrs 35min 00sec                              3hrs 32min 32sec
35-39                     3hrs 40min 00sec                              3hrs 37min 32sec
40-44                     3hrs 45min 00sec                              3hrs 42min 32sec
45-49                     3hrs 55min 00sec                              3hrs 52min 32sec
50-54                     4hrs 00min 00sec                              3hrs 57min 32sec
55-59                     4hrs 10min 00sec                              4hrs 07min 32sec
60-64                     4hrs 25min 00sec                              4hrs 22min 32sec
65-69                     4hrs 40min 00sec                              4hrs 37min 32sec
70-74                     4hrs 55min 00sec                              4hrs 52min 32sec
75-79                     5hrs 10min 00sec                              5hrs 07min 32sec
80 and older       5hrs 25min 00sec                              5hrs 22min 32sec

* Potential, qualified entrants for the 2016 Boston Marathon must have met the designated time standard that corresponds with their age group and gender in a certified marathon on or after September 13, 2014 and prior to having submitted an entry application. Proof of qualification must accompany each athlete's application, and participants are required to be 18 years or older on race day.

Qualifying performances achieved on or after Saturday, September 19, 2015 will be valid for 2017 Boston Marathon registration submissions. The registration dates for that year’s race have not yet been established.


ATHLETES WITH DISABILITIES - QUALIFYING TIMES & REGISTRATION DATES

Registration for Athletes with Disabilities will occur on a "rolling admission" schedule, beginning with the fastest qualifiers on Monday, October 5 at 10:00 a.m. ET. For more information, please visit:http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/participant-information/qualifying/athletes-with-disabilities.aspx


MAYOR WALSH AND JACKSON SQUARE PARTNERS CELEBRATE REVITALIZATION OF JACKSON SQUARE

MAYOR WALSH AND JACKSON SQUARE PARTNERS CELEBRATE REVITALIZATION OF JACKSON SQUARE
Major Improvements at Jackson Commons Are Part of Jackson Square Redevelopment Master Plan
 BOSTON - Wednesday, September 30, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined Jackson Square Partners, a collaboration led by Urban Edge and the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC), to announce three significant milestones achieved in the Jackson Square Redevelopment Master Plan. These milestones mark the final phases of development that will add 37 affordable units to the city's housing market, the start of construction on a separate residential development that will create 39 new affordable units for families, and the beginning of a land remediation process for a nearby recreation center, with the help of a $200 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

"I am proud that the City of Boston has invested funding into the redevelopment of these once vacant and underutilized public and private parcels," said Mayor Walsh. "I want to thank the EPA for this grant to help us move forward with the process of restoring the land to a useful state, and our partners for working with us to create transit-oriented housing that will knit the Roxbury and Jamaica Plain Neighborhood together."

The three milestones include:
  1. Completion of Jackson Commons: This project cost more than $21 million and is comprised of a 37 unit, mixed-use and mixed income housing development near the Jackson Square MBTA stop. The development is more than 10,000 square feet of ground floor retail, as well as 2,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. The redevelopment consisted of the adaptive re-use and renovation of the 100 year old, three story, 23,600 square foot Webb Building. The residential unit mix includes 25 two-bedrooms, 7 one bedrooms and 5 three-bedrooms.  Eight units are reserved for homeless/formerly homeless residents earning no more than 30 percent of AMI.  The remaining 29 units are affordable to residents with income limits of 60 percent AMI to 110 percent AMI.
     
  2. Groundbreaking of 75 Amory Ave. Development: The third phase will break ground on a $16 million development that will create 39 units of affordable housing for families. The site is being developed by the JPNDC.
     
  3. $200,000 in Funding for Land Remediation: The U.S. EPA awarded the City of Boston $200,000 in brownfields grant for the remediation of the former industrial sites next to Jackson Commons at 1542 Columbus Avenue in Roxbury. This land will be transformed into a recreation center for the neighborhood.

When complete, the $250 million Jackson Square Redevelopment Master Plan will include more than 400 units of housing, 60,000 square feet of ground floor retail,  two major community facilities,10,000 square feet of office space,  and will have generated an estimated 276 construction jobs. Among other funding sources, Urban Edge has received more than $4 million in funding assistance from the City of Boston and more than $2 million from the State's Department of Housing and Community Development.

"The success of Mayor Walsh's housing plan depends on building great housing that is affordable to a variety of income levels and siting it near really good transit," said Sheila A. Dillon, Boston's Chief of Housing.  "We are lucky to have such strong partners at the neighborhood, state, and federal level to help us accomplish these goals.  Jackson Square is such an important neighborhood to the City, with its great access to transit, new housing, and an active, vibrant community."

In accordance with the City of Boston's Green Affordable Housing Program, Jackson Commons boasts high efficiency heating and cooling systems fixtures as well as Energy Star rated appliances.

The Jackson Square Redevelopment Initiative is a master plan designed to transform 11 acres of vacant lots into a vibrant, mixed-use, environmentally sustainable, transit-oriented community. To learn more, please visit here.

Baker-Polito Administration Receives $1.9 Million Federal Grant to Help Dislocated Workers in Merrimack Valley


Baker-Polito Administration Receives $1.9 Million Federal Grant to Help Dislocated Workers in Merrimack Valley

BOSTON, MA, SEPTEMBER 30, 2015…The Baker-Polito Administration announced today that the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development was awarded up to $1.96 million from the federal government to boost reemployment services for residents impacted by layoffs.

The National Dislocated Worker Grant given by the U.S. Department of Labor will help approximately 150 people affected by layoffs at three companies in the Merrimack Valley.

“Retraining individuals to find new employment is enormously important work, and this grant will help our career centers do what needs to be done to get people back in the workforce,” Governor Charlie Baker said. 

The National Dislocated Worker Grant was approved for up to $1,968,992, with $808,693 to be released initially. The grant money provides assessment, career counseling, job development and placement services.

National Dislocated Worker Grants, formerly known as National Emergency Grants, temporarily expand the ability of state and local workforce investment boards to increase training for laid-off workers in response to unexpected economic events which cause significant job losses.

“Businesses tell us all the time they have jobs to fill, but cannot find the right people. These grants will ensure residents who lost their jobs can get the training and skills to they need to fill those open positions,” Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald Walker, II said.

昆士市市長及不分區市議員候選人論壇 10/7

論壇地點在北昆士高中禮堂

應昌期圍棋賽半決賽首度在波士頓舉行 連笑、邱峻晉級

(本報記者菊子劍橋是綜合報導) 應昌期圍棋基金會舉辦的“倡棋杯”中國職業圍棋錦標賽,今年首次來到波士頓舉行半決賽,四名選手在哈佛大學激戰兩日後,由連笑,邱峻打入決賽,將於11月2日到廣州對陣。
            應昌期圍棋基金會主席應明皓在9月26日舉行的開幕式中並宣佈,將和世界大學生圍期聯合會合作,今後每年到世界不同地點舉辦“倡棋杯”半決賽。明年先去加拿大,接下來,由於泰國圍棋協會蔡姓會長很積極,允諾分攤費用,很可能先去泰國,接下來再到歐洲。
為慶祝“棋杯”首次來到美國舉行半決賽,應昌期圍棋教育基金會特地邀請了世界大學生圍棋聯合會組織者,美國圍棋協會主席Andy Okun,世界圍棋冠軍九段的常昊,世界冠軍、中國圍棋隊總教練,九段的斌,中國圍棋協會副主席劉思明,以及中國圍棋協會副主席華以剛(八段),中國棋院圍棋部部長王誼,中國棋隊教練邵煒剛等人出席。
上海應昌期基金會的秘書長倪耀良,辦公室主任呂文珍,1983年中國大學生圍棋賽冠軍蕭強,也都特地出席。
來到波士頓參加第12屆倡棋杯中國職業圍棋錦標賽半決賽的四名選手,包括都是棋力九段,曾是世界冠軍的柁嘉熹,連笑,以及也是九段的邱峻,初段的李欽誠。
在四名倡棋杯選手比賽時,前述圍棋高手紛紛透過大螢幕觀棋,評論。9月27日時,常昊還在另外一個會議室,就正在進行的半決賽做實時講解。
四名打進倡棋杯半決賽的選手,先由連笑,柁嘉熹在首輪比賽中先聲奪人的擊敗了李欽誠和邱峻,但在9月27日的第2局比賽中,李欽誠和邱峻成功回擊,把比分扳成1:1,於是9月28日還又再戰一場,並在長達8小時10分鐘的激戰中,棋局幾番跌宕,局勢發展扣人心弦。
連笑,邱峻最後都以2:1擊敗對手。贏得比賽時,棋手們還都沈靜注視棋盤良久。
在波士頓協助籌辦這比賽的蕭敏透露,邱峻早於2008年就已登上國際舞台,曾經贏得倡棋杯世界圍棋賽,也在2011年時打進富士通杯決賽,
連笑則是圍棋界新星之一。 2015年3月時在中國排名第11他已經多次獲得國冠軍,排名也在繼續攀升中。
美國大學生圍棋協會創辦人Michael Fondera在王奕冬,陸維聯(William Luff)以中英雙語主持的開幕式中表示, 在倡棋杯舉行的同時,約有250名美國業餘選手參加了獎金總額一萬美元的第一屆美國倡棋杯比賽。除了美國之外,還有選手從加拿大,韓國等地趕來。
根據大會資料,參加活動的職業棋手包括韓國專業五級Kim Suyoung,專業8Juyeon Ko,以及美國專業一級的Stephanie YinAndy Liu,李立言,史干生,孫英康等人。

圖片說明:

            常昊(右六),斌(右五)和四名來自中國的選手,柁嘉熹(右二)和邱峻(右四),以及美國大學生圍棋協會會長Michael Fodera(左一)等人合影。(菊子攝)

            應明皓展示這次比賽的獎盃。(菊子攝)

            上海應昌期圍棋教育基金會主席應明皓率團到波士頓辦比賽。(菊子攝)

            倡棋杯冠軍,九段的常昊下指導棋。(菊子攝)


            柁嘉熹(左)和邱峻(右)對弈。(菊子攝)

羅德島州布萊恩特大學進廣東珠海開課

創立於1863年,有學生3700人的羅德島州布萊恩特(Bryant)大學,在中國廣東珠海設立分校,昨(29)日歡迎今年入學的160名學生。
布萊恩特大學和珠海北京科技學院合作,創辦了“布萊恩特珠海”這項特殊項目,教育中美學生。所有錄取的學生都是在中國大學聯考中分數居於前百分之廿的優秀人才。
布萊恩特珠海是中國首次出現的私立學校合作。藉此,布萊恩特大學繩為美國大學中第一個進珠海,第一個和中國私立學院合作的的學校。 
這項新的四年大學本科生項目,將使得布萊恩特大學學生獲得在今日這國際商業世界中所需要的更全球性觀點。
布萊恩特珠海項目的課程,將仿照羅德島州布萊恩特大學本校設計,並以英語教授。學生畢業時可獲得布萊恩特大學學位。
            曾任布萊恩特大學史密斯非爾德校區的院長David Lux博士,將出任布萊恩特珠海校的學術院長,監管幾乎全部來自美國的教職員。該校也將給中國學生機會到羅德島州的布萊恩特大學進修。

            布萊恩特大學校長梅恪禮(Ronald K. Machtley)表示,中國已成為該校國際策略的基石。在該校國際事務副校長楊洪的帶領下,該校從2015年就成立了中美研究院,並推動了該校的中美文化及教育交流。