麻州已有223萬餘人投了票 勒星頓鎮等3市鎮投票率已逾70%

                (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)截至10月30日下午4點，麻州共有223萬7434人已經投了票，比昨(29)日增加12萬9097人。佔已登記選民總數的46.5%。351個麻州市鎮中，有53個市鎮的已投票比率超過60%，

               Eastham，勒星頓鎮(Lexington)， Sudbury這3個市鎮的投票率更已超過70%，依序為72.28%，70.99%，70.34%，林肯鎮(Lincoln)的投票率也高達69.06%。

               麻州州務卿辦公室今日回應本刊查詢，提供了今年的麻州選名民投票概況。

               根據麻州州務卿辦公室資料，今年的麻州已登記投票選民人數高達481萬3700，比上一次2016年總統大選的的453萬4974人，多了27萬8726人登記成為選民。

               今年索取了郵寄選票或申請提早投票的人，也都比往年高得多，在今天又有8萬2448人申請之後，累計總數已達253萬7525人。其中88.3%已經投了票。

               在481萬多的已登記選民中，有52.7%的選民選擇了郵寄投票或提早投票。

               在各地選務人員已收到的選票中，有130萬3374張選票是郵寄選票，比昨日收到的郵寄選票又多了3萬6080張；有93萬4060人已經親自提早投票，比昨天又多了9萬3017人。

               麻州人口最多，有42萬8363名登記選民的波士頓市，只有35.4%已經投了票。

               在麻州較多華人聚居的城市，投票率高低不同。

               人口總數61,094，有35,327名登記選民的摩頓市，已投票率40.27%。摩頓市亞裔人口佔23.4%。

               人口總數94,124，有63,787名登記選民的昆士市，已投票率37.96%。昆士市亞裔人口比率已高達31%。

人口總數23,561的艾克頓鎮(Acton)，也有有67.11%已投了票。該鎮有亞裔5909人，華裔2254，已登記選民人數16,667。

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Grants to Support Buy Local Organizations

 Baker-Polito Administration Announces Grants to Support Buy Local Organizations

 

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today awarded $500,000 in grants to regional Buy Local organizations across the Commonwealth for projects that will support the agricultural industries in western, central, northeastern, and southeastern Massachusetts. These organizations work to generate consumer awareness and demand for locally grown food products while improving logistical access to these important food sources.

 

“The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the importance of reinforcing local food system connections and encouraging residents and businesses to buy local,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Regional Buy Local organizations have been doing great work promoting the Commonwealth’s agricultural industry, and these efforts will be just as important in the future to sustain the farming community and local food sectors for generations to come.”

 

“These grants build on our administration’s efforts to improve food security and support local food and agricultural businesses during these difficult times, including through our new $36 million Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We remain committed to helping the regional Buy Local organizations continue and grow their efforts as a valuable resource for the promotion of the farm and local food sector throughout the Commonwealth.”

 

These grants build upon the Baker-Polito Administration’s efforts to support regional economies across the Commonwealth. On August 25, 2020, the Administration announced the launch of the “My Local MA” campaign to encourage residents across the Commonwealth to support their local economies by shopping at local Massachusetts businesses and attractions, either in person, online, or by using curbside pickup or takeout.

 

“We commend the regional Buy Local organizations for recognizing the needs of the agriculture, food, fiber and fishing industries and providing programs geared to these sectors as well as promotional opportunities for consumers,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “Massachusetts is home to a vibrant local food sector, and supporting these Buy Local organizations will lead to increased business opportunities for farmers, fishermen, and food producers throughout the Commonwealth.”

 

“The Department of Agricultural Resources values the great partnership we have with each of the regional Buy Local organizations, as well as the spirit of collaboration they have amongst themselves,” said MDAR Commissioner John Lebeaux.  “We are proud of all of the hard work each organization does to identify and address the technical and promotional needs of the agricultural industry within their region.”

 

Buy Local groups across the Commonwealth offer members and consumers a variety of resources. From technical assistance information to marketing assistance, consumers, farmers, and food producers alike can find resources to help them grow, buy, cook, and eat healthy, locally grown products.

 

“I was glad to work to get this funding included in the COVID relief bill,” said State Senator Anne Gobi (D-Spencer), Chair of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture.  “This pandemic has shown gaps in our food delivery chain and our Buy Locals play an extremely important part in assuring food security to those most in need.  I thank them for all they do and to the farmers that supply them.”

 

“CISA is an unparalleled champion for our region’s farms and farmers — calling us all to buy local and in doing so, strengthening food security, regional economic security, and public health,” said State Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton).

 

"As a member of the Massachusetts Food System Caucus, I know that the Commonwealth needs to nurture the production and dissemination of local food," said State Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem). "I am pleased that Northeast Harvest of Topsfield will receive this grant to help farmers bring even more of their healthful and tasty products to North Shore residents and other grateful consumers in our region."

 

"Now, more than ever, it is inspiring to see the administration remaining committed to investing in our local growers," said State Representative Smitty Pignatelli (D-Lenox), Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture. “These are the kind of local investments that help keep our local food infrastructure strong and growing. I can personally vouch for the great work my grow local organization does and I know that these investments will be returned ten-fold by the hard work and dedication of our Massachusetts' farmers."

 

“Representing a district that really thrives off of its agriculture, I am pleased to know that all parts of our Commonwealth will be receiving grants to better fund our locally grown food, said State Representative Brad Hill (R-Ipswich). “This current pandemic that we’re in really brought some light onto how important it is to have resources readily available on a local level. I am looking forward to see Essex County benefit from this help!”

 

“Our farms play an integral role in our local economies and food system,” said State Representative Natalie Blais (D-Sunderland). “I am proud to have worked alongside Senator Gobi to secure this funding in support of Buy Locals like CISA who will stretch every dollar to maximize the benefits for Massachusetts farmers and consumers.”

 

The following nine projects have been funded this year:

 

Organization	Location	Funding Amount	Project Description
Berkshire Grown	Great Barrington	$67,719	Berkshire Grown will support farmers and food access in the time of COVID-19 with consumer-supportive winter farmers markets, increased recognition of Massachusetts agriculture, and strengthen the business enterprise of local farms.
Buy Fresh Buy Local Cape Cod	Barnstable	$56,928	Buy Fresh Buy Local Cape Cod will promote locally grown land and sea products and enhance the local food system by expanding the visibility and access of local food and retail operations that sell local products, and strengthen connections between food, health, economic development, and production agriculture while respecting social distancing standards during these uncertain times.  This grant will also provide the assistance needed for the continued growth and sustainability of the various marketing initiatives and outreach events.
Central MA Grown	Worcester	$69,572	Central Mass Grown will work collaboratively to increase access to local food in Worcester County. Well planned events, branding initiatives and strategic marketing programs will raise consumer knowledge and engagement with local producers.  These consumer engagement initiatives will increase consumer and restaurant participation with the local food system and launch new modalities of sale for farmers, retailers and restaurants within the region.
Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA)	South Deerfield	$76,500	CISA will help local farms through the COVID-19 pandemic by driving customer recognition and farm sales through Be a Local Hero, Buy Locally Grown® in Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties.
Island Grown Initiative (IGI)	Martha’s Vineyard	$13,270	IGI plans to work in partnership with the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society, the West Tisbury Farmers Market, and Slough Farm Foundation to actively promote and increase direct consumer access to farmers, to provide up-to-date information on local farms, and to purchase and process locally grown and raised produce and other food products for food equity distribution. IGI will also continue its active participation in the statewide Buy Local Coalition.
Northeast Harvest	Topsfield	$67,047	Northeast Harvest proposes to increase cash receipts for farmers in Essex and Middlesex counties by increasing sales of agricultural products, by increasing the recognition of Massachusetts agriculture in the northeastern region by working directly with other agricultural associations, by engaging regional partners among traditional and non-traditional groups to support and promote agriculture in the region.  Northeast Harvest will invest in supporting their local farmers and farmers’ markets, educating the consumer, enhancing their website, and supporting the State initiative “MA Grown and Fresher” campaign.
Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP)	South Dartmouth	$68,934	SEMAP will take a leadership role in specific projects related to promoting local food and farms in the SEMAP region.  Such projects include: promotion and expansion of the SNAP/HIP programs and will provide technical assistance when appropriate.  SEMAP will provide targeted organized promotional programs and will coordinate the 2021 SEMAP Food & Agriculture Conference.  SEMAP will continue their collaboration with organizations around the topic of climate change and will also produce a SEMAP paper newsletter.
Sustainable Business Network (SBN)	Cambridge	$49,000	SBN will expand the Local Food Business and Eater Connection Program. This program will support the production and delivery of the 11th Annual Boston Local Food Festival to be held in September, 2021 on the Rose F Kennedy Greenway, the Fourth Annual “Eat Local MA” campaign (including the new Eat Local MA mobile app), and the coordination of educational local seafood tours.
Sustainable CAPE	Truro	$31,026	Sustainable CAPE will strengthen the marketing potential of agricultural businesses and agricultural products in southern Massachusetts by developing new programming not previously funded creating a Buy Local campaign for existing and new partners including veterans, schoolchildren & families, elders and our low-income neighbors on Cape Cod.  Sustainable CAPE is focused first and foremost upon farmers and their harvest, and will now collaborate with free meal delivery organizations to deepen their reach and work.  Using nine donations of local food as a springboard for education, they will build community alliances as they grow awareness of our local farmers’ and their harvest, which will expand the farmers’ customer base and increases sales.

 

 

This year, in light of the cancelation of the Big E Fair MDAR launched a website dedicated to promoting the 2020 Massachusetts State Exposition Building exhibitors and showcasing Massachusetts agriculture, commerce, culture and tourism. The Massachusetts Building, located on the Avenue of States on the grounds of the Big E in West Springfield, is managed by MDAR.  This page recognizes the hardworking team of local exhibitors and provides the public with the opportunity to shop for exhibitors’ products and support local businesses.

 

In May 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration announced a Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program as part of a $56 million investment to combat urgent food insecurity for some Massachusetts families and individuals as a result of COVID-19. The Administration has now awarded over $17.7 million in grants through four rounds of funding.

 

In August 2020, MDAR launched the MassGrown Exchange, an online platform designed to facilitate business-to-business connections within the local food system for products and services. Developed by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), in collaboration with the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), this platform was established to both address COVID-19 disruptions to the local food supply and to serve as a helpful tool and resource for Massachusetts growers and producers in accessing markets beyond the duration of the COVID-19 emergency.

REP LIEU INTRODUCES BILL TO ADDRESS GROWING HOMELESSNESS CRISIS

 

REP LIEU INTRODUCES BILL TO ADDRESS GROWING HOMELESSNESS CRISIS

 

LOS ANGELES - Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) introduced the Prevent Homelessness Act, legislation to combat the nation’s growing homelessness crisis. Specifically, the bill authorizes $500 million in grants annually to establish a Housing Stabilization Fund to cover expenses such as rent, utilities, legal services, and other short-term payments calculated to increase housing stability. The homeless crisis in Los Angeles has continued to worsen over the past several years. The 2020 Greater L.A. Homeless Count, conducted in January prior to the pandemic, recorded over 66,000 people living on the streets, in shelters, and in vehicles around Los Angeles County, a 12.7% increase from the year before.

 

“Homelessness has been a major challenge for our community for decades and the current global pandemic and resulting damage to our economy has only made things worse,” said Congressman Ted Lieu. “But this is not just a problem for our state or region. Homelessness is a national crisis and requires a national response. The Prevent Homelessness Act would help to stop people from becoming homeless in the first place. The bill creates a $500 million Housing Stabilization Fund to help struggling Americans who may be just one month away from losing their home or one utility bill away from having their lights shut off.”

 

The Prevent Homelessness Act is endorsed by: National Coalition for the Homeless, United Way (California), People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), National Homelessness Law Center, Los Angeles Mission, Inc., Venice Family Clinic, The People Concern, Imagine LA

 

The following organizations released a statement in support of the bill:

 

“As one of the largest homeless service providers in California, PATH (People Assisting The Homeless) commends Congressman Lieu for introducing The Prevent Homelessness Act, which gets to the root of this complicated issue by creating a Housing Stabilization Fund. PATH supports this timely and thoughtful bill that would have a measurable impact on reducing homelessness by focusing on those most at-risk of being unhoused.” Jennifer Hark Dietz, Executive Director of PATH (People Assisting The Homeless)

 

“The Los Angeles Mission, Inc. is in support of The Prevent Homelessness Act. The Los Angeles Mission, Inc exists to provide help, hope and opportunity to men, women and children in need. The intent and focus of this Act will assist us in our mission to meet the needs of our community.” Troy F. Vaughn, President and CEO of The Los Angeles Mission, Inc.

 

“Here in the middle of the economic crisis caused by the COVID pandemic, Americans need #RentReliefNow, and Representative Lieu’s Prevent Homelessness Act is an important first step toward preventing the tidal wave of evictions we know will happen without assistance. Deeply targeting this program to extremely low-income households ensures those with the least safety net will benefit most from the program, delivering a huge bang-for-the-buck in saving the costs of homelessness to our public systems down the line. This is just a first step, however, and once this bill is passed we need to keep on marching with better policy until every American’s human right to housing is respected, protected, and fulfilled.” Eric Tars, Legal Director, National Homelessness Law Center

 

"United Way applauds Congressman Lieu for his unrelenting efforts to prevent homelessness across the United States. Pre-pandemic, homelessness presented a serious challenge. Now, it is a crisis on the verge of becoming a national tragedy. The Prevent Homelessness Act focuses on the most vulnerable 'extremely low-income households' -- who have no other options if forced out of their homes because of the pandemic. United Way urges Congress to follow Congressman Lieu's lead and prioritize legislation to prevent homelessness." Suzanne McCormick, U.S. President for United Way

 

“The risk of homelessness - a reality that too many overwhelmed Americans are facing - is unfortunately only growing as the pandemic continues to devastate our nation. In California, United Ways across the state have met this challenge head-on, as we do with any crisis, connecting families with supports like rent and food assistance, but there is much more to do to stem the rising tide of housing insecurity. The bill Congressman Lieu is introducing is a smart and much-needed measure to ensure we bring to bear all the resources we can to keep families housed, especially those that are struggling to stay afloat financially. We are proud to endorse these efforts and work alongside Congress to move this forward with urgency.” Pete Manzo, President and CEO of United Way of California

 

“We are thrilled that Congressman Lieu is taking a proactive leadership position with The Prevent Homelessness Act. Homelessness prevention, especially for highly vulnerable families, eliminates the displacement, trauma and expense associated with homelessness and instead keeps the youth on track in school, and helps the parents to stabilize and build their economic independence – it is clearly a high impact investment yielding extremely positive financial and humane ROI.” Jill Govan Bauman, President and CEO of Imagine LA

 

"Increasing access to funding and resources for Americans who are at-risk of losing their homes is key for preventing people from falling into homelessness, especially at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The People Concern is committed to ensuring all of our neighbors are housed, healthy and safe and we are pleased to support The Prevent Homelessness Act, which will provide additional funding to support low-income individuals who are struggling to pay rent. We must do all that we can to keep people housed." John Maceri, CEO of The People Concern

 

“Our patients experiencing homelessness show significant improvement in their health once they are stable in housing. By giving agencies the flexibility to provide solutions tailored to the needs of their community, this bill will be more effective in preventing people from becoming homeless in the first place. And keeping people housed will have a positive impact not only on those individuals’ health but on the health of the entire community.” Karen Lauterbach, Director of Community Programs and Advocacy at Venice Family Clinic

麻州已有200萬人投了票 大選結果得等到11月6日

             (Boston Orange 編譯整理)麻州今年至少有466萬6,299名已登記選民。根據州政府資料，居然有200萬人在11月3日大選日之前的4天，已經投了票。由於州政府放寬選票計算規定，今年的大選可能得等到11月6日之後才有結果。

            今年提前投票的人數，比上一次總統大選年的2016年，增加了一倍。那年在 10月24日至11月4日的提早投票期間，有100萬人投了票。

            波士頓環球報還指出，另一個非正式的里程碑式的紀錄是，今年已經投了票的人數，比2016年時投給希拉蕊(Hillary Clinton)的票還多。

            在麻州把郵寄投票時間和2週的提早期限展延至本週五之後，各地方市鎮就陸續有選票湧入。截至10月29日，週四，已有210萬名選名投了票，其中60%，也就是126萬7,294票是以郵寄方式投擲的。

            2016年時，希拉蕊和她的搭檔Time Kaine在麻州共得到199萬5196票，比川普總統當年得的109萬，0893票，多了30%。

            今年截至10月21日這週，就已經有120萬人投了票，幾乎是每4名麻州選民中就有1人已經投了票。今年出席投票率的變化，還在富裕郊區和市區中心有著截然不同的狀況。

            在距離大選日還有5天時，麻州466萬已登記選民中的44%，已經投了票。投票率最高的市鎮是Eastham，在4600名選民中，有69.3%投了票。其次為68.8%的勒星頓鎮(Lexington)，67.6%的康可鎮(Concord)。

            勒星頓鎮也是華人聚居的大鎮之一，全鎮33,480人中，亞裔10,668人，不包括台灣人的華人有4,698人，台灣人有151人。

            春田市(Springfield)有106,300名已登記選民，21.1%投了票。在人口超過2000人的麻州市鎮中，已出席投票率最低。

            麻州州務卿威廉蓋文(William F. Galvin)已經預估，今年會有歷史性的出席投票率，很可能大幅超過2016年的330萬。

            今年由於新冠病毒(COVID-19)，選民有更多投票方式選擇，包括郵寄選票，或提早投票等。9月初選時有80多萬人以郵寄選票方式投了票。

            在波士頓柯普利廣場(Copley Square )發生有人燒投票箱的情緒失控事件後，威廉蓋文在本5週稍早指示地方選務人員，要增加投票箱的安全，包括派警員監督，或用錄影監視，提早及增加清空票箱頻率，在下午5點前要把沒人看守的票箱清空等。

            麻州今年還放鬆了一些規定，包括缺席投票的人，如果投了票，但在大選日之前過世，他們投出的票仍然算數。

            所有有週二郵戳的選票，只要地方選務人員是在11月6日下午5點以前收到，這些票就也要納入計算。這一決定可能意味著在11月3日大選結束之後，還得等好幾天才知道結果。

AYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH BOSTON-BASED SIMPLISAFE TO DONATE 250 SECURITY SYSTEMS TO SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESSES

 

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH BOSTON-BASED SIMPLISAFE TO DONATE 250 SECURITY SYSTEMS TO SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESSES Donation provides security to some of Boston's most vulnerable business owners with support from the Mayor's Office of Economic Development

 

BOSTON - Thursday, October 29, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced SimpliSafe®, maker of award-winning home security systems, in collaboration with the Mayor's Office of Economic Development, is donating 250 security systems and 12 months of free professional monitoring to Boston's small business community in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The donation, which includes hardware curated for business owners' unique needs -- such as the SimpliCam HD security camera, entry sensors, and other popular components -- as well as one year of the company's most robust monitoring plan, is valued at more than $800 per business.    "Boston's small businesses are the lifeblood of our neighborhoods, and have faced incredible challenges as they serve their communities during this time," said Mayor Walsh. "The City of Boston is thrilled to partner with SimpliSafe to bring security systems to businesses who need assistance, and I thank them for their leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing support for Boston's small businesses."    Small businesses across sectors are grappling with the challenges COVID-19 has presented, and those owned by women and people of color are experiencing a heightened number of challenges. The partnership with the City of Boston will ensure that protection gets into the hands of businesses in need throughout the city, with a specific focus on neighborhoods that have been disproportionately affected by the Coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic challenges.    "We know that small businesses are struggling to keep their doors open and stay afloat during this time, and that is especially true of businesses in Boston," said Christian Cerda, Chief Executive Officer at SimpliSafe. "With our headquarters in Downtown Crossing, we feel compelled to help fellow Boston-based businesses in our neighborhood and beyond. While we can't alleviate all of the difficulties they're facing, we can ensure that one of their most basic needs are met -- their security. The City of Boston is an instrumental partner in distributing these systems. They have personal relationships in neighborhoods throughout the city and together, we're able to give strapped business owners one less thing to worry about."   The City of Boston Office of Economic Development's Small Business Unit is assisting in distributing the SimpliSafe Boston Small Business Package directly to businesses who have expressed a need. To facilitate the donation, the Office of Economic Development has been equipped with 250 redemption codes that recipients can use to claim these systems online at simplisafe.com/boston-smallbiz.    Any business owners interested in obtaining one of these systems must email smallbiz@boston.gov and must include business owner name, business address, and contact information. Only businesses with commercial space will qualify for this offer. Packages will be distributed evenly across Boston's Main Streets and commercial districts, with consideration for businesses deeply impacted by COVID-19. Businesses must express interest in this offer before December 31, 2020 to qualify.   To learn more about the initiative, please visit simplisafe.com/boston-smallbiz.   Today's announcement builds on the work the Walsh Administration has undertaken to support small businesses during the City's COVID-19 response and through the reopening of our economy. In total, the City of Boston has dedicated over $12.6 million in City, federal, and private funding to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19.    Through the Small Business Relief Fund, Mayor Walsh has announced that nearly $6.7 million in debt-free grants have been distributed to over 1,850 small businesses in every neighborhood across the City of Boston. The City of Boston has also created a number of useful guides and resources for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The Reopen Boston Fund has issued more than $2.65M in grants to 1,471 businesses and is still accepting applications at boston.gov/reopen-fund. The Open Businesses in Boston and Support Boston Restaurants platforms have helped businesses to publicly share that they are open and direct residents to supporting local establishments. The above resources and more industry-specific guidance are accessible on boston.gov/covid19-businesses. For all coronavirus updates from the City of Boston, please visit boston.gov/coronavirus.   About SimpliSafe SimpliSafe fundamentally changed the alarm industry, pioneering a new way to make home the safest place on earth for everyone. Founded in 2006, SimpliSafe now protects millions of people and is committed to its founding goal: to make every home secure. SimpliSafe has been coined the number one home security pick by several highly-esteemed publications and was recently named "Best Home Security System of 2020" by U.S. News & World Report.   SimpliCam, SimpliSafe, and the SimpliSafe logo are the registered trademarks of SimpliSafe, Inc. in the US and other countries.   About the Office of Economic Development The Mayor's Office of Economic Development aims to promote a healthy environment for businesses of all types and sizes in the City of Boston. The  Office of Small Business Development is Boston's front door for small businesses, providing navigation help for permitting and licensing, technical assistance and certification for local, women, minority and veteran owned businesses. For additional information, visit boston.gov.