波士頓市長吳弭主持波士頓市議員就職典禮

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)為13名新屆波士頓市議員主持宣誓就職典禮。(周菊子攝)

                (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 波士頓市於1月3日在氣溫僅約華視30度，一小群民眾在市府大樓外高分貝抗議戴口罩及打疫苗規定中，舉行了歷年來最短的一次市議員就職典禮，整個典禮過程不到30分鐘。

                     這場就職典禮原本預定在當年以華裔電腦大王，王安姓氏命名的王氏劇院 (Wang Theatre)舉行，由於新冠病毒變種奧米克戎 (Omicron) 造成的確診病例陡然遽增，臨時改為在市政府大樓內的戶外舉行。

吳弭為就職典禮特地穿上一套款式別緻的禮服。
(周菊子攝)

                      穿著一襲銀藍色，剪裁精緻，款式別出心裁的套裝，已於去年12月16日宣誓就任的波士頓市長吳弭 ( Michelle Wu) 這天在恩師，麻州參議員伊莉莎白沃倫(Elizabeth Warren)夫婦，已於去年12月中獲確認為麻州的美國檢察官 ( U.S. Attorney)的Rachael Rollins，現為勞工部部長的前任波士頓市長馬丁華殊 (Martin Walsh )出席觀禮中，正式展開她一任四年的波士頓市長任期。

                   吳弭也為新當選的13名波士頓市議員們主持了宣誓就職典禮。

                      吳弭在提醒大眾今年是波士頓市正式升格為市的200週年之際，也點出新一屆的波士頓市議員，有多名新人，以及歷史締造者，新人包括不分區的Erin Murphy 和Ruthzee Louijeune；第4區的Brian Worrell，第6區的Kendra Hicks，第7區的Tania Fernandes Anderson。

             其中的Ruthzee Louijeune是波士頓市有史以來的第一位海地裔市議員， Tania Fernandes Anderson是第一位”佛德角(Cape Verdean)”移民後裔的回教市議員。Kendra Hicks是第6區的首名有色女性市議員，

左起，勞工部部長馬丁華殊 (Martin Walsh)，即將出任駐麻州美國檢察官的Rachael Rollins，
以及聯邦參議員Elizabeth Warren夫婦都出席了吳弭市長的正式就職典禮。
(周菊子攝)

Brian Worrell則是波市議會自2017年以來才又再出現的黑人男性市議員。

             當選連任的市議員有不分區的米高法拉提 (Michael Flaherty)，Julia Mejia，以及第2區，這天正是當選為新屆市議會議長的愛德華費林 (Ed Flynn)，以及第3區的Frank Baker，第5區的 Ricardo Arroyo，第8區的 Kenzie Bok，第9區的 Liz Breadon。

             當選連任第一區市議員的Lydia Edwards已於去年12月贏得麻州參議員補選的初選，預定1月11日的大選將同額當選，所以雖然這天她就職波士頓新屆市議員，估計將於1月底正式上任為麻州參議員，遞補轄區代表華埠，已出任麻州生物科技協會 (MassBio) 執行長的Joe Boncore。         

波士頓市長吳弭(中)和13名市議員在1月3日的本年度第一次市議會會議中與13名市議員合影，(周菊子攝，Photo by Chutze Chou)

   MAYOR WU HOSTS SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR INAUGURATION OF BOSTON CITY COUNCILORS

Mayor Wu held swearing-in ceremony to formally inaugurate new and returning City Councilors

            (City of Boston) Mayor Michelle Wu today held an outdoor swearing-in ceremony at Boston City Hall to formally inaugurate new and returning City Councilors. The Mayor previously announced the event was moved outdoors because of the surging Omicron variant. A previously planned inaugural celebration has been postponed until spring.

Photo provided by City of Boston.

“I know the deep responsibility that our constituents place upon us and I know the power of the Boston City Council to make sure that we are moving forward,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “As our new colleagues join alongside our returning colleagues, those who I have been proud and honored to serve alongside for many years, I know the progress that we will continue to see in this City. In this moment, our constituents in our community expect us to move with urgency, to open doors for everyone and to deliver results.”

Boston’s swearing-in for newly-elected City officials is required by City Charter to take place on the first Monday in January. At-large Councilors include sitting Councilors Michael Flaherty and Julia Mejia, along with new Councilors Ruthzee Louijeune and Erin Murphy. Districts 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and 9 will be represented by sitting Councilors Lydia Edwards, Ed Flynn, Frank Baker, Ricardo Arroyo, Kenzie Bok, and Liz Breadon, respectively. Brian Worrell is a new Councilor who will represent District 4, Kendra Hicks is a new Councilor who will represent District 6, and Tania Fernandes Anderson is a new Councilor who will represent District 7.

The incoming Councilors sworn in during Monday’s historic ceremony represent many key milestones: Tania Fernandes Anderson is the first African and first Muslim City Councilor, Kendra Hicks is the first woman of color to represent District 6, and Ruthzee Louijeune is the first Haitian-American City Coucilor. Also newly-sworn into the City Council is Erin Murphy, a dedicated BPS teacher, mother, and advocate for those struggling with substance use; and Brian Worrell, a small business owner and the first Black man to serve on the Council since 2017.

“As we mark this new year, it’s truly not just about the passage of time, but the progress that the City has seen and that we will continue to rush into in this time of great consequence,” said Mayor Wu. “I’m so excited to join my colleagues in celebrating our five new City Councilors.”