星期五, 3月 18, 2016

昆士第六區市議員補選 4/5初選,5/3大選

因為昆士第六區市議員Brian McNamee逝世,要進行特別選舉以填補這職位,初選將於4​​5​​日 (星期二),大選將於5​​3​​日(星期二)進行,請記得這兩天去投票,投票站於早上7​​時至晚上8時,想知道您的投票站在哪?請瀏覽以下網站,輸入您的地址: http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.aspx
不認識候選人?請細以下他們的問卷結果. (從亞美社區發展協會(ACDC)和亞協服務中心 (QARI)辦的調表格):
1.成為了第六區市議員,外展工作至不懂英語的亞裔居民,你怎確保他們能與您溝通?
Nathan Knowles
外展工作和提供服務給華人社區是我在塔夫醫療中心工作的主要目標,我剛剛開始在塔夫 醫療中心工作時,部門裡沒有一個職員會另一語言。因此,在招聘新職員時,我會著重 語言方面,使我們為社區提供更好的服務。現在,超過一半的職員不同的語言,包括廣 東話和普通話,我們也有翻譯人員,包括電話和視像翻譯員給人們選擇。成為了第六區市 議員,所有給居民的文件會有中英文,我會和市府合作,將翻譯費用放在區議員的預算財 政目的是要提供電話資訊翻譯員,使市民得到適當的服務,我也會建立中文電子通訊,告 之華人社區所有市府的會議時間。
Kevin Mock
首先,我要謝謝昆士市政府已經印刷不同語言的資訊,市府書記印刷了中英文選票和市府
網頁也有中文翻譯,我非常感謝昆士市長和市府朝著正確的方向,向前走了一大步,我們
可以因人口的變化而做出改變。
這個問題有兩個層面,第一,我怎樣與第六區非英語者溝通,第二,更重要的是市府怎能
確保非英語者可參與市議會,特別是怎樣與自己區議員溝通。
第一層面,我的競選部門已建立了網站電子平台,有中文或其他語言,當選後,我會照常
使用,我也會製作月刊或郵寄通知給居民,使他們知道重要的會議和活動信息,我也確保
這些訊息印刷成不同的語言。我會建立第六區居民資料庫,透過電子媒體聯繫不同興趣的
居民,定期使用電子郵件或電子通訊可即時回應居民的訴求,雙向發展和會翻譯成你們的
語言。
我同意這問題是問非英語者如何告訴市議員他們的問題和關注,溝通不好,我們就不能明
白社區最重要的是什麼,我會為第六區尋找一位社區聯絡員,作為我們的溝通橋樑,幫助
我外展亞裔社區,最好的社區大使是居民,我會與第六區居民梁議員合作。
我覺得這兩方面可使非英語者可接觸他們的議員,提出問題,是最好的策略。
Brian Radell
城市工作是要所有居民參與,這是很重要的,我們有幸與波士頓為鄰,他們有機構外展到
非英語者的家庭,昆士市府需要繼續與這些機構合作,改善溝通,充分利用市府的資源和
法律的訊息。
縱使昆士市政府有亞裔服務部,外展至亞裔社區,但是我們需要做多些。如果我當選了,
我會提供雙語資訊和所有社區會議都提供翻譯員,我會使鄰居和朋友都參與。我之前競選
這職位,競選單張都有雙語,我也會繼續這樣做。
Alie Shaughnessy
基於居民的語言需要,亞裔、俄羅斯裔和意大利裔等,我要市政府提供資金聘請至少一位 辦公室人員能流利外語。
2. 現時,市府豁免昆士市中心發展興建10間以上的房屋發展商提供:1)最少10%的可負擔 房屋或2)付相同的費用給昆士可負擔房屋信託,去年底,市議員Brian Palmucci提出修訂 ,終止這豁免和確保市中心有可負擔房屋,對這修訂法案,你會投贊成或反對票?為什 麼?
Nathan Knowles
我們的居民有不同的經濟需求,昆士一定要有可負擔房屋,我會重新檢視和投贊成票給市 議員Palmucci的修訂方案。
Kevin Mock
我會投贊成票,我明白市府是要吸引發展商發展昆士市中心和荒廢已久的土地,這是一個 有效的方法;雖然昆士是一個理想的發展地方,我不覺得我們需要用這獎勵去吸引發展商 ,大多數的城市,包括波士頓和劍橋市,需要發展商付費用或提供某數量的可負擔房屋, 混合發展是很重要的,我們不希望鄰里的發展只給高收入的人士,Somerville是一個很好 的例子,它與昆士有很多相似的地方,紅線沿線、出入波士頓市方便、有樂場所和餐館 ,但房屋的發展令工人階級家庭不能負擔得起住在那裡。
Brian Radell
最重要的是為我們的居民繼續尋找可負擔房屋的機會,作為在昆士居住的終身居民,在我 生命裡第一次看到市中心的重要發展,與此同時,我們不需要放棄一些令發展商有更多的 利潤,我們要堅持這要求,我會投市議員Palmucci的修訂案贊成票,這也不會對昆士市中 心持續發展有影響。
Alie Shaughnessy
做出任何承諾之前, 我要諮詢Brian,但是話回來,我相信昆士和很多城市一樣,缺乏 老人屋數量,我支持任何缺少的設施。
3.鑑於昆士城市的較高行人出事率,與最近的漢考克(Hancock)普曼街(Chapman)的 傷亡事故,尤其是深夜光線暗淡的地方,有許多低收入居民和餐館工人放工回家,你準備 怎麼做來確保行人的交通安全?
Nathan Knowles
不到三個月和2015一整年,我們都看到三位行人已經死了,這是必須緊急解決的嚴重問 題。當我們的城市發展和新地方的建設,也要解決在建設地方車流問題,警察要加強執 法。在需要的地方要安裝新的斑馬線,也需在人多交叉口地方加強照明。以上提到的問題 ,警察執法、新的斑馬線和加強照明,都必須要立即處理。
Kevin Mock
公共安全是極為重要的,許多城市已經開始製定安全路線,他們有特定的行人道和加強 公共安全(有監控系統、照明設施、警察巡視),加強能見度,對來往車輛也有警惕作用 ,另一種辦法是對人來人往的繁忙行人道,要減低車輛速度,隨著昆士市持續發展,緩和 交通一直是居民們的熱門話題。我建議要求發展商與市政府一起研究行人安全策略,正如 你所,在昆士不少居民使用主要的公共交通和適量的步行,城市未來的發展,我們必須 把這些通勤者算到其中。
Brian Radell
昆士並沒有非常完善的行人道,這要必須改善的。我們需要繼續投資基礎設施,尋找其他 更安全的方案,我們需要增加額外和提高斑馬線,有新的照明系統(特別是繁忙地方), 增加交通標誌,執行交通法規和教育市民。當事故不可避免的發生,解決方案是有的,但 是我們需要採取措施來防止更多的悲劇
Alie Shaughnessy
這個問題不存在單一的解決方案。首先最明顯的,我們應該看看哪裡的照明不足,然後增
強照明,我知道這是一個很簡單的解決方案,但是我肯定這個解決方案需要很大的投資,
和需要專業人士研究各個照明差的地方和提供可行方案。第二,如果行人在深夜回家,並
穿著深色的衣服和頭戴著耳機在聽音樂或帶上衣服連帽的帽子,能見度很低,但是他們到
底在想什麼?成年人或者小孩都需要被牽手嗎?在某些時候,行人要為自己的行為負責,
要了解自己的周圍情況,同時,我們也可以把交通安全的海報貼在工作場所或社區中心,
用來提醒行人。
4. 在你擔任市議員的任期,請選出下列三項,作為你的工作優先去改善昆士。
  1. 房屋
  2. 教育
  3. 公共安全
  4. 公共交通工具
  5. 公共衛生和醫療保健
  6. 就業和勞動力發展
  7. 小企業發展
  8. 其它: ______________
Nathan Knowles
1. 公共安全­包括了交通和公共交通工具 2. 教育
3. 小企業發展
Kevin Mock:
  1. 房屋(包括住宅開發,如公寓和混合使用的空間)
  2. 小企業發展,我與妻子做了小企業老闆30年了
  3. 就業和勞動力發展。我相信我們可以為我們的城市做更多,特別是建立與私營部門
    夥伴的合作關係。
Brian Radell
1.教育,2. 公共安全,3. 公共交通工具
Alie Shaughnessy
1. 公共安全 2.房屋 3.教育
Due to the death of Ward 6 City Councilor Brian McNamee, Quincy is holding a Special Election for the vacant Ward 6 City Councilor seat. The preliminary election is Tuesday, April 5; the final election is Tuesday, May3. Don’t forget to vote BOTH times! Polls are open 7am to 8pm. To find your voting location, please visit this website and enter your address: http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.aspx
Don’t know who the candidates are? Read their responses to your questions below (courtesy of candidate questionnaires by Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC) & Quincy Asian Resources, Inc. (QARI)):
1. As Ward 6 city councilor, what language access measures will you adopt to conduct outreach with your Asian, non­English speaking constituents and ensure they have channels for communicating with you?
Nathan Knowles
Outreach and service to the Chinese community have been a primary goal during my time at Tufts Medical Center. When I started at Tufts none of the staff in my department had language skills. As staff have turned over I have focused on hiring employees with language skills, so that we better reflected the community we serve. Now more than half my staff speak multiple languages, including Cantonese and Mandarin. We have also worked to develop additional interpreter options. This has included phone interpreter and video interpreter options. As your Ward Councilor, all communications sent out to residents will be in both English and Chinese. I would work with the city towards including similar interpreter service options in the Ward Councilor budget. The goal would be to provide options for requesting service calls with an intepreter. Intepreter services allows the Ward Councilor to interact directly with consituents and with little or no delay. Likewise, I would develop an e­newsletter that is also translated in Chinese and offer town hall type meetings specifically directed to the Chinese community.
Kevin Mock
First, I would like to acknowledge and applause the work the City of Quincy has done thus far in printing and maintaining content in various languages. From the City Clerk printing ballots in both Cantonese and English, to the City of Quincy’s website being completely translated to Cantonese, I applaud the Mayor and City for taking a very big step in the right direction and think we can build on this as the demographics of the city continue to change.
I look at this questions as two­fold. First, how can I best communicate with non­English speakers in Ward 6, and second, and more importantly, how can we (as the city) ensure that non­English speakers have an outlet to engage the City Council, especially their own Ward Councilor.
On the first side of this, my campaign has developed an electronic platform through my website that has the capability of begin translated in to Cantonese or other languages and I plan to
leverage this once elected. I intend to continue using hard content outreach, whether it be monthly newsletters or direct mail notifications, so resident are ware of important meetings and events, and I will make sure these documents are printed in multiple languages. I will also continue building a data base of Ward 6 residents interested in staying informed through electronic mediums, so that we can move toward regular email or electronic notifications that can respond in real­time as City or Ward specific issues arise. I intend for this electronic medium to work in both directions and to be translated.
With that said, I recognize that informing the Asian and non­English speaking community of important meetings and issues is only half the story. I agree with your assessment that there needs to be a way for non­English speaking residents to inform their City Councilor of issues and concerns. Absent this, and we lose the ability to understand what a community believes is important. I would like to see the development of a community liaison for Ward 6, a person who can bridge the communication gap, and aid me in conducting outreach in the Asian community. The best ambassadors for a community are the people themselves. I would like to work with Councilor Liang, who is a Ward 6 resident, and the City Council as a whole to develop a Ward Liaisons. This could take many forms, and the details would need to be worked out, but the goal is sound.
I think working from both ends where we create content that is accessible to the Asian and non­English speaking community so they are informed and we create a medium for people to contact their elected representatives about issues is the best strategy.
Brian Radell
It is important that we as a city work to engage all residents of the community. We are blessed to live adjacent to Boston, which has a number of organizations that assist in community outreach to non­English speaking homes. The City of Quincy needs to continue to work with these agencies to improve communication and notifications of the cities resources and laws. The City of Quincy does have an office dedicated to outreach to the Asian community, but we need to do more. If elected, I would work to provide bilingual notifications and a translator at all community meetings. I would engage neighbors and friends that I grew up with in the Ward, to assist in providing information to their families and friends whom are non­English speaking. My goal is to provide a community to all. In my previous campaign for this seat, I had bilingual campaign flyers, and I would like to continue with that outreach.
Alie Shaughnessy
I will ask for funding from the city to provide a official or a office staffed with at least one person whom is Fluent in which ever language my constituents need, Asian, Russian, Italian etc.
2. Currently, Quincy Center District developments are exempt from the citywide requirement that housing projects with 10+ units either 1) make at least 10% of their units affordable or 2) pay equivalent fees into the Quincy affordable housing trust. Last fall, City Councilor Brian Palmucci introduced an amendment to remove this exemption and ensure the production of affordable housing downtown. Would you have voted in favor or against this amendment, and why?
Nathan Knowles
Our residents have diverse economic needs. Affordable housing in the City of Quincy is an absolute must. I would be open to reviewing and voting for Councilor Palmucci's amendment.
Kevin Mock
I would vote in favor of such an amendment. I understand that while the City worked to bring developers back to the Quincy Center business district concessions were necessary to entice development and lifting (or never developing) this requirement may have been an effective tool. However, at this point, Quincy is a desirable place for development, and I no longer think we need this incentive to draw potential development. Most major cities, including Boston and Cambridge, require developers to pay a fee or provide units within the development for affordable housing. Mixed use development is important, we don’t want to find ourselves in a situation where we have developed neighborhoods only accessible to high income individuals. Somerville is a great example, it has many of the same features as Quincy (stops on the Redline, accessibility to Boston, entertainment and restaurants) but they have developed in such a way that working families cannot afford to live there.
Brian Radell
It is imperative that we continue to find opportunities to provide affordable housing to our residents. As a lifelong resident of Quincy, this is the first time in my life that we have seen substantial development in the downtown area and we need to continue that momentum. At the same time, we do not need to be giving away our city to developers to make as much profit as possible. I do believe that they should be adhering the requirement we have for the remainder of the city and would be in favor of Councilor Palmucci’s amendment provided it would not be detrimental to continuing the redevelopment of Quincy Center.
Alie Shaughnessy
I would consult with Brian first before making any commitment, however having said that. i believe that Quincy , like a lot of cities in the commonwealth, are very deficient in their elderly housing inventory. And would be very supportive of any measure that will address that shortage.
3. What will you do to ensure pedestrian safety in light of Quincy’s high pedestrian accident rate and the recent fatal accident at Hancock and Chapman Streets, especially late at night in poorly lit areas when many lower­income residents are coming home from jobs in the domestic or food industries?
Nathan Knowles
We have seen three pedestrian deaths in less than three months. We had three pedestrian deaths in all of 2015. This is a serious problem that must be addressed urgently. As our city grows and new sites are built , traffic flow must be addressed as part of any new development. Police enforcement of speed needs to be increased. Crosswalks should be installed where needed and lighting improved at high volume intersections. Of these areas to be addressed, police enforcement, crosswalk and lighting improvements should be addressed immediately.
Kevin Mock
Public safety is of the utmost importance. Many cities have started to develop “Safe Routes”. They are specific routes for pedestrian traffic that have additional public safety enforcement (surveillance, lighting, policing) and designed with the intention of creating greater visibility and awareness to oncoming motor vehicles. This is one option for high traffic routes throughout the city. Another option would be to look at lowering speed limits on streets that have high frequencies of pedestrian traffic. As development continues throughout the entire City of Quincy, traffic mitigation is always a hot button item for residents. I suggest in addition to traffic studies we may consider requiring developers to do pedestrian safety studies, and/or work with the City no pedestrian safety strategies. As you stated, many residents in Quincy use Public Transportation, which includes a bit of walking, as their sole means of transport. It’s important we keep these folks in mind when we are looking at future development.
Brian Radell
Quincy is not pedestrian friendly and that needs to change. We need to continue to invest in our infrastructure to find additional ways to make it safer. We need to add additional and or raise our crosswalks, providing new lightening (especially in high traffic areas), increase the signage in the city, enforce our traffic laws and educate our population. Solutions are available and while accidents will always inevitably happen, we need to take steps to prevent as many as possible.
Alie Shaughnessy
There is not any one solution for this problem. First and most obvious lets look at the area ’s with the poor lighting and make it brighter, i know this seems like a easy answer , but I’m sure that its very involved , and you would have to have some traffic and lighting engineers study the area and recommend whats best. Second, if people are walking home late at night, and are wearing dark clothes, and are listening to a music head phones , or are covered up in a hood which makes seeing difficult, well what are they thinking! hello? are they grown adults or young children whom must be held by their hand ? at some point can people actually act responsible and perhaps be more aware of their surrounding. Also we could put up some be aware type

posters in their work places or community centers.
4. Please select your top 3 priorities for improvements in the city of Quincy during your tenure as City Councilor from the following list:
  1. Housing (房屋)
  2. Education (教育)
  3. Public Safety (公共安全)
  4. Public Transportation (共交通)
  5. Public Health and Health Care (共衛生和衛生保健)
  6. Jobs and Workforce Development
  7. Small Business Development (企業發展)
  8. Other (其它):______________
Nathan Knowles
  1. Public Safety ­ which I believe encompasses traffic and public transportation as well.
  2. Education
  3. Small Business Development
Kevin Mock:
  1. Housing (including residential development such as condominiums and mixed use spaces).
  2. Small Business Development. I have been a small business owner with my wife for almost 30 years.
  3. Jobs and Workforce Development. I believe we can do more to in area, especially in building partnership with the private sector.
Brian Radell
1. Education 2. Public Safety 3. Communication
Alie Shaughnessy
1. Public Safety 2. Housing 3. education 

波士頓市長宣佈第二屆“一波士頓日”

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES SECOND ANNUAL
"ONE BOSTON DAY" 
Encourages the Public, Organizations to Get Involved 
BOSTON - Friday, March 18, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that the City of Boston will once again honor Boston's resilience, generosity and strength on April 15, now known as "One Boston Day." The day serves as an opportunity to recognize the good in our community and reflect on the spirit and resilience of the people of Boston that was exemplified in the response to the loss and the tragedies of April 15, 2013.
The City of Boston has launched onebostonday.org, where individuals and organizations can share their plans for One Boston Day and are encouraged to use the hashtag #OneBostonDay.

"April 15 is a date that has come to stand for our city's deepest values, and last year we were amazed by the spirit of the day, in the City, and around the world," said Mayor Walsh. "I hope everyone can mark this day in a way that is appropriate and inclusive for each of our experiences."

The Mayor made the announcement at the unveiling of the 2016 Boston Marathon street banners at Marathon Sports on Boylston Street.  

"One Boston Day" encourages random acts of kindness and spreading goodwill, and activities across the City will encourage individuals to give back to their community. The new tradition came together in 2015 based on the desire expressed by many survivors to pass on the kindness, generosity and support they received following the 2013 Boston Marathon.

Last April 15, #OneBostonDay was a leading trend nationally on social media, and there were over 40,000 posts across social channels.

AG STOPS ONLINE AUTO TITLE LENDER FROM COLLECTING ON ILLEGAL LOANS MADE TO MASSACHUSETTS CONSUMERS

AG STOPS ONLINE AUTO TITLE LENDER FROM COLLECTING ON ILLEGAL LOANS MADE TO MASSACHUSETTS CONSUMERS
Liquidation, LLC Repossessed and Sold Motor Vehicles after Making Loans with Interest Rates As High As 619 percent

BOSTON – An unlicensed online auto title lender has been ordered to stop making and collecting on illegal, short-term loans made to Massachusetts consumers in an enforcement action filed by Attorney General Maura Healey.
The preliminary injunction, entered last week in Suffolk Superior Court against Liquidation, LLC (Liquidation), comes after AG Healey sued the company for allegedly targeting economically vulnerable Massachusetts consumers, providing them with unlawful, high-interest loans on their otherwise paid-off vehicles and, when they could not pay, seizing and selling their vehicles.
“We allege that this company preyed upon financially-strained consumers by offering quick cash in the form of illegal and predatory loans that the lender knew they could not pay back,” said AG Healey. “For many families, a vehicle is their most valuable household asset and is often necessary to maintain their livelihood. This order prevents the company from continuing to make or collect on these loans, some with interest rates higher than 600 percent. Our office will continue to go after companies that use abusive practices to reap illegal profit from consumers in Massachusetts.”

According to the AG’s complaint, filed in Suffolk Superior Court against Liquidation, also doing business as Auto Loans, LLC, Car Loan, LLC, and Sovereign Lending Solutions, LLC, the company routinely made and collected upon short-term loans containing undisclosed and deceptive terms, including illegal interest rates and abusive interest-only payment schedules that resulted in final balloon payments that exceeded the amount originally given to the consumer.  

A sample of loan agreements procured by the AG’s Office in its investigation revealed loans ranging from $700 to more than $9,000, with interest rates ranging from 181 percent to 619 percent—rates far in excess of state civil and criminal usury laws that limit interest on small loans of $6,000 or less to 12 percent and 20 percent for loans above the $6,000 threshold, respectively. More than 200 Massachusetts consumers statewide were victimized by this unlawful lending scheme.

The AG’s Office last week obtained a preliminary injunction against Liquidation, ordering the company and its agents to stop all collection activities on these illegal loans including the collection of illegal interest payments, motor vehicle repossessions, and auction sales. It also prohibits Liquidation from making any new loans to Massachusetts consumers and from moving or concealing assets prior to trial.

Most consumers applied for loans from Liquidation online or by calling a number listed on its website. The AG’s Office alleges that Liquidation and entities believed to be affiliated with it were not licensed to originate small loans in Massachusetts. It also alleges that Liquidation did not provide consumers with copies of their loan agreements and did not disclose a number of abusive contract terms such as high interest rates, a large lump sum final payment, and a requirement that any disputes be mediated in New Zealand.

Although consumers were led to believe that they would pay off their loans in one year, they were never informed that their final payment would be more than the amount originally borrowed. Many consumers were unable to come up with the unexpected final payments and were forced to extend their loan terms and continue paying the high interest rates or risk losing their vehicles. Liquidation also required consumers to install GPS tracking units in their vehicles to ensure regular loan repayment and for purposes of repossession.
When borrowers missed or were late on a payment, Liquidation allegedly attempted to collect on the debt through repeated harassing phone calls and e-mails. In numerous instances, Liquidation repossessed the consumers’ vehicles and sold them at auction houses in Massachusetts, with Liquidation retaining all proceeds. The AG’s complaint alleges that since 2012, Liquidation ordered the repossession of at least 78 motor vehicles registered in Massachusetts and sold at least 66 of them at auction, many for a price significantly exceeding the amount of the consumer’s outstanding lien. 
In order to perpetuate and conceal their alleged scheme and deceive consumers and regulators, Liquidation operated under several other fictitious business names and from virtual office spaces and post office boxes around the country. The company purports to have transferred all of its assets overseas and reorganized in the Cook Islands.

The AG’s Office has notified affected consumers about the preliminary injunction, informing them of its terms and their right to stop making payments on these unlawful loans. The injunction has also been distributed to the state Registry of Motor Vehicles and the auction houses and repossession companies that previously worked with Liquidation.

The Commonwealth’s complaint against Liquidation seeks to void the company’s unauthorized and illegal loans and discharge the liens recorded on the titles of the impacted Massachusetts motor vehicles. It also seeks injunctive relief, restitution for consumers for all unlawful interest payments, fees, and replacement costs for lost motor vehicles, as well as penalties, costs, and attorneys’ fees for violations of the state’s lender licensing, usury, and consumer protection laws.

The AG’s Office offers the following tips for people considering taking out a loan:

·         Be wary of any loan that originates solely online. Know your lender and where they are physically located.
·         Be skeptical of a promise of fast cash. These offers usually come with very high and illegal interest rates.
·         Know and understand what you are agreeing to, in writing, before you finalize any commitment. Always request and keep a copy for your records.
·         Payday and auto title lending are costly alternatives for short-term cash needs. Before considering a payday loan, consumers should explore other alternatives including:
o   Contacting your local bank or credit union for a short-term loan;
o   Asking your employer for an advance on your paycheck;
o   Finding out if you can delay paying a non-interest bill such as a utility bill and make payment arrangements with the utility company;
o   Asking your creditor for more time to pay your bills or for a modification to your terms;
o   Contacting an accredited consumer credit counseling agency in your area such as Consumer Credit Counseling Service at (800) 388-2227 or American Consumer Credit Counseling at (800) 769-3571. The counselor can advise you how to get out of debt and avoid predatory loans, or;
o   Obtaining a cash advance from a credit card.
·         Contact the Division of Banks to determine if a lender is licensed to do business in Massachusetts at their Consumer Hotline at 1-800-495-BANK (2265), ext. 501.
The AG’s Office continues to be active in this area and wants to hear from Massachusetts consumers who have information regarding unfair or deceptive lending. Consumers with tips or questions can call the Attorney General’s consumer hotline at 617-727-8400 or file a complaint with the office.

The matter is being handled by Assistant Attorneys General Francesca L. Miceli and Justin Lowe of Attorney General Healey’s Consumer Protection Division, with assistance from Investigator Anthony Crespi and Paralegal Virginia Aprahamian.

BRA board approves $259 million in new projects at March meeting

BRA board approves $259 million in new projects at March meeting

BOSTON – The Boston Redevelopment Authority’s board of directors approved seven new projects at last night’s meeting. In total, the projects represent a combined investment of $258.5 million and will generate over 530 construction jobs, yielding 586 new residential units in the city.

In addition to the new projects, the board also approved the request to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for consultant services regarding updates to the BRA’s strategic visioning. The RFP is slated to open on Monday, March 21.

Below are summaries of the newly approved projects. The full board agenda and archived video stream can be found here.

Collaborative efforts between the BRA and the Department of Neighborhood Development (DND) resulted in tentative designation of Windale Developers for the Garrison Trotter Phase II project

Total Project Cost: $6,066,216
Total SF: 17,750
Construction Jobs: 13

This project is the result of nearly one year of comprehensive neighborhood planning with the Garrison Trotter Neighborhood Association (GTNA) and is representative of the commitment by Mayor Martin Walsh, DND and the BRA to leverage City-owned property to create much needed mixed-income homeownership housing.

The sites will be developed as part of Mayor Walsh’s Neighborhood Homes Initiative (NHI), a product of Housing A Changing City: Boston 2030, the Walsh administration’s comprehensive housing plan. NHI uses City-owned land and funding as a resource to create affordable and mixed-income homeownership opportunities for a range of homebuyers. In turn, this project will feature 18 residential units, 12 of which will be designated as affordable.

Upon completion, the new homes will be priced to attract a mix of moderate, middle and market rate buyers. Prices for the new affordable homes will range from $250,000 - $400,000 and will be affordable to households with a combined income of $60,000 - $100,000. The affordable moderate and middle-income homes will have a 50-year resale restriction to provide affordability for future generations of homebuyers.

New housing approved in South Boston at 232 Old Colony Avenue

Total Project Cost: $10,000,000
Total SF: 36,291
Construction Jobs: 27

This project site is located approximately five blocks northeast of Andrew Square, within walking distance of the MBTA Red Line Andrew Station. The developer, 232 Old Colony Avenue LP, has proposed to construct 24 condominium units and 3 on-site affordable units, commercial/retail restaurant space and 29 parking spaces.

The project will include a mix of 16 two-bedroom units and eight one-bedroom units within a 5-story structure. A 2,855 square foot restaurant space will also be included on the ground floor.

Plans for Jamaica Plain’s Goddard House move forward

Total Project Cost: $62,000,000
Total SF: 163,000
Construction Jobs: 123

Eden Properties, LLC and Samuels & Associates, Inc are proposing the renovation and expansion of the existing Goddard House, as well as the construction of a new residential building. The BRA Board’s approval will allow the 167-unit project to move forward as planned. Of the 167 residential units, 110 will be located in the renovated Goddard House with 57 units in the new building and 22 of the total units on-site will be designated affordable.

In addition to the renovation of Goddard House and the construction of a new building, this project will include 180 spaces allotted toward indoor and outdoor bicycle parking, a combination of covered and surface vehicle parking to the tune of 83 spaces, and open space improvements that will include a landscape buffer in front of the building with new street trees to improve the pedestrian realm.

38-unit development approved for Huntington Avenue in Mission Hill

Total Project Cost: $12,000,000
Total SF: 45,500
Construction Jobs: 33

Walter Huntington, LLC received approval for the development of a new five- and six-story mixed-use building located at 35 South Huntington Avenue. The building will be comprised of 38 residential units with 5 IDP units, 7,080 square feet of ground-floor commercial/ retail restaurant space, and 26 parking spaces located in the building’s underground garage. 

Guest Street development in Brighton approved with support during public hearing

Total Project Cost: $135,000,000
Total SF: 311,000
Construction Jobs: 291

The approval of this primarily residential building will yield the construction of 295 rental units, 38 of which will be on-site IDP units. In order to meet a variety of market demands, 125 Guest Street will feature studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. This phase of the project will also include 155 parking spaces and 300 bicycle spaces dedicated to residents.

The ground-floor of the building will provide 16,000 square feet of retail space, while the remaining area of approximately 39,000 square feet will be residential amenity spaces, such as a building lobby, mail room, fitness room, conference room, loading dock, mechanical, vehicle, and bike parking.

The proposal for 125 Guest Street in Brighton was the first during the public hearing portion of the board meeting and was met with wide support. Five community members spoke passionately about their support for this development, mentioning its ability to create jobs and enliven the neighborhood.

44 multifamily residential rental units approved for Douglass Park in the South End

Total Project Cost: $16,500,000
Total SF: 49,305
Construction Jobs: 37

The Board’s approval of the Amended and Restated Development Plan for the Douglass Park expansion project will result in 44 multifamily residential rental units with 8 IDP units. The project site, located at 150 Camden Street in the South End, is on a portion of Parcel 16.

During the public testimony portion of the hearing, one community-member noted that in it’s earliest stages, the project was met with skepticism, but as it has moved forward, residents and stakeholders have come to embrace the opportunities that this development will bring to their neighborhood.

Second amendment to the Institutional Master Plan (IMP) for Harvard University’s Life Lab approved

Total Project Cost: $17,000,000
Total SF: 14,750
Construction Jobs: 13

The Board’s approval of the Second Amendment to the IMP for Harvard University’s Allston campus, includes the construction of this Harvard Life Lab. The Life Lab represents a new, but temporary two-story building that will provide both wet lab and co-working space for small Harvard-related scientific start-ups. In addition, the Life Lab will include general and dedicated lab spaces for up to 50 individuals, including a faculty member-in-residence, conference and support spaces to promote wet lab community connections. This project, which is considered a pilot by the university, aims to build on the success of the adjacent Harvard Innovation Lab.

AG HEALEY LAUNCHES SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF TRANSGENDER PUBLIC ACCOMODATIONS BILL

AG HEALEY LAUNCHES SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF TRANSGENDER PUBLIC ACCOMODATIONS BILL
Campaign Features Videos From Caitlyn Jenner, Boston Sports Stars, Transgender Families Using the Hashtag #EveryoneWelcome

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today kicked off a social media campaign in support of legislation to protect transgender people from discrimination in public places, featuring short video messages from a mix of high-profile allies of the transgender community and families from across Massachusetts.
The social media campaign features videos from allies like Caitlyn Jenner, Kathy Griffin, Olympic gold medal winner and World Cup champion Abby Wambach, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and local supporters of the Transgender Public Accommodations Bill, including Harvard University Professor Henry Louis Gates, Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca and Boston Bruins center and alternate captain Patrice Bergeron.
The Transgender Public Accommodations Bill (House Bill 1577 and Senate Bill 735filed by Representatives Byron Rushing and Denise Provost, and Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz), which is pending before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, would protect transgender people from discrimination in places of public accommodation, including restaurants, hotels, parks, movie theaters, and gyms.
 “For me, this is a fundamental civil rights issue and makes clear we respect the dignity of each and every human being in our state,” said AG Healey. “This is about young people and their families feeling safe when they go to our hospitals, our restaurants, our movie theaters and other public places. We need a law on the books that will make sure everyone is welcome regardless of their gender identity.”
Among others, the cast of the Emmy-award winning TV series “Transparent” and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh will also submit videos in support of the campaign.
The AG’s Office is asking the public to share their own short videos on social media expressing their support for the bill using the hashtag #EveryoneWelcome.
On Tuesday, AG Healey met with transgender young people, their families and members of the business community for a roundtable discussion on the importance of equality and supporting the pending legislation.
The Transgender Public Accommodations Bill is supported by the Massachusetts Major City Chiefs, the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the American Federation of Teachers, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, all four major Boston sports teams, and businesses like Google, State Street, EMC, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Eastern Bank, Legal Sea Foods, Twitter and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

CAPAC Leaders on House Republican’s Anti-Immigrant Amicus Brief

CAPAC Leaders on House Republican’s Anti-Immigrant Amicus Brief

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed H.Res. 639, a resolution authorizing the Speaker of the House to file an amicus curiae on behalf of the entire House of Representatives in the matter of the United States v. Texas. In January of this year, the Supreme Court agreed to hear oral arguments in U.S. v. Texas, a challenge to the President’s executive actions on immigration known as Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and the expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).  CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) and CAPAC Chair Emeritus Rep. Mike Honda (CA-17) released the following statements:

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:

“Today’s actions are unprecedented and unwarranted. With over 11 million undocumented immigrants forced into the shadows, I have fought for years for immigration reform that will keep families together and bolster our economy. But congressional Republicans repeatedly refused to act – even when a bipartisan majority agreed on the Senate’s comprehensive immigration reform bill. That is why I was overjoyed when President Obama announced an expansion of the already successful DACA program and created the new DACA program. I was encouraged when the Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments in U.S. v. Texas, the ongoing case that has stopped these executive actions from going into effect. But sadly, Republicans are instead choosing to stand in the way again.

“Immigrants are living, working, and laying deep roots in our communities, and they should be able to continue to do so without fear of being separated from their families at a moment’s notice. The security offered by DACA and DAPA means eligible families – including nearly 400,000 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders – can continue to contribute, growing our economy. That is why these actions have the backing of about 120 mayors from cities all across the country who know how important immigrant families are to the fabric of our society. By supporting this resolution, congressional Republicans are positioning themselves in opposition to these values. Allowing aspiring Americans to continue to work and contribute without fear is the right thing to do morally, economically, and legally. And, despite the Republicans’ amicus brief, I am confident that the Supreme Court will uphold President Obama’s actions as lawful uses of executive discretion.”

Congressman Mike Honda (CA-17), CAPAC Chair Emeritus:

America has always been a land of immigrants. After being imprisoned because my parents were immigrants, no one knows that better than me. We build our country not just with people who are born here, but with those who make the difficult emotional and physical journey to come to America for a new life. Today, we voted to use taxpayer funds to speak against those immigrants, many of whom are kids who don’t know any other country. I voted against allowing Speaker Ryan to support the repeal of DACA and DAPA, because immigrants built this nation, and I want them to keep doing so.”

Background:

On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced a series of executive orders that would defer deportation for approximately 4.7 million aspiring Americans living in the U.S. The largest initiatives included an expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the creation of a new Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program. The implementation of both programs has been suspended until ongoing litigation is resolved. On March 8, 2016, Rep. Chu joined 185 other Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and 39 Members of the U.S. Senate, in their individual capacities as Members of Congress, to file an amicus brief in support of the President’s executive action programs.

The text of H. Res. 639 can be found hereThe House vote on final passage of the resolution can be found here.

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT IN CONFERENCE CALL WITH STAKEHOLDERS

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
IN
CONFERENCE CALL WITH STAKEHOLDERS


Via Telephone


12:18 P.M. EDT

     THE PRESIDENT:  Hey, everybody.  Thanks for joining the call.  I’m not going to be long because Valerie and others are giving you some of the background on this.

     As you now know, I nominated Chief Judge Merrick Garland of the D.C. Circuit to serve as the next associate justice on the Supreme Court.  This is not a decision I ever take lightly.  I’ve now seated two Supreme Court justices; this would be the third.  The men and women on the Supreme Court, they’re the final arbiters of our laws.  And it means that this is one of those moments where you have to rise above short-term politics and think about the institution of the Court, and the institution of the presidency, and how does our democracy work.

     I chose Chief Judge Garland because this guy is as well-qualified as anybody who’s ever been nominated to the Supreme Court.  That’s not just my opinion, that’s pretty much a universal opinion.  He possesses one of America’s sharpest legal minds.  He brings a spirit of decency and modesty and integrity and even-handedness to his work.  His work is excellent.  He is somebody who has worked as a prosecutor.  As you know, he is somebody who not only helped lead the investigation around the Oklahoma City bombings, but did so in a way that showed enormous compassion towards the people who had been impacted. 

     He’s been praised by Republicans and Democrats.  During his original confirmation process when he was put on the D.C. Circuit, majorities of each party supported him.  Republican Senator Orrin Hatch, who has been the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said, “In all honesty, I would like to see one person come to this floor and say one reason why Merrick Garland does not deserve this position.”  I couldn’t agree more.

     And the Constitution is clear that it’s my job as President to nominate candidates to the Supreme Court.  It’s the Senate’s job to give them a timely hearing, and an up or down vote.  I fulfilled my constitutional duty yesterday, and I expect now the Senate to do its job, as well.  And the American people deserve no less.

     But in order to make this happen, I’m going to need your help.  Republican leaders have said they believe the American people should have a say.  Well, the American people did have a say back in 2012 when they elected me President.  And they had a say when they elected the current senators as senators.  They didn’t add a caveat that said we want you to be President except for your last 300 days in office when you don’t have to fulfill your duties.  And they didn’t elect senators and say, you know what, this is only a three-quarters or a half a term; you get elected for the full term, and you’re expected to do your job during that entire time. 

     So the American people have already had a say, but now what we need to do is make sure the American people will remind senators that they have a job to do.  Senators that are trying to obstruct the process need to be told that we expect the Supreme Court to be above partisan politics, and that the Court should be operating at full capacity to help the American people.

     So you’ve got somebody with unimpeachable credentials, somebody the Republicans have themselves acknowledged is qualified.  I have made this nomination.  The Court needs to have an additional justice in order to be able to weigh on some of the most important issues that affect everybody’s lives -- our voting rights; our freedom of speech; issues like immigration; issues like our environment, clean air and clean water; issues of workplace safety.  And the notion that somehow we would suspend all that because it’s an election year is not in the Constitution and it’s not been our tradition.

     And, by the way, I think everybody on this call recognizes the election season lasts longer and longer every time.  So the election season started six months, nine months, a year ago.  Are they suggesting somehow that we should have suspended our work in December or in June of last year, when the presidential candidates were already running around Iowa?  I’m assuming that’s not the argument they’re making.

     And as Valerie already pointed out, it’s not as if we haven’t had Supreme Court nominees confirmed during election years before.  The difference is, typically, it’s been Republican Presidents making the nominations and Democratic Senates -- or Democratic majorities in the Senate who have confirmed them.  And what we’re asking is simply that the Senate acts fairly in dealing with an outstanding individual who deserves to be on the Supreme Court.

     Be fair.  That’s something we all learned in kindergarten, and it’s something that the American people I think understand should apply when it comes to the highest court in the land and how we make sure that our democracy and our judicial system work.

     So make yourselves heard.  Let senators know that this is something that you care deeply about.  And it goes beyond just the typical partisan disagreements that we have; this has to do with the integrity of our system of government.  And it’s something that I care deeply about and I’m going to make sure to fight for for the remainder of my term as President.  And I hope that you’re right there with me.  Okay?

     Thank you so much, everybody.

星期四, 3月 17, 2016

THE TASTE OF THE SOUTH SHOR 3/24




 

  

SOUTH SHORE YMCA

BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW:
 
THE TASTE OF THE SOUTH SHORE
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016
6:00 - 9:00 PM
Lombardo's, Randolph 

NEW! TASTE AFTER PARTY
9:00 - 11:00 PM
Vincent's Night Club at Lombardo's
                                    


Sponsored by: 
Enjoy an Evening of Food, Drink & Fun for a Good Cause!
Mark your calendar for Thursday, March 24th and join the South Shore YMCA at the 20th Annual Taste of the South Shore! 

The Taste of the South Shore is a festive, annual, community event that brings the area's top restaurants, wineries and breweries together for a night of celebration to benefit the South Shore YMCA's Send a Kid to Camp appeal.
  
Enjoy a night out with friends sampling signature food and beverages from 40 local restaurants, wineries and breweries and mingling with community leaders. Keep the fun going at our first-ever Taste After Party at Vincent's Night Club, also at Lombardo's!
This Year's Event is One You Don't Want to Miss!
Join in the fun at this year's Taste Event!
Join in the fun at this year's Taste Event!

This year's highlights include:
  • Taste competitions judged by South Shore Living Magazine and the opportunity to vote your favorite restaurants, wineries and breweries in the People's Choice Awards
  • Exclusive raffles
  • Program booklets for guests with discount coupons to area restaurants
  • First-ever Taste After Party at Vincent's Night Club!
  • President's Club reception from 5:00-6:00 p.m. for major SSYMCA Donors with cumulative pledges over $5,000 annually.
Visit our website to see the full lineup of Taste 2016 participating 
restaurants, wineries and breweries! 
Purchase Your Tickets Today!
Help the South Shore YMCA reach this year's goal of raising $225,000 to give 500 local children the opportunity to attend South Shore YMCA Resident and Day Camps this summer!
 
  
Tickets are $125 per person. After Party-only tickets are $25 per person. Entry into the After Party is included in Taste of the South Shore ticket purchases.
 
To learn more about the Taste of the South Shore and the Y's Send a Kid to Camp appeal, please visit our website or contact Michelle Duggan atmduggan@ssymca.org or 781-264-9416.
South Shore YMCA, South Shore YMCA, 91 Longwater Circle, Norwell, MA 02061
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