TREASURER DEB GOLDBERG ANNOUNCES ALCOHOL TASK FORCE

TREASURER DEB GOLDBERG ANNOUNCES ALCOHOL TASK FORCE
7 Member Body to Review Alcoholic
Beverage Industry and Regulatory Structure in Massachusetts

BOSTON - Treasurer Deb Goldberg today announced the Treasurer’s Alcohol Task Force, which will convene an independent group of professionals to examine the legal and
regulatory framework governing the alcoholic beverage industry in Massachusetts. The Task Force will provide an assessment of the current climate and advise on
any improvements necessary to execute the business of alcohol regulation. Partner at Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP, E. Macey Russell will chair the group.

“It is clear that our alcohol laws and regulatory structure have been in need of an exhaustive review for some time,” said Treasurer Deb Goldberg. “The report of this Task Force is critical to providing
the best structure that meets the expectation of effective and safe oversight.”

The diverse group of thought leaders is tasked with making a comprehensive assessment of the current alcoholic beverage industry and its 

regulatory structure in Massachusetts. They will establish working groups made up of relevant stakeholders focused on specific areas and topics associated
with the industry and its oversight. The task force, which consists of appointees selected by Treasurer Deb Goldberg, Governor Charles Baker, Senate
President Stan Rosenberg, and Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo will provide a preliminary report to the Treasurer within 6 months of convening.

The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) is an agency under the Office of the State Treasurer and Receiver General Deb Goldberg. Its overall objective is to provide uniform
control over the sale, purchase, transportation, manufacture, and possession of alcoholic beverages in the state.

For more information on the ABCC please visit www.mass.gov/abcc. For any questions regarding the Alcohol Task Force please visit http://www.mass.gov/treasury/about/ask-treasury/.  

Members of the Alcohol Task Force:      

Treasurer Deb Goldberg’s Appointee, Chair

E. Macey Russell, Partner at Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP

E. Macey Russell is a partner at Choate Hall & Stewart LLP practicing complex commercial litigation and is listed in Best Lawyers in America. In 2016,

American Registry listed him among America’s Top 1% of all Professionals and he received AV Preeminent ratings from both Martindale-Hubble and the Judiciary.

 He is a member of Litigation Counsel of America’s Trial Lawyer Honorary Society composed of less than
one-half of 1% of American lawyers. In 2011, the American Bar Foundation named
him a Fellow, which is reserved for one third of 1% of attorneys in his
jurisdiction. Appointed by the Governor, from 2011 until 2014 he served as the
Chair of the 21 member Judicial Nominating Commission which recommended
judicial appointments at all levels throughout the Commonwealth. His honors
include: 2011 Burton Award for Exceptional Legal Writing from The Burton
Foundation and Library of Congress for his co-authored article “Developing
Great Minority Lawyers for the Next Generation.” In 2009, Massachusetts Lawyers
Weekly named him a “Diversity Hero.” He is a nationally recognized speaker on
law firm diversity and inclusion. Russell received a JD from Suffolk University
Law School in 1983 and a BA from Trinity College in 1980.

Treasurer Deb Goldberg’s Appointee, Member

Kate Cook, Of Counsel, Sugarman
Rogers Barshak & Cohen, P.C. 

Kate R. Cook is the Chair of Sugarman Rogers' Government Law Practice Group. Her government law practice
focuses on advising both private and public sector clients on all aspects of
government law at the federal, state, and local levels. Ms. Cook counsels
clients on government ethics, conflicts of interest, constitutional law, public
records, lobbying, campaign finance, election law, municipal law, crisis
management, and legislative and regulatory drafting. Leveraging her experiences
working at the state and local level, Kate helps clients navigate government to
meet their goals. In addition, she represents government and corporate clients
in complex litigation matters in the areas of general business, employment,
environmental and real estate law. Kate's practice draws upon her unique skill set
as a legal advisor to political executives in high profile and complex matters
and as an experienced litigator with proven solution-oriented results. She has
served as Chief Legal Counsel to the Governor, General Counsel to Massachusetts
Senate Ways and Means Committee and Assistant Corporation Counsel to the City
of Boston. 

Most recently, Ms. Cook served as Chief Legal Counsel to Governor Deval L. Patrick. In that role, she advised the
Governor and executive branch on legal, regulatory and policy matters across
the administration. Kate played an active role in significant Governor Patrick
policy initiatives, such as the Governor’s clemency decisions, opiate crisis
response and regulatory reforms to strengthen small businesses. In the City of
Boston law department, she tried several cases and handled a wide-range of
municipal liability matters including election law, civil rights, Americans
with Disabilities Act compliance, employment, and claims under the
Massachusetts Tort Claims Act.


Ms. Cook also served as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Morris E. Lasker of
the U.S. District Court from September 2001-June 2003.

Treasurer Deb Goldberg’s Appointee, Member

Lisa Wong, Former Mayor of Fitchburg

Mayor Lisa Wong served four terms
as Mayor of the city of Fitchburg. Elected to that office at the age of 28,
Mayor Wong is the youngest female and the first Asian American female elected
mayor in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

During her career, Mayor Wong’s work on community engagement, environmental issues, education and public health
received numerous recognitions. Her work to engage immigrants has been featured
on CNN and she chaired a national environmental justice task force as part of
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Local Government Advisory Committee.
Her FUN and FITchburg initiative to lower childhood obesity and target health
disparities led to one of the largest drops in childhood obesity rates in the
country. Mayor Wong has been named the Conservationist of the Year from the Trustees
of Reservations, the Blue Green Hero award from the Ocean River Institute, the
School Committee Member of the Year from the MA Association of School
Committees, and the Gateway Cities Champion Award from MassINC. 

Mayor Wong restored fiscal stability to Fitchburg, notably by increasing the stabilization fund,
increasing the bond rating several times, reorganizing city departments,
reducing health care costs, and instituting energy efficiency projects
throughout the city. She attracted jobs and major investment into Fitchburg
through smart growth planning projects, including reinvestment in vacant mills
and the $100 million development of an indoor water resort. As co-chair of the
Massachusetts Gateway Cities Initiative, Mayor Wong helped to develop new
funding and incentive programs to attract inner city development and save
manufacturing jobs.

Treasurer
Deb Goldberg’s Appointee, Member

Rachael Rollins, Former Chief Legal
Counsel to the Massachusetts Port Authority

Rachael Rollins has served as the Chief Legal Counsel and a trusted member of the Executive Leadership teams in
some of the largest and most complicated State agencies and authorities in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In addition to her State service, Ms. Rollins
spent four years as a federal prosecutor in the United States Attorney's Office
for the District of Massachusetts. There, she defended the United States and
its agencies in a wide array of civil suits and prosecuted both civil and
criminal cases, including drug and firearm offenses, and litigated complex
white collar criminal matters. Immediately before joining the U.S. Attorney's
Office, Ms. Rollins spent several years as an associate at two large law firms
in Boston.

In addition to her continuing public
work as a consultant to various governmental entities and to companies seeking
to do work with the government, Ms. Rollins is currently a member of the
Advisory Board of the Rappaport Center for Law and Public Policy at Boston
College Law School. She is a past President of the Massachusetts Black Lawyers
Association, has served as an elected member of the Boston Bar Association
Council, and is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 40-Under-40
Award from the Boston Business Journal and a TOYL Award (Ten Outstanding Young
Leaders) from the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. In February, 2016, Ms.
Rollins completed an intense, accelerated, six-month Executive Management and
Leadership Program at Harvard Business School. She is the very proud mom of
Peyton, her 12-year-old daughter. 

Governor
Charles Baker’s Appointee, Member

Robert Cerasoli, Adjunct Professor
at Quincy College 

Robert A. Cerasoli has a 44-year record of outstanding public service. He has provided
major contributions to responsible professional ethical conduct in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, the national
Inspectors General community, and in thirteen foreign nations.

Cerasoli, a native of Quincy, Massachusetts, received his Bachelor of Arts in Government
and Public Administration in 1969 from The American University. In 1988,
Cerasoli received a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University. In
2015, he received a Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation
from Abilene Christian University. He is a Certified Inspector General (CIG),
Certified Inspector General Investigator (CIGI), Certified Inspector General
Auditor (CIGA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and Certified Government
Financial Manager (CGFM). 

Cerasoli possesses three decades of teaching experience in ethics, auditing, oversight,
financial management, and anti-corruption practices. He has taught courses at
Bridgewater State University, Eastern Nazarene College, Newbury College, Quincy
College, New Hampshire Community Technical College, and for the Association of
Inspectors General at American University in Washington, D. C., and John Jay
College of Criminal Justice in New York City.

Cerasoli combines teaching experience with decades of practical experience in the
field.  He served as a Representative in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1975 to 1991. He served as the
second Inspector General for the State of Massachusetts for two five-year
terms, the maximum allowed by law, from 1991 to 2001. The Massachusetts
Inspector General was the first statewide Inspector General position created in
the U.S. and the first Inspector General position created outside of the
federal system. He also served as the first Inspector General of New Orleans,
Louisiana from 2007 to 2009, where he set up the office from the ground up
after Hurricane Katrina.  

As one of the original founders and charter members of the Association of
Inspectors General (AIG), Cerasoli literally wrote the book—he proposed,
developed, and co-authored the Certified Inspector General (CIG) concept and
the creation of the Principles and Standards for Offices of Inspectors General, called the Green Book. This book was used as a
basis for the creation of the Inspector General office in New Orleans.

Senate President Stan Rosenberg’s Appointee, Member

Pete Wilson, Press Secretary to Senate President Stan
Rosenberg

Mr. Wilson received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Master’s degree from
The George Washington University.  Mr. Wilson has extensive political,
government, nonprofit, and communications experience at the state, federal, and
municipal level.  He has previously worked as the Legislative Director for
the Massachusetts House Committee on Ways and Means, Vice President of
Communications at the Liberty Square Group, and most recently as Communications
Director for Jeff McCormick’s gubernatorial campaign.  

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES WORKSHOP SERIES TO SUPPORT BOSTON SMALL BUSINESSES

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES WORKSHOP SERIES TO SUPPORT BOSTON SMALL BUSINESSES

BOSTON - Wednesday, January 25, 2017 -  Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced a series of small business support workshops that will be hosted in neighborhoods across Boston over the winter and spring to assist entrepreneurs and small business owners of all types and development stages. Hosted by the Mayor's Office of Economic Development in partnership with Boston Main Streets, this series of workshops will provide assistance and guidance for small businesses in Boston. The workshops will build on the Office of Economic Development's business support system and technical assistance program. "Small businesses are the backbone of communities throughout Boston," said Mayor Walsh. "A vibrant small business ecosystem is important because it extends economic opportunities to all our residents. When we released our first Small Business Plan last year, our main goals were to support the small business economy, enhance neighborhood vibrancy, and foster economic and social inclusion and equity. This series will help us to make progress on each of these goals." Released in 2016, the City's first ever Small Business Plan identified the top needs of Boston's small businesses, as well as opportunities to create strategies to meet those needs. This workshop series addresses several needs of the small business community, including increased contracting opportunities, strategic programs for immigrant business owners and entrepreneurs, and a focus for key growth business segments designed to support smaller restaurants and retailers. "Small businesses are the economic engine of the City of Boston," said John Barros, Chief of Economic Development. "By streamlining small business resources through a single department, we are equipped to support the City's more than 40,000 small businesses on issues ranging from visual merchandising to developing a sustainable business plan. From the self-employed to entrepreneurs to brick and mortar storefronts, Mayor Walsh and the Office of Economic Development will continue to ensure a growing, thriving and equitable small business ecosystem." The workshops will be conducted by the Office of Economic Development in partnership with consultants available through its On-Site Technical Assistance program. The consultants work with businesses for a six month period to address challenges and provide guidance to entrepreneurs and business owners on issues ranging from developing a sustainable business plan, to assistance with financial management. Upcoming workshops include: Date: Tuesday, January 31 Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Topic: Instagram Location: Boston Public Library, Copley Square Register here. Date: Wednesday, February 22 Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Topic: Leasing Location: Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building, Roxbury Date: Tuesday, February 28 Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Topic: Facebook Location: Egleston Square YMCA, Roxbury *Spanish interpreter available Date: Tuesday, March 14 Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Topic: Financial Management for Food Businesses Location: East Boston (exact location TBD) *Spanish interpreter available Date: Tuesday, March 28 Time: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Topic: Tactics for Scaling Your Business for Female Entrepreneurs Location: Roxbury Innovation Center Additional workshops and details will be announced for the spring. All workshop and registration information can be found at boston.gov/econdev, on Twitter, and on Facebook. About the Mayor's Office of Economic Development The Economic Development Cabinet's mission is to make Boston an appealing and accessible place for working families, entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors to innovate, grow, and thrive in a way that fosters inclusion, broadens opportunity, and shares prosperity, thereby enhancing the quality of life for all Bostonians and the experience for all visitors. Learn more on their  website.

MAYOR WALSH, BOSTON RED SOX ANNOUNCE FOUR BATTING CAGES TO BE INSTALLED THROUGHOUT BOSTON

MAYOR WALSH, BOSTON RED SOX ANNOUNCE FOUR BATTING CAGES TO BE INSTALLED THROUGHOUT BOSTON

BOSTON - Wednesday, January 25, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Boston Red Sox Foundation today announced that four indoor batting cages will be installed in 2017 at Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) locations throughout the City of Boston. The batting cage installation is made possible by a grant from the Youth Development Foundation, an organization set up in 2015 by Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) to improve the caliber, effectiveness and availability of amateur baseball and softball programs across the United States and Canada. "Baseball isn't just a sport - it's a passion for so many Boston residents and children, and this grant will allow young people throughout our City to improve their baseball game in a welcoming, accessible environment," said Mayor Walsh. "I'm grateful to our Red Sox Foundation partners for providing BCYF centers batting cages that will allow our young athletes to enjoy baseball throughout every month of the year." "Major League Baseball is pleased to contribute to a project that will allow young people throughout Boston to hone their skills and enjoy our sport year-round," said Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. "This particular effort serves as a great illustration of the impact that the joint Youth Development Foundation is making on worthy initiatives in Major League markets. MLB also commends the Red Sox franchise on its exceptional commitment to the communities of Boston." "On behalf of all Players, and especially those who call the Boston area home, we are happy to direct funds from the Youth Development Foundation to help install indoor batting cages throughout the city," stated MLBPA Executive Director, Tony Clark.  "One of the main goals of the Foundation is to improve access to the sport of baseball for inner-city youth, and we believe this project will help cultivate greater levels of interest and participation in our great game among Boston youth." "Growing the game of baseball and connecting with younger fans is a point of focus for the Red Sox, the league, and the Players Association," said Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner. "We thank Commissioner Manfred and MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark for this generous grant that addresses a need in a number of youth and family centers in Boston. This grassroots effort will help countless young children improve their game, and we are grateful for the support from the Youth Development Foundation in our community." Over the next few months, the Red Sox Foundation will install four batting cages in BCYF locations in Boston. The first batting cage was formally unveiled today at BCYF's Tobin location on Tremont Street in Mission Hill. Three more batting cages will be installed in 2017 at BCYF's Curtis Hall in Jamaica Plain, the Shelburne center in Roxbury, and the Nazarro center in the North End. About the Red Sox Foundation The official team charity of the Boston Red Sox, the Red Sox Foundation has distributed over $93 million to support programs serving children and families across New England. The Foundation's efforts are primarily focused on its cornerstone programs: the Red Sox Scholars Program, which provides tutoring, mentoring, enrichment programs and a college scholarship to academically talented but economically disadvantaged Boston public school students; the Red Sox Foundation's RBI and Rookie League youth baseball and softball programs serving more than 1,500 inner city teens each summer; the New England Red Sox Service Scholarship program providing scholarships to high school seniors in CT, VT, ME, RI and NH based upon community service; the Massachusetts Little League Initiative supporting up to 200 little league teams in the Commonwealth, the Home Base Program, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital partnership  providing clinical care for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with combat stress and traumatic brain injury; The Dimock Center in Roxbury, serving more than 60,000 low-income families in Boston's most disadvantaged neighborhoods; and The Jimmy Fund, supporting breakthrough cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. About the Youth Development Foundation In July 2015, the Major League Baseball Players Association and Major League Baseball announced a commitment of $30 million toward a new joint initiative that will focus on improving the caliber, effectiveness and availability of amateur baseball and softball programs across the United States and Canada, titled the Youth Development Foundation (YDF).  The YDF funds are designated for a comprehensive list of potential efforts that focus on, but are not limited to: training and recognition programs for coaches; matching grants for youth baseball academies; outreach and matching programs for Major Leaguers and former Major Leaguers who desire to work with youth baseball programs in their communities; and defraying the expense to play in elite-level programs and showcases. The YDF was designed to supplement similar efforts that are already underway to grow the game internationally, outside of the United States and Canada.

波市府徵求市府咖啡店提案

MAYOR WALSH RELEASES REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR CITY HALL COFFEE SHOP

BOSTON - Tuesday, January 24, 2017 - Today, Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the release of a Request for Proposals for applicants interested in operating a coffee shop in the lobby of Boston City Hall this spring.   This project is part of a renovation of the lobby, which is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2017 (schematics of the new lobby design can be found here). "Boston City Hall oftentimes serves as a person's first face-to-face interaction with their local government, and it's important that everyone who visits our building has an enjoyable and productive experience," said Mayor Walsh. "This is a small step to activate the people's public space and will undoubtedly have a big impact that will enhance constituent interactions with their government." In 2015, the City implemented a pilot program to determine interest and viability of a local coffee cart on the mezzanine level of Boston City Hall.  Over the last 18 months, the City experimented with three different local vendors. Today's announcement builds on Mayor Walsh's vision for Boston City Hall to be a public place where residents, visitors, and employees may conduct necessary business in an open and welcoming space. The RFP is open to any vendor who would like to apply, and the City encourages participation from local, minority and women-owned businesses. The temporary installation of the coffee carts have proven to be successful for patrons and businesses. The temporary coffee carts created an opportunity for small, local businesses and provided a new destination for an activated public space in the lobby.  The mezzanine level became a node of social interaction where City workers and visitors could informally collaborate and socialize.   This project is a collaboration between the City's Operations and Economic Development Cabinets and the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics. Issued through the City's Property Management Department, the Request for Proposals can be found on the City of Boston's procurement website, Event # EV00003931.  Responses are due February 9, 2017.  Interested respondents are invited to tour the space with City staff on today, January 24, 2017 at 4:00 PM, and also on January 31, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.

Tito Jackson 追究Boston Calling調查

Statement from City Councillor Tito Jackson on the on-going Boston Calling investigation

I am extremely troubled to learn this morning Mayor Walsh personally attended two 2014 meetings to discuss Boston Calling, the Boston music festival. Members of his Administration are currently under Federal investigation for alleged extortion surrounding this event.

We must have a Mayor who is transparent around the way he and the members of his Administration operate.

Because these allegations continue to emerge, they have become an obstacle for the city to address the other serious issues Bostonians face every day.

If these allegations are true, I ask Mayor Walsh to speak plainly and come clean rather than prolong this affair any further.

– City Councillor Tito Jackson