Governor Baker Names Five to Cannabis Advisory Board

Governor Baker Names Five to Cannabis Advisory Board

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today named five gubernatorial appointees to Massachusetts’ Cannabis Advisory Board, charged with studying and making recommendations to the Cannabis Control Commission on the regulation and taxation of marijuana.

“We appreciate our appointees’ agreeing to serve in this public capacity alongside the Cannabis Control Commission to ensure the effective and safe implementation of the adult use of marijuana in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Baker. “Working with their colleagues, the Attorney General, Treasurer, lawmakers, educators, law enforcement, public safety and public health professionals and others, the Cannabis Advisory Board will play an important role in fairly upholding the will of the voters and assisting in the implementation of the enhanced bipartisan legislation enacted last week.”

The Cannabis Advisory Board was established by the ballot initiative approved by voters last November and in bipartisan legislation signed by Governor Baker last week, consisting of 25 members: 5 appointees each from the Governor, Treasurer and Attorney General and 10 ex officio members with expertise and knowledge relevant to the Board’s mission.

Per statute, the 5 gubernatorial appointees shall represent experts in minority business development, economic development strategies for under-resourced communities, farming or farming interests, employers and municipal law enforcement.

About Chief John Carmichael, Jr. (Municipal Law Enforcement)

Walpole Chief of Police John Carmichael, Jr. was promoted to his current role in July of 2015, having previously served over 25 years with the Department as Deputy Chief of Police, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, and Patrol Officer. He serves as a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Committee and co-chair of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association’s Substance Abuse Committee. Since the implementation of Medical Marijuana, Chief Carmichael has been the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Liaison to DPH’s Medical Marijuana Program.  He served three years as a member of the United States Army Military Police Corps. Chief Carmichael obtained his Bachelors in Criminal Justice from Western New England College and Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration from Curry College.

About Kimberly Napoli  (Minority Business Development)

Kim Napoli is a licensed Massachusetts attorney practicing labor and employment law, the co-founder of the Hempest (now The Hempest, Inc.) in Harvard Square, a hemp-based retail clothing boutique whose mission is educating the public about hemp and cannabis, and Marketing Specialist at New England Treatment Access, Inc. Napoli served as Director of Outreach for the Yes on 4 Campaign to Regulate and Tax Marijuana in Massachusetts in 2016. Napoli is a graduate of Suffolk University Law School and Suffolk University College of Arts & Sciences, and a member of the Boston Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, American Bar Association, and the Women’s Bar Association. She and her husband, and two young daughters reside in Roxbury. 

About Mary Ann Pesce (Employers)

Mary Ann Pesce is an independent consultant who spent the majority of her career in business management for The Gillette Company, based in Boston.  During her 24-year tenure with Gillette, Mary Ann led multi-disciplinary teams towards the successful launch of Gillette's blockbuster new shaving systems including MACH3, Venus, and Fusion.  Mary Ann became the first woman in Gillette's 103-year history to achieve the level of President.  Upon the acquisition of Gillette by Procter & Gamble, Mary Ann was named President of P&G's $3Billion Global Personal Care business.  She was profiled as one of the company's most inspirational business leaders and has a track record of developing high-performing teams and valuing employees. Mary Ann received her B.A from Harvard University and her MBA from The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania. She serves on the Board of Fellows of Harvard Medical School and the Board of Directors of Cambridge Savings Bank. Presently, Mary Ann works as an advisor to four start-up enterprises and lives in Weston, MA with her husband Tobey Choate and their two sons. 

About Lydia Sisson (Farming)

Lydia Sisson is a Founding Co-Director of Mill City Grows, an urban food production and sustainability initiative prioritizing increased access to fresh, locally grown produce in Lowell, since 2011. She is a founding member of Lowell’s Food Security Coalition and has been a member of the Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) in eastern Massachusetts since 2007. Throughout her career, Sisson has been actively involved in agricultural community service and education programming, including as a Research Assistant for the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project in Lowell, Farmer and Education Coordinator at Green Meadows Farm in Hamilton, a Fresh Roots Fellow at UTEC and consultant to Lowell Sprouts and the Merrimack Valley Food Bank. Sisson was previously the sole proprietor of Luna Farm in North Reading, and obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York and a Masters in Regional Economic and Social Development from the UMASS Lowell.

About Henry M. Thomas, III (Economic Development for Under-Resourced Communities)

A Springfield native, Henry M. Thomas, III, has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Urban League of Springfield, Inc. since 1974, and the Chief Executive Officer of historic Camp Atwater, the oldest African American summer youth residential camp in the nation, in North Brookfield since 1980. Henry is the Past VP of the  National Urban League, in NYC.  He is also Board member of the United Service Organizations (USO) and has been a member of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education since 2007; Past Chair of UMass System Board of  Trustees;Past Chair of the  Springfield Police Commission and past Chair of the Springfield Fire Commission.Thomas obtained his Bachelor and Masters of Arts from American International College and his jurisprudence doctorate from the Western New England University School of Law, both in Springfield. 

趙小蘭推崇父親趙錫成"逆風無畏"

將我推上服務社會頂峰的平凡偉人 - 我的父親趙錫成博士的奮鬥人生

美交通部部長趙小蘭(右)和父親趙錫成(左)。

(Boston Orange華府訊)國際領袖基金會(ILF)7月20日(週四) 晚在華府首都希爾頓大飯店(Capital Hilton) 舉行第18屆年會，邀美國交通部部長趙小蘭(Secretary Elaine Chao)以其父趙錫成博士(Dr. James S.C. Chao)的「逆風無畏」傳記，分享他白手起家，在航運業闖出一片天，還培養出美國歷史上首名亞裔部長的傳奇故事。

趙小蘭。

            國際領袖基金會認為「逆風無畏」一書呈現了趙錫成博士的核心價值，是一本值得華人同胞在教育子女、創業、為人處世，學習如何在美國融入主流社會的標竿讀物，特地以該書作為伴手禮，送給年會出席者每人一本，希望有更多人能體會趙錫成博士一生逆風向前的勇敢奮鬥及智慧經驗。

            趙錫成因為培養出美國史上首名亞裔部長趙小蘭而為人津津樂道，但他本人歷經戰亂，輾轉來美，奮鬥，堅持，抱著夢想、不畏困境，最終在航運業拼搏出一片天，並被人冠以「華人船王」稱號的曲折一生，卻鮮為人知。

            趙錫成的傳記「逆風無畏」一書，彌補了這一缺憾。

該書從趙錫成的幼年成長環境談起，一路溯及其就學經歷、在烽火中從上海到台灣，與顛沛流離時一見鍾情的朱木蘭重逢、結婚，以及在台灣生下長女小蘭、次女小琴、三女小美的經歷。

當年他為了讓妻女生活更好，隻身赴美開展新局，在艱困生活中，以無畏精神逆風前行，即使身兼數職，還得到中餐館打工，仍堅持苦讀，直到獲得碩、博士學位，接著創業。他本著中國儒商以人為本的精神，把「福茂」公司經營成業界首屈一指的航運集團。

趙家遷美後，四女小甫、五女小婷及么女安吉才相繼出生。趙錫成與妻子朱木蘭融合了東西方教養哲學，以身作則，六千金個個出類拔萃，使趙家成為全美唯一有四個女兒先後進入哈佛求學的家庭。

趙錫成曾在趙小蘭人生藍圖還是一張白紙時激勵她，「妳可以做任何妳想做的事；這是個民主自由的國家，給妳無窮機會，除了因為妳不在美國本土出生，不可能當總統之外，你什麼都可以做，包括部長。

            趙氏夫婦深信教育為一切之本。他們兩人創建的「福茂」公司穩定後，積極展開慈善事業，還為善不欲人知。書中的點點滴滴，都能讓人一窺趙錫成與朱木蘭牽手一世的伉儷情深，以及他們相互扶持，構築出的一個不僅華人，甚至老布希總統都讚賞的典範家庭。

美國華人博物館在2010年頒給趙家「傑出家庭傳承獎」，這是該館創立30餘年來，首次把這榮譽頒給整個家族。

            朱木蘭罹癌病逝後，趙錫成為實現妻子生前願望，設立「上海木蘭教育基金會」，除資助上海交大母校興建「木蘭船建大樓」，還設立獎學金，在家鄉助學、興學，作育英才無數。

趙錫成捐4000萬美元給哈佛大學興建的「趙朱木蘭中心」，甫於2016年6月啟用，成為該校近400年校史中，首座以女性及華裔命名的大樓。

趙錫成雖年近九十，仍然強調「人類因為夢想而偉大。」他抱持著作為世界公民的承擔與熱情，希望用他本身的獨特資源，為中美兩國的更好合作關係效力，為促進世界和平做貢獻。

趙小蘭在演講中盛讚其父的膽識和勇氣，認為他勇氣很大，敢做那樣的美夢。

國際領袖基金會第18屆年會表揚9名服務領袖

ILF新英格蘭分會的章賢信(左起)，會長吳子坪，克蘭斯頓市長馮偉傑
夫婦，萬寅生教授等，和交通部長趙小蘭(前左)，其父趙錫成(前右)，
以及ILF主席徐紹欽(右二)，ILF執行長董繼玲(左二)合影。

(Boston Orange華府訊) 國際領袖基金會（ILF）7月20日晚在華府首都希爾頓大飯店（Capital Hilton）舉行第18屆年會，邀得美國交通部部長趙小蘭做主題演講，並頒發公共服務獎，領袖服務獎，表揚9名傑出人士。

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來自全美各地的政商領袖、青年菁英，共500多人出席盛會。嘉賓包括美國前交通部部長峰田(Norman Mineta)，共和黨籍美屬薩摩亞(American Samoa)國會議員 Amata Radewagen，維琴尼亞州國會議員Barbara Comstock，以及康州參議員Tony Hwang，羅德島州克蘭斯頓市市長馮偉傑(Allan Fung)，馬里蘭州參議員李鳳遷(Susan Lee)，馬里蘭州眾議員林力圖(Clarence Lam )。

國際領袖基金會(International Leadership Foundation，簡稱ILF)當天還為參加｢公共事務實習計畫｣的全美各大學菁英學子舉行結業典禮，並安排了｢崛起領袖政策論壇｣與｢政商菁英午餐演講會｣等活動。

美國交通部部長趙小蘭應邀為ILF頒獎晚宴做主講人。她以父親趙錫成博士 (Dr. James S.C. Chao) 的傳記「逆風無畏」為演講主軸，分享了她父親白手起家，創辦”福茂”公司，成為美國華人船王，成功培養6名子女，捐款4000萬元，在哈佛大學商學院蓋出哈佛首座以華裔女性命名的”趙朱木蘭中心”大樓，資助其母校上海交大建「木蘭船建大樓」等，都寫在他「逆風無畏」這本傳記中的傳奇經歷。

           國際領袖基金會當晚頒發了｢公共服務獎｣，｢領袖服務獎｣這兩種獎項。猶他州第21任檢察總長 Sean D. Reyes獲公共服務獎，加州菲利蒙市市長高敘加(Lily Mei)，馬里蘭州H2O生物科技顧問公司董事長白越珠(Eugenia Bair Henry)博士，紐約州林氏集團主席兼執行長林建中，伊利諾州芝加哥Merry Richard珠寶公司董事長鄭樹華，德州休士頓美南時報集團主席李蔚華，紐約州中國銀行執行副總裁馬勇，佛羅里達州奧蘭多Jupiter地產公司董事長Khalid Muneer，馬里蘭州FasTech公司執行長Matthew Lee等人獲領袖服務獎。

           其中高敘加是加州菲利蒙市建市60年以來的首名華裔女市長，2016年當選。白越珠曾獲2009年美國婦女一要學會明日之星獎，2016年世界十大傑出華商婦女華冠獎，還因為在巴爾的摩中文學校服務十多年，設立白平先生紀念獎學金，鼓勵學生深造中文等行動，被家長推舉為校長，也被Towson Times評為美國Towson地區年度最佳校長。2013年她上任馬里蘭州台美協會會長，帶著陽光基金會積極的參與慈善公益活動。

           國際領袖基金會創辦人暨執行長董繼玲表示，該會創立宗旨市培育下一代亞裔領袖，提高年輕一代亞裔對公共事務的興趣。該會很榮幸能夠表揚這些來自全美各地，在服務社區上有傑出貢獻的亞裔菁英，給參加ILF培訓的青年們，親炙這些傑出人士風采的機會。

國際領袖基金會當天送給出席者每人一本趙錫成博士的傳記「逆風無畏」，期望亞裔都能擷取趙錫成的經驗教訓，逆風向前，無畏奮鬥。

MASSACHUSETTS SMART PLAN RECEIVES 2017 NAGDCA LEADERSHIP RECOGNITION AWARD

MASSACHUSETTS SMART PLAN RECEIVES 2017 NAGDCA LEADERSHIP RECOGNITION AWARD Award Recognizes The SMART Plan’s Innovative Active Choice Enrollment Form

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Deferred Compensation SMART Plan has received the 2017 Leadership Recognition Award through the National Association of Government Defined Contribution Administrators (NAGDCA). This award recognizes defined contribution plans for their outstanding achievements in Plan Design.

“The SMART Plan is here to provide a more secure financial future for the state’s employees,” said Treasurer Goldberg. "This award is a testament to the hard work done here at Treasury to ensure that a secure retirement is a reality for all who contribute."

“We are honored to be recognized by NAGDCA for our active choice enrollment form,” said David Lynch, Executive Director of the Defined Contribution Plans. “Our results show that participants are likely to make a positive election when faced with an active choice on participation.”

In April 2016, the SMART Plan implemented “active choice” questions to its quick enrollment form, pictured below. Since the addition of this innovative strategy, the SMART Plan has enrolled over 1000 new participants via the Active Choice Enrollment Form.

The Massachusetts Deferred Compensation SMART Plan is a voluntary retirement savings program. The Plan is established under the Internal Revenue Code Section 457, which allows eligible state employees to save and invest before-tax or after-tax (Roth) 457 contributions through salary deferrals.

Visit the SMART Plan homepage and enroll today at https://mass-smart.gwrs.com/login.do?accu=MassachusettsWR or call (877) 457-1900.

哈佛大一新生首度非白人過半

(Boston Orange整理) 以培養未來總裁，執行長及世界領袖著稱的哈佛大學今年打破歷史紀錄，第一次出現大多數大一新生非白人現象。

            不過，在哈佛努力擴大學生多元化之際，川普政府卻正加強關注平權行動政策，並暗示將調查大學如何安排校園內的族裔組成。

            紐約時報本週才報導過，美國司法部正準備把民權部門的資源，重新導向為調查，控告因平權行動的入學許可政策，被視為反白人申請者的大學。

            週三的時候，川普政府表示，沒有調查大專院校入學許可是否根據種族歧視了學生的大計畫，他們在了解的是亞美聯盟這團體在2015年提出的抱怨案。該聯盟向聯邦政府指控哈佛大學及其他長春藤學校採用族裔配額，屏擋了分數高的亞裔。

            不過關於川普政府對平權行動政策的興趣卻讓大學門措手不及，也在學術界及民權支持份子中引發憂慮。

川普政府正準備把司法部門的資源，重新導向到調查歧視白人申請者的政策上。

            週三時，數所位於麻州的大學為各自的入學許可做法辯護，聲稱他們符合法律要求，強調在打造一個學生來自不同種族，地方的校園，多元經驗對他們的學術使命來說很重要。

            根據哈佛大學的紀錄，哈佛大學今年錄取的新生，有50.8%是來自非洲裔，西語裔，亞裔，土著，以及土著夏威夷等少數族裔，比去年的47.3%更高。

            哈佛的招生人員遍及全美，拜訪了全美150個社區，晚上和學生及家長晤談，早餐時和高中輔導員談。

            哈佛今年錄取了22.2%，自認為亞裔的學生，和去年差不多。

            許多高校都在積極招收少數族裔。

麻州大學安赫斯特分校(Amherst)的註冊入讀少數族裔，從2010年的21%攀升到2016年的30%。該校註冊管理副教務長James Roche表示，該校更努力從春田市，波士頓市等城市招收學生。

華盛頓郵報周三報導，在一名專長於教育問題員工擔心會和司法部在教育上的長期民權立場相違，拒絕做調查之後，司法部找律師審視亞裔聯盟的抱怨。

告哈佛大學入學許可政策歧視亞裔學生的學生公平入學會會長Edward Blum表示，他很訝異司法部對這案子有興趣。

Blum還有個懸在那兒的告北卡羅來納教堂山大學類似案件。

他也在推動一宗由學生Abigail Fisher提出的個案。這名學生說德州大學拒絕錄取她，因為她是白人。去年，美國高等法院以4比3票決定，大學入學許可工作人員可以繼續把種族作為決定是否發給入學許可的因素之一。該決定讓大學校務人員驚詫，也讓希望結束以種族決定入學許可的那些人失望。

Councilors Wu and O’Malley File Authorization Order to Bring Community Choice Energy to Boston

Councilors Wu and O’Malley File Authorization Order to Bring Community Choice Energy to Boston

The state program allows cities to set higher renewable energy standards

BOSTON - At yesterday’s Boston City Council meeting, City Council President Michelle Wu along with co-sponsor District 6 City Councilor Matt O’Malley filed an authorization order to institute a Community Choice Energy (CCE) program in Boston. CCE is a program established by state law that allows cities and towns in Massachusetts to use bulk purchasing power on behalf of residents and small businesses to set an alternative default electricity contract, including the ability to set a higher percentage of clean, renewable energy. If passed, this order would allow Boston to take a much needed step toward combatting climate change.

“There is no time to wait,” said Councilor Wu. “Climate change and its impacts are here today. Boston must take every possible step, not just to adapt, but to halt climate change by reducing emissions and moving toward 100% renewable energy.”

Among new standards, the City would have the authority to require a focus on local and regional clean energy sources, sparking job growth and helping Massachusetts become competitive in the green energy economy nationally. The utility companies would still deliver the energy to consumers and administer billing as usual. Individuals can opt out of the bulk contract and return to the utility’s basic contract at any time. There are currently 115 approved municipal aggregation programs across the Commonwealth.

The matter was assigned to the Environment and Sustainability Committee. A hearing will be held in the coming weeks, at which public testimony is encouraged.

https://www.facebook.com/michelleforboston/videos/1469436136482973/

紐英崙潮州同鄉會夏日遊湖上新罕布夏州

(Boston Orange) 紐英崙潮州同鄉會7月30日在會長楊克敬，副會長鍾炳楠等人帶隊下，一行55人一大早7點半搭乘旅行巴士，從中國城出發，在導遊沿路解說中，來到新罕布夏州(New Hampshire)的 Weirs Lake威尼斯湖，上郵輪，逛了兩小時，欣賞山光水色，享受同鄉互訴衷情的喜悅。遊湖後，一眾人開車到新罕布夏州的中國餐館用自助餐，大快朵頤，再轉往 Merrimack Outlet 購物。一行人回到波士頓中國城時，已是晚上7點，才依依不捨道別。(圖片，謝如鍵提供)

SIX ARRESTED IN REGISTRY OF MOTOR VEHICLES IDENTITY THEFT SCHEME

SIX ARRESTED IN REGISTRY OF MOTOR VEHICLES IDENTITY THEFT SCHEME

Four RMV clerks arrested for issuing licenses and ID cards to illegal aliens for cash  

BOSTON –Six individuals, including four RMV clerks, were arrested today in connection with a scheme to produce false identification documents through the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.  Some of the false identities and addresses were used to fraudulently register to vote in the City of Boston. 

Evelyn Medina, 56, of Boston; Annette Gracia, 37, of Boston; Kimberly Jordan, 33, of Randolph; David Brimage, 46, of Boston; Bivian Yohanny Brea, 41, of Boston; and John Doe, a/k/a Flako, a/k/a Miguel, a/k/a Pablo D. Gonzalez Lopez, a/k/a Rafael R. Bonano, 32, whose identity and nationality has yet to be determined, were charged today in federal court in Boston with aggravated identity theft. The defendants are expected to appear in federal court this afternoon.

At the time of their arrest, Medina, Gracia, Jordan, and Brimage were employed as clerks at the Haymarket Registry of Motor Vehicles. Brea and Flako conspired with the RMV clerks to operate the scheme.

In October 2015, the Massachusetts State Police received an anonymous letter alleging that a corrupt RMV employee was providing stolen identifications and drivers’ licenses to individuals seeking false identifications.  An investigation revealed that several Haymarket RMV clerks – Medina, Gracia, Jordan, and Brimage – were allegedly working with Brea, who acted as the document vendor, and Flako, who acted as the document dealer, to provide licenses and identification cards to illegal aliens for cash.  

The scheme involved several steps.  First, it is alleged that Flako, the document dealer, sold a Puerto Rican birth certificate and U.S. Social Security card to Brea, the document vendor, for approximately $900.  Brea, in turn, sold the stolen identities for over $2,000 to clients seeking legitimate identities in Massachusetts. These clients included illegal aliens, individuals who were previously deported, and an individual who admitted to previously facing drug charges.

After Flako sold Brea the false identification papers, Brea typically used the counterfeit documents and false identities and addresses to fraudulently register the clients to vote in the City of Boston.  Then, Brea and the client brought the stolen identities to the Haymarket RMV, where Medina, Gracia, Jordan, and/or Brimage would accept cash to illegally issue authentic RMV documents, including Massachusetts licenses and ID cards. The clerks also accepted cash to use the RMV’s system to run queries, including Social Security number audits, to confirm that the identities the clients were stealing actually belonged to verifiable individuals.

The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory minimum of two years in prison. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The investigation into the corruption and identity theft scheme is ongoing.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; William B. Gannon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Boston Field Office; and Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris of Weinreb’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations.  The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Fellsmere Park Sign Installation Celebrates 197th Birthday of Malden's First Mayor

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Councillor Debbie DeMaria had beautiful weather for the installation of a new Fellsmere Park sign along the Fellsway East road at Fellsmere Pond. Councillor DeMaria held the ceremony in conjunction with the 197th birthday of one of the benefactors of this beautiful amenity, the first Mayor of Malden, Elisha Converse. Adding tremendous excitement to the event was that Sheryl Mills, Elisha Converse’s great-great-niece attended the event with her husband Jim. Mayor Gary Christenson, State Representative Steve Ultrino, former Mayor Ed Lucey, City Councillors John Matheson and Ryan O’Malley, local elected and City officials, members of the Historical Society, Historical Commission, Library Trustees and residents participated in the event.

The new signage informs visitors and passersby of when the park was established and informs them that this historic location is on the National Register of Historic Places. Councillor DeMaria worked with the Historical Society to design the sign, decided on the best location and also financed the project. She also thought it fitting to acknowledge the birthday of Mayor Elisha Converse whose generosity helped establish the park and who greatly benefitted the City of Malden in many ways.

In addition to being the first Mayor of Malden, Elisha Slade Converse (1820-1904) was a businessman, founder and President of the Boston Rubber Shoe Company, a founder of Malden Bank, and later the First National Bank of Malden where he served as President for 30 years. He also served in the Massachusetts Legislature as a State Representative and a State Senator. A generous philanthropist, he was involved in the construction and establishment of the Malden Hospital, Malden City Hall, Malden Public Library, Malden YMCA, Malden Historical Society and the Malden Auditorium – one of the finest theaters in the Boston area. He also donated the property for the creation of Fellsmere Park and the property to create Pine Banks Park.

After a horrendous fire in 1875 which nearly destroyed Mr. Converse’s business, the Boston Rubber Shoe Company, he realized he needed to secure an emergency water supply and purchased some property at the site of the current Fellsmere Pond. He had a water pipe installed in the stream-fed swamp that led directly to his business. Years later with the encouragement and assistance of Malden Resident Sylvester Baxter (who later became the first secretary of the Massachusetts Metropolitan Park Commission) he supported the idea to convert the area into a park where residents of future generations could walk, sit and enjoy nature.

The Malden Park Commission began working on the initiative and invited famous Father of American Landscape Architecture Frederick Law Olmstead to design the park. Fellsmere Park was established in 1893 due to the generosity of Mayor Converse and the second Mayor of Malden John Sleeper. Mayors Converse and Sleeper donated many acres of their own land which now makes up Fellsmere Park. The Malden Park Commission also bought surrounding parcels to create the 40 acre site.

“I’m truly grateful to Councillor Debbie DeMaria for taking the initiative in having this sign designed and installed,” said Mayor Gary Christenson. “It was also a great honor to meet descendants of Malden’s first Mayor.”

HEDGE FUND MANAGER ARRESTED

HEDGE FUND MANAGER ARRESTED

Defendant allegedly ran multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme

BOSTON – A Boston-area hedge fund manager was arrested and charged today in federal court in Boston with running a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme.

Raymond K. Montoya, 69, of Allston, was charged with mail fraud and wire fraud. Montoya was released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court this afternoon.

Between 2009 and June 2017, Montoya ran a pooled investment hedge fund in Boston called RMA Strategic Opportunity Fund, LLC. It is alleged that Montoya falsely told his investors—including his family, friends, and acquaintances who resided in Massachusetts, Ohio, and California—that the fund was earning substantial returns, when in fact, by 2014, the RMA Fund was sustaining substantial losses.  According to court documents, the victims transferred millions of dollars of their personal savings and 401(k) retirement plans to Montoya and the RMA Fund. Montoya told his investors that he would invest their money in stocks and bonds, but he actually invested only a portion of their money, while diverting the rest—totaling millions of dollars—to business and personal bank accounts. Montoya allegedly used the diverted money for personal expenses such as luxury vehicles and the mortgage on his son’s residence. 

Montoya was previously charged with securities fraud in a civil complaint by the Massachusetts Securities Division.

The charging statutes provide for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or gross loss from the offense, restitution and forfeiture. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney William Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston, made the announcement today.  The Massachusetts Securities Division provided valuable assistance. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil J. Gallagher Jr. of Weinreb’s Economic Crimes Unit.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

CAPAC Denounces Proposed Cuts to Legal Immigration System

CAPAC Denounces Proposed Cuts to Legal Immigration System

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, President Donald Trump announced support for the RAISE Act, a bill introduced in the United States Senate by Senators Cotton and Perdue that would dramatically cut America’s legal immigration system by moving from a family-based immigration system to a merit-based system. Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statements:

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

“The RAISE Act is a direct assault on our longstanding values as a nation of immigrants, and I vehemently oppose this xenophobic bill. This proposal to slash our current legal immigration system by 50% and to create a bureaucratic ‘points’ system will disproportionately impact the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Although AAPIs comprise 6 percent of the total U.S. population, they account for over 40 percent of the 4.3 million individuals languishing in our current family immigration visa backlogs, often waiting decades to reunite with their loved ones.

“It is clear that moving to a merit-based system that favors English-speaking, high-skilled individuals is only meant to further President Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda by creating a false classification of ‘good’ immigrants versus ‘bad’ immigrants. In reality, these drastic cuts to our legal immigration system would devastate America’s economic growth and threaten our competitive advantage to attract the best talent to our shores.

“America wins when people are welcomed and integrated into our society and given the chance to contribute to the U.S. economy. Immigrant families fill critical gaps in our workforce, open new businesses, and help to create jobs to improve local economies across the country. Instead of advancing proposals driven by fear and hate, Republicans should work with Democrats to focus on comprehensive immigration reform legislation that will reunite families, strengthen our economy, provide a pathway to citizenship, and ensure that America continues to remain the land of opportunity for all.”

Senator Mazie K. Hirono (HI):

“It is shortsighted to think that America became the great nation it is by only letting certain kinds of people into our country. Yet, this is exactly what the Trump-Cotton-Perdue proposal does. Instead of doubling down on the bigotry and irrational fear of immigrants he promoted during the campaign, the President should work with members of both parties to pass comprehensive immigration reform.”

AG HEALEY APPOINTS NEW HEADS OF HEALTH CARE DIVISION, CHILD AND YOUTH PROTECTION UNIT

AG HEALEY APPOINTS NEW HEADS OF HEALTH CARE DIVISION, CHILD AND YOUTH PROTECTION UNIT

New Leaders Appointed to Oversee Teams Focused on Improving Health Care, Advocating for Children and Youth in Massachusetts 

            BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today announced two new leadership appointments to teams focused on improving health care and advocating for children and youth in Massachusetts.

AG Healey has appointed Eric Gold as the new Chief of the Health Care Division. Gold will oversee a team that focuses on improving health care access and affordability for all Massachusetts residents. Abigail Taylor has been appointed as Director of the AG’s Child and Youth Protection Unit, focusing on improving opportunities and outcomes for children and youth in the state.

Gold, a Newton resident, joined the AG’s Health Care Division in 2012 as an Assistant Attorney Generaland has served as the Deputy Chief of the Division since January 2016. Prior to joining the AG’s Office, Gold was a litigator at Greenberg Traurig in Boston from 2008 to 2012, where he handled product liability claims, class actions, and securities suits in state and federal courts. He litigated at Sidley Austin in New York and Chicago between 2003 and 2008, representing pharmaceutical companies in complex multi-district litigation. He is a graduate of Cornell University and Washington University School of Law.

“Eric is an invaluable leader of our health care team who will bring deep knowledge and experience to heading the Health Care Division,” said AG Healey. “Eric has used his skills to shape our office’s ongoing work to address the opiate epidemic and I am thrilled that he has accepted this new position.”

As Division Chief, Gold will oversee a team of attorneys, mediators, and other staff whose primary role is to advocate for and enforce Massachusetts laws to protect health care consumers, promote affordability and accessibility and improve the overall effectiveness of the health care system. The Division also helps consumers understand their health care rights and mediates consumer disputes with health care payers and providers.

Taylor, who resides in Somerville, has served as Assistant Attorney General in the AG’s Child and Youth Protection Unit since its inception in 2015. Prior to joining the office, Taylor served as a Trial Attorney in the Criminal Fraud Division of the U.S. Department of Justice from 2011 to 2015, where she prosecuted dozens of defendants for their participation in health care fraud schemes amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. From 2008 to 2011, she served as executive director of iCivics Inc., growing a small academic project to become the leading national resource for social studies games and online civics curriculum. Taylor holds degrees from Harvard Law School, George Washington University, and Yale University.

“Abby is a natural leader who has a proven track record of bringing together diverse stakeholders to make progress on issues affecting children,” said AG Healey. “I know she will effectively lead this unit in its important mission to protect and fight for the well-being of children and youth in our state.”

Effective October 1, Taylor will succeed Judge Gail Garinger, who is transitioning into retirement following an esteemed career as the first Director of the AG’s Child and Youth Protection Unit, the first Child Advocate for Massachusetts, and a juvenile court judge.

AG Healey created a first-of-its-kind Child and Youth Protection Unit in 2015, which uses the unique position and expertise of the AG’s Office to advance initiatives fostering enhanced protections and positive outcomes for children and youth in Massachusetts. Taylor will lead the Unit in legal advocacy, programming and training efforts, and partnerships with state and local agencies and courts to improve protections and services for the state’s youngest residents.

麻州眾議會議長發聲明

Statement from Robert A. DeLeo

“It makes little sense for the Governor to file this legislation now when the there are several similar bills already in committee. Each year our hope is to hold a sales tax holiday to give our hardworking citizens and local businesses a boost, which is why the House votes consistently in favor of the sales tax holiday whenever revenues allow. 

This year, the Commonwealth experienced unpredicted revenue shortfalls and accordingly, the Legislature had to make significant budget cuts to programs and services. In doing so, however, we protected and prioritized the most critical services and programs. We also maintained our support for local cities and towns. These choices ultimately benefit local businesses, all of which require a strong local economy and infrastructure to thrive in the long-term. 

In addition, we will continue to work with local retailers to support federal action on creating a level playing field for internet and brick-and-mortar businesses alike. ”