CITY OF BOSTON ISSUES RFP FOR CREATIVE INDUSTRIES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

CITY OF BOSTON ISSUES RFP FOR CREATIVE INDUSTRIES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

To create pipeline for Boston residents to jobs in the creative industries

BOSTON - Monday, August 21, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the City of Boston has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a consultant to design and implement a Creative Industries workforce development program within the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development (OWD). The initiative is a joint venture between OWD, Emerson College and the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) and will identify how to create opportunities for Boston residents to gain employment in the Creative Industries. The RFP builds off of a core component of Mayor Martin J. Walsh's Boston Creates Cultural Plan to prioritize, coordinate, and align public and private resources to strengthen the City of Boston's creative capital over the long term. The City of Boston will provide $75,000 in funding for the execution of this feasibility study. "In order to support and strengthen our creative industries sector, and to work to diversify its ranks, we must ensure that our young people and adults can access pathways to the careers where there is a demand," said Mayor Walsh. "I thank Emerson and MassArt for their partnership on this important initiative that will bring together public and private resources to create more opportunities for our residents." "Emerson College is excited about the possibilities and opportunities this new partnership with the City of Boston could bring to area residents and the local creative economy," said Ruthanne Madsen, Vice President for Enrollment Management at Emerson College. "The findings of the study could assist us in identifying new educational pathways and programming to support student access, community engagement, and cultural enrichment." "This partnership enables MassArt to better achieve our mission -- to prepare students from diverse backgrounds to participate in the creative economy," said Daniel Serig, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at MassArt. "Boston students need and deserve access to these careers that continue to grow and expand." The research and/or consultant team chosen will conduct a feasibility assessment of higher education and training programs that provide career pathways in the creative economy sector. This assessment will investigate programs already in operation as well as programs in the pipeline for future development, particularly as it relates to Emerson College and MassArt. The selected team will synthesize the literature and existing research available on the topic of the creative economy labor market with educational programming in order to ascertain the pathways which provide immediate access to a defined career path. The report will be used to increase knowledge within Boston Public Schools, to create more opportunities for Boston's young people to access careers in the creative economy. In a recent report, the Boston Planning & Development Agency found that creative employment in 2014 totaled 29,762 jobs in business establishments - this is 5.4 percent of Boston's total private sector payroll employment. An additional 6,483 people were self-employed in the creative industries. Including this self-employment measure, Boston's Creative Economy totals 36,254 workers. The 29,762 workers on payrolls across Boston took home over 2.4 billion dollars combined, averaging $81,179 in annual wages.   The RFP was released on Monday, August 21 and proposals are due by September 21 at 5 p.m. About Boston Creates In June 2016, Mayor Walsh announced the Boston Creates Cultural Plan, a ten-year initiative that will align public and private resources to strengthen cultural vitality over the long-term, and weave arts and culture into the fabric of everyday life.  Cities with high levels of creative capital encourage, reward and integrate imaginative thinking into all aspects of community life. Boston wants to better understand the creative capital of Boston and develop a plan that will prioritize, coordinate, and align public and private resources to strengthen this creative capital over the long term. Boston Creates helped inform the final Imagine Boston 2030 plan, Boston's first citywide plan in over 50 years. Imagine Boston 2030, which has been underway since fall of 2015 and has been shaped by the input of over 15,000 residents of Boston, is a comprehensive vision to boost quality of life, equity and resilience in every neighborhood across the city. The plan outlines Boston's current economic and population boom, and, while that growth presents challenges, it also presents an opportunity to provide access to economic mobility and opportunity. It also demonstrates avenues for quality of life improvements while increasing affordability and resiliency. Imagine Boston 2030 identifies major initiatives to expand opportunity for all Bostonians, support a vibrant economy, enhance quality of life, and prepare for climate change.

AG HEALEY RETURNS $500,000 TO MASSHEALTH IN SETTLEMENT WITH SPRINGFIELD DENTIST OVER ALLEGED IMPROPER BILLING

AG HEALEY RETURNS $500,000 TO MASSHEALTH IN SETTLEMENT WITH SPRINGFIELD DENTIST OVER ALLEGED IMPROPER BILLING

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey announced today that her office has reached a settlement with a pediatric dentist in Springfield, returning $500,000 to the state’s Medicaid program (MassHealth) and resolving claims that the dentist improperly billed the program for services.

The settlement agreement resolves allegations that Dr. Annie Watson, DDS and her dental practice, Gentle Smiles, LLC, improperly billed MassHealth for palliative care (emergency pain treatment) between March 2010 and June 2013, and failed to comply with MassHealth rules associated with the use of that emergency treatment billing code. 

The AG’s Office began an investigation into Dr. Watson and Gentle Smiles upon a referral from MassHealth, which identified Dr. Watson as the top biller of the palliative care code among all MassHealth dental providers.

Palliative care is the emergency treatment of dental pain that relieves the pain but is not curative and can include draining of an abscess or prescribing pain medication or antibiotics. In order to bill this code, the patient’s dental record must contain a description of the treatment provided and must document that the treatment was given on an emergency basis.

The AG’s investigation revealed that Dr. Watson routinely billed for palliative care without any supporting documentation, including when patients only received cleanings and x-rays.

Under the terms of the civil settlement, Dr. Watson and her business will pay MassHealth $500,000 as restitution for improper billing. The settlement also requires that Dr. Watson and her employees review and comply with all applicable state and federal statutes, and all regulations governing participation in MassHealth.

MassHealth provides healthcare products and services to eligible low-income individuals, including people with disabilities, children and senior citizens.

            This matter was handled by Managing Attorney Lee Hettinger and Investigator Deborah El Majdoubi, both of the AG’s Medicaid Fraud Division. MassHealth assisted in this investigation. 

北一女、建中校友大波士頓聯歡

【北一女建中校友聯歡  波士頓敘舊話當年】

北一女校友會會長吳國志(左二)、建中校友會會長王子仁(左一)與駐
波士頓臺北經文處處長賴銘琪伉儷(中、右二)和僑教中心主任
歐宏偉(右一)合影。

波士頓北一女校友會和建中校友會於8月19日艾克頓市的Nara Park舉辦聯合野餐活動，兩校校友及家屬近百人參加，當中也有不少北一女年輕校友參加，現場除準備許多美食佳餚之外，也安排餘興及聯誼節目，現場歡笑聲不斷，溫馨熱絡。

駐波士頓臺北經文處處長賴銘琪伉儷和僑教中心主任歐宏偉也應邀出席，賴銘琪表示，今天最主要的目的是陪同北一女校友的處長夫人雲雯蓁女士來參加，也期許校友們踴躍參與今年慶祝雙十國慶各項活動；歐宏偉向兩校校友致意，並鼓勵僑胞鄉親踴躍組團返國參加十月慶典活動，也可順道安排自費體驗臺灣優質健檢服務安心專案的行程。

北一女校友會會長吳國志表示，夏日野餐聯誼活動是該校校友會的年度大事之一，自去年起邀請建中校友會一同舉辦，增進兩校情誼，也讓參與的僑胞鄉親人數大幅增加；吳國志也提出呼籲，希望老中青三代的北一女校友加入校友會的行列；建中校友會的會長由王子仁教授接任，他也鼓勵海外的建中校友踴躍參加各項僑社活動。(圖與文:波士頓僑教中心提供)

中華藝協舞蹈夏令營結業

【藝協舞蹈夏令營結業  展現學習成果】

由中華民國僑務委員會贊助的紐英崙中華藝術協會舞蹈夏令營，8月19日下午舉行結業式與成果發表，由各組學員演出一週的學習成果，包括芭蕾、爵士、民族舞蹈等各類節目，吸引學員家長及各界人士近200人到場觀賞。

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉在閉幕式時應邀致詞，讚許林愛迪會長和陳玉律總監30餘年來在海外傳揚中文傳統文化的付出與貢獻，也祝賀夏令圓滿成功；陳玉律感謝僑委會的支持、老師的辛勞、輔導員的協助、家長的配合與學員們的努力，致使今年的夏令營順利成功。

3組學員將一週來習得的嘻哈、爵士、芭蕾、傳統舞蹈基本功及民族舞蹈，一一呈現，在場的家長們也一邊欣賞演出，一邊拿起相機和手機，為子女留下舞蹈夏令營美好的回憶。(圖與文:波士頓華僑文教中心提供)

估計數千人將上街遊行對抗"自由言論"組織的遊行

(Boston Orange 整理報導) 被視為支持白人至上主義者的”自由言論(Free Speech)”將於19日在波士頓遊行一事，在波士頓本地引發激烈反應，一群活躍份子揚言將召集數以萬計民眾，從洛士百利遊行到波士頓廣場以示對抗。

            洛士百利的活躍份子Monica Cannon表示，他們預計會有2到3萬人站出來。他們聯絡了猶太社區，亞裔社區，全美各地都有人會趕來。她知道的就有來自多倫多，明尼阿波里斯的黑人生命重要(Black Lives Matter)全球網。還有人會從夏洛茲維爾(Charlottesville)趕來。

Cannon 和波士頓市議員候選人Angelina Camacho18日開了一個記者會，說明他們計畫在19日舉辦”對抗至上，波士頓反抗議及抵抗遊行”。”波士頓內暴力”，波士頓，劍橋市的”黑人生命重要”都參與組織這場遊行，在臉書上預定參加的人數已達11,300，有意參加的也有24,000人。

 他們的遊行預定早上10點從洛士百利的瑞吉路易斯(Reggie Lewis)體育中心開始，經由天滿街(Tremont)到波士頓廣場。

            Cannon表示，她已和波士頓警察局商量細節，她也希望波士頓市政府能更努力地避免讓言論自由那些人遊行。她說她不認為那些人是在表達自由言論，她相信那是仇恨言論。她希望市政府拒絕發給那些人遊行許可，逼他們上法庭，或者至少拖延遊行能舉行的時間。她認為如果市政府真的想要封閉這種仇恨言論，就會竭盡所能的不讓遊行發生。

Cannon還記得，去年波士頓市府就扣押了一個大麻遊行的許可。結果遊行組織者得上法庭取得緊急命令，逼波士頓市政府給他們許可。她不明白為什麼波士頓市這次沒有這麼做。

"言論自由"週六要遊行 波市將派500警察維安

(Boston Orange) 波士頓市將派出500多名警察，監督明日(8月19日)在波士頓廣場(Boston Common)舉行的”波士頓言論自由”遊行。現場一旦出現暴動跡象，將立即解散遊行。

遊行期間，波士頓廣場一帶將封閉數條街。天滿街(Tremont)有一大段會暫時封閉， 樂隊台裏面及鄰近一帶，都將安裝相機，也會有些警察攜帶相機。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)與波士頓警察局局長伊凡斯(Evans)等人今(18)日舉行記者會，嚴肅表示波士頓嚴陣以待。

            馬丁華殊表示，”法院已十分清楚表示，不論他們的觀點有多令人討厭，他們有權集會，但沒有權力製造不安全情況，他們必須尊重我們這城市”。

            “言論自由”組織者估計這遊行只是小規模，也保持這是開放給所有不同政治觀點者參加，不是給仇恨團體一個論壇的活動這態度。不過有關當局恐怕白人至上者會來參加，而且有兩名遊行的主要演講者，Kyle Chapman 和Joe Biggs，都和極端分子有關係。

            馬丁華殊反駁了3K黨(Ku Klux Klan)成員可能參加遊行的報導。他說，”完全沒有任何3K黨員要參加的說法”。他力勸大眾不要和週六出現的任何仇恨團體起衝突，也忠告居民及遊客，在遊行期間避開波士頓廣場。

            馬丁華殊說，”波士頓之子們在看著”，”波士頓市的年輕人在看電視，追蹤這宗新聞，我們必須要清楚波士頓市的立場，我們必須團結一致”。

            他提及，波士頓廣場樂隊台(bandstand)有過許多民權偶像發表談話，1852年有Frederick Douglass，1965年有小馬丁路德金牧師(Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.)，前任美國總統奧巴馬在第一次競選時，也在那兒向群眾講過話。

            他說，那些人說的話，大家都會記得，也遵循。他勸每個人週六那天都要表現良好，也要求那些決定要到波士頓廣場的人保持平和。他說，波士頓對仇恨不會以牙還牙，是會回以平和。

馬丁華殊和波士頓警察局局長伊凡斯(William B. Evans)在記者會中重申，可用做武器的物品，諸如棍棒等，將不准帶進遊行隊伍中，所有的背袋都可能被檢查。目前遊行中並沒有可信的恐怖威脅在。

伊凡斯強調，波士頓市對任何暴力行動都將抱持零容忍態度。新聞報導已給人製造出暴力對抗即將來臨的印象，每個人都以為明天會看到一場戰爭似的。

            伊凡斯要求居民展現波士頓馬拉松爆炸案發生後所凝聚的力量，團結反對偏執，反對白人至上主義者。

            他說，”我們會在那地方到處安插耳目”，”相信我，我們將不讓任何事發生，只要有一點狀況，我們就採行B計畫，如果有需要終止遊行，我們也會這麼做”。

            MBTA交通警察長Kenneth Green表示，週六時的地鐵系統將照正常情況營運。地鐵警察也將不會容忍任何暴力。

一週前，查洛斯維爾(Charlottesville)才發生了一場白人至上主義者的遊行，造成死亡事件。麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)表示，有關當局一直都在計畫，要避免週六活動時發生類似慘劇。

            查理貝克說，在美國歷史中的爭取自由平等上，麻州是某些重要時刻的發生地。麻州將盡其所能的確保明天(19日)的活動是關於自由與正義，自由及和平。

Now The First Week In August is Ice Bucket Challenge Week

Governor Baker Participates in Ceremonial Bill Signing Recognizing ‘Ice Bucket Challenge Week’ in Honor of Frates Family and ALS Awareness

Annual week in August recognizes efforts to raise awareness for battling ALS

Click here for more photos

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito today joined Senator Joan Lovely, Representative Jerry Parisella, Pete Frates, members of the Frates family and ALS research advocates for the ceremonial bill signing of H.1697, An Act Establishing The First Week In August As Ice Bucket Challenge Week, to annually honor the contributions of Pete Frates and his family and raise awareness and resources for those battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Governor Baker officially signed the legislation on August 1, 2017. The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was co-founded in 2014 by Pete Frates, Pat Quinn and Anthony Senerchia to raise awareness for the progressive neurodegenerative disease and funds to support research towards a cure. 

In August of 2015, Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito were joined by Pete Frates and his family to take the ALS “Every August Until a Cure” Ice Bucket Challenge at the State House. Members of the Baker-Polito Administration, Treasurer Goldberg, Auditor Bump and members of the legislature also participated to raise awareness and support a cure for ALS.

波市長新幕僚長David Sweeney九月一日上任

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES DAVID SWEENEY AS CHIEF OF STAFF

BOSTON - Friday, August 18, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced today that Daniel Koh will be leaving the City of Boston and David Sweeney will be appointed Chief of Staff, effective September 1st. Sweeney has served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Collector-Treasurer for the City of Boston since April 2014. "David Sweeney has served as an integral part of my administration from day one," Mayor Walsh said. "He is a thoughtful, no-nonsense manager who is focused on implementing initiatives that will move Boston and its neighborhoods forward. It's because of his successful oversight of the city's finances that we are able to invest in our priorities from Imagine Boston 2030 and our long-term plans, and I am very confident in his ability to manage the day-to-day execution of city government while also setting the foundation to meet our long-term goals." Mayor Walsh continued, "Dan Koh has provided unwavering service to the City of Boston for almost four years. From his dedication to improving education, housing and job opportunities for the residents of Boston to making government more innovative and efficient through data-driven practices such as CityScore, Dan is a proven leader with a big vision and a passion for making people's lives better. The City of Boston has benefited greatly from his work and I thank him for his dedication and support." "Serving as Chief of Staff has been an incredible honor and I am grateful to the people of Boston and Mayor Walsh for the opportunity," Koh said. "David Sweeney is a model public servant who has impeccably managed the city's financial health over the past term. He is a fantastic choice for Chief of Staff and Boston is incredibly lucky to have him." As Chief of Staff, Sweeney will focus on accelerating the implementation of the Mayor's priorities, ensuring the effectiveness of city services, and supporting over 18,000 employees in doing their jobs at the City of Boston. "I am thankful to Mayor Walsh for this great opportunity and for allowing me to continue to have a role in realizing the vision the Mayor has identified to ensure Boston's future success," Sweeney said. "I look forward to bringing the same focus of efficiency and accountability that has been applied to the Mayor's management of city finances to the role of Chief of Staff, and implementing the priorities that will benefit Boston and its neighborhoods." In his current role as CFO, Sweeney is responsible for maintaining strong financial management, while also ensuring the ability to make significant investments in Boston's future. A member of the Mayor's Cabinet, Sweeney also oversees personnel and labor functions for the City, including Human Resources, Labor Relations, Treasury, Assessing, Auditing, Budget, Purchasing and the Boston Retirement Board. The City's sound fiscal management was recently validated by the affirmation of Boston's two AAA bond ratings for the 4th year in a row. In February, Moody's Investor Services said that "Boston's AAA reflects the city's strong fiscal management and stable financial position as well as the large and growing tax base," while S&P Global Ratings said that they viewed "Boston's management environment as very strong." Under Sweeney's leadership as CFO, the City is also projected to have roughly doubled its financial reserves over the past four years to ensure the City is prepared for any future downturns in the economic cycle. As a lead partner in the development of Imagine Boston 2030, the first citywide plan in over 50 years, Sweeney guided Mayor Walsh's five-year capital plan to focus on the core goals of BuildBPS, Go Boston 2030, Boston Creates and Climate Ready Boston, resulting in an estimated 77 percent of investments aligned with planning efforts under the Imagine Boston 2030 umbrella, moving Boston residents' priorities from idea to action. This increase in capital investment is supported by a plan to gradually expand annual borrowing from $140 million to $200 million by 2022 while still remaining in compliance with debt affordability policy, ensuring protection for operational spending on priorities including education and public safety. Sweeney has managed the presentation of a balanced budget several years in a row, most recently supporting Mayor Walsh in the successful passage of the Fiscal Year 2018 Budget, which implemented a number of cost saving reforms that will save the City approximately $60 million and allowed for investments in recovery services, police cadets, additional pre-kindergarten seats, extended learning time, homeless services, affordable housing, renovating neighborhood parks and expanded arts funding. Working under Mayor Walsh's charge to improve internal policies and procedures, transparency and accountability across departments, Sweeney has carried out expansive operational reviews of the Boston Planning and Development Agency, Boston Police Department, Boston Fire Department, Human Resources, and Property Management. These audits have identified reform opportunities such as reducing police overtime costs and creating the Long-Term Financial Plan for Boston Public Schools. To continue this good governing practice, Sweeney implemented and funded a process to audit two departments each year. As the Cabinet Chief overseeing labor relations, Sweeney has led successful negotiations with several of the City's unions, including most recently with the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association and AFSCME. In his first year with Mayor Walsh, Sweeney negotiated an agreement to contain health care costs, which is expected to achieve approximately $45 million in new savings over five years. Sweeney has also worked closely with Mayor Walsh to move the Mayor's legislative priorities forward in an effort to provide improved educational opportunities, safer communities, access to affordable housing and economic mobility for all residents. Sweeney spearheaded the development of the Mayor's comprehensive education finance reform agenda and served as a strong voice advocating for a moderate charter cap lift coupled with financial reform as a thoughtful alternative to the charter ballot question. Prior to joining the Walsh Administration, Sweeney served as the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Executive Director of the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission. During this time the organization experienced its two most successful years, generating $4.85 billion in sales in 2013 and returning $984 million in profit in 2012. In his position, Sweeney oversaw all accounting, procurement, budget, charitable gaming, auditing, asset management, licensing, and collections functions of the Lottery. He led efforts to reform purchasing, institute a capital program, increase staff accountability, and enhance transparency at the agency. Beginning in 2005, Sweeney worked for the House Committee on Ways and Means, serving as a Budget Analyst, focused on public safety issues. Within two years, he was elevated to Budget Director, where he was responsible for assembling the $30 billion annual state budget. In this role, and later as Chief Fiscal Policy Advisor to the Speaker of the House, Sweeney developed legislation dealing with municipal health insurance reform and economic development initiatives, among other issues.   His time as Budget Director included the largest recession since the Great Depression, during which time the Legislature implemented diverse solutions to achieve balanced budgets, while implementing reforms across state government that better positioned the state for future economic downturns, pulled the Commonwealth out of the recession faster than the nation as a whole. Originally from Boston, Sweeney is a graduate of Boston College High School and Providence College. He lives in Dorchester with his wife, Kaitlyn, and their two children, Jack and Ellie.

紐英崙客家鄉親會9/9 探討風水、人生

本會下個月將舉辦有關生活與人生之特別講座，(專業人員協會和大波士頓臺商會協辦)， 很榮幸邀請到 詹惟中大師 主講 「信心滿滿」。詳情如下：

拜託妳在 Boston Orange 刊登此講座消息，多謝幫忙！歡迎賞光！

紐英倫客家鄉親會

一男 上

*******************************************************************************************

****** 生活與人生 特別講座 ******

「信心滿滿」

主講人: 詹惟中 命理風水陽宅大師

主辦單位: 紐英倫客家鄉親會

協辦單位: 紐英崙中華專業人員協會

            新英格蘭大波士頓台灣商會 

時間:2017年9月9日(星期六) 上午10時至中午12時

地點:僑教中心大廳, 90 Lincoln Street, Newton Highlands

本講座將著重於探討有關生活健康、事業家庭、人際關係、風水等有趣且大家關心的課題

此次中文演講公開，歡迎大家參加。基於安全考慮，出席聽眾以70人為限。若有興趣聽講，煩請預先登記，以便安排座位。主辦及協辦單位之會員優先考慮。

聯絡登記電話: 陳裕逢 (617-816-6622), 曾秀梅 (617-792-8828)

                周一男 (617-965-0867), 張桂英 (857-928-8268)

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AG HEALEY OPPOSES NEW FEDERAL OFFSHORE LEASE PLAN THAT COULD OPEN UP MASSACHUSETTS COAST TO OIL OR GAS DRILLING

AG HEALEY OPPOSES NEW FEDERAL OFFSHORE LEASE PLAN THAT COULD OPEN UP MASSACHUSETTS COAST TO OIL OR GAS DRILLING

Comments Warn that New Lease Plan Risks Oils Spills That Could Devastate the Massachusetts Fishing Industry and Ravage Coastal Communities

BOSTON— Attorney General Maura Healey has filed public comments with the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) opposing the agency’s effort to create a new five-year national offshore oil and gas leasing program that could open up all currently restricted offshore areas to drilling, including Atlantic waters off the Massachusetts coast.

In her comments, AG Healey argues that opening up the Atlantic Ocean to oil and gas leasing would severely threaten the Massachusetts economy and the state’s coastal environment. AG Healey warns that an oil spill could devastate Massachusetts’ commercial fishing industry – the third largest in the country – and the state’s robust recreation and tourism industries.

“By opening up our coastal areas to drilling, the Trump Administration is prioritizing Big Oil over the interest of Massachusetts’ commercial fishing industry, our economy, and our environment,” said AG Healey. “We will continue to fight back against these reckless moves by the administration that threaten our state’s prosperity and our precious natural resources.”

Citing the catastrophic impacts of Bouchard oil spill in Buzzards Bay in 2003, the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association is also opposing BOEM’s preparation of the new five-year leasing plan.

"The Massachusetts Lobstermen's Association is extremely grateful for Attorney General Maura Healey's commitment and fortitude for the historic commercial fishing industry here in the Commonwealth,” said Beth Casoni, executive director of the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association. “There are a multitude of negative impacts to the ocean and the resources the commercial fishing industry depends upon to bring clean and sustainable seafood to Americans.” 

Following the issuance of President Trump’s Offshore Energy Strategy Executive Order in April, BOEM issued a request for information and comments on its intent to develop a new five-year plan for oil and gas lease sales in the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf. The current five-year-plan, which was finalized on Jan. 17, 2017, by the Obama Administration, excludes leasing for gas and oil exploration and drilling in the Atlantic and Pacific Outer Continental Shelf.

The Massachusetts commercial fishing industry generated $7.3 billion in seafood sales in 2015. The state’s maritime economy employed 90,500 workers, paid $3.9 billion in wages, generated more than $9.8 billion in sales, and contributed $6.4 billion to the gross state product. More than 41,000 businesses and 500,000 commercial fishing families along the Atlantic coast oppose offshore oil and gas drilling because of the harm it poses to the coastal ecosystem.

In her comments, AG Healey also contends that the massive and long-lasting economic harm to Gulf coast state economies caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 reveals the potential disastrous scale of lost jobs, wages, and tax revenue that could result from the effects of an oil spill on commercial fishing in Massachusetts.

An oil spill along the state’s 1,519 miles of tidal coastline - marked by destination beaches in areas like Cape Cod, Cape Ann and Plum Island - could destroy Massachusetts’ tourism and recreation industry. Opening up the currently restricted offshore areas in the Atlantic to drilling will also harm the state’s coastal environment and protected endangered species, including the Northern Right Whale, which feeds in the waters off of the Cape and Nantucket, according to the comment letter. There are only about 500 critically endangered Northern Right Whales remaining worldwide.

AG Healey also notes in her letter that expanded offshore oil and gas drilling is not needed to meet the country’s future energy needs and doing so would increase harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

As part of her office’s longstanding efforts to protect the coastal ecosystem, AG Healey joined seven other attorneys general last month in submittingcomments opposing the National Marine Fisheries Service’s proposal to conduct seismic testing for oil and gas drilling in the Atlantic.

By sending her comments this week, AG Healey is urging BOEM to discontinue its effort to create a new five-year plan and maintain the current restrictions on leasing in all offshore areas of the Atlantic Ocean.

AAC seeking new ED for Bora Chiemruom is leaving in November

Message from Dr. Elisa Choi, Chairperson of the Asian American Commission:

Dear AAC Friends and Supporters,

Since the Asian American Commission (AAC) was established by statute of Massachusetts General Law over a decade ago, the last two and a half years have given rise to particularly notable and substantial growth of our organization.

Our more recent success would not have been possible without the capable leadership and professionalism of our Executive Director, Ms. Bora Chiemruom. Under her direction, the AAC has strengthened our programming, our community partnership support and collaborations, and our funding base, to reach pinnacles not previously attained since our inception. 

We are saddened she is departing from our organization as Executive Director, but we are grateful she has provided a strong foundation for us, leaving the AAC stronger than ever. We wish her all the very best in her future endeavors.

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Message from Bora Chiemruom, Executive Director of the Asian American Commission:

It has been an honor and privilege to serve the Asian American & Pacific Islander communities of Massachusetts in this 3-year term as Executive Director of the Asian American Commission (AAC), which I would have completed in February of 2018. After careful and thoughtful consideration, I have decided to leave my position early in November 2017 to ensure the best possible transition for the Commission. During the next 3 months, I will be working closely with the Search Committee to find my replacement.

In the meantime, I look forward to finishing my AAC tenure with the commitment to ensure the remaining AAC events of 2017 are successful, starting with the Young Leaders Symposium (September 23rd), the 1st AAC Advocacy Day at the State House (October 17th), and closing out the year with the 2nd Annual Asian American Civil Rights Forum (October 27th).

In the past two and half years, I have learned so much about our growing communities! We are a diverse group but with much in common that is, at the core, to help promote and bring about changes for the betterment of our Asian American & Pacific Islander communities.

The Commission is in its 11th year, and we have done a tremendous amount of work to promote the voices of our diverse Asian American & Pacific Islander communities of Massachusetts. As I am preparing to leave as Executive Director, my wish for the Commission and the future Executive Director is nothing short of the best and most successful year yet!

Thank you to all the Commissioners, community members, and the many community partners for all your support, guidance, collegial friendship, and commitment to our unique communities! 

“Malden Unites Against Hate” Vigil held tonight

Rep. Ultrino Attends “Malden Unites Against Hate” Vigil, Co-Sponsors Resolution Condemning Neo-Nazis, White Nationalists

MALDEN – Representative Steve Ultrino (D – Malden) co-sponsored a resolution condemning neo-Nazi and white nationalist hate organizations, and attended a local solidarity standout and interfaith vigil in Malden. The event, “Malden Unites Against Hate,” is in response to the recent violence caused by white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia and the recent vandalism of the Holocaust Memorial in Boston.

Both houses of the Massachusetts Legislature adopted the joint resolution, which calls out neo-Nazis and white nationalists as well as racist, anti-Semitic, and anti-immigrant ideologies. Each member of Malden’s legislative delegation co-sponsored the resolution, including Representatives Steve Ultrino, Paul Donato (D – Medford), and Paul Brodeur (D – Melrose), and Senator Jason Lewis (D – Winchester).

“Rising racist and anti-Semitic violence across the country threatens the progress our nation has made on our long and difficult journey toward embracing diversity and celebrating our multiculturalism,” said Representative Ultrino. “This moment demands each of us to speak out against racism and violence, to support all members of our community, and to commit ourselves to a world where differences are cherished, not used to divide and oppress.”

Organizers of Malden Unites Against Hate described Malden as “one of the most diverse cities in the entire region,” and said “we seek to be a model for how this diversity makes us a stronger community. Let us stand up to bigotry and violence in Malden and everywhere.” Hundreds of Malden residents attended the event.

The resolution recognizes neo-Nazism and white nationalism as “very real threats to the values for which the Commonwealth stands,” and declares that their “message of racial and social intolerance has led to senseless acts of violence that continue to terrorize members of ethnic and religious communities.” Copies of the resolution will be delivered to Charlottesville Mayor Michael Signer, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, and President Donald Trump