華人醫務中心開年會 將籌款三百萬元

華人醫務中心（South cove Community Health Center）十七日晚在昆市門診中心舉行第42屆年會，宣佈將展開行動，籌款三百萬元，以翻修位於波士頓市的兩個服務處。

            華人醫務中心當晚還頒發獎學金給何嘉盟等五名高中生，每人一千元，並由該中心董事李炯文興奮報告，華人醫務中心所組隊伍在今年的波士頓龍舟賽中，划舟時間打進前廿名，分組比賽奪得一銀一銅佳績。他說，該中心今年共下水划船比賽四次，報名費花得太物有所值了。

            華人醫務中心行政主任衛優俊（Eugene Welch）當晚做行政年報，說明該中心如今無債一身輕，過去一年來的成就包括為三萬名病人服務，每年看診人次十六萬五千，在昆市開張了340B藥房，第五度獲得全國性的聯合委員會認證，也獲得醫療護理(Medicare)及醫療補助（Medicaid)服務中心為推廣電子醫療記錄及改善醫療護理所頒發的“有意義使用（meaningful use）“証。

            他表示，該中心六月份起將為翻修位於波士頓市南街145號，華盛頓街885號兩處門診中心，展開籌款活動，目標為三百萬元。

        該一翻修計劃包括先在南街設立婦女健康門診，增加五個檢驗室，以及家庭計劃，骨髓密度，乳房攝影篩檢，行為健康，牙科，驗光室，早期干預，婦孺（WIC）部等，再第二度翻修華盛頓街門診中心，包括拓寬等候區，把社會服務室增加至六個房間，小兒科增加到五個房間，成人醫藥室從十增加到十三間等。

            目前該中心在波士頓市，昆士市共設有四處門診，大約250名職工， 另在布萊頓/奧斯頓（Brighton/ Allston）設有課後服務項目。

            衛優俊表示，該中心希望到2015年底時，使用該中心服務的病人可增加到三萬兩千人，看診人次可增加到十七萬以上。

            華人醫務中心創辦人唐哲君當晚報告了董事會更動狀況，任期屆滿的五人，Thomas Birth，李炯文，April Tang，Thuy Tran Leung，David Yee等人或投票通過連任，一任三年，任期至2017年。董事會新任董事長為April Tang，秘書伍振耀，財政Cindy Chen。

圖片說明：

            華人醫務中心的董事們，右起廖國鵬，黎美惠，Thuy Leong，以及李愛敏（右五起），李錦堂，April Tang，伍振耀，李炯文，唐哲君（後左一）。左一為營運長Eric，左二為行政主任衛優俊（Eugene Welch）。（菊子攝）

            代表華人醫務中心參加波士頓龍舟賽的隊員們在年會中領取獎牌。（菊子攝）

            華人醫務中心行政主任衛優俊（Eugene Welch）（左）頒發獎學金給出席的得獎高中生，何嘉盟，朱康文，楊巧儀等人。（菊子攝）

            華人醫務中心的牙科主任伍薇（中）也負責黃張梅丹（左），穆培莉（右）所在昆市兩個門診中心的牙科服務。（菊子攝）

羅德島州長共和黨初選 馮偉杰迎戰 Ken Block

羅德島州的州長選戰，十七日晚推出共和黨籍候選人首場電視辯論。克蘭斯頓市市長馮偉杰和對手布洛克（Ken Block）各陳己見。羅州普域敦斯報（Providence Journal）稱兩人觀點相近。

羅德島州今年的州級選舉，共有六名州長候選人，其中兩人為共和黨籍，四人為民主黨籍。兩黨初選將在九月九日舉行。

共和黨籍的兩名候選人，分別是已連任三屆的克蘭斯頓市現任市長馮偉杰（Allan Fung），以及在巴靈頓（Barrington）市經營軟體公司的布洛克（Ken Block）。

他們倆人都曾經轉換過黨派歸屬。馮偉杰曾經加入民主黨。布洛克則在2010年時，以溫和黨（Moderate Party）領導身份參選過羅德島州州長。

            十七日晚，由普域敦斯報（Providence Journal）和WPRI-TV主辦，他倆在羅德島州普域敦斯表演藝術中心做了首場電視辯論。

        布洛克在辯論會中指控馮偉杰對該市的警察濫發120 多張左右停車罰單給兩名市議員，以報復他們未支持警察局預算的醜聞，處理不當，不適於擔任州長。他也稱馮偉杰是傷害羅州改變向好企圖的那類政治圈中人之一，表示只有像他這樣的局外人，才能修補羅州缺失。

            馮偉杰把布洛克形容為偽裝的自由派，曾經兩度投票給民主黨的美國總統奧巴馬，支持奧巴馬的醫療保險法（Obamacare），還因為撥款給他的溫和黨被道德委員會罰款。馮偉杰說布洛克吹噓的億元預算節省案，是假的，說來聽的而已，布洛克說的任何話，人們都得仔細檢視。

            馮偉杰還表示，他在克蘭斯頓市創造了一千個就業機會，把市府從財政危機中挽救出來，不但有盈餘，債信還節節升級等政績，都是他可帶領羅德島州走向康莊大道的證明。

            布洛克把他的十億元節約計劃，稱為三二一計劃，表示有三分之一將來自州政府預算，包括數以百萬元計經費，將從州政府的失業保險計劃中節省出來。

            馮偉杰說，那聽起來很棒，但是三減二減一等於零，其實是說的比唱得好聽。馮偉杰提出的二億元減稅計劃，要刪減企業，房地產，以及銷售稅。至於從哪兒找錢來彌補減稅失去的收入，馮偉杰指出，可以研究諸如羅州公共交通局等的服務，是否可以私營化。他也將要求各部門首長只索取需要的經費。

            普域敦斯報指出，在二名共和黨，四名民主黨的六名州長候選人當中，共和黨的這兩名候選人最早展開攻訐戰，互控對方不是。但這兩人的主要政見卻非常相似，包括都支持減稅來刺激企業及就業機會成長，限制槍枝，發駕照給無証移民，反對大麻合法化，還都贊成不必還錢給貸款給電動遊戲公司-38工作室的投資者。該公司由紅襪隊前球員Curt Schiling所創辦，經營失敗，宣佈破產。

            民主黨籍的羅德島州州長候選人，主要有三人，已於六月十一日做過辯論。這三人分別是羅德島州現任財政廳廳長Gina Raimondo；普域敦斯市市長，也是馮偉杰的高中同學塔維諾斯（Angel Taveras）；以及華裔溜冰冠軍關穎珊的律師丈夫貝爾（Clay Pell）。

圖片說明：

            羅德島州的兩名共和黨籍候選人，克蘭斯頓市現任市長馮偉杰（Allan Fung）（右），軟體公司總裁布洛克（Ken Block）（左）出席首場電視辯論。（圖由馮偉杰競選陣營提供）

Patrick Administration Announces $3.4M for Electric Vehicle Rebate Program and Charging Station Grant Program

Patrick Administration Announces $3.4M for Electric Vehicle Rebate Program and Charging Station Grant Program

BILLERICA – Wednesday, June 18, 2014 – The Patrick Administration today announced that applications are being accepted for two programs aimed at growing the number of electric vehicles (EV) on the road in Massachusetts, including a rebate program for drivers purchasing or leasing a new EV and a grant program to help install charging stations at workplaces like businesses, nonprofits and state agencies with 15 or more employees.

“These programs further advance the Patrick Administration’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett. “The transportation sector accounts for about one-third of the greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted, so the deployment of more electric and plug-in vehicles is an important step toward Massachusetts achieving its ambitious goals.”

Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Commissioner Mark Sylvia unveiled the website that that new purchasers/leasers can use to apply for their rebates from the $2 million Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV) program. MOR-EV enables Massachusetts residents who purchase or lease an eligible vehicle to receive a rebate of up to $2,500 on vehicles purchased on or after June 18, 2014.

“The Patrick Administration is making it easier for more people to choose cleaner cars that have great fuel economy,” said Commissioner Sylvia. “Electric vehicles are a win-win for the environmental and economic bottom line and the MOR-EV program moves us closer to meeting the Commonwealth’s emissions reduction goals for transportation.”

Interested drivers can learn more about how to apply for rebates at www.mor-ev.org. Rebates are being funded with proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auctions and are available on a first-come first-served basis until all the funds have been committed. All applications must be submitted within three months of purchase or lease, starting on June 18, 2014.

Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Commissioner David W. Cash announced the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program’s (MassEVIP):  Workplace Charging grants.  Under this grant program, MassDEP will provide 50 percent of the funding for charging station hardware costs (up to $25,000) for employers to install Level 1 and Level 2 charging stations for electric and plug-in electric vehicles.  This program will operate on a first-come first-served basis.

“By collaborating across agencies and the private sector, we are solving the chicken-and-egg problem – getting more plug-in vehicles on our roads and more charging stations at the same time,” said Commissioner Cash. ”With the launch of the Patrick Administration’s innovative programs to support increased electric vehicle deployment, we can reduce greenhouse gases and petroleum use, save drivers’ on energy costs, and meet our aggressive local air pollution, clean energy and climate goals.

Today’s announcements were made at a workplace charging workshop hosted by DOER’s Clean Cities Coalition at EMD Serono Research and Development Institute in Billerica. The workshop emphasized the importance of being able to charge EVs at work and outlined basic facts on electric vehicles, charging stations and resources available to employers to provide EV benefits to their employees. The Massachusetts Clean Cities Coalition promotes the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles and supports the development of infrastructure necessary to make these vehicles a viable transportation option.

“These grant programs further demonstrate the Commonwealth’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging more residents to choose environmentally-conscious modes of transportation and protect the health of our communities,” said Senate President Therese Murray. “I want to thank the Patrick Administration and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for increasing our state’s status as a national leader in setting clean energy and environmental standards.”

The Patrick Administration has already invested more than $20 million in electric and alternative fuel vehicles in the Commonwealth. In May, Governor Patrick signed an eight-state MOU to have at least 3.3 million zero emission vehicles (ZEV) in the eight states by 2025 and to work together to establish a fueling infrastructure to support this number of vehicles. For Massachusetts’ participation in this MOU, the goal is 300,000 ZEVs.

The funding announced today will encourage increased deployment of advanced technology vehicles in Massachusetts, improve air quality, reduce reliance on foreign oil and help Massachusetts attain the Patrick Administration’s aggressive emission reduction commitments set under the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA). The Clean Energy and Climate Plan goal, created under the GWSA, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. The Clean Energy and Climate Plan established a target for the transportation sector to reduce GHG emissions 7.6 percent by 2020.

New report shows premium affordability, competition and choice in the Marketplace in 2013-2014

New report shows premium affordability, competition and choice in the Marketplace in 2013-2014
Shoppers paid an average of $69 per month after tax credits for silver plans and had, on average, a choice of five health insurers and 47 plans
  A new report released today by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finds that people who selected silver plans, the most popular plan type in the federal Marketplace, with tax credits paid an average premium of $69 per month. In the federal Marketplace, 69 percent of enrollees who selected Marketplace plans with tax credits had premiums of $100 a month or less, and 46 percent of $50 a month or less after tax credits.  Today’s report also looks at competition and choice nationwide among health insurance plans in 2013-2014, and finds that most individuals shopping in the Marketplace had a wide range of health plans from which to choose. On average, consumers could choose from five health insurers and 47 Marketplace plans. An increase of one issuer in a rating area is associated with 4 percent decline in the second-lowest cost silver plan premium, on average.

“What we’re finding is that the Marketplace is working.  Consumers have more choices, and they’re paying less for their premiums,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell.  “Nearly 7 in 10 consumers who signed up for Marketplace coverage are paying $100 or less for that coverage.  When there is choice and competition, everybody benefits.”

According to today’s report, on average, monthly premiums for people who selected plans with  tax credits fell 76 percent after tax credits, dropping the cost of the average monthly premium from $346 before tax credits to $82 after tax credits across all plan types.  People who selected silver plans, the most popular plan type in the federal Marketplace, with tax credits paid an average premium of $69 per month.

The Marketplace is also providing consumers more easily comparable, quality health plan choices than ever before. In 2014, there were a total of 266 issuers in the Marketplace by state, offering over 19,000 Marketplace plans across all ratings areas, excluding catastrophic plans. Overall, 82 percent of people eligible to purchase a qualified health plan could choose from 3 or more health insurance issuers, and 96 percent could choose from 2 or more health insurers in the Marketplace.  In 2014, new issuers represent almost 26 percent of all issuers in the Marketplace, and the new Consumer Operated and Oriented Plans (CO-OPs) tended to have lower premiums than other plans. Early reports from the states suggest that additional issuers will be entering the Marketplace in 2015.

Today’s report demonstrates that the new tax credits are working as intended to make premiums affordable, and the Marketplace is bringing much-needed competition to the insurance market.  In addition, the Affordable Care Act includes a number of other provisions to keep premiums affordable.  The rate review grant program provides states with resources to enhance their rate review programs.  HHS has previously awarded nearly $238 million to states to enhance their rate review programs, and, since the passage of the law, the proportion of insurance company requests for double-digit rate increases was cut by more than half.  Consumers saved nearly $1.2 billion on their premiums in 2012 when compared to the amount originally requested by insurers.  Health insurance companies also now have to spend at least 80 cents of your premium dollar on health care or improvements to care, or provide a refund. In 2012, 8.5 million consumers received half a billion dollars in refunds – with the average consumer receiving a refund of around $100 per family.

To read today’s report visit: http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/2014/Premiums/2014MktPlacePremBrf.pdf

Sullivan Square Resurfaced for First Time in 25 Years

Sullivan Square Resurfaced for First Time in 25 Years

36,000 square yards of asphalt pavement

totaling 3,740 tons laid

BOSTON – Today Mayor Martin J. Walsh thanked residents and commuters through Charlestown for their patience during extensive road improvement work to Sullivan Square. The Public Works Department (PWD) paved the heavily trafficked roads in Sullivan Square over the course of two weeks, smoothing the roadway to improve safety and transportation access. Additional roadway striping and pedestrian ramp improvements will continue through the summer. The last time that any major resurfacing work was done in the area was more than two decades ago.  

“Roadway infrastructure improvements can be disruptive while they’re underway, but keep our city and economy moving in the long term,” said Mayor Walsh. “We appreciate the public’s patience in allowing the Public Works crews to complete this much needed work in a timely and safe manner.”

More than two lane miles of road in and around Sullivan Square were paved, including Alford Street, Cambridge Street, Main Street, Mishawum Street, Rutherford Avenue, and West Street. PWD put down 36,000 square yards of asphalt pavement amounting to 3,740 tons of material, and 200 utility manholes and castings were raised or improved to meet the level of the new road.

The improvements began with grinding on Tuesday, May 27 and paving was completed on Monday, June 9, one day ahead of schedule. All of the work was done at night and in close coordination with the Boston Police Department, the State Police, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and the Alford Street Bridge project.  

Through the rest of the summer the Sullivan Square area will receive new roadway striping, improved bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and new pedestrian ramps, with total investment in the roadways and sidewalks totaling around $900,000.  

As a thank you to the surrounding community, PWD has put up temporary electronic sign boards expressing thanks to all of the travelers who helped to make the project successful, saying "Bost Pub Works Says - Thank You For Your Patience - Boston Works for You!"

波士頓市長內閣 6/24 進華埠開社區會議

波士頓市長辦公室鄰里服務辦公室主任史密斯（Jerome Smith）將于六月廿四日（週二）下午六至八點，假昆士小學禮堂舉辦社區會議。

        波士頓市長辦公室亞裔協調員翁耀漢（Denny Ching）昨（十七）日通告華埠社區，波士頓市長辦公室鄰里服務辦公室邀請華埠社區居民，市務及企業領袖出席社區會議，討論與華埠有關的基本市府服務。

            波士頓公共圖書館，老人事務局，波士頓重建局，公共工程局，鄰里發展局，檢查服務（ISD），新波士頓人辦公室，波士頓青少年及家庭中心等市府單位，都將派員出席。

            昆士小學地址為885 Washington Street， Boston MA, 02111，查詢相關詳情，可洽翁耀漢（Denny Ching)，617-635-3891。

Belleds 上網眾籌 首日募款二萬餘

“眾籌（Crowdfunding）是近年流行的初創公司集資方式。麻省理工學院中國創新創業論壇（MIT-CHIEF）參賽團隊之一的“Belleds”科技公司，十六日晚也宣佈上網眾籌，目標十萬元。

            Belleds是全由麻省理工學院人組成的團隊，研發可和音樂互動光二極管（LED）照明產品的公司。主要創辦人周貞宏（Alan Zhou），曾任AT&T，朗訊，Qualcomm管理高層。他在Qualcomm擔任副總裁時，主管的芯片事業群，每年負責供應價值三十億元以上的智慧手機芯片，給五十家以上的中國大公司。六月十日，在劍橋市成立，做精密微機電產品的Sand9公司才剛敦請周貞宏擔任顧問。

            Belleds有兩名共同創辦人，其中的陳航，是麻省理工學院博士候選人，也是上一屆的麻省理工學院中國創新創業論壇主席。另一人是2009年從MIT多媒體實驗室畢業的Daniel Taub。

            十六日晚，Belleds在麻省理工學院創業馬丁信託中心（Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship）宣佈展開眾籌活動，支持蘋果的“家居套件（HomeKit)”。

            Belleds團隊的LED照明產品，最近才在麻省理工學院的清潔能源獎比賽中，贏得“受眾選擇獎（Audience Choice Award）”。

            蘋果的“家居套件”的主要目標是控制照明，而Belleds團隊所採用的技術，能和蘋果的家居套件SDK整合，使智慧家庭成為可能。Belleds 也已經支持全螢屏聯盟（Allscreen Alliance）的開放資源協定，來改善智慧設備及網際網路物件（Internet of Things）的互通性。

            Belleds的眾籌報酬，包括Q開發者套裝，允許開發者加入belleds打造開放資源社區的公開平台，以協助推動光二極管（LED）照明創新能夠快速向前。

            周貞宏表示，贏得麻省理工學院清潔能源賽受眾選擇獎，是智慧光二極管照明廣受大眾，講究能源效率家庭歡迎的佐證。他說，美國能源部估計，在未來的廿多年間，轉用光二極管照明，可以節省2500億元的能源開支，避免十八億公噸二氧化碳排放量。該公司將同時以色彩，音樂來豐富人類生活的方式，致力促使人們採用光二極管做照明設備。

            參加該公司眾籌活動的另一獎品是關於模型（prototyping）的電子書，內容包括Belleds共同創辦人陳航，Daniel Taub及周貞宏，如何利用Q平台硬體做原形，使用三維打印做出光二極管照明基座，以及燈泡形狀，還有他們公司的發展經過。

            Belleds的眾籌活動從六月十六日晚上七點上網後，已籌得二萬餘元。截至昨日下午四點十五分時，已有八十八人承諾撥給共二萬一千五百五十五元。

            查詢Belleds公司詳情可上網，www.belleds.com，或上推特（Twitter）@belledstech，或臉書 https://www.facebook.com/belledstech。

圖片說明：

 Belleds科技公司的輔導者，Sam Schaevitz（左），Louis Morales (右)，共同創辦人，陳航（左二起），Daniel Taub，周貞宏。（圖由Belleds提供）

僑立學校歡送十七人小學畢業 校董會主席換人

中華僑立中文學校十四日奏驪歌，歡送十七名小學生畢業，宣佈校董會主席換人，校務如常。因應波市公校日期，今年六月廿四日才正式學期結束。

            六月十四日下午，中華僑立中文學校在波士頓華埠昆士小學禮堂舉行第十屆小學畢業，第十四屆結業典禮。駐紐約中國總領事館領事王軍也應邀出席。

        僑立學校校長梁惠瓊在會中簡要報告，感謝社區各界多年來的支持，讓該校得以在平穩中進步，承擔起在海外發揚中華文化的偉大使命，希望十七名畢業的小朋友們能追隨老師腳步，繼續學習中文。

            梁惠瓊指出，波士頓公校為補課，將延至六月廿四日才學期結束，該校的本學期結束日期，也因此順延至六月廿四日。新學期預定八月廿三日起接受報名，九月十四日開課。

            中華僑立學校當天宣佈了校董會的人事變動，黃鷹立卸任主席，梁添光再任主席。曾任主席，目前擔任財政的鄺青峰接任副主席。新任校董包括黎雅雯，黃兆祥，李衛新等人。

        黃鷹立在會中以英文致詞，感慨表示當年華埠家長的普遍問題是英文不夠好，不足以幫助小孩解決功課問題，課後班及中文學校等組織，作用之一就是幫助小孩子做功課。他很高興僑立學校如今不但有課餘班，中文班，還有興趣班，豐富了小朋友們的學習與生活。黃鷹立當天特地準備了一份禮物，送給從學校開辦起就擔任校長迄今的梁惠瓊，感謝她這些年來的付出與努力。

            梁添光表示，僑立學校是他當年擔任紐英崙中華公所主席時開辦的學校，他很高興看到僑立學校一路進步。

            中領館領事王軍指出，隨著祖國的強大，現在連外國人都學中文了，希望海外的炎黃子孫們，也都能加強學習中文，發揚中華文化。

            僑立學校當天的畢業典禮由朱綺文，江耀輝以國粵語的雙聲帶主持。在校生陳浩彬代表至歡送詞，畢業班朱嘉恩代表致謝詞，星期六班畢業生李依凡代表宋紀念品給學校。

            在典禮中頒發的獎項包括學業獎，品學優良獎，服務獎，黃偉炎校董夫人，黃國瀚，伍紹仁，黃仁宇等校董，以及黃氏宗親會，至孝篤親公所，李氏，余風采堂，梁氏等的獎學金。

圖片說明：

            中華僑立學校畢業同學穿著綠T恤，等著上台領證書。

            中華僑立學校董事會主席黃鷹立（右）送紀念品給校長梁惠瓊（左）。

            畢業班朱嘉恩代表致謝詞。

            校長梁惠瓊指揮畢業班同學站隊領證書。

            中華僑立學校董事會主席黃鷹立（右二）頒發獎牌及畢業證書給畢業同學朱嘉恩。           

            司儀朱綺文（前右），江耀輝（前左）在一眾校董前，宣佈典禮開始。

            中華僑立學校校董，嘉賓和畢業班同學合影。（圖由僑立學校黃忠鴻老師提供）

伍國光接任波士頓華埠獅子會會長 將籌款建公園時鐘

波士頓華埠獅子會日前在波士頓華埠龍鳳酒龍舉行職員就職典禮，恭喜伍國光接任會長，宣佈增加一名新會員曾惠珠，致贈禮金三百元，支持廣教學校辦學。

            屬於麻州第33K分區的波士頓華埠獅子會，由司徒彥鏗發起成立，是波士頓華埠中和主流社會有從屬，直接互動關係的少數社區組織之一。由於會員加入採推薦制，迄今成員不多，僅約三十九人。

            波士頓華埠獅子會的就職典禮，依照國際獅子會規定的程序舉行，由周麗玲，謝如鍵擔任司儀，蔡倩婷唱“我的國家屬於你（My Country, ‘tis of thee）”這美國第一首歌，梅凱生領宣誓效忠，伍國光致詞，雷國輝祝禱，李源沛介紹嘉賓，司徒彥鏗致歡迎詞。

            麻州獅子會第33k分區第二地區首長Bill Donnellan為曾任會長的林淑明引介，遷居波士頓才二年的會計師曾惠珠，主持了入會手續。           

            伍國光致就任詞時，感謝嘉賓出席，表示出任波士頓華埠獅子會2014到2015年度會長，是他的榮幸。他強調要服務，也要有樂趣，獅子會裏的人，他認識很久了，直到2011年六月，才有幸加入，也因此大開眼界的認識到，原來獅子會是個在全世界有一百三十五萬名會員，46000個分會的世界最龐大組織之一。麻州就五有個分區 。波士頓華埠獅子會是第33k分區內的47個分會之一。

            伍國光報告了他接任會長後的幹部有哪些人後，說明他接任會長後的第一個目標是要通過國際獅子會的四個步驟優異過程，從評估分會及社區開始，接著改進效率，決定華埠分會的需要，訂定未來目標等。他將率同會員們繼續在母親節，父親節拜訪中華宜養院的傳統，並實踐辭世會員Eugene Cheung的遺願，籌款在華埠公園建一座戶外時鐘。

圖片說明：

波士頓華埠獅子會新會長伍國光（中）和新一屆的三名副會長，右起余麗媖，謝如鍵，丁慧明。李源沛（左）是第33k分區的區域委員之一。（菊子攝）

波士頓華埠獅子會會員在就職典禮中合照。（菊子攝）

            獅子會代表頒發和平海報比賽獎。廣教學校董事長蔡倩婷（右一），校長曾秀芬（左一）代表獲獎學生李鈺瑩領獎。（菊子攝）

            司徒彥鏗是波士頓華埠獅子會的創辦人。（菊子攝）

王氏青年會今夏提供青少年免費會籍

FREE SUMMER MEMBERSHIPS FOR TEENS AT THE YMCA!

Upcoming Events Sun 6/22 - Free memberships start. Fri 6/27 - Kick-Off BBQ! Fri 6/27 - Fit Challenges Thu 7/3 - Xbox Tourney Interested in our programs? Click the links for more info and forms! Youth Symposium Form Limited space available Get Summer Application FREE Teen Memberships! Teen Event Calendar Summer event schedule Contact Us For more information about our teen programs contact Dave Morrone Director of Youth Development (617) 426-2237 ext. 250 dmorrone@ymcaboston.org GET SUMMER FREE Teen Membership to the YMCA! Are you looking for a safe, fun place to hang out, learn and do activities this summer? The Wang YMCA is offering FREEmemberships to teens from June 22nd to September 7th! 13-19 years old Actively enrolled in Middle School or High School during 2013-2014 year. Click here to download an application form.  Get access to YMCA facilities, play sports and games, work out, attend fun events, and more! YOUTH SYMPOSIUM Free teen workshops at UMASS Boston. July 12th, 9:30AM-4PM   Come to UMASS Boston and join workshops of your interest while meeting other youth and having fun! Breakfast, lunch and transportation included Attend workshops like Hip/Hop Spoken Word, Resume Writing, Public Speaking, Fitness Classes, and more! FREE to all High School teens. Limited spots, sign up today!

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS LANDLORDS AGREE TO PAY $23,000 TO RESOLVE HOUSING DISCRIMINATION CLAIMS, CREDIT REPORTING VIOLATIONS

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS LANDLORDS AGREE TO PAY $23,000 TO RESOLVE HOUSING DISCRIMINATION CLAIMS, CREDIT REPORTING VIOLATIONS

Settlement Provides Victim with Restitution and Future Rental Opportunity; Requires Landlords to Implement New Credit Screening Policy

            GREENFIELD – Two Western Massachusetts property owners have agreed to pay $23,000 to resolve allegations that they discriminated against a 59-year-old man due to his mental disability and receipt of rental assistance, and failed to provide notice to prospective tenants after denying rental applications because of poor credit, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. 

            According to the complaint, filed with the consent judgment in Franklin Superior Court, Adam Zaykoski and Jessalyn Zaykoski, of Gill, allegedly refused to rent to a prospective tenant because of his disability, and because he received a rental assistance subsidy from the Mental Health Association (MHA). In addition, the Zaykoskis allegedly violated consumer protection laws by failing to provide the prospective tenant, as well as other applicants, with an “adverse action notice” that would have alerted them to the fact that their rental applications were denied because of poor credit histories. 

“Equal and fair access to housing is a right of all residents of the Commonwealth,” AG Coakley said.  “Massachusetts residents must be provided with proper notice about the use of their credit histories in housing decisions so that they can make sure that landlords base their decisions on reports that are accurate.”

The MHA is an organization that provides residential and support services to enhance the quality of life for individuals challenged with mental impairments. As part of the MHA rental assistance program, MHA signs the lease on behalf of the subsidy recipient who in return pays a reduced rental payment each month to the MHA. 

            Under the terms of the consent judgment, the Zaykoskis, who own and manage a four-unit rental in Gill, will pay $16,000 to the prospective tenant, and provide him with notice the first time any one-bedroom or studio apartment becomes available in their building.  The Zaykoskis will also create and implement a credit screening policy that will require them to send adverse action notices to any prospective tenant who is denied an apartment due to credit history, and require them to use an alternative process for determining whether a tenant who receives public assistance has the ability to pay rent. Additionally, the Zaykoskis will pay $5,000 to the Massachusetts Fair Housing Commission and $2,000 to the Commonwealth, and at least one of them must attend training on federal and Massachusetts fair housing laws.

           

Under Massachusetts law, it is illegal to discriminate against housing applicants because they receive public assistance or because of a disability.  It is also a violation of the Consumer Protection Law and the Fair Credit Reporting Act to fail to provide adverse action notices to prospective tenants whose rental applications are denied because of credit histories. Consumers must be provided with notice of negative decisions based on credit histories so that they have the opportunity to correct inaccurate or incorrect information. 

            This matter was handled by Assistant Attorneys General Michelle Leung and Ann Lynch of AG Coakley’s Civil Rights Division, with assistance from Richard Steward of the Investigations Division.