網協賀王振榕接會長 寧若蘭獲選為美國總統學者

紐英崙中華資訊網路協會創會理事之一的陳君瑤（中）
在網協會長陶東斌（左）交棒給王振榕（右）後，
交叉握手，以示網協團結一心。（周菊子攝）

(Boston Orange 周菊子報導)紐英崙中華資訊網路協會（NECINA）日前舉行年會，表揚28名服務有功會員，恭喜王振榕，田田接正，副會長，表揚創業項目（NEW)，青年創業項目優勝者，開始籌備創會廿週年。

寧若蘭（右）獲美國總統學者獎，應網協之邀分享經驗，
老爸寧可（左）打從心底高興。（周菊子攝

網協卸任會長陶東斌在會上報告了該會過去一年成就，包括辦了六場會議，以及鼓勵創新創業的三大活動“企業家工作坊（NEW）”，“青少年創業服務（YES），“企業家俱樂部（ＥClub）“等。他指出，該會有三十多名幹部義務服務，四千多人加入電郵聯絡名單，在大波士頓社區備受肯定，身為會員者都感與有榮焉。

網協NEW 3.0負責人高弘（左三）恭喜冠亞軍團隊成員。
（周菊子攝）

網協新任會長王振榕三年前才搬到波士頓，加入網協後，結交了一大批好朋友。他坦言參加網協的地方性社交移動科技（Social Local Mobil Tech）會議，幫助他調整了自己的初創公司“夢科技（Dreamech）構想，後來還送兒子參加網協的“青少年服務”項目，接受啟發，磨練。他沒想到自己會當上網協的會長，但很高興有機會回饋，希望在接著的這一年，為網協，社區做更多貢獻。

展望網協來年，王振榕提出七點策略，將力求網協能過做到即時為社區發聲

；藉培訓，招攬新人來建立團隊；要吸收年輕人，並增強他們的能力；要積極和網協董事互動；要和更多夥伴合作；要更有創意的做市場行銷；要讓營運更有效率。

網協幹部大合照。

在年會上，網協還頒發了創業工作坊（NEW）和青少年創業服務（YES）的創業比賽獎。

NEW 3.0冠軍隊領獎。（Harry Gao 提供）

今年由高弘負責，已跨入第三屆的創業工作坊（NEW 3.0），從30多個申請團隊篩選出10個團隊，九個月培訓下來，剩下七隊。結訓時由包括 好天堂（Fairhaven）、東方鏈接（Eastern Link）、策略天使（Strategic Angels）、米天創投（Miti Venture）等四個基金的代表做評審打分，選出實時整合測量觀眾欣賞電視數據，以幫助廣告商更有效找到做廣告對象的Tvision Insights；放進材料就自動做菜的智慧鍋（Smart Wok)、小型智能傳感屏幕(Bi-directional Display)等三隊，發給1500元、1000元及500元不等的獎金。

黃少丹負責的YES 9.0，今年的參加者，起初組織了47個初創團隊，最後由18名學生組成的5個團隊打入決賽。冠軍隊為TidBite。

網協今年的一大喜訊是“虎父無犬子”。YES8.0優勝隊成員之一，網協前會長寧可的女兒寧若蘭，今年獲選為麻州唯一得到美國總統獎的優秀青年。網協特地邀她到年會中分享經驗。

            網協在年會中由董事陸德禮等人頒發了8個新星獎，12個特別貢獻獎，6個會長獎，1個主席獎，表揚過去一年服務傑出的幹部。其中的楊湛萍獲主席獎，馬安琪，王冬霓，戴晨方，高弘，王振榕，黃少丹等人獲會長獎。

            在新年度中，楊湛萍將續任網協總經理。新加入網協的浙江大學校友會會長倪繼紅，應邀出任網協副總經理。

         P. S. 網協2015年會的展示攤位，多達近廿個，包括陳向平的Go Bus，蕭廣松的Hoyos Labs等等。出席者逾120人，當天增加9名新會員。

Baker-Polito Administration Releases FY16 Capital Budget Plan Investing Over $2.125B in Communities, Infrastructure, Economic Development

Baker-Polito Administration Releases FY16 Capital Budget Plan Investing Over $2.125B in Communities, Infrastructure, Economic Development

Plan stabilizes long-range spending, protects taxpayers from future debt

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito administration today released the Fiscal Year 2016 (FY16) capital budget, including a $2.125 billion bond cap on General Obligation Bonds, the same level as Fiscal Year 2015, and an accompanying spending plan that invests in communities by budgeting for Chapter 90 transportation funding, extends the Accelerated Bridge Program, makes critical investments in economic development and devotes significant funds toward fixing and maintaining state assets.

The collaborative plan addresses the needs of communities and public sector agencies across state government and invests the taxpayers’ money prudently across several essential areas while responsibly managing the Commonwealth’s debt.

“Communities in every region can count on over $30 million in assistance through grants for vocational schools, cultural facilities, and mutually agreed upon capital projects to build better places to live and work,” said Governor Baker.  “This plan directs more than $200 million in grants for manufacturing job training, MassWorks Infrastructure, Life Sciences Center programs, and funds to grow the innovation hub and dredge Boston Harbor, keeping the Commonwealth ahead of the competition for tomorrow’s jobs.  We are also investing in our transportation infrastructure while prudently managing the people’s money to tackle the Commonwealth’s debt.”

“This plan addresses the balance of meeting our long-term capital needs without crowding out future discretionary spending in our budgets,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Kristen Lepore. “We inherited a high demand of capital requests and the added pressure of nearly $29 billion in existing debt authorizations, and we were still able to responsibly invest in several priority areas while ensuring that state government lives within its means in our capital investment strategy.”

Click here to find FY ’16 executive summary.

Click here to find the FY ’16 capital budget.

CAPITAL PLAN HIGHLIGHTS:

·       Fixing and Maintaining Our Assets: The FY16 Capital Investment Plan demonstrates the administration’s commitment to fixing and maintaining the assets we already own by investing in deferred maintenance and infrastructure across multiple agency bond cap allocations.  

·       Economic Development: An emphasis for this year’s plan is on capital projects across the Commonwealth that correlates directly to economic activity. Investments are made in the innovation economy, local infrastructure projects, and training equipment to vocational programs address the skills gap, generate economic activity and create jobs.

·       Strengthening Our Communities: The administration devotes a significant portion of this year’s plan to Massachusetts cities and towns. Through Chapter 90 funds, Community Compact grants and other programs that municipalities can rely on the state as a partner for important local projects.

DISCRETIONARY SPENDING:

Approximately ten percent or $200 million in capital plan spending was truly discretionary for the Baker-Polito Administration, with the majority of the budget being pre-committed. Some of the new investments from this list include:

·       $35 million for dredging Boston Harbor, providing a match to federal and MassPort funding that will enable larger “Panamax” ships to reach our port and enhance our trade capacity, growing the regional economy and jobs

·       $25 million for road and related infrastructure work around UMass Boston’s campus, serving the entirety of Columbia Point

·       $15 million for manufacturing innovation grants, to spur innovation in our manufacturing sector and promote partnerships between small business, tech and higher education sectors

·       $10 million increase (to $75 million) for the existing MassWorks program, which provides grants for municipalities and other eligible public entities seeking public infrastructure funding to support economic development, housing, city and town revitalization, projects, mill redevelopment and rural transportation improvements

·       $6 million for inland dams and seawalls to shore up critical infrastructure that protects our communities from flooding and severe weather events

·       $5 million increase to the existing Seaport Advisory Council, which provides statewide coordination of all coastal community planning and investment activities

AGENCY PRIORITIES:

Fixing and Maintaining Assets:

·       Over $500M:  Roads and bridges, highways, and local roadwork statewide

·       $405.9M:[1]      Accelerated Bridge Program – structurally deficient and / or

obsolete bridges                      

·       $251M:           MBTA Green Line extension

·       $117.6M:        Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) maintenance of state assets

·       $90M:             Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) public housing maintenance

·       $79.2M:          Red and Orange Line cars for the MBTA

·       $58.8M:          Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) deferred maintenance

·       $45M:[2]           Lottery terminal upgrades

·       $16.5M:[3]        Accelerated Energy Program – energy efficiency upgrades to

replace existing systems with cheaper, greener systems

·       $4.7M:[4]          Upgrades to the Department of Children and Families social worker tablets

Economic Development:

·       $75M:              MassWorks Infrastructure Grant Awards

·       $65M:              Massachusetts Life Sciences Center grant program

·       $35M:              Dredging of Boston Harbor to increase port traffic

·       $16.5M:           Seaport Advisory Council

·       $15M:              National Network for Manufacturing Innovation Grants

·       $12.7M:           Equipment grants for vocational schools

                       
Building Stronger Communities:

·       $200M:            Chapter 90 transportation funds

·       $20M:              Library construction grants

·       $19M:              Broadband Last Mile – high speed internet access for rural communities

·       $10M:              Cultural facilities grants

·       $2M:                Community Compact grants for local capital projects

·       $2M:                Greening the Gateway Cities

RESPONSIBLE PLANNING TO CONTROL DEBT:

Given long term budgetary pressures including increasing pension and healthcare costs and the Administration’s commitment to continue to adequately fund education, local aid and state services, the Administration responsibly manages our debt service for long-term results.

With this is mind, the Administration will closely monitor debt service and continue to stress test projections through a variety of credit ratios especially as a percentage of operating budget.

The statutory debt limit constrains growth of direct debt to 5% per annum. In FY15, the direct debt limit was $19.8 billion, with an increase to $20.7 billion in FY16.

###

Registrar Announces 2015 Low Number Plate Lottery

Registrar Announces 2015 Low Number Plate Lottery

Large Pool of Plate Classics Up For Grabs

BOSTON - Friday, June 19, 2015 – Today, MassDOT Registrar of Motor Vehicles Erin C. Deveney announced that applications for the 2015 Low Number Plate Lottery are now available at the Registry’s website and at branch locations throughout the state.

“It’s the favorite time of year again for Massachusetts plate aficionados,” said Registrar Deveney. “There is a large pool of classic plates, including Z9, up for grabs this year and we encourage everyone to visit our website www.massrmv.com to download an application. Good luck to our entrants!”

In addition to the availability of plate Z9, there are 155 other plates that are part of this year’s lottery including: 650, 7X and L91. Annually, approximately 6,000 applications are received.

Low number plates must be renewed every two years.

Applications are available for download online or at Registry branches across the Commonwealth. By law, applications must be postmarked by August 21, 2015.  Applications can be found at http://www.massrmv.com/Portals/30/docs/21843.pdf

Details of the drawing, date, time and location will be announced later this summer. By law, winners must be announced by September 15, 2015 and will be posted on the Registry website.

Governor Baker Announces Medical Marijuana To Move Ahead To Sale

Governor Baker Announces Medical Marijuana To Move Ahead To Sale

One-time waiver granted for limited amounts to be sold, while labs secure more rigorous testing

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today approved the issuance of a one-time, temporary waiver that will allow the first medical marijuana dispensary to begin selling its product after meeting final inspection protocols.

One of the Commonwealth's first medical marijuana dispensaries, Alternative Therapy Group (ATG) of Salem, MA had requested the waiver because labs in Massachusetts are not yet able to complete the array of quality testing required by Department of Public Health protocols.

“Patients have waited to access marijuana for medical purposes for far too long,” said Governor Baker. “This waiver will allow industry laboratories a little more time to reach full operation while providing safe amounts of medical marijuana for qualifying patients who need it.”

In line with several other leading states, Massachusetts has adopted an aggressive approach when it comes to testing, requiring medical marijuana be examined for cannabinoids, solvents, mycotoxins and other microbiological contaminants along with heavy metals and pesticides.

On the first batch of marijuana submitted for testing by Salem's ATG, the lab was unable to test for 7 of the 18 mandated pesticides, which would make it unable to be sold under state regulations. Under the waiver granted today, marijuana for medical use can be distributed with a label that discloses to the consumer the chemicals that were not tested.

“We are not lowering our standards for the testing of marijuana for medical purposes. Safety is job one,” said Marylou Sudders, Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. “The waiver allows for small amounts of marijuana to be dispensed for medical use while testing facilities ramp up.”

Under the 3-month waiver, ATG may only dispense a maximum of 4.23 ounces of marijuana to any qualifying patient for their sixty-day supply and must provide patients with instructions to consume no more than 2 grams per day. During that time DPH will review the standards for naturally occurring minerals to ensure they are attainable for future dispensaries.

“We carefully considered the initial testing results and we will review the standards going forward,” said Dr. Monica Bharel, Commissioner of the Department of Public Health. “We believe these levels provide for patient health protections while allowing the first dispensary to distribute marijuana for medical use as voted on in 2012.”

華人前進會辦敬老日 籲成立“正當理由驅逐法”

華人前進會6月14日在信義大廈舉辦敬老日，安排遊戲，備置美食，廣邀耆英歡聚，感謝他們默默奉獻，堅定支持，保護社區，也呼籲推動“正當理由驅逐法案”。

華人前進會共同主任陳玉珍在會中致詞，說明華人前進會過去這幾年的主要工作是從推動建可負擔房屋，爭取優良工作機會，呼籲建圖書館等三方面著手，追求穩定華埠。這次舉辦敬老日活動，主要是感謝社區耆英在協助前述工作上的努力與貢獻。

她強調，爭取到永久性雙語選票是另一項成就，將容許華人發揮更大的政治影響力。

華人前進會員工鄺寶蓮和余翠鳳接著進一步說明前進會目前的主要工作。鄺寶蓮表示，華埠面對的住宅豪華化和逼遷問題越來越嚴重，要爭取穩定華埠，除了爭取可負擔房屋，還得爭取政策修訂。

他們在社區會議裏和民眾晤談，和盟友討論時認為，比較可行的第一步是推動《正當理由驅逐》法案。

過去兩星期以來，華人前進會已收集到數百個支持簽名，將力促《正當理由驅逐》成為波士頓市議會今年討論的主要法案。

余翠鳳表示，新移民及英文能力有限的人，實在沒有太多選擇，能夠爭取到的工作機會，大都屬於酒店服務，超級市場，家居護理業，但華埠一帶的豪華化發展。她感謝耆英們支持家居護理工人的爭取調漲薪資。

華人前進會共同主席湯建華，工人代表當天都在會上發言。湯建華敘述了她父母與護理工人的故事，指老人家是否能獲得良好照顧，家居護理工人的品質非常重要，但這些人工作辛苦，工資低，一週得工作50多小時，才勉強維持生活。如果工人們能夠成立工會，就可以有多些保證，並集中力量向政府爭取更多家居護理資金。

            在敬老會上，耆英和家居護理工人們猜謎語，夾波珠，拆紙，玩各種遊戲。華人前進會還播放一段幻燈片，展示耆英們為爭取權益，參加遊行示威，聆聽會，社區會等各種活動的照片，顯現耆英在穩定社區上所扮演的重要角色。

            會末，耆英們都表示將繼續支持家居護理工人的爭取加薪，組工會權利。

圖片說明：

老人支持者在寫感謝卡給長期照顧他們的護理工人。(圖由華人前進會提供)

前進會主席湯建華講關於她父母與護理工人的故事。(圖由華人前進會提供)

會場放映幻燈片。(圖由華人前進會提供)

Nighttime Subway Service between Wellington and Oak Grove to be Suspended for Winter Resiliency Work

Nighttime Subway Service between Wellington and Oak Grove to be Suspended for Winter Resiliency Work

BOSTON - Thursday, June 18, 2015 - Beginning on Monday, June 22nd, and continuing on selected nights through next month, Orange Line service between Oak Grove and Wellington Stations will be temporarily suspended to allow workers to make the subway more resilient to harsh winter weather conditions.

On the nights when workers will be replacing third rail and switch heaters, Orange Line service between Oak Grove and Wellington will be suspended in both directions from 8:45 p.m. to the end of regular service hours.  Shuttle bus service will be provided, serving Wellington, Malden Center, and Oak Grove Stations.  Regularly scheduled Orange Line service will resume at 5:00 AM each day.  None of the work will take place on Friday or Saturday nights. Service will be impacted on the following dates:

JUNE	JULY
- Monday, June 22 - Tuesday, June 23 - Wednesday, June 24 - Thursday, June 25 - Sunday, June 28 - Monday, June 29 - Tuesday, June 30	- Wednesday, July 1 - Thursday, July 2 - Sunday, July 5 - Monday July 6 - Tuesday, July 7 - Wednesday, July 8 -Thursday, July 9 - Monday, July 13 - Tuesday, July 14 - Wednesday, July 15 - Thursday, July16

The $83.7 million Winter Resiliency Plan is designed to address critically needed improvements to the MBTA’s infrastructure, equipment, and operations.  Information regarding the Plan can be found athttp://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/news_events/?id=6442454500&month=&year=.

The work beginning next week is part of a $12.7 million project to replace third rail and switch heaters on targeted vulnerable outdoor sections of the Red and Orange Lines.  Aged third rail resulted in poor power transmission in severe weather and existing heaters were unable to keep up with the snow and ice accumulations. 

All shuttle bus stops are accessible for persons with disabilities.

For transportation news and updates visit MassDOT at our website: www.mass.gov/massdot, blog:www.mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot.

FORTY EIGHT COLUMBIA POINT DAWGS CHARGED IN FEDERAL SWEEP

FORTY EIGHT COLUMBIA POINT DAWGS

CHARGED IN FEDERAL SWEEP

 

BOSTON – Over 500 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers carried out arrests and executed more than 30 federal search warrants early this morning as a result of a two-year federal, state, and local wiretap investigation dubbed, “Operation Rising Tide.”  Six federal indictments charging 48 leaders, members, and associates of the Columbia Point Dawgs (CPD) with drug trafficking and firearm charges were unsealed today in connection with the sweep. 

 

According to documents filed in court, the CPD, also known on the street as “the Point,” is Boston’s largest and most influential city-wide gang.  The criminal organization started in the 1980s in the former Columbia Point Housing Development (now Harbor Point) and, over the years, gang members established drug trafficking crews throughout Boston.  Over time, the group also trafficked drugs from Boston to Maine.  It is alleged that, during the course of the investigation, the CPD was responsible for the distribution of multiple kilogram quantities of heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, and oxycodone throughout Boston and Maine. 

 

Court documents allege that the CPD established its dominance in the Boston gang drug distribution business through a pattern of violence and intimidation, and that members of CPD have been responsible for numerous shootings of rival gang members over the years.  In particular, in the past year and a half, the CPD has been engaged in a violent gang war with the Greenwood Street Posse, and other gangs aligned with Greenwood, which has resulted in numerous shootings.  Law enforcement officers seized 14 firearms during the course of the investigation.  On several occasions, guns were seized after investigators heard through court-authorized cellphone wiretaps that an individual was about to engage in a shooting. 

 

Of the 48 persons charged in the indictments, 41 are in custody.  The investigation has resulted in the seizure of, among other things: 31 firearms; multiple boxes of ammunition; heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, oxycodone pills, and marijuana, as well as drug trafficking paraphernalia; 15 vehicles, including a Maserati, a Mercedes Benz, and an Audi; and $1.5 million in cash. 

 

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley; Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Boston Police Commissioner Evans; Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal of the U.S. Marshals Service, District of Massachusetts; Colonel Timothy P. Alben, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins; and Commissioner Carol Higgins O’Brien of the Massachusetts Department of Correction, made the announcement today. 

 

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