RMV Introduces Free In-Branch WiFi at Agency’s Eight Busiest Branches

RMV Introduces Free In-Branch WiFi at Agency’s Eight Busiest Branches

Customers enjoy free internet service during branch visits

BOSTON – Wednesday, September 2, 2015 – The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles today announced the availability of free in-branch WiFi service for customers performing transactions at eight branch locations across the Commonwealth.  The RMV is offering this amenity as part of its effort to enhance customer service and modernize branch operations.

“The RMV is pleased to expand access to WiFi to enhance our customers’ service experience,” said Registrar Erin Deveney.  “Customers will now have the convenience of internet access at their disposal to perform either work or other leisure activities online.”

The WiFi service has been available in the Boston Haymarket Branch since the facility opened last September.  The RMV recently opened the network to customers earlier this month for seven more branches.  Since that time, approximately 5,000 people have used the service. The RMV intends to monitor usage prior to bringing the service to additional branch locations.

The information below outlines the total number of connections to WiFi per branch since the service’s inception at the beginning of last month.

RMV Branch Location	Average Number of Customer Connections to WiFi
Braintree	2,158
Brockton	672
Haymarket	4,374
Revere	1,258
Springfield	1,169
Watertown	2,831
Wilmington	2,587
Worcester	1,845

WiFi gives customers the ability to connect to the internet and other sources through various portable technologies including mobile phones, tablets, and laptops.  Customers logging on are directed to www.MassRMV.com and from there are able to access the internet. For service reliability and bandwidth reasons, video streaming sites such as Netflix and YouTube are not available.  In addition, adult content sites have also been blocked.  

Customers are encouraged to Tweet us about the service @MassRMV #InBranchWiFi.

Bunker Hill Community College Offers College Courses in Everett

Bunker Hill Community College Offers College Courses in Everett

BOSTON, September 2, 2015—Beginning this fall Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) will offer courses for college credit in the fields of healthcare and criminal justice in Everett, Massachusetts.

“By offering college courses in Everett, Bunker Hill Community College provides Everett residents with convenient access to higher education,” said James F. Canniff, Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs and Student Services.

The courses will be offered at Everett High School, located at 100 Elm Street. The allied health courses include Vital Signs (AHE-1014-EH) and Medical Terminology (NHP-180-EH). The criminal justice courses include Criminal Law (CRJ-103-EH) and Street Law (CRJ-117-EH). All courses are held on Wednesdays from 6 to 8:45 p.m. beginning September 16. A number of seats in these courses are reserved for Everett High School students as part of the College’s Dual Enrollment and Early College programs; additional seats are open to prospective and current BHCC students as well as to the general public.

Everett High School Principal Erick Naumann lauded the benefits of dual enrollment for high school students. “Studies show that students in dual enrollment are more prepared, persistent and practical. They achieve higher grade point averages in college, and fewer development courses are needed,” said Naumann.

“BHCC draws many students from this community,” said Nuri Chandler-Smith, Dean of Academic Support and College Pathways Programs. “Locating courses in the communities where our current and potential students live, work or seek services makes the transition to college easier and encourages students to regard a college education as more attainable as they look to the future.”

The College is also offering courses beginning this fall at the Asian American Civic Association in Boston’s Chinatown. 

To find out more about courses offered in these locations or to register, visit: bhcc.edu/instructionalcenters/. You may also register in person at Bunker Hill Community College in Charlestown, Room B202 and Room E235.

CITY OF BOSTON ANNOUNCES PREPARATIONS FOR BOSTON'S PRELIMINARY MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

CITY OF BOSTON ANNOUNCES PREPARATIONS FOR BOSTON'S PRELIMINARY MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

BOSTON - Friday, September 4, 2015 - Today, the Boston Election Department released plans for the Preliminary Municipal Election in City Council Districts 4 and 7, taking place on Tuesday, September 8. The polls in Boston will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. This year's Preliminary Municipal Election also coincides with the opening of Boston Public Schools. To help guide voter traffic, the Election Department will provide additional staff at Boston Public School locations that are voting sites. In addition, the Boston Police Department will deploy additional staff at school voting sites to help alleviate traffic congestion and to ensure that handicap spaces are not improperly blocked. Voters who will cast their ballot in schools are asked in advance for their patience and cooperation. Boston's ballots are printed in English/Spanish across the City, and in English/Chinese and English/Vietnamese ballots where there is a need.  Nearly 95 election officers speak one or more languages in addition to English, including Chinese (both Mandarin and Cantonese dialects), Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole and Russian.  Each precinct will also be provided with an automark machine which increases accessibility to residents with sensory and physical limitations, as well as linguistic limitations.    These two Council Districts include more than 78,000 registered voters eligible to participate in this election. There will be approximately 405 election officers assigned to 59 voting precincts in Boston, which are housed at 40 locations. For more information about Tuesday's election, please visit boston.gov/elections. Media Guidelines Members of the media are reminded that certain rules must be followed in order to ensure a smooth voting process for voters. ·       Interviews of voters are not allowed inside polling locations and must be done at least 150 feet away. ·       Interviews with election officers at the polling locations are not allowed. Interview requests for the Election Commissioner must be directed through the Press Office at (617) 635-4461. ·       Photos and b-roll shots will be allowed under the supervision of each poll's warden. ·       Photographers are reminded that zooming in on voter ballots and shots over the shoulders of voters will not be allowed - please respect every voter's right to a private ballot. ·       The City of Boston Election Department will also be available for b-roll shots starting at 7:30 a.m. ·       Results will be posted online at www.boston.gov  after the polls close at8:00 p.m. Please do not call the Election Department for results. ·       Updates will be provided periodically via our Facebook and Twitter account: @BostonElection

約瑟夫甘迺迪鼓勵年輕人參政 支持吳弭連任波市議員

波士頓市首名華裔市議員吳弭（Michelle Wu）競選連任，陸續獲得各界支持，2日晚，連甘迺迪家族第三代，國會眾議員約瑟夫甘迺迪三世（Joe Kennedy III），都為她辦支持會。

波士頓市芬衛（Fenway）區麻州酒店（Hotel Commonwealth）裡的霍桑廳（Hawthorne），2日晚擠滿了年輕專業人士。

            麻州參議會裡最年輕，代表長草（Longmeadow）區的民主黨籍麻州參議員Eric Lesser，率先致詞，強調年輕人參政的重要。他說，“現在是我們這個世代停止抱怨，實際做點事的時候了”。

            約瑟夫甘迺迪三世是民主黨籍麻州第四區國會眾議員，年僅34歲。他自己身體力行了年輕人參政的呼籲，也希望和他一樣的千禧年世代都這麼做。他指著吳弭說，對於那些全心相信政府能夠，也應該為人民創造不同局面的人來說，吳弭可以啟發人們。

            談及國會得沒有效率，約瑟夫甘迺迪三世表示，對那些在州政府，聯邦政府層級的人來說，市政府是創新的希望。他說，因為有像吳弭這樣的人，他可以看著波士頓市向人說，“看，我告訴過你們”。

            吳弭致詞時，先感謝家人，朋友，同事， 再申述她在第一任波士頓市議員任內的工作成就。

            吳弭優先提出的政策，來自她的個人經驗。她剛當母親，兒子Blaise才九個月大。她推動的家長有薪假法案，不但整個市政府支持，波士頓市長馬丁華殊還簽署成為法令。

            吳弭曾經是名小企業東主。她以鄰里企業以及移民家庭為重心，推動了簡化牌照許可申請過程，使得波士頓有如一個新城市。

            吳弭稱許波士頓市各地都可見到創新之舉，同時也強調她是競選不分區市議員，整個波士頓市的議題，她都關心。 她說，她要確保在波士頓市各個社區居住的小孩，都能望著市中心的那些高樓大廈說，那也是他們的波士頓。

圖片說明：   

            國會眾議員約瑟夫甘迺迪三世（左）也支持吳弭（右）競選連任波市議員。（圖由吳弭競選陣營提供）