From Nina Liang, Michelle Wu, Leland Cheung, get out to vote

Good evening everyone,

First, thank you so much for all that you guys have done and for making this campaign what it is.  From door knocking the hills in the heat, to bearing the cold wind holding signs.  We have the best campaign team, and it's all because of you.

We're almost there.  Less than 24 hours until the polls close tomorrow at 8pm.  I'm so excited to start working, and will be honored to work for all of you.

I humbly ask for just a little bit more to put us over the top.  If you, or anyone you know, has any time to give tomorrow, please come by the campaign headquarters at 696 Hancock Street between the hours of 6am - 8pm.  Come by if:

1. You'd like to volunteer and join us

2. If you are generously donating your time to volunteer but have not received instructions yet

3. If you would like to just come by and check things out!

Those of you who have already offered to volunteer, and know when and where to go, thank you.

We will be watching the numbers come in tomorrow at 8pm at Fuji 1546.  I'm looking forward to celebrating with you all because regardless of what the results are, we've won.  We've shown that when we get together as a community, there's nothing we can't do.

I'm so excited, and honored, to have been part of this with you all.

See you all tomorrow!  Remember to get out to vote! (www.wheredoivotema.com)

Respectfully yours,

Nina

Hi Friends,

It’s Election Day and the polls are open until 8PM! If you haven’t voted yet, you can find your polling location here.

As of 12pm, 17979 residents have turned out to vote. With low turnout like this, it’s more important than ever to remind your friends to vote - and encourage them to vote for Michelle!

There’s still time to help out today, too. If you have any time to spare, please call our field director MaryRose at 978-888-1970.

And don’t forget to join us after the polls close at 8pm for our Election Night watch party at Seven Star Street Bistro in Roslindale (153 Belgrade Ave., Roslindale, MA 02131). If you have any questions about the event, email Sharon at sharon@michelleforboston.com.

Thank you,

Henry Cohen

Campaign Manager

Michelle Wu for Boston City Council

Thank YOU for our Campaign's Success!

It may seem premature to hear that from a politician BEFORE the campaign is over, but I had to say it!

This has been an intense campaign. After slates began to emerge I committed myself not only to re-election, but also to helping my colleagues on the Council who always give fair consideration to my ideas. Your outpouring of support - emotional, financial, vote pledges, and more - has been inspiring. Your intelligence about the issues and enthusiasm for my candidacy has been a consistent source of energy, getting me through many a sleepless night.

With your support, your help, your time volunteering, your contributions, and your #1 vote - I am confident that we'll win tomorrow, November 3rd; our challenge is to boldly send a message that our community endorses the principles and progress I fight for. Of course, our team still needs to execute on election day (tomorrow!) to make that subject line become real. So if you can, please chip in now to make sure we can fund our plans!

And, if you're available, please sign up for a shift to volunteer with us at the polls. It looks like it's going to be a beautiful sunny 70 degree day ... join us in greeting neighbors and thanking them for voting!

Campaign Recap

The veterans on our campaign can't help but share a knowing laugh at how stunned first time volunteers act when, after an hour or more of leaving messages, they get someone live! It really feels like we're all busier than ever, which is why we're so grateful when we have a chance to connect! Voters have been so positive to chat that we wish everyone would answer!

Nonetheless, it's probably getting to be a bit of campaign overload ;) ... my wife even commented that the stack of literature left at our door is beginning to rival the stack I'm handing out! And Team Leland hasn't really helped, as we've been doing everything we can think of to deliver our positive, forward looking message ...


We called voters at home, sometimes twice at once:



We added to inboxes (and I appreciate your good humor at my failed attempts at humor!):



We knocked on doors (this is my 'oh, please invite me in to rest my feet!' face):



We greeted commuters on their way to work (I must say - standing in the cold is so worth it whenever someone says "oh, I'm voting for Leland", and I say, "I am Leland", and they say "oh, I didn't recognize you ... you've lost weight!"):



OK this wasn't our best idea ... everyone was too fast and apparently runners want water not flyers:



We went on TV ... nothing funny about how many takes this took ...



My daughter suggested stalking all the top dessert places (I wonder why ...):



We advertised online and posted news to facebook and twitter:



We answered questionnaires and received community support:



We mailed an (admittedly verbose) flyer (btw, can you find the spelling error?):



And then my daughter happily traded those flyers for candy!



We partnered with colleagues on a coordinated campaign, promising Democracy without Gridlock:



Joking about how much I've been "putting myself out there", a super fan created DateLeland (disclaimer: I'm happily married and dates are not actually available!)



Now that the election is tomorrow, we just have one last question:
What time are you planning to vote tomorrow, Tues, Nov 3rd, so we can try to meet you there and say thanks!?

And to reiterate our prior request - please help support our election-day efforts tomorrow:

In the News ... 

I really appreciate all the positive response to the op-ed I published last week about 'Trumpocracy' coming to Cambridge. Many of you asked - how do we articulate the good in our community and more positively frame the conversation? I kept thinking back to a post I made to BlueMassGroup about What We Believe two years ago when I was helping draft the party platform in Massachusetts. If you haven't already, take a read and let me know what you think!

There was also an interesting op-ed from Professor Barry Bluestone, local housing expert, on how to address our affordable housing crisis.

A letter to the editor on how proposals to increase the residential tax rate would hurt our seniors.

A letter from the Kendall Square Association on their commitment to Cambridge.

Coverage of the paid parental leave policy I introduced.

Finally, I recently wrote an article for FWD.us on the Local Impacts of National Immigration policy.

Upcoming Events

Nov 3 Election Night Party! Wear your "I Voted!" sticker and join us at Workbar - 45 Prospect St, Central Sq - after the polls close to watch the results. We've got Roxy's Gourmet Grilled Cheese to replenish us after a long day at the polls! Please RSVP here.

Endorsed by the Sierra Club, Greater Boston Labor Council, Metropolitan Building and Trades, and many more!

I am proud that my track record of innovative accomplishments on the Cambridge City council has resulted in so many endorsements for my re-election campaign. The tremendous support means a lot to me, and you know I'll never stop standing up for better environmental stewardship or standing up for Cambridge's working residents.

     

In case you missed it ... Major Council/Cambridge updates from the past few months:

Increasing affordable housing

It's an understatement to say that Cambridge has an overheated housing market. The City Council has remained deeply committed to building affordable housing and has taken important steps to help residents. The Council increased linkage fees, which require large commercial developers to contribute to the City's Affordable Housing Trust.

The Council increased linkage fees from $4.58/sqft to $12.00/sqft, with an additional increase of $1.00 plus inflation over the next three years, more than tripling it from now. With the wait lists for affordable units full, it is important that the City continue to expand affordable housing options. We're on track to increase linkage fees to be among the highest in the Commonwealth, and I plan on continuing to push for high percentages of affordable units in new housing projects. We need empty units, not empty promises.

This all started two years ago I requested an update to the nexus study - an expert report prepared by economists that gives the City the legal footing for the fee increase. Getting to this point has been a long process and figuring out the right number is like a complex calculus problem - we want to maximize not just the fee itself, but the amount the City receives in total dollars to commit to affordable housing. Only time will tell whether we hit the mark, but I'm delighted the Council is finally moving on this important policy.

Getting Cambridge to "Net Zero"

Prior to serving on the Cambridge City Council, I worked at ARPA-E in the Department of Energy, where I focused on funding and developing advanced green energy technologies. My work at ARPA-E gave me a deep appreciation for the nuance of this work, and I'm so excited for Cambridge's becoming "Net Zero". Here's just some of what was adopted out of my Energy & Environment Committee:

• Retrofitting for energy efficiency in existing buildings
• Net zero new construction
• A greener energy supply strategy
• Creating a local carbon fund
• Building community engagement in the goals and process of "Net Zero"

At the City Council meeting on June 22nd, we adopted the full net zero action plan, and went a step further, adopting an order requiring LEED gold for all new construction in the City.

Open Data!

Ever since I first joined the City Council I've leveraged my background in technology and the private sector to bring thoughtful innovation to Cambridge. From including language translation on the city website, to requiring set aside space for start-ups and incubators, to re-organizing our IT process, to introducing data analytics, mobile apps, and online bill pay, I've been moving Cambridge forward in to the 21st century.

In September, we officially adopted an Open Data Ordinance which codifies a pilot program I've had running for the past year. The Open Data Ordinance will make public data more easily accessible and transparent, and form the foundation for entrepreneurs to help Cambridge invent new ways to provide better service to its residents. Cambridge joins a mere handful of cities committed to Open Data.

You can learn more on the City's Open Data Portal here.
You can read the entirety of the new Open Data Ordinance here.Next up - integrating the Internet of Things into the city infrastructure. Building upon this landmark legislation, I'm working with the City's Administration on the next step. Imagine knowing how many minutes you have until the street cleaner gets to you, receiving a text message if your toilet gets stuck on flush while you're away, never again living through a water main burst, having your GPS updated to the minute with which streets were cleared of snow, and more. The Smart City of tomorrow will be built using sensors to make your life more convenient.

New Concussion Regulations now in Effect

The Big 12 has limited their football players to only 2 days of full contact training per week. From the college level up, there is always dedicated medical staff waiting on the sidelines. Even with these protections in place, research has shown that concussions are dangerously misunderstood and underreported. With our limited understanding of such complex and dangerous injuries, I thought it was important to ask: Why are the limitations and support for youth players so much less? The answer is, they shouldn't be. So, in November of 2012 I asked the Health Department to issue concussion guidelines to all coaches and groups that use city fields.

In August, I chaired a meeting of the Health and Environment Committee to discuss the concussion regulations we received and went into effect on September 1st. The new regulations, which can be read here, govern youth sports leagues that use City fields and facilities and make it safer for our kids to enjoy sports.

Cambridge Adopts Parental Leave Policy 

As the parent of a two-year old, I'm learning firsthand the unexpected challenges of parenthood. I was proud to introduce a new gender and identity neutral parental leave policy. This new policy will see Cambridge continue to lead the way as a great employer for ALL parents, regardless of gender, orientation, or identity. It will also help Cambridge continue to serve as an example for public and private employers across the Commonwealth and the nation.

Off-Leash Dogs in the City 

Two years ago, I asked the City Manager to form an off-leash working group to develop recommendations for providing better opportunities for dog owners in Cambridge. A recent statistic shows that almost 1 in 10 households in Cambridge have a dog! We're now implementing the Off-Leash Working Group recommendations, which will see new shared use hours at multiple locations, improved signage, evening hours and more dedicated spaces, especially in areas that need it. My dog was so excited he insisted I create a dedicated flyer and oversaw my work:

Thanks!

As always, please contact me directly if you have any questions or thoughts at leland@lelandcheung.com or on my cell at (617) 444-9080.

And please remember to vote Leland Cheung #1 tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3rd!

Leland

To stop receiving emails: http://www.lelandcheung.com/unsubscribe 

From  Dennis Benzan in Cambridge:

Team Benzan Supporters! This Election season has been unlike any other! Your support has been incredible from the start, and we need you for one final push tomorrow. This is what we've all been waiting for...the most important part of this whole effort. First, please remember to make a plan to go to the polls tomorrow, and remind your friends and family who live in Cambridge to GET OUT AND VOTE! We're asking for your #1 Vote, and hope you will consider my colleagues on the Unity Slate for your remaining votes (in alphabetical order: Cheung, Kelley, Maher, McGovern, Simmons, and Toomey). The polls on Election Day are open from 7am-8pm.  If you're not sure where you vote, please visit www.wheredoivotema.com. If you have any time to volunteer with our Campaign to Re-Elect Dennis Benzan, we could use your help at the polls at various times and locations throughout the city. Please contact Jessica at (617) 792-9783 or Sami Rodriguez at (978) 994-5557 for more information on how you can help tomorrow. Thank you so much for your continued support.   We cannot express enough how much your support means to me! Best, Dennis Benzan Cambridge City Councillor & Vice Mayor P.S. After the polls close, please join us at Moksa Restaurant for our Election Night Party! Stay connected on social media!

紐英崙市級選舉六華人今日等你一票

 右起，劍橋市議員張禮能，波士頓市議員吳弭競選連任。
張文華競選牛頓市憲章委員會委員。（周菊子攝）

            (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導) 今天是11月3日，星期二，大選投票日子。紐英崙地區共有不下六名華人參選，紐英崙也冒出更多關心政治華人，在各地呼籲支持者加入舉牌，催票陣容，更重要的是出席投票。

            這些華裔候選人，不論目前選情如何，都需要亞裔社區積極支持，才可全數當選，在紐英崙政治圈營造出不同面貌。

趙剛（右）支持張文華（左）競選牛頓市憲章委員會委員。（周菊子攝）

競選連任的有牛頓市議員馬惠美（Amy Sangiolo），劍橋市議員張禮能（Leland Cheung），波士頓市議員吳弭（Michelle Wu）。首度參選的有昆士市不分區市議員候選人梁秀婷（Nina Liang），牛頓市憲章委員會（Charter Commission）委員候選人張文華（Wenhua Zhang），以及緬因州路易斯頓（Lewiston）市市長陳華（Ben Chin）。

在前述候選人中，吳弭有趙剛等人為她助選開設的兩個微信群，張文華有筆名“蟲二”的支持者為他開了牛頓參政微信群。

梁秀婷競選昆士市不分區市議員。（周菊子攝）

牛頓市的華人，似乎被張文華帶出了參政熱情，曾任牛頓中文學校校長的沈安平，鄧永奇，熱心的魏毅，蔣紅，劉玲等人，都在微信群裡討論華人參政，呼籲熱心人舉牌，催票。

在微信群裡的一段話還指出，上一次的牛頓市選舉，全市只有12%的選民出席投票了，但在牛頓市的已登記選民中，華裔佔了3%，如果華裔傾巢而出的投票，張文華絕對能夠當選。

在昆士市的梁秀婷競選陣營也在積極提醒華人，“你的一票至關重要”。他們指出，亞裔佔昆士總人口的25%

梁秀婷競選昆士市不分區市議員。（周菊子攝）

，但市議會卻迄今仍從無一名亞裔市議員，今年將是另一次機會，只要亞裔積極出席投票，昆士市就能締造歷史。

波士頓市，昆士市政府都提醒民眾，投票站從早上7 點起開門，一直開到晚上8點止。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin Walsh ）表示，波市選務局將盡力確保選舉日一切順利。市府鼓勵居民及地方組織參與協助辦理選務，提醒鄰居出席投票。

波士頓市共有372,889名已登記選民，波市府照這數目印製了選票，波市府也提供西班牙文，中文，越南文，海地語，俄語，以及克里奧語（Cape Verdean Creole）等不同語言版本的選票。

 牛頓市議員馬惠美（Amy Mah Sangiolo）今年再競選連任
牛頓市議員。（檔案照片，周菊子攝）

波士頓全市將有1600名選務工作人員，分佈到170個投票站，為255個小選區服務。

            選舉結果將在投票結束後，公佈在市府網站上。民眾可透過各種社交網路工具，追蹤投票情況，包括推特@BostonElections,，以及臉書。

陳樂（Ben Chin）（右一）競選緬因州路易斯頓（Lewiston）市市長。
（圖由陳兆啟提供）

波士頓2016年午夜煙火經費有著落了

波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin J. Walsh）昨（二）日 宣佈，2016年第一夜的午夜煙火，將由波士頓市府信用社（City of Boston Credit Union）贊助。

 馬丁華殊表示，他知道第一夜對波士頓居民及遊客來說，是多重要的一項傳統，他很感謝波士頓市府信用社今年站出來資助。他也相信在Conventures承辦下，今年的第一夜也將很成功。

波士頓市信用社將捐出三萬元來維持第一夜的午夜煙火這傳統。

波士頓信用社董事長 Steve Green表示，該社為波士頓服務已逾百年，他們很高興能支持波士頓市長保留這一傳統。

            波士頓市府早前辦理招標，今年的波士頓第一夜將交由 Conventures公司承辦。

麻州外語協會首設優秀中文教師獎 王俞文獲表揚

麻州外語協會(MAFLA)上週末在 Sturbridge舉辦第48屆年會，以“許多語言，一個目標，攀爬流利階梯”為主題，一連討論三天。中文部分共有10場演講。

        麻州約有800多名老師在中小學教外語，在10月29日至31日的三天會期內，共有40到50名老師參加中文組的各種課程與議題討論。

中文組理事葉金惠表示，這是近幾年來中文老師參加外語大會最踴躍的一次，也是中文組討論議題最熱烈的一次，可以看得出，麻州中文老師們想要在教學和自我學習上突破的一個最明顯的印證。

在中文組的10場演講中，10月29日時由Greg Duncan主講， 以“如果不流利，怎麼辦（If not proficiency, what?）“為題，長達六個小時的工作坊，特別引人注意。

            葉金惠指出，一名熱心中文教育人士今年夏天捐贈了一筆獎學金給麻州外語大會，支持中文老師出席年會，今年有8名老師獲益。

在私立的屋斯特諾特丹高中（Worcester Notre Dame Academy ）任教的狄海貝老師， 也是獎學金受益人之一。她表示Greg Duncan指出，語言學習就像做棉花糖的過程，既需要時間，更需要師生雙方的努力與付出。他的比喻，促使她進一步思考要怎麼做，才能使學生的中文更流利。 

            麻州外語大會今年還和駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處合作，設立了年度優秀中文教師獎，今年第一度頒獎，由尼罕（Needham）高中老師王俞文獲獎。經文處處長賴銘琪，文化組組長黃薳玉十月三十一日中午特地到會場頒獎。

圖片說明：

            經文處處長賴銘琪（前中），文化組組長黃薳玉（前左一）在麻州外語協會中文組理事葉金惠（前右二），前任理事劉善理（前右一）陪同中，頒首屆年度優秀中文教師獎給王俞文（前左二）。（圖由麻州外語協會提供）

            今年出席麻州外語協會年會的中文老師格外多。麻州外語協會中文組理事葉金惠（前右二），前任理事劉善理（前左二）格外高興。（圖由麻州外語協會提供）

            麻州外語協會講座，出席者眾。（圖由麻州外語協會提供）