MAYOR WALSH APPOINTS BEN BRADLEE JR. TO THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF BEN BRADLEE JR. TO THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

BOSTON - Tuesday, May 10, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that Ben Bradlee Jr., author and a former editor for The Boston Globe, has been appointed to the Boston Public Library Board of Trustees. Bradlee was sworn in during the Board's annual meeting held this morning May 10 at the Central Library in Copley Square. Bradlee fills the Board's unofficial writer's seat, which has been previously held by notable authors such as Dennis Lehane, David McCullough and Doris Kearns Goodwin. "Ben Bradlee Jr.'s experience in the media and as an acclaimed author make him a natural fit and valued addition to the BPL Board," said Mayor Walsh. "I thank Ben for his commitment to the city and I look forward to seeing the nation's first large, free municipal library continue to flourish under the leadership of the Board." "The BPL Board is pleased to welcome Ben Bradlee Jr. to the governing body of the Boston Public Library," said Robert Gallery, Chair of the BPL Board of Trustees. "His background brings a fresh perspective to the Board with his deep knowledge of the value of libraries for research and for fact finding, which have surely served him throughout his career. We look forward to his contribution on the BPL Board of Trustees." The Boston Public Library Board of Trustees establishes policies and long-term goals of the library, oversees the general operating and administrative policies, and acts as an agent of public trust governing the library. The BPL Board of Trustees works together with the library president to carry out responsibilities that involve governance and policy-making, finances, strategic planning, human resources and continuing education affairs. "It is an honor to be appointed to the Boston Public Library's Board of Trustees,'' said Bradlee. "I believe public access to libraries is a cornerstone of democratic society, and I am dedicated to strengthening public access for all. I thank Mayor Walsh and the Library's board for this opportunity, and I look forward to working to ensure that the citizens of Boston continue to enjoy the tremendous value the BPL provides." A full biography of Ben Bradlee Jr. is included below: Ben Bradlee Jr.'s most recent book: The Kid: The Immortal Life of Ted Williams, was published by Little, Brown in December of 2013. The book was received with critical acclaim, made the New York Times best-seller list and has been optioned for a movie. Bradlee spent 25 years, from 1979 to 2004, with The Boston Globe -- 10 years as a reporter and 15 as an editor. As deputy managing editor, he oversaw the Globe's Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church from July 2001 to August 2002, and also supervised the production of a book on the subject, "Betrayal,'' which Little, Brown published in June, 2002. "Spotlight,'' a major feature film on the Globe's investigation, was released in the fall of 2015 and won two Academy Awards, for best original screenplay and best picture.  Bradlee is portrayed in the film by actor John Slattery. Bradlee's first editing assignment was as Political Editor, supervising the paper's State House and City Hall bureaus in 1989 and 1990. He then served as Assistant Managing Editor for local news from January of 1991, to November of 1993, when he was named Assistant Managing Editor for Projects and Investigations. He was later promoted to Deputy Managing Editor, while retaining the same position. In that capacity, Bradlee oversaw the Spotlight Team (the Globe's investigative unit) and several other reporters who produced long-term projects or series. He also worked on an ad-hoc basis with reporters on the metropolitan, business, national and foreign staffs in producing special projects, and occasionally, wrote major pieces himself. As a reporter, he served on the Spotlight Team, at the State House bureau, and as the paper's roving national correspondent from 1982-1986. He covered the 1988 presidential campaign of Michael Dukakis and also reported overseas for The Globe from Afghanistan, South Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Vietnam. Bradlee has written three previous books. His first was The Ambush Murders, the case of a black activist accused -- and ultimately acquitted after three trials -- of killing two white policemen in Riverside, Calif. It was a story about small-town justice and how justice functions in emotionally-charged circumstances when police investigate the deaths of two of their own. The book was published in 1979 by Dodd, Mead, and later made into a television movie for CBS. Bradlee was co-author of  Prophet of Blood -- the story of polygamous cult leader and self-styled prophet-of-God Ervil LeBaron, whom authorities considered responsible for up to a dozen murders in the Intermountain West and Mexico during the 70's. The book -- which explored the interplay between sex, violence and religion in an offshoot of the Mormon Church -- was published by G.P. Putnam in 1981. Bradlee's third book was "Guts and Glory: The Rise and Fall of Oliver North.'' Published by Donald I. Fine Inc. in 1988, the book chronicled North and the Iran-Contra affair, and was the basis for a four-hour television mini-series which aired on CBS in May of 1989. A graduate of Colby College, Bradlee served in the Peace Corps in Afghanistan from 1970-1972. On his return to the United States in 1972, he went to work as a reporter for the Riverside (Calif.) Press-Enterprise, remaining there until mid 1975.

MAYOR WALSH AND CODMAN SQUARE COMMUNITY BREAK GROUND ON 44 AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING UNITS

MAYOR WALSH AND CODMAN SQUARE COMMUNITY BREAK GROUND ON 44 AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING UNITS BOSTON - Tuesday, May 10, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced today the start of construction for the Whittier Lyndhurst Washington Homes mixed-use redevelopment project in Codman Square. The $20.1 million project, of which the Department of Neighborhood Development contributed $1.6 million, will create 44 units of affordable rental housing, 1,000 square feet of commercial space and an estimated 80 new construction jobs in Boston.  "In Boston, we are committed to building a city that holds opportunity for every person and every family, no matter their background, age or financial status," Mayor Walsh said. "I'm proud that the city's investment in this project will help support new affordable rental housing for families and I want to thank the many partners who are working to help us achieve our housing goals."         The Walsh Administration is committed to creating more affordable housing for residents in Boston. In its most recent quarterly housing report, the City of Boston reported that it is currently on track to reach 53,000 new units by 2030, with more than 36,000 units either completed or in the development process. Currently, there are more than 8,000 new units of housing under construction in Boston, which represents more construction employment in the housing sector than any time in the last 20 years. Located in the heart of Codman Square, Whittier Lyndhurst Washington Homes includes the redevelopment of four sites and the renovation of 15 units of public housing at the Whittier School site, along with the creation of 13 new units of affordable rental housing adjacent to the School on Darlington Street; the renovation of eight units on Lyndhurst Street; and the creation of 1,000 square feet of commercial space with another eight new units at 472 Washington Street. The Talbot Norfolk Triangle Neighbors United worked closely with the City of Boston and Codman Square NDC to develop the homes in accordance with the Eco-Innovation District and to ensure that the redevelopment will utilize high-efficiency heating and cooling systems and Energy Star rated appliances, as well as meeting other environmental and green standards where applicable.  In addition to the city's contribution of $1.6 million, this project received funding from the state's Department of Housing and Community Development, the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, NeighborWorks America, RBC Capital Markets and Bank of America.  The first phase of the redevelopment project is expected to be complete in the summer of 2016.

新英格蘭中文教師協會研習班談討全球化趨勢對教學方法的影響

新英格蘭地區中文教師協會春季中小學教師（K-12）研習班, 五月七日在塔夫茨大學舉行。近50位中小學及大學中文教師參加了培訓。 本次研習班的主講人是波士頓中小學漢語教學協會執行主席林游岚老師和布朗大學的胡龍華老師。

        林游岚老師的講座題目是：The New Trend of Literacy Movement读写教學的新方向。 她指出在全球化的趨勢中， 怎樣結合不同學科使學生擁有高層次思考能力，是目前中小學漢語教學的任務及目標。 林老師還強調持續創新電腦網絡技術，針對不同程度的學生，開拓思路，使漢語教學能跟上時代的發展。 她在講座中還結合了一些教學實例，如用拓展詞彙的方法，把“拼車”“食品安全”“空氣質量”等主題與網絡信息結合，使學生有能力深入探討社會問題。

        胡龍華老師講座的主題是：Cultural Literacy 文化素養。胡老師結合自身的教學和學習經驗，給大家介紹了在北美教學環境中，教師應怎樣提高各方面的文化素養， 包括書籍，網絡，廣播，電影，電視都是獲取大量信息，了解美國文化的渠道。她認為拉近與美國學生的文化距離，對設計教學活動有很大的幫助。學員們受到了很大的啓發並展開熱烈的討論。

        本次研習班由塔夫茨大学孔子學院贊助 。

（全體與會者合影     供稿：郭旭      攝影：姚建彬）

波市長公布新版市府員工結構儀表版

波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin J. Walsh）今（10）日宣佈，向公眾展示波士頓市員工組成概況儀表板，發行新版本了。

            這個員工人口統計儀表板是首個這種數據工具，能夠定期更新資料，展示波士頓市員工組成結構，藉以支持市府打造更包容、多元勞動力的努力。

            波士頓市長馬丁華殊說，這儀表板將幫助波士頓市達到目標，讓員工勞動力的組成結構能夠代表波士頓。他為迄今為止，市府能利用數據，打造更有利的市政府而感到驕傲。多元化儀表板將是幫助市府辨認改善機會的另一個工具。

            這儀表板是市長多元辦公室和全市分析小組，人力資源辦公室合作設計的，供市長，內閣首長，以及市府員工了解現有的人口地理分佈，據以追蹤達到聘僱員工目標的進展。

        波市首席多元長Danielson Tavares表示，在市長馬丁華殊的領導下，他和所有的市府部門主管，以及社區合作，推行波市的多元化目標，這多元化儀表版將容許他們更清楚的看到該在哪兒改善。

            波市資訊長Jascha Frankie-Hodge表示，這儀表板是波士頓市府使用數據，科從儀表版上來查全市人力檔案報告，可上網

ttp://cityofboston.gov/diversity訪問儀表盤和城市的員工檔案報告。（周菊子翻譯）

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF NEW DATA DASHBOARD THAT PROVIDES INSIGHT INTO THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF CITY'S WORKFORCE

BOSTON - Tuesday, May 10, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the release of a new public-facing dashboard that displays the demographic makeup of City of Boston employees. The Employee Demographics Dashboard is a first-of-its-kind data tool that presents regularly updated statistics on the makeup of City staff in the City of Boston, and was built to support the City's efforts of creating a more inclusive and diverse workforce. "This dashboard will help us meet our goal of creating a workforce that is representative of Boston," said Mayor Walsh. "I am proud of our work so far to use data to create a stronger city government, and our diversity dashboard is another tool to help us identify opportunities for improvement." Created in partnership between the Mayor's Office of Diversity, the Citywide Analytics Team, and the Office of Human Resources, this dashboard is used by the Mayor, Cabinet Chiefs, and City staff to understand existing workforce demographics and to help track progress toward staffing goals. "Under Mayor Walsh's leadership, I am working with all of our city department heads as well as the community to implement our city's diversity goals and objectives," said Danielson Tavares, Chief Diversity Officer. "Our diversity dashboard will allow us to more clearly review where we need to work to improve." Built using the same technology that powers the Mayor's and Cabinet dashboards, the employee demographics dashboard displays information on current staffing levels by race, gender, salary, and tenure. Information is sortable by department, and is updated monthly. "This dashboard is a great example of how the City of Boston uses data and technology to increase transparency and help implement an important policy goal," said Jascha Franklin-Hodge, the City's Chief Information Officer. Please visit http://cityofboston.gov/diversity to access the dashboard and the City's Workforce Profile report.

Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito and Cabinet Officials Tour Administration’s Innovative State Reentry Program

Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito and Cabinet Officials Tour Administration’s Innovative State Reentry Program

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Secretary of Public Safety and Security Dan Bennett, Secretary for Administration and Finance Kristen Lepore and Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Ronald L. Walker, II today toured the Baker-Polito Administration’s new School of Reentry, which provides inmates preparing to reenter their communities an all-inclusive service model that encompasses education, vocational training, counseling, job preparation and personal development.

“Making the successful transition from incarceration back into society is fraught with challenges not the least of which is bridging the skills gap,” said Governor Baker. “This program provides inmates with a range of assistance to help them set their lives on a positive course, further their education and prepare for a successful and productive life in their communities.”

“The students selected for the inaugural class of this school have demonstrated a commitment to leaving their pasts behind,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “We are likewise committed to the opportunities they have for success by providing effective programming like this to help them accomplish their goals.”

Students receive six hours of daily instruction with the expectation of additional evening studies in preparation for a High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) and discipline for further post-secondary education. Graduates will receive college credits ranging from 6-9 credit hours toward HiSET testing, remedial coursework and technology training through partnerships with Bunker Hill and Roxbury Community Colleges.

“With 9,500 inmates in the DOC system, Massachusetts has one of the lowest incarceration rates in the nation,” said Public Safety Secretary Dan Bennett. “With the help of positive programs like this we are aiming to further reduce our recidivism rate and see a corresponding decrease in crime and prison costs.”

Launched under the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) in March of this year at the Department of Correction’s Boston Pre-Release Center in Roslindale, the School of Reentry provides 25 minimum security men with a 12 to 18-month residential opportunity. Substance abuse treatment is mandatory for students and the program is not offered to inmates who are incarcerated for first or second degree murder or sex offense convictions.

Malden Police Department: Click It or Ticket

Monday, May 9, 2016

The Malden Police Department in partnership with the Highway Safety Division of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, the Massachusetts State Police, and more than 200 Massachusetts police departments will take part in the nationalClick It or Ticket campaign between May 9th and May 23rd.  This high-visibility enforcement campaign will promote seat belt use and enforce child passenger safety laws through increased traffic enforcement. The campaign is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Wearing a seat belt is the single most effective way to remain protected against impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers. Nationally, seat belts reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about half. Motorists are urged to buckle up on every trip, no matter how short, and to be sure children in the vehicle are properly restrained in the appropriate child safety seat or booster seat. Massachusetts at 74% lags well behind the nationwide seat belt use rate of 88.8%.  Adult males between the ages of 18-34 have a lower seat belt use rate (66.68%) than females (82.59%). Those driving pick-up trucks and commercial vehicles had the lowest seat belt use rates and among adults, are considered the most vulnerable motorists in Massachusetts. Essex County and Bristol County had the lowest seat belt use rates in the state (both at 70%).  Bristol, Middlesex and Worcester counties had the highest number of unrestrained fatalities from 2009-2013. Unrestrained fatalities occurred most often during the weekend and between the hours of 9 PM-3 AM. Nationally, 49% of those killed in motor vehicle crashes were not wearing seat belts.

Massachusetts law requires all occupants to be properly restrained by safety belts when riding in a private passenger motor vehicle, including vans and trucks. Fines begin at $25 per violation. Massachusetts Enhanced Child Passenger Safety Law requires children riding as passengers in motor vehicles to be in a Federally-approved child passenger restraint that is properly fastened and secured until they are 8 years old or over 57 inches tall. Children older than 8 years old or taller than 57 inches must wear safety belts. Call the Child Passenger Safety Information Line 1 -877-392-5956 with any child passenger safety related questions, specifically questions about age appropriate car seats. Massachusetts has over 150 locations where parents and caregivers can have their child’s car seat checked to be sure it’s installed properly.

“Our goal is to save lives,” said Police Chief Kevin Molis. “As we kick-off the busy summer driving season, it is crucial that all motorists buckle up every time they go out, day and night – no excuses. Our officers are prepared to ticket anyone who is not wearing their seat belt, including drivers who have neglected to properly buckle their children.”

The Click It or Ticket campaign is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For more information about the Click It or Ticket campaign, visit: www.nhtsa.gov

CITY OF BOSTON ISSUES REMINDER FOR TODAY'S SPECIAL STATE ELECTION FOR FIRST SUFFOLK AND MIDDLESEX SENATE DISTRICTS

CITY OF BOSTON ISSUES REMINDER FOR TODAY'S SPECIAL STATE ELECTION FOR FIRST SUFFOLK AND MIDDLESEX SENATE DISTRICTS

BOSTON - Tuesday, May 10, 2016 - The City of Boston Election Department announced that polls will be open today from 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. for the Special State Election for First Suffolk and Middlesex Senate districts. Today's Special State Election is not a citywide election, the following areas in Boston are included in the First Suffolk and Middlesex Senate District: East Boston, All precincts ( Ward 1 Precincts 1-14), Chinatown, Downtown and the North End (Ward 3 Precincts 1-4, 6 & 8), and   Bay Village and Beacon Hill (Ward 5 Precincts 1, 3, 4, 5 & 11). Ballots have been printed for Boston's  51,864 registered voters who live in the 1st Suffolk and Middlesex Senate District; which includes 22,720 in the Democratic Party, 5,174 in the Republican party, 213 in the United Independent Party, 48 in the Green-Rainbow Party, and 23,709 voters who are not enrolled in any political party (unenrolled are often referred to as Independents) and may chose one party's ballot to vote with on May 10t, 2016.  All polling places will be equipped with an Automark machine, which assists voters with sensory and physical limitations in marking their ballots; this device also provides translation assistance. The following languages will be available at the polls and through a central translator telephone bank: Spanish Chinese (both Mandarin and Cantonese dialects) Vietnamese Haitian Creole Cape Verdean Creole Russian The department has recruited and trained more than 165 poll workers to staff more than 18 polling locations, covering approximately 25 precincts. From answering calls from residents, to working the polling locations, to counting ballots, poll workers play a vital role in the success of Election Day. To help boost civic engagement, residents are encouraged to use hashtag#BostonVotes on social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, with photos of "I voted" stickers. Election results will be posted online at  www.boston.gov after the polls close at 8:00 p.m. Updates on turnout will be provided periodically via Twitter:@BostonElections, and the City of Boston Elections Department's Facebook account. Please use the Election Department's website to receive additional information regarding the election; registered voters are able to use the site to locate polling locations. Members of the media are encouraged to adhere to the following guidelines: Interviews of voters are not allowed inside polling locations and must be carried out at least 150 feet away from the site 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. on May 10, 2016.

麻州政府通過縮減版綠線地鐵延長計畫

麻州交通官員今（9）日投票通過，綠線延展計畫將縮水執行，並申明如果州政府遭遇資金困難，仍會取消這一計畫。

麻州交通廳董事會及麻州灣區運輸局（MBTA）的財務控制董事會投票通過，向聯邦交通行政委員會（FTA）提交23 億元版版的綠線輕鐵延展計畫。這一行動代表該計畫在數個條件下，又推進了一步。

            根據麻州交通長（Transportation Secretary）Stephanie Pollack的說法，即使是用簡單設計，劍橋市，尚莫維爾市（Somerville），以及一個區域計畫機構承諾額外撥給款項，麻州灣區交通局（MBTA）仍然得填補7000萬元計畫經費差額。

            地鐵人員也警告到，如果聯邦交通行政委員會認為現有預算不夠的話，經費金額可能會更高。

            自從有關人員公佈原本估計的20 億元，可能有10億元的差距以來，他們一直糾結著該如何辦理人們等待已久，進入麥德福市（Medford），尚莫維爾市（Somerville）的綠線延長計畫。

            根據普拉克的說法，恐怕還有至少18個月，地鐵拓展都無法開工，而每延遲施工一個月，就會增加160萬元的“成本上漲”開銷。

            人們等待已久的地鐵綠線延長計畫，包括7個新車站，大約4.7英里的軌道。

            在麻州交通廳人員依據有錯誤的預算，設計了昂貴的車站，使用了不熟悉的承包方式來趕著完成這計畫後，這項計畫就失控了。

            根據地鐵請來重新設計計畫的顧問們的說法，地鐵當局如果採用較簡單的車站，可以省下二億八千八百萬元，如果採用較短的徒步及循環車道，附帶較少的牆壁和橋樑，可以再節省一億二千二百萬元。

            目前，麻州政府預定撥款九億九千六百萬元給這計畫，聯邦政府也承諾撥出相同數額款項。

            交通廳人員表示，為了支付整個計畫的費用，他們還把波士頓區域都會計畫組織預定撥給額外增建一個綠線車站的錢，拿出一億五千萬元來，另外又從劍橋市，尚莫維爾市等市政府，要來七千五百萬元。