HEALTH CARE COMPANY THAT IMPROPERLY BILLED HUNDREDS OF MASSHEALTH MEMBERS PAYING MORE THAN $750,000

HEALTH CARE COMPANY THAT IMPROPERLY BILLED HUNDREDS OF MASSHEALTH MEMBERS PAYING MORE THAN $750,000

Company Allegedly Directly Billed Members for Services Covered by State Medicaid Program; Settlement Returns Money to Hundreds of Members, Provides for Credit Repair

BOSTON – A nationwide provider of home healthcare products will pay more than $750,000 for directly billing people for services covered by the state’s Medicaid program (MassHealth), Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Today’s settlement provides refunds to hundreds of affected MassHealth members.

Under the terms of the assurance of discontinuance and related settlement agreement, Apria Healthcare LLC (Apria) has agreed to pay $99,008 in restitution and $665,934 in penalties to resolve allegations that the company directly billed members for services that were already covered by MassHealth.

“MassHealth provides critical healthcare to low-income individuals, including people with disabilities, children and senior citizens, yet this company billed them for services that were already covered,” AG Healey said. “Through our settlement with Apria, hundreds of members who paid bills they did not owe will get their money back.”

Apria provides medical services and devices, including durable medical equipment, to MassHealth members and has two Massachusetts locations in Springfield and Wilmington.

The AG’s Medicaid Fraud Division began an investigation after the matter was referred by MassHealth’s Provider Compliance Unit and the UMass Medical School Enhanced Coordination of Benefits Division, who received complaints from members that Apria was trying to collect money from them for services covered by MassHealth.

The AG investigation revealed that between December 2011 and April 2017, Apria inappropriately billed more than 1,000 members for hundreds of thousands of dollars of services already covered by MassHealth, in violation of MassHealth regulations and state consumer protection laws. The AG’s Office estimates that more than 500 of those patients paid those bills and will receive restitution from this settlement.

The AG’s settlement with Apria requires that the company cooperate with the AG’s Office to repair the credit of any consumers whose claims were sent to third-party collection agencies and whose credit scores may have been negatively impacted. It also requires the company to institute a compliance monitoring program.

               This matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Nita Klunder and Investigator Robert Ames, both of AG Healey’s Medicaid Fraud Division. MassHealth assisted in this investigation. 

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES 2017 CITY OF BOSTON SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDEES

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES 2017 CITY OF BOSTON SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDEES

BOSTON - Thursday, August 9, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh this week joined the City of Boston Scholarship Committee in awarding 35 students $2,500 scholarships to help fund their education. The Scholarship Fund was established in 1995 to provide assistance to residents who plan to pursue a two- or four-year undergraduate program within Massachusetts.   "Each City of Boston Scholarship awardee clearly demonstrates a deep commitment to our community and strong academic promise," said Mayor Walsh. "Thank you for the time and effort you put into sharing your experiences and dreams through the application process. You are the future leaders of Boston, and I wish you all the best as you embark on your higher education journey." Currently, over 100 students receive an annual scholarship of $2,500 through the fund. Scholarship recipients may reapply each year. Applicants must be residents of Boston and have graduated from high school by the time the awards are made in May. The scholarship program, which operates under the authority of a Scholarship Committee, is managed by the Mayor's Education Cabinet. Funds for the scholarships are made possible from contributions made by citizens and corporations. The City of Boston Scholarship Committee has awarded 868 students scholarships since 1995, which totals to almost $2.2 million. This year, Boston celebrated the sixteenth year of an endowed scholarship donated by the Rosen Family in memory of Jeffrey Dunipace Rosen and celebrated the third year of the Community Development Scholarship, established in remembrance of Mayor Thomas M. Menino, and a Community Spirit Scholarship in memory of former public servant and City of Boston Scholarship awardee, Dawn Jaffier. "Being a member of the scholarship committee is one of the highlights of my life. Playing a role in helping fund student's education is extremely fulfilling," said Byron Beaman of the Mayor's Scholarship Committee. "Taking part in the ceremony and meeting the families of these students is heartwarming and the appreciation you feel from them makes reading all the applications worth it." This year's scholarship awards strengthen the post-secondary access initiatives that the Mayor has launched or supported over the last year, including Free Community College Tuition, Boston Bridge and ongoing support activities for students through the Success Boston partnership. "This year, with the help of both uAspire and Success Boston, the Mayor's Education Cabinet and the Mayor's Scholarship Committee began redesigning the fund to better meet students' financial needs," said Boston Chief of Education Rahn Dorsey. "In preparation for next year's process, we will continue to work with college access experts and higher education officials to identify ways to that ensure Boston students find affordable ways to reach - and complete - a postsecondary education." Residents who fit the criteria are encouraged to participate in the 2018 application process, which will begin in January 2018. For more information on the City of Boston Scholarship, visit Boston.gov or send a note to cobscholarship@boston.gov.

臺灣青年波士頓搭僑 回顧成果分享心得

到波士頓的臺灣青年搭僑計畫5名學員與僑務委員蔣宗壬(右四)和
梅錫銳(左五)、寄宿媽媽僑務顧問郭競儒(左三)和僑務促進委員馮文鸞(右二)，以及波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉夫婦(右五、右六)合影

由僑務委員會遴選前來波士頓參加搭僑計畫的5名臺灣青年，8月7日在波士頓僑教中心發表學習成果與心得報告，回顧自8月1日以來為期一週的僑務見習及參訪行程，每位學員分別發表在波士頓僑界所見所聞的心得，也都表示收穫滿滿、獲益良多。

僑委會臺灣青年海外搭僑計畫波士頓組學員以照片及影片

回顧一週以來的參與搭僑計畫的過程

這場成果發表會由波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉主持，邀請今年搭僑計畫寄宿媽媽郭競儒和馮文鸞、僑務委員蔣宗壬和梅錫銳，以及協助接待學員的歐主任夫人張豊珠，與僑教中心全體職員參加。歐宏偉表示，僑胞是國家在海外最重要的資產，搭僑計畫的重點就是希望能搭上僑胞的熱情與睿智，讓國內青年學子與海外鄉親建立連結與互動，特別勉勵學員們懷著知足、惜福與感恩的心，以僑胞為師為友，努力充實自己，將來在各領域都能有卓越的發展，一起為國家打拼；此外，歐宏偉也期許來年能有更多的僑界先進，共同支持此一深具意義的臺灣青年海外搭僑計畫。

僑教中心主任歐宏偉勉勵學員以僑胞為師為友，努力充實自己，

將來在各領域都能有卓越的發展，一起為國家打拼

學員們先以照片及影片回顧一週以來的參與搭僑計畫的過程，非常感謝駐波士頓臺北經文處處長賴銘琪，以及波士頓與羅德島州僑社各界前輩的指導、協助和接待，也特別感謝僑委會規劃辦理這項計畫及僑教中心的細心安排；每位學員都特別強調，透過這一週的見習與參訪，更能認同僑委會的功能與價值，以及僑務工作的重要性，同時更加瞭解海外僑胞鄉親對國家的付出與貢獻。

 成果發表會結束前，女生組學員邱亭瑋、王羿雯和李柔慧，以及男生組學員陳東晟和曾泓銘，特別在僑務委員會的錦旗上簽名後，致送給「林媽媽」郭競儒與「媽媽樂」馮文鸞，感謝兩位寄宿媽媽一週來的接待、照料與關懷；學員們也特別感謝僑務委員蔣宗壬、紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊、僑務諮詢委員王本仁建築師、專業人員協會董事長王世輝、僑務顧問游勝雄、羅德島州華人協會會長吳子平與葉超、欖城安良工商會會長陳任卓、關懷救助協會會長王志維等僑領的熱情接待，對於慈濟波士頓聯絡處和佛光山波士頓三佛中心，積極提供僑胞與主流社區各項慈善公益及人文活動，也留下相當深刻的印象。(圖與文:波士頓僑教中心提供)

紅襪隊邀居民8/12上波士頓廣場遙距看球賽

紅襪隊提供。

                      (Boston Orange)這個週六下午，你可以在波士頓廣場，悠然席地而坐的欣賞紅襪隊球賽。

波士頓市政府和高地街(Highland Street)基金會，以及紅襪隊合作，舉辦的第四屆”球場之外(Out of the Park)”活動，邀民眾8月12日(週六)下午，兩點半起免費出席，在波士頓廣場(Boston Common)的大銀幕上欣賞紅襪隊和洋基隊(Yankees)對抗。現場將有漫畫家，氣球藝術家，以棒球為主題的遊戲等等適宜家庭的活動，有賣吃的小攤。紅襪隊吉祥物”威利(Wally)”，”泰西(Tessie)”也都會到現場與民同樂。

球賽預計4點開始投出第一球。

                        紅襪隊也邀民眾查詢該隊的官方推特，@RedSox，查詢這場活動，可電洽617-969-8900，上網，http://www.highlandstreet.org/ootp，加入@HighlandStreet for #OutOfThePark: http://atmlb.com/2uj2VYr 。

AG HEALEY OPPOSES EPA’S PROPOSED TWO-YEAR SUSPENSION OF RULE CUTTING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND OTHER POLLUTANTS

AG HEALEY OPPOSES EPA’S PROPOSED TWO-YEAR SUSPENSION OF RULE CUTTING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND OTHER POLLUTANTSFiles Comments Supporting Rule that Prevents Methane Emissions from New Sources in Oil and Gas Sector

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today joined a coalition of 14 attorneys general, the State of Colorado and the City of Chicago in submitting public comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), calling the agency’s proposed additional stays of a rule that reduces greenhouse gas emissions from new facilities in the oil and natural gas industry illegal and harmful to public health.

The comments argue that the EPA’s attempts to suspend the rules are unlawful because EPA has exceeded its authority under the Clean Air Act, and that EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s involvement is improper in light of his prior involvement as the Oklahoma Attorney General in a lawsuit challenging the methane new source rule (2016 Rule). 

“Scott Pruitt’s continued attempts to upend these critical clean air protections are not only illegal, but dangerous to the health and well-being of our residents,” said AG Healey. “As state attorneys general, we will hold the Trump administration accountable for rolling back environmental protections and undoing the progress we’ve made to protect our planet.”

The 2016 Rule now in place limits emissions of the powerful greenhouse gas by encouraging the use of technology in leak monitoring at all well sites and compressor stations. The controls required by the rule are also expected to reduce emissions of other pollutants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants like benzene and formaldehyde.

Methane is a particularly powerful agent of climate change; pound-for-pound, methane warms the climate about 34 times more than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. The oil and natural gas sector is the largest industrial source of methane emissions and accounts for a third of total methane emissions in the United States.

The methane new source rule became effective on Aug. 2, 2016. Shortly after it became effective, the rule was challenged in court by several industry groups.

On June 5, 2017, Administrator Pruitt announced a 90-day administrative stay of the 2016 Rule, arguing that the oil and gas industry had raised objections that were not addressed during the rulemaking process. In response, AG Healey led a coalition of 14 state attorneys general and the City of Chicago in intervening in support of a lawsuit brought by a group of environmental organizations seeking to immediately stop the stay. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals promptlyruled that the 90-day delay was unlawful and vacated it.

On June 16, 2017, Administrator Pruitt published for notice and comment two additional proposed delays of the 2016 Rule, totaling 27 months.

The attorneys general note that if the 2016 Rule is delayed for 27 months, at least 48,138 tons of methane, 13,272 tons of VOCs, and 506 tons of hazardous air pollutants will be emitted that would have that would have been prevented by the Rule.

For years, Massachusetts has played a leading role in the fight to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act, including leading a coalition of states, in coordination with numerous environmental groups, in the landmark case of Massachusetts v. EPA. In April 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Massachusetts and concluded that the EPA had authority under existing law to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. 

Massachusetts has been involved for almost five years in support of the issuance and maintenance of the 2016 Rule. In December 2012, Massachusetts, New York, and five other states notified EPA of their intent to file suit, asserting that the EPA had not complied with its mandatory duty under the Clean Air Act’s New Source Performance Standards to determine whether it is appropriate to regulate methane pollution from the oil and gas sector.

Joining AG Healey in filing today’s comments are the attorneys general of California, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia. The State of Colorado and the City of Chicago also joined in submitting the comments.  

This matter is being handled for Massachusetts by Melissa Hoffer, Chief of AG Healey’s Energy and Environment Bureau, and Assistant Attorney General Peter Mulcahy, of AG Healey’s Environmental Protection Division.

CENTER STREET PARTNERS CHOSEN TO COMPLETE PHASE ONE OF THE MILDRED C. HAILEY APARTMENT REDEVELOPMENT

CENTER STREET PARTNERS CHOSEN TO COMPLETE PHASE ONE OF THE MILDRED C. HAILEY APARTMENT REDEVELOPMENT Boston Housing Authority designation begins first phase of major redevelopment to Jamaica Plain apartments

BOSTON - Wednesday, August 9, 2017 - The Boston Housing Authority (BHA) today announced Centre Street Partners - comprised of The Community Builders, Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation and Urban Edge - have been designated as the developers to initiate the restoration of the Mildred C. Hailey public housing community. The Hailey development, located in the historic area in the Jackson Square neighborhood of Jamaica Plain, will be rebuilt as a mixed-income community, with a commitment to preserve all of the existing affordable housing units. "In order to meet the housing needs of all of our residents, we must think creatively to preserve our existing affordable housing stock, while developing new housing," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "I am pleased the Centre Street Partners share our goal, and look forward to the improved housing that will be built as part of this partnership." The proposed redevelopment would replace the five existing, high-rise residential buildings along the Centre Street edge of the property with five new residential and mixed use buildings.  This redevelopment proposal will create a total of approximately 625 rental apartments, including one-for-one replacements of the 232 subsidized apartments that comprise the Phase One area of the development, and 393 new construction market rate apartments. In addition, four of the five buildings are proposed as mixed income housing, with a 2:1 ratio of market rate to affordable units. The final building will serve elders in the Mildred C. Hailey community. Demolition and construction will be done in phases by building. The proposal also includes 375 parking spaces and 14,800 square feet of non-residential building space, which will incorporate a centrally located new Anna Mae Cole Community Center. "We are looking forward to working with the development team to improve the apartments and quality of life for the residents of Hailey Apartments," said Yamilet Torres, President of the Mildred Hailey tenant task force. "We are ready to hit the ground running with this much-needed undertaking." A selection committee comprised of residents of the Mildred C. Hailey public housing development and BHA staff reviewed the proposal and interviewed the Centre Street Partners team, which received high points for its demonstrated model for strong resident partnerships and services. BHA and the developer will kick off the design process by holding a series of resident and community meetings this fall. "Our low-income families, elderly and disabled residents need and deserve a bright future where their housing is secure and safe," said BHA Administrator Bill McGonagle. "We're very pleased with the outcome of this process and look forward to working with the residents of Hailey Apartments and the Jamaica Plain community to bring this project to completion." The BHA and the development team are confident that relocation can be minimized during the redevelopment. As with previous BHA redevelopment efforts, and if needed, residents will be offered relocation options that will include moves to other BHA public housing sites or Housing Choice/Section 8 vouchers. Existing residents will have the right to return to the site after redevelopment. "The Community Builders is pleased to partner with the Boston Housing Authority," said Bart Mitchell, president and CEO of The Community Builders. "Together with Jamaica Plain NDC and Urban Edge, our partnership will help keep Jackson Square strong, with revitalized affordable housing, new market-rate housing, and expanded green space for the entire neighborhood and we are excited to engage with the residents of Mildred Hailey Apartments." BHA issued the Request for Proposals (RFP) for redevelopment of the Mildred C. Hailey site as part of a wider strategy to upgrade and make sustainable its affordable housing communities in the wake of historic federal budget cuts. The potential for adding additional units to create a mixed-income development will add affordable workforce and market rate apartments. BHA hopes this will generate additional income to help sustain the low-income units over the long term. The creation of additional market rate and workforce housing will also further Mayor Walsh's goal of creating 53,000 new units of housing by 2030. Prior to issuing the Mildred C. Hailey RFP, BHA issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in November, 2014 asking the non-profit and for-profit development community for ideas about how to preserve public housing units with decreased reliance on federal public housing subsidy, which has been shrinking for many years.  There is a copy of the RFQ and more information on the BHA's funding situation in our Five-Year Plan on the BHA's website. About Boston Authority (BHA) Boston Housing Authority (BHA) provides affordable housing to more than 58,000 residents in and around the City of Boston. Residents are assisted through a combination of public housing and federal and state voucher subsidy programs that provide a wide variety of housing opportunities. As the largest public housing authority in New England, the BHA houses close to 9 percent of the city's residents. Our mission is to provide stable, quality affordable housing for low and moderate income persons; to deliver these services with integrity and mutual accountability; and to create living environments which serve as catalysts for the transformation from dependency to economic self-sufficiency. About the Development Partnership The Community Builders, Inc. (TCB), the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC) and Urban Edge (collectively known as "Centre Street Partners" or the "Partners") are pleased to present this proposal for the first phase of the disposition and redevelopment of the Boston Housing Authority's Mildred C. Hailey Apartments. The partnership of these three accomplished Boston-based development organizations represents a team with deep experience and success in developing vibrant mixed-income communities in the Jamaica Plain and Roxbury neighborhoods adjacent to the Hailey Apartments. Together the Partners bring a unique combination of local knowledge and relationships, mixed income development expertise, and mission focus that will ensure the success of the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments redevelopment.

第26屆胡桃山音樂營師生聯合音樂會8/8

The 26th Annual Music Festival at Walnut Hill  
胡桃山音樂營
July 20 to August 13, 2017

Concerts and Master Classes
Admission free. Suggested Donation $5 at door
 

Tuesday, August 8, 2017,  7:30 PM  at Keiter Center Walnut Hill School, Natick, MA Faculty-Student Joint Concert

~Program~ 1, Sonata in G major for two cellos by Jean Barrière  Andante  Hawks Chen, cello Carol Ou, Cello Faculty Sonata in G major for two cellos by Jean Barrière Allegro prestissimo Phoebe Chen, cello Carol Ou, Cello Faculty Sonata in Bb, KV 292 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Allegro Katherine Huang, cello Carol Ou, Cello Faculty Sonata in Bb, KV 292 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Rondo  Josh Cheng Pan, cello Carol Ou, Cello Faculty Duets for two Cellos by Reinhold Gliere, Op. 53 No. 3 and No. 7 Jennifer Su, cello Carol Ou, Cello Faculty 2, BACH: Brandenburg Concerto No. 6  Lia Chen Stallmann, viola Jie-Ling Tang, viola Gene Hsu, viola Lily Li-Jen Wang, viola Katy Chung-Wen Lee, viola Tiffany Yi-Ting Chu, viola Sam Ou, Cello Faculty Chi-Wei Lo, piano, Festival Teaching Assistant 3, MOZART: Violin Sonata in A Major, KV 305  I Allegro di molto Hanks Min-Han Tsai, violin Pi-Hsien Chen, Piano Faculty 4, PIAZZOLLA: Le Grand Tango  Sam Ou, Cello Faculty Henry Wu, piano ~Intermission~ 5, Joseph Bodin de Boismortier: Sonate en trio No. 2, Op. 7, arr. RadnofskyModerement Gayment Lentement Gigue Kenneth Radnofsky, Saxophone Faculty Yijun Denis Ning, alto saxophone Michael Xing, alto saxophone 6, MENDELSSOHN: Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 66  I Allegro Po Yao Fang, violin Jennifer Su, cello Pihsien Chen, Piano Faculty 7, BEETHOVEN: 7th Symphony from the popular Viola quintet  arrangement published in 1816 (with gratitude to the Beethoven Haus in Bonn)  II Allegretto IV Allegro con brio  Nicholas Kitchen, violin Faculty Sania En-Tzu Lin, violin Festival Teaching Assistant Melody Cheng, viola Festival Teaching Assistant Lucy Yen-Hsuan Lee, viola Festival Teaching Assistant Yeesun Kim, Cello Faculty

Steinway piano provided by M. Steinert & Sons Festival Faculty 2017(alphabetically)

Pihsien Chen, piano Yeesun Kim, cello Nicholas Kitchen, violin Carol Ou, cello Sam Ou, cello Kenneth Radnofsky, saxophone

波士頓僑教中心辦座談協助台灣青年搭橋

【波城僑務座談會  專業人士與青年交流熱絡】

波士頓僑務工作座談會由僑教中心主任歐宏偉主持，邀請波城

僑界專業人士與僑社青年出席，與參加僑委會臺灣青年搭僑計畫

的5名學員進行座談交流

波士頓僑教中心於8月4日晚間舉辦僑務工作座談會，邀請紐英崙專業人員協會、臺美專業協會波士頓分會、玉山科技協會及新英格蘭臺商會等僑團的資深專業人士、專業青年與僑務榮譽職人員，與參加僑委會臺灣青年搭僑計畫邱亭瑋等5名學員進行座談交流，共計20餘人參加，互動熱絡、氣氛溫馨。

參加僑務座談的僑界專業人士分享個人在求學、就業、創業及海外

生活等各階段的經歷

座談會由僑教中心主任歐宏偉主持，透過參加人員的自我介紹，以及個人在求學、就業、創業及海外生活等各階段的經驗分享，讓前來見習僑務工作的搭僑計畫學員們更加瞭解僑胞在海外的奮鬥故事，同時，經由座談交流，讓與會各界人士增進對彼此的認識，也讓與會的臺灣青年深刻體會僑務工作的重要性，以及僑胞對國家政府的貢獻。

參與本次座談會的僑界專業人士，包括僑務委員蔣宗壬、僑務顧問郭競儒、僑務促進委員馮文鸞及康麗雪、專業人員協會會長蔡明機、前會長李小玉醫師、臺灣大學校友會會長蕭蔚、臺美專業協會波士頓分會會長舒其馨、玉山科技協會資訊長陳立洋等人。歐宏偉特別向在場與談的僑領與僑社青年致謝，並期許臺灣青年搭僑計畫學員透過座談活動，對僑務工作的意義與價值重新思考，以謙卑的態度努力學習，才能更加豐富自己的人生。(圖與文:波士頓僑教中心提供)

吳弭競選連任 和200多人在羅森岱爾吃冰淇淋談時政

              (Boston Orange 周菊子整理報導)波士頓市議會議長吳弭(Michelle Wu)8月3日在羅森岱爾(Roslindale)的亞當公園正式啟動競選連任活動，200多人攜家帶眷出席，邊吃著海德公園家族經營小生意朗氏精品冰淇淋(Ron’s Gourmet Ice Cream)的冰淇淋，邊討論市政。

              吳弭在聚會中暢談過去這四年來，她當選波士頓市議員後，推動通過了有薪家長假，溝通條例，到餐廳可自行帶酒(BYOB, Bring Your Own Bottle)法令等等工作方面的事，也談到她的個人改變，這幾年間的經驗教訓。

               她說，”三年前，我第一次當媽，幾周之前，才又生了第二個小孩。二年前搬到羅森岱爾，是費了好大勁，才找到一個雙薪家庭能夠負擔的房子。我們喜歡我們所居住的地方，喜歡我們的鄰居，對於能夠在市內找到可負擔的房子住，也很心存感激。這些經驗交會她，要確保每個人都能這樣做到有多重要。

               二年前，她也重新發現了騎單車這回事，如今還變成一個波士頓一帶的狂熱騎自行車者。這讓她親自體會到街道對人們，而不是對車輛有多重要，連接自行車車道對居民也很重要。

              八個月前，白宮有了新政府，一個那麼會打擊我們在這個國家裏所關心的很多事，而且似乎不想為我們爭取甚麼的政府。這也讓我們看到從城市這層級由我們來領導有多麼重要。不僅僅是為了我們所服務的人民，這些市政府一直有最緊密聯繫的人們，更因為有時候，好像我們成了人們僅有的聲音。我們為移民，為同性戀族群，為獲得醫療保險的權利，為環境發生。

               吳弭說，”我們必須有如這國家中最激進的城市搬來領導，為來自任何背景的每一個小孩爭取機會。她呼籲選民投票給她，不只是為爭取連任，更是為了更新對於波士頓作為一個分享繁榮城市的承諾。大家都同意要為下一代奮鬥，選擇和社區而不是企業站在同一邊，為地球著想，為每種背景的每一個人享有穩定住家努力，為經歷著無家可歸景況的居民服務，照顧那些掙扎著等下一張薪水單的人們，也要爭取主動的計畫鄰里，而不是坐等為利益而來的下一個發展商出現。

              吳弭說我們的國家現在正處於這樣一個轉捩點，人們在城市做的事有作用。她希望大家十一月時投票給她，並在選舉後繼續和她合作，為波士頓的未來攜手努力。

MAYOR WALSH, THE BOSTON HOME AND AFFIRMATIVE INVESTMENTS CELEBRATE GROUNDBREAKING FOR THE $15.4 MILLION HARMON APARTMENTS

MAYOR WALSH, THE BOSTON HOME AND AFFIRMATIVE INVESTMENTS CELEBRATE GROUNDBREAKING FOR THE $15.4 MILLION HARMON APARTMENTS Project will create 36 units of accessible mixed-income independent housing with supportive services in Boston

BOSTON - Tuesday, August 8, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry, developers The Boston Home and Affirmative Investments, local elected officials and members of the disability community for the Harmon Apartments groundbreaking. The $15.4 million project will create 36 units of accessible mixed-income housing with supportive services designed to promote independence for adults with significant disabilities. "Our goal in Boston is to create a city that works for everyone -- and that includes creating homes that are affordable, accessible, and allow our residents to live independently," said Mayor Walsh. "I thank all the partners involved in this equitable housing development. This innovative solution for needed accessible supportive housing is a snapshot of the progress we're making citywide. It takes a team to move our housing goals forward, and I'm proud of Boston's commitment to this project, and to our commitment to keeping Boston a diverse city where all are welcome." "Mayor Walsh cares deeply about the quality of life for all residents of the City of Boston," said Marva Serotkin, President and CEO of The Boston Home. "Mayor Walsh has promoted housing with supportive services for those among us who need just a little extra assistance to fully engage in this vibrant city. From his early days as State Representative, he has been a friend of the residents of The Boston Home along with Senator Linda Dorcena Forry and other elected officials. The extraordinary collaboration and leadership among City, State, private and philanthropic investors have been essential in making Harmon Apartments a reality." Harmon Apartments will be located at 2045 Dorchester Avenue in Dorchester and will be an urban residence with amenities in close proximity to local businesses just two blocks from the accessible MBTA Redline Ashmont Station, and adjacent to a bus stop. Harmon Apartments will be made up of: 30 apartments marketed to those with income levels at or below 60 percent of Area Median Income (AMI), or an income of $43,440 or less for a single-person household; Eight of these 30 units will be marketed to those with incomes at 30 percent of AMI, or an income of $21,700 or less for a single-person household; Six apartments offered at market rates; 26 one-bedroom apartments and 10 two-bedroom apartments; and Common space to accommodate necessary programs to support tenants. In addition, qualified tenants will be offered specialized programming opportunities and "Accessible+Plus" apartments, to make the unit more accessible for those with disabilities. This will include: Automatic door openers; Control of heating and cooling systems and lights via smartphone or tablet; On-site wellness, fitness and social programs; Caregiver training and coordination; Counseling and support for accessing community services; Easy access to medical care; wheelchair seating and positioning services; comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation program staffed by neurological specialists; and B.Fit! outpatient socialization and wellness program; Wheelchair customization services including mounting of communication devices and assistive technologies; A Case Manager to assist with arrangements for services and supports upon request. "Nearly 12 percent of Boston's population has a disability, and we need new buildings like this to ensure all of Boston's residents have a home that meets their needs," said Kristen McCosh,  Commissioner of the Mayor's Commission for Persons with Disabilities. "This development showcases Boston's work to include all members of our community in each and every plan the City develops." Today's groundbreaking builds on the recent release of Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030; Boston's latest quarterly housing report; and the Disability Taskforce Report, which highlight gains in stabilizing the housing market, accommodating housing growth, improving housing accessibility and increasing affordability. Since 2014, the implementation of the City's housing plan, 13,551 new units of housing have been created. With an additional 8,412 units currently under construction, the City has secured housing for an estimated 25,000 residents, making significant progress in meeting Boston's rapid population growth. "I'm a strong advocate for all efforts to facilitate more affordable and accessible housing in the Boston area-both because I see the need all the time among my community of people with disabilities, and because I recognize this need in my own life," said Carol R. Steinberg, an attorney, writer and speaker on accessibility issues, a member of the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board, past president of the Board of the Disability Law Center, and a member of the Government Relations Committee of the Massachusetts Multiple Sclerosis Society. "I thank all partners involved in this project for creating housing where those with disabilities can be both safe and independent." Total development cost for this new building is $15.4 million, and was made possible in part by a $2 million investment by the City of Boston; $750,000 from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development; $1 million from MassHousing; $1.2 million in debt from Capital One Bank and $9 million in equity financing from Capital One Bank and National Equity Fund. In addition, the project received a $200,000 grant from Capital One Bank and a $2.8 million contribution from The Boston Home.