MAYOR WALSH ISSUES SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR RESIDENTS AS COLDEST WEATHER OF THE SEASON ARRIVES

MAYOR WALSH ISSUES SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR RESIDENTS AS COLDEST WEATHER OF THE SEASON ARRIVES Residents encouraged to take caution over the weekend; warming centers activated in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines   BOSTON - Friday, January 29, 2021 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today shared a set of tips and guidelines for residents to manage this weekend's bitterly cold weather. Boston is experiencing sub-zero wind chill temperatures through Sunday, January 31. This weekend's temperatures meet the thresholds for activating the use of warming centers in the city in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines.   "We want to ensure that every Boston resident stays warm and safe with the bitter cold weather this weekend," said Mayor Walsh. "It is essential that we support and look out for each other, while also making sure we are observing COVID-19 public health guidelines. Please continue to wear a face covering, practice social distancing, wash your hands often, and avoid crowds as we brave these cold temperatures. I urge Bostonians to call 911 if they see someone in distress, as we are here to help and make sure people are safe."  Wind chill values today are predicted to be as low as -8 degrees Fahrenheit, expected to be as low as -7 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday, before rising to above freezing temperatures. The City is also tracking and monitoring a possible winter storm that's expected to arrive late Monday into early Tuesday, and preparations are being made to support the needs of Boston residents.  Warming centers are open today from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Due to COVID-19 public health regulations, all warming center visitors will be screened for symptoms before entry, must wear a face covering (covering both the nose and mouth), maintain 6 feet of distance from others, and wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Visitors must bring their own water bottles, and must limit belongings to one small bag. Occupancy will be monitored to ensure it doesn't exceed 25 percent of the building's maximum permitted occupancy to maintain proper distancing. The spaces will be cleaned and disinfected hourly. The locations of the warming centers include: Allston/Brighton: BCYF Jackson-Mann Community Center, 500 Cambridge St., Allston Charlestown: BCYF Charlestown Community Center, 255 Medford St., Charlestown  Dorchester: BCYF Holland Community Center, 85 Olney St., Dorchester East Boston: BCYF Paris Street Community Center, 112 Paris St., East Boston Hyde Park: BCYF Hyde Park Community Center, 1179 River St., Hyde Park Jamaica Plain: BCYF Curtis Hall Community Center, 20 South St., Jamaica Plain  Mattapan: BCYF Mildred Avenue Community Center, 5 Mildred Ave., Mattapan  North End: BCYF Nazzaro Community Center, 30 N. Bennet St., Boston Roslindale: BCYF Menino Community Center, 125 Brookway Rd., Roslindale  Roxbury: BCYF Tobin Community Center,1481 Tremont St., Boston South Boston: BCYF Condon Community Center, 200 D St., S. Boston South End: BCYF Blackstone Community Center, 50 West Brookline Street, Boston West Roxbury: BCYF Roche Community Center,1716 Centre St., West Roxbury Mayor Walsh advised residents to take precautions as the weather persists throughout the weekend, reminding them especially to check in on older adults, people with disabilities and people experiencing homelessness. If you see homeless and vulnerable individuals out in the cold who appear immobile, disoriented or underdressed for the cold, please call 911. If residents are aware of anyone staying in a vehicle or a place not intended for living during these extreme cold temperatures, they are encouraged to call 911 as well.  The Mayor encouraged all persons in shelters, auxiliary sites and families with young children to stay indoors and avoid the extremely cold weather. Additionally, the Mayor announced other precautions the city is putting in place to protect residents from the cold weather: Three mobile outreach vehicles on the street in the daytime at the Pine Street Inn. Further outreach will be provided by other agencies downtown and in the Back Bay. A van provided by The City of Boston Office of Recovery Services to help persons in need access the  Engagement Center, the PAATHS Program and Emergency Shelters from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.  The 24/7 opening of all adult emergency shelters and winter overflow sites began Thursday night and will extend through the weekend. The Boston Police Department (BPD) is making announcements on every shift for officers and all personnel to be on the lookout for vulnerable people on the streets. BPD will conduct wellness checks or assist with transportation to available shelters and coordinate with emergency medical personnel for unsheltered homeless persons in distress.  The BPD Street Outreach Unit will be available as a resource to assist the districts, outreach providers and 911 dispatch as needed.   The MBTA will similarly make announcements on every shift for MBTA Police officers and transportation personnel to be on the lookout for vulnerable people. The agency will have extra officers on duty who will make vehicles available to provide transportation to shelter or to contact emergency medical personnel for unsheltered homeless persons in distress. Key safety tips include:  Dress for the weather: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, residents are required to wear face masks or cloth face coverings in all public places, whether indoors or outdoors, even when they are able to maintain 6 feet of distance from others.  Wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear mittens over gloves; layering works for your hands as well. Always wear a hat and cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.   Dress children warmly and set reasonable time limits on outdoor play. Restrict infants' outdoor exposure when it is colder than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Watch for signs of frostbite: Signs of frostbite include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately. Watch for signs of hypothermia: These include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. If you or someone you know shows any of these symptoms, contact a healthcare provider immediately. If symptoms are severe, call 911. Heating guidelines for property owners and tenants: In accordance with the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code, the heating season officially begins on September 15 and runs through June 15. Property owners must heat habitable spaces at a minimum temperature of 68 degrees between 7 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. and 64 degrees between 11:01 p.m. and 6:59 a.m. In case of emergency, property owners are encouraged to keep a list of licensed contractors (electrician, plumber and general contractor) on file. Tenants experiencing problems with their heating system should check the thermostat, ensure the dial is turned on, and report insufficient or no heat problems to the property owner or manager immediately. If your landlord or property manager is unresponsive, call 311 to file a complaint. Heating safety: Never try to heat your home using a charcoal or gas grill, a kitchen stove, or other product not specifically designed as a heater. These can cause a fire or produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide very quickly.  Have your heating system cleaned and checked annually. Install and maintain smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home. Carbon monoxide is an invisible gas produced whenever any fuel is burned. Common sources include oil or gas furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, stoves, and some space heaters. It has no smell, taste, or color. It is poisonous and can be deadly. Tips to keep water flowing and pipes unfrozen during extreme cold: The Boston Water and Sewer Commission recommends homeowners locate a home's main water shut off valve, and learn how to use it. Should a frozen pipe burst, shutting the main valve quickly will minimize flooding and property damage. Homeowners should insulate pipes in unheated areas like basements, garages and crawl spaces. Use inexpensive hardware store materials to prevent pipes from freezing and to keep warm water flowing. Circulate warm air around pipes by keeping cabinet doors open. Circulate a trickle of tap water through pipes during extreme cold to help prevent them freezing up. Locate your water meter, protect it from drafts, and make sure basement doors and windows are shut tight. If pipes do freeze, slowly thaw them with a hair dryer, if possible. If water is lost in all taps, call BWSC 24-hour Emergency Assistance Line at 617-989-7000.   Emergency home repair resources:  Income-eligible homeowners and Boston's residents over age 60 can receive assistance with winter emergencies and repairs, such as fixing storm damage, leaking roofs, furnaces and leaking/frozen pipes. For assistance, residents should call the Mayor's hotline at 311 or the Boston Home Center at 617-635-HOME (4663).    In addition, the Mayor's Seniors Save program helps income eligible Bostonians over the age of 60 replace old, inefficient heating systems with a new brand new heating system, even before a failure occurs during the cold winter months. Older adults can also call 311 or the Boston Home Center at 617-635-HOME (4663) to be connected with a City staffer to provide additional details.    For emergency alerts, including cold-weather alerts, residents are encouraged to sign up for Alert Boston. For more information, please visit the Winter in Boston guide and follow @CityofBoston on Twitter.

波士頓黃氏公所主席續任就職 疫情期間多數宗親僑團幹部全留任

波士頓黃氏宗親會幹部就職。前排右起，黃光沐，黃國威，
黃仁宇，黃國麟，黃周麗桃。(黃氏宗親會提供)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)在新冠病毒疫情肆虐一年，迄今未消之際，波士頓各姓氏公所大都原班人馬留任。黃氏宗親會的主要幹部也都連任，日前並慎重其事地舉行了就職典禮。

              黃氏公所位於必珠街，華埠牌樓旁的會所，因為疫情，平時已閉門謝客，就職典禮這天，也只有主要幹部出席，由全美元老黃國威監禮，主席黃仁宇，黃光沐續任。

              根據黃氏公所資料，其他職位的中文書記光野，偉健，財政開洪，寶華，外交鷹立，協健，核數英健，展唐，庶務達榮，議長國麟等黃氏宗親，也大都是去年的職員。婦女部也仍然由黃周麗桃，黃仕蓮續任主席。

黃氏宗親會兩名主席，黃光沐(左)，黃仁宇(中)
向祖宗獻三牲。(黃氏宗親會提供)

             黃氏公所在過去這廿，三十年間，共出過多名全美元老，包括黃偉炎，黃煜棠，黃君裕，黃官羨，黃國威，黃立輝。前二人已於多年前辭世，今年又有黃君裕撒手人間，波士頓最大宗親會之一的黃氏公所，現在還有三名全美元老。

              住在大同村，同時擔任華埠居民會共同主席的黃國威表示，這場疫情真的讓人生活難過，華埠商家更慘，開門就賠本，還不知要撐到何時。今年的農曆年春宴也停辦，宗親無法聚會，商鋪也沒生意，真是很難過。

              過去這一年，雖然因為疫情，黃氏公所自己未辦活動，但中國駐紐約總領事館送達的2000個口罩，他們都發給了宗親。黃氏公所還捐款1000元，支持中華公所的送口罩支持第一線工作人員，以及屋村華裔居民等活動。黃氏公所也體恤的給租用黃氏物業的肥牛火鍋，小桃園等店家減租。

              華埠內的李氏公所主席李奇舜，伍胥山公所主席伍輝民，余風采堂前任主席余麗媖等人也都表示，礙於疫情，所有職員今年繼續留任。

疫情期間 波士頓僑教中心線上推動僑務

           (Boston Orange)波士頓華僑文教服務中心於1月21日下午5時30分舉辦「波士頓地區僑務工作線上座談會」，說明僑務工作重點，討論與協調2021年度文教中心各重要活動安排及意見交流，會議由波士頓文教中心主任潘昭榮主持，計有波士頓地區僑務委員蔣宗壬等僑務榮譽職人員、各僑團（校）負責人及青年代表近30人參加，獲致多項具體建議。

              潘昭榮首先感謝參與座談的代表及人員對僑務的關心與支持，鼓勵大家踴躍發言、交換意見及凝聚共識，以作為波士頓地區今年返國參加僑務委員會議的僑務委員及代表建言之參考，並說明新版護照已開放受理申請，有意申辦之僑胞請以電子郵件向駐波士頓臺北經文處預約，接著簡報僑委會委員長童振源所揭示僑務工作4大目標、2項戰略、5項策略，推廣僑務電子報Line官方帳號，僑委會及文教中心臉書粉專，僑胞卡及特約商店，i臺灣窗口，以及繼續鼓勵僑胞踴躍支持臺灣加入聯合國、WHA及返國參加慶典活動等。

                  此外，潘昭榮亦說明僑委會目前對海外僑胞及僑臺商面對疫情挑戰所提供各項協助方案，如「海外僑臺商防疫紓困整合方案」、「海外信用保證基金新冠肺炎疫情紓困方案3.0」、「全球僑胞遠距健康諮詢服務方案」、「全球僑臺商農業服務方案」、「全球僑臺商產學合作服務方案」、「智慧經濟電子報」，鼓勵僑胞踴躍運用；以及僑委會支援海外口罩需求，力挺全僑共同抗疫，並運用數位學習管道持續輸出優質僑教等創新措施。

             參與此次座談人員，除僑務委員蔣宗壬，計有僑務顧問郭競儒、張昆、馮文鸞等僑務榮譽職人員；紐英崙李氏公所主席李奇舜，國民黨波士頓分部常委張韻蘭，紐英崙中華專業人員協會董事長蔡明機、會長康雅雰，大波士頓臺灣基督長老教會石明軒，新英格蘭成功大學校友會會長陳婉如等僑團代表；新英格蘭大波士頓臺灣商會會長林才民，波克萊臺灣商會楊羅東、陳玉瑛等臺商會人員；波士頓慈濟人文學校校長彭淑敏、勒星頓中文學校校長陳伯淯，波士頓文教中心民俗文化種子教師林賢琪，以及哈佛大學臺灣同學會會長蕭育舜、許祐湉等。(圖與文:波士頓僑教中心提供)

AG SECURES MORE THAN $1 MILLION FROM TWO ADULT DAY HEALTH CENTERS OVER ALLEGATIONS OF IMPROPER BILLING

 AG SECURES MORE THAN $1 MILLION FROM TWO ADULT DAY HEALTH CENTERS OVER ALLEGATIONS OF IMPROPER BILLING

Facilities in Marlborough and Lowell Billed for Services Not Provided and in Violation of MassHealth Regulations

            BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey announced today that two adult day health centers in Marlborough and Lowell will pay more than $1 million to resolve allegations that they improperly billed the state’s Medicaid Program (MassHealth) for adult day health services.

            Fun Life Adult Day Care (Fun Life) in Marlborough and Monarch Elder Care (Monarch) in Lowell will pay $1,060,957.92 to resolve allegations that, since 2014, the companies improperly billed MassHealth for adult day health services that were not provided or that were in excess of permissible billing practices, in violation of MassHealth regulations. Both facilities are owned and operated by Malay Patel of Lowell.

            “False and improper billing to MassHealth takes away critical funds from a program that provides health care to some of our most underserved populations,” said AG Healey. “Companies must follow MassHealth billing regulations to ensure these critical resources are being allocated appropriately.”

“Today’s outcome is the result of MassHealth’s strong program integrity efforts to prevent inappropriate payments, and demonstrates the important partnership between MassHealth and the Medicaid Fraud Division to hold providers accountable for violating MassHealth regulations,” said Assistant Secretary for MassHealth and Medicaid Director Dan Tsai.​

            The AG’s Medicaid Fraud Division began investigating these two companies after referrals from MassHealth. The investigation found that, on numerous occasions, Fun Life and Monarch billed for more hours than members actually attended adult day health programs. The companies also improperly submitted claims in excess of per diem billing requirements. 

In addition to the financial settlement, both facilities have agreed to contract with an independent compliance monitor to oversee a three-year independent compliance program. The program will include updated policies and procedures on billing, new training for billing staff, and yearly audits conducted by the monitor, at Fun Life’s and Monarch’s expense. 

The AG’s Office has resolved previous cases of improper billing at adult day health facilities. In August 2020, the AG’s Office settled with two adult day health centers in Boston and Dartmouth for $186,000 to resolve allegations that they improperly billed MassHealth. In November 2019, AG Healey secured a settlement with an adult day health facility in Springfield, recouping nearly $275,000 for MassHealth for improper billing. In November 2018, three adult day health facilities agreed to pay more than $500,000 to settle allegations that they too engaged in improper billing.

This matter was handled by Managing Attorney Kevin Lownds, Assistant Attorney General Ali Russo, Senior Healthcare Fraud Investigator Aleksandra Andriyevskaya, and Investigator Johan Gonzalez, all of AG Healey’s Medicaid Fraud Division, with substantial assistance from MassHealth and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General. The Medicaid Fraud Division receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award. The remaining 25 percent is funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

波士頓市長選戰出現第3名參選者 波市議員Annissa Essaibi George宣佈參選

 

Annissa Essaibi George宣佈參波士頓市長，全家人一起亮相。(圖片來自宣佈競選信件)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導)波士頓市長競選這下子真的升溫了，出現第三個宣佈參選人，也是波士頓市不分區市議員，曾擔任東波士頓公校老師13年，現年47歲的Annissa Essaibi George，今早10點多發信通知選民，她要參選波士頓市長啦!

             波士頓市最早宣佈參選市長的是波士頓市有史以來的第一位華裔，第二位亞裔市議員，現年36歲的吳弭(Michelle Wu)。她在2020年9月15日宣佈參選。

             一星期之後，波士頓市第四區市議員，現年38歲的Andrea Campbell，也宣佈參選了。

             這時候，波士頓的現任市長馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh)還未表態，是否競選連任，人們普遍認為，如果馬丁華殊競選連任，由於在位者參選必贏的歷史有前證，其他人的機會都很渺茫。當時坊間議論的重點是，這兩名宣佈參選者，無論哪一個人當選，都將為波士頓市締造出現首名有色人種，女性市長的歷史紀錄。

             今年1月7日，拜登總統提名馬丁華殊出任勞工部部長，波士頓市長選戰於是一下子局面完全不同，某某某可能參選的消息滿天飛，波士頓警察局局長葛羅斯說他90%可能，波士頓市健康及人民服務長Marty Martinez也說他當然考慮參選。

             不過，正式宣佈參選的第三人，直到今天才出現。

             葛羅斯今日稍晚時，也令所有人意外的，正式表態，現年56歲的他將不會參選波士頓市市長，退休是為多花些時間和家人在一起。

             Annissa Essaibi George今早才發信通知選民，”我正在參選波士頓市長(I’m running for Mayor of Boston)”，但波士頓環球報，波士頓前鋒報等報章，昨(27)晚就已經發佈了這消息。

             Annissa Essaibi George在她發給選民的信上說，”波士頓市我家，我根植於此，這個關係促使我更辛勤的要為波士頓做更多事”。

             Annissa Essaibi George在2015年當選為波士頓市不分區市議員，並連任迄今。之前，從2001年起，她在東波士頓高中教經濟，企業管理，以及健康及人民服務。她還擔任軟球助理教練。

             當老師之前，她曾經為波士頓私營企業協會擔任學生服務聯絡員，協助學生獲取工作場所的學習經驗。

             她在競選網站上說，除了波士頓公校的品質，經濟發展之外，她也致力促進波士頓市的公共安全。

             她有四個小孩。她本人是第一代美國人，父親於1972年從突尼西亞移民來美。她母親的父母是德國流離失所人士營地中的波蘭人。

             波士頓環球報在報導中說，Annissa Essaibi George稱自己為阿拉伯裔美國人。她那第二次世界大戰後，在一個德國流離失所人士營中出生的波蘭裔母親，在波士頓環球報擔任電話接線生長達25年，直到被裁員為止。她父親在波士頓大學當警衛20多年，1972年才從突尼西亞移民來美，是虔誠穆斯林教徒。她自己在天主教教義中長大，但深受父母的文化薰陶。

             波士頓環球報指出，去年的波士頓市預算投票，彰顯了Annissa Essaibi George和吳弭，Andrea Campbell的極大不同。馬丁華殊去年夏天提出的36億美元營運預算，吳弭和Campbell都投了反對票，認為那不足以處理波士頓市內的系統性種族歧視。Annissa Essaibi George則是投贊成票的其中一人。他們那批人認為，否決馬丁華殊提出的預算案是財政上的不負責任，因為其中包括了很好的項目及服務。該預算案最後以8比5票通過。

             在競選經費上，最早宣佈參選的吳弭和Andrea Campbell，依序各籌得535,000元，

          以及513,000元。上個月，她倆各募得約9萬元競選經費。Essaibi-George目前已籌得11萬元。(更新版)

MAYOR WALSH LEADS 41ST ANNUAL HOMELESS CENSUS WITH PRECAUTIONS DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

MAYOR WALSH LEADS 41ST ANNUAL HOMELESS CENSUS WITH PRECAUTIONS DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC  The annual count of Boston's homeless individuals guides the City's resources   Mayor Walsh and volunteers speaking with unsheltered individuals for the 2021 Census BOSTON - Thursday, January 28, 2021 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh yesterday led a reduced group of volunteers, including City and State officials, homeless services providers, and public health and safety first responders, in conducting the City of Boston's 41st annual unsheltered homeless street count. Census organizers intentionally reduced the number of volunteers this year as a safety measure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The street count also started later and did not include the usual kickoff event at City Hall, to prevent volunteers from gathering as a large group. The street count is part of the City's comprehensive census of homeless adults, youth and families in emergency shelters, transitional housing, and domestic violence programs, and individuals staying outside in Boston each year.  "Every year, our homeless census guides our work to dedicate programs and resources to support individuals who face homelessness, and it plays a vital role in our larger goal to prevent and end homelessness in the City of Boston," said Mayor Walsh. "The homeless census also serves as an important reminder of our shared commitment to helping our most vulnerable residents. In Boston, we know everyone should be cared for and respected, and deserves a place to call home." The annual homeless census is usually required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a key component of Boston's $31 million federal grant for housing and services for homeless households. This year due to the COVID-19 pandemic the homeless census was not required by HUD, but was still conducted. The census also helps inform the City of Boston's policy development and allocation of resources. The information gained through the census is shared with other homeless service providers to aid in the coordination among the Continuum of Care members. Boston continues to have the lowest percentage of unsheltered people living on the street of any major city conducting a census, with under 2 percent of Boston's homeless population sleeping on the street in 2019, the most recent year for which HUD has published national data. Nationwide, 37 percent of all homeless persons were unsheltered in 2019. This year, roughly 80 volunteers canvassed 45 areas after midnight, covering every city neighborhood, Logan Airport, and the transit and parks systems. Volunteers canvassed their assigned areas, identified those sleeping on the street, and conducted a short survey, when that could be conducted safely, per COVID-19 guidelines. The surveys will be closely analyzed to ensure accuracy and then cross-checked and combined with the results of the simultaneous shelter count.  "When we first thought about conducting our street count this year, we wondered how to do so given concerns about the coronavirus," said Jim Greene Assistant Director for Street Homelessness Initiatives for the City of Boston. "We surveyed long time census team leaders and the response was amazing; everyone agreed to help in any way they could. The overnight and daytime emergency shelter staff, street outreach teams, homeless youth workers, substance abuse and mental health clinicians, and first responders who joined us for the count have been on the front lines of this work every day throughout the pandemic. They have the skill and experience to conduct a count and keep homeless people safe. We appreciate them stepping up again tonight." The City of Boston's collaborative work to house, shelter, and keep homeless individuals and families safe has continued throughout the pandemic. In December, Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced that, despite the pandemic, since the launch of Rising to the Challenge: Boston's Plan to Prevent and End Youth and Young Adult Homelessness in December 2019, the City of Boston has housed more than 100 youth between the ages of 18 and 24 years old experiencing homelessness. As part of the continued effort to end youth homelessness and support youth at risk of becoming homeless, the Mayor also announced $335,000 to support career training and college courses for 40 young people aged 18-24 at risk of homelessness.  Boston's Way Home, the City's plan to end chronic and veteran homelessness prioritizes the housing first approach, an evidence-based approach to ending homelessness that uses principles such as everyone is deserving of permanent and stable housing without preconditions like sobriety or treatment. Since the plan's launch in 2015, City agencies and community partners have dramatically redesigned the way services are delivered to homeless individuals, increasing resources devoted to housing and deploying new technologies to match homeless individuals with housing and services. Since the launch of Boston's Way Home, the City has: Housed more than 1,064 chronically homeless individuals, representing more than 6,700 years of homelessness ended. (The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines chronically homeless individuals as adults with a disability who have been either living in an emergency shelter or a place not meant for human habitation continuously for 12 months or more, or who have had four occasions of homelessness in the past three years that total 12 months or more.) Reduced chronic homelessness in Boston by 19 percent since 2016, at a time when chronic homelessness has been rising nationally Housed more than 1,300 homeless veterans and ended chronic homelessness among veterans Reduced the number of homeless veterans in Boston on a single night by 32 percent since 2014, when Mayor Walsh launched his Homes for the Brave Initiative to end veteran homelessness Partnered with six affordable housing owners in Boston to create a homeless veteran preference within their housing Announced an action plan to support young Bostonians experiencing homelessness and awarded $4.7 million to create 157 housing opportunities for youth and young adults that have already housed more than 100 young people experiencing homelessness. Reached the goal of raising more than $10 million for the Boston's Way Home Fund to build 200 new units of supportive, long-term housing for chronically homeless men and women. The City of Boston anticipates receiving more than $31 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support Boston's homelessness programs in 2021 through HUD's McKinney Homeless Continuum of Care program. The funding was awarded through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which renewed existing Continuum of Care grants for another year.  To further prevent displacement, which can lead to homelessness, Mayor Walsh filed and advocated for several pieces of legislation during the 2019-2020 Massachusetts legislative session aimed at protecting residents. The bills passed provide the City of Boston with more flexibility to leverage the strong development market to fund affordable housing and workforce training programs, and increase the State CPA match, allowing Boston to invest more in our communities and support affordable housing, historic preservation, and parks and open space. This work builds on Boston's commitment to ensure all neighborhoods have affordable and equitable housing options to benefit the most vulnerable and least represented communities. Mayor Walsh was supportive of Governor Baker's housing choice legislation that was recently signed into law. This policy supports other municipalities in building up their affordable housing stock which will provide more options for residents across the Commonwealth and help ease Boston's housing burden. The results from this year's homeless census will be available in the coming months. About the Department of Neighborhood Development (DND) The Department of Neighborhood Development is responsible for housing the homeless, developing affordable housing, and ensuring that renters and homeowners can find, maintain, and stay in their homes. As part of the ongoing coronavirus response, the Office of Housing Stability is also conducting tenant's rights workshops to educate residents about the eviction moratorium and their rights. The Boston Home Center continues to provide down payment assistance to first-time home buyers and home repairs for seniors and low-income residents. The Supportive Housing Division is working with various partners around the city to rapidly house individuals who are experiencing homelessness. For more information, please visit the DND website.

麻州政府再撥款4500萬元濟助1100家小企業

 

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Over $45 Million in Grants to 1,100 New Small Businesses Through COVID Relief Program

To date, over $277 million in direct financial support has been distributed to more than 5,800 small businesses

PLYMOUTH — Today, Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, and Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy joined small business owner Raquel Mullaney and state and local officials representing Plymouth to announce an additional $45.3 million in grants to 1,100 small businesses in the fifth round of awards through the COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC). Among the key industries most impacted by the pandemic, restaurants, bars and retail stores comprise the leading groups to receive grants. Today’s announcement was held at The 1620 Winery, located at Cordage Park in Plymouth, a recipient of a small business grant in a previous award round.

To date, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded more than $277 million in direct financial support to 5,857 small businesses. This funding has been made available through a $668 million business relief fund set up in December 2020, as well as $50.8 million for small and diverse businesses included in the economic recovery package announced in October of last year. 

Additional grants will be announced in the coming weeks for thousands of additional businesses. 

“Our administration remains committed to supporting the needs of businesses as we continue to navigate the pandemic and its economic impact," said Governor Charlie Baker. "We are pleased to award this latest round of grants to help a total of more than 5,800 small businesses cover expenses like payroll, rent and utilities, and look forward to getting more funding into the hands of small businesses across the Commonwealth as soon as possible to support their recovery."

“Our small businesses have been challenged throughout this crisis, and each has played an important role in stopping the spread of this deadly virus,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Since the first applications came in for relief, we have been working to prioritize the small business owners that need the help the most, and I am proud to see so many woman-owned businesses, as well as priority sectors, included in this round of grant awards.”

“Prior to the pandemic, our administration had already identified opportunities to enhance access to capital, space, and networks for women- and minority-owned businesses, and our work today is aimed at ensuring that these enterprises make it to the other side of this crisis,” said Secretary of Housing and Economic Development  Mike Kennealy. “MGCC will continue to expertly administer both of these grant programs to provide cash assistance to struggling businesses, as well as partner with organizations across Massachusetts helping these businesses tap into new federal resources.” 

Separate from this round of small business grants, MGCC continues to review applications submitted for its Sector-Specific Small Business Relief Grant Program. Based on the success of MGCC’s first grant program targeting small businesses, the sector-specific program targets businesses in the industries experiencing the greatest economic hardship, regardless of employee headcount. 

The industries that will be given preference in the new program include:

• Restaurants, bars, caterers and food trucks;

• Indoor recreation and entertainment establishments;

• Gyms and fitness centers;

• Event-support companies (photographers, videographers, etc.);

• Personal services (nail salons, barbershops, independent pharmacies, etc.);

• Independent retailers.

Sector-specific applicants are able to review the status of their application through the Submittable portal found on www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org. Award notifications for the sector-specific program will be made in February. 

Small Business Technical Assistance Grant Program

The Baker-Polito Administration and Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation also announced nearly $5 million in small business technical assistance grants to 63 non-profit organizations across the state. The state-funded Small Business Technical Assistance Grant Program, administered by MGCC, aims to expand economic and entrepreneurial opportunities in underserved communities throughout the Commonwealth.

These technical assistance grants enable nonprofit organizations throughout Massachusetts to provide crucial services such as help with applying for pandemic-related grant and loan programs, like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), as well as individualized business management assistance, financial training, access to non-COVID capital and loan packaging services to under-resourced small businesses in urban and rural communities. The grant recipients, selected through a competitive process, are as diverse as the businesses they serve, including community development corporations, micro lenders and chambers of commerce.

Since Fiscal Year 2015, the program has awarded more than $15 million in grants. These funds have directly benefited more than 15,000 jobs and served over 12,500 small businesses, including 2,682 startups across Massachusetts.

波士頓警察局局長葛羅斯退休 1月29日離任 表態不參選市長

波士頓警察局局長葛羅斯(William G. Gross)(左)突然宣佈退休。
(檔案照片周菊子攝)

          (Boston Orange 綜合編譯)波士頓市有史以來的第一位黑人警察局局長，葛羅斯(William G. Gross)突然退休，明天(29日)生效。波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh)辦公室今早10點多發出聲明。

波士頓警察局副局長(Superintendent )，也是黑人的Dennis White將接任成為第43任波士頓警察局局長。

葛羅斯現年56歲。他在今日稍晚時正式表態，將不會參選波士頓市長，退休是為了多和家人在一起。但他表示90%會參選市長不過是幾星期前的事，許多人都對這360度的大轉變感到十分驚訝。

在波士頓市長發出的聲明中，葛羅斯表示，他感到很榮幸，在當警察局局長期間，和同事們日以繼夜，把社區放在第一位的保護市民安全，在危險時刻站出來，伸出援手幫助那些有需要的人，並總是在為了所有人的公共安全中衝向危險。

葛羅斯還補充的說，他為警察們在巨大壓力中所有的表現，感到非常驕傲。他是深思熟慮之後，才決定退休的。他的心將永遠和波士頓警察局的兄弟姊妹們在一起，這些人在他的37年警局生涯中，已成為他的村人。在他向前行，展開他的下一篇章之際，他將繼續是這些人的最大支持者之一。

馬丁華殊在聲明中稱許葛羅斯。

馬丁華殊說，“我打從心底的感謝葛羅斯局長37年來為波士頓警察局服務，包括其中2年半做為局長，領導該局。在他多采多姿的職業生涯中，他一直保持著社區警察的精神，而那在建立我們所服務人民對警察的信心上是那麼重要”。

馬丁華殊說，任何認識葛羅斯的人，都能馬上感受到他對這份工作的喜愛，對保持社區安全的熱情。無論是甚麼情況，他的溫暖笑容，全心全意，以及他的愛和人們會晤，都使他是那麼獨特的能夠承受最嚴苛挑戰。

馬丁華殊也稱讚葛羅斯是族裔平等的開拓者。

1月29日開始，在波士頓警察局已服務32年的Dennis White，將以代理身分接任波士頓局局長，直到他正式宣誓上任該職為止。

在喬治弗洛伊德被殺案於全美掀起要求警察問責，改革後，Dennis White是波士頓市警察改革工作小組成員之一。在晉升為葛羅斯的幕僚長，職級副局長之前，他曾經在總副局長辦公室擔任執行副局長(deputy superintendent)，以及現場服務夜間指揮部服務。

                       麻州生活(Mass Life)電子報指出，葛羅斯從22歲加入波士頓警察局服務迄今，頭10年在東波士頓，多徹斯特，南波士頓及查理士城等區域巡邏。波士頓警察局是在他任內才成立了”社區參與局(Bureau of Community Engagement)”。

                     去年會見美國總檢察官William Barr時，葛羅斯遭遇批評。最近幾個月，波士頓警察局也面對外界砲火，尤其在許多抗議警察暴力的活動出現之後。

                  上個月，警察隨身穿戴相機內的錄影曝光，顯示有波士頓警察在一次遊行示威中，推擠抗議者，還向抗議者噴灑胡椒，有了調查行動。

美聯社還報導其中一名警察被人聽到以車輛撞擊示威者。

葛羅斯當時說，”我已安排一名涉事警官休行政假，在調查有結果之後，我會採取額外行動。我要鼓勵人們促使我們注意這些情況，我們才能恰當的調查”。

早前坊間傳聞，葛羅斯有90%的可能會參選波士頓市長，但他宣佈退休後沒多久就表示不會參選市長了。反倒是另一名波士頓市不分區市議員Annissa Essaibi George今早宣佈參選，成為正式宣佈參選波士頓市長的第三人。(第二次更新版)