MAYOR WU SIGNS ORDINANCE TO DIVEST CITY FUNDS FROM THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY

MAYOR WU SIGNS ORDINANCE TO DIVEST CITY FUNDS FROM THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY In first bill signing, Wu signals her administration’s commitment to a Boston Green New Deal

 

 

BOSTON - Monday, November 22, 2021 - At her first bill signing, Mayor Michelle Wu today signed an ordinance requiring the City of Boston to divest from fossil fuel, tobacco, and private prison industries by the end of 2025. The ordinance, co-sponsored by then-Councilor Wu, Councilor Edwards and Councilor O’Malley, was unanimously approved by the Boston City Council last week with the goal of growing a low-carbon, resource efficient, and socially inclusive economy. The ordinance also requires a report to track City investments that includes plans to improve its holdings 120 days after passage.   Today's signing is the culmination of Mayor Wu's years of commitment to reducing carbon, making advancements to shift to renewable energy, and prioritizing the stability of Boston's future for years to come. In 2014, Mayor Wu and Councilor O’Malley presided over the City Council hearing that examined the potential effects of fossil fuel divestment and its relation to Boston’s economy. Mayor Wu also provided testimony at the state in support of city/state divestment from fossil fuels.   “In this closing window of time to act, Boston must lead by taking every possible step for climate justice. Divesting from harmful industries to invest in sustainable and healthy jobs is not only the pathway to a green and resilient future; it’s also the most responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m thankful to the many advocates who fought for this important win and am so proud to take a big step forward towards a Boston Green New Deal today. Together, we are putting Boston on a path towards a healthier, brighter future.”    “The City of Boston continues to lead on environmental, economic and social justice issues. With the signing of this ordinance, we are headed another step closer toward a more resilient city,” said Councilor O’Malley. “Through codifying our values through this ordinance, we are demonstrating our commitment to addressing global climate change and its impacts on our city for future generations to come.”   "I was proud to partner with Mayor Wu on the council to file this ordinance and I'm even prouder that it's the first one she's signing as mayor,” said Councilor Edwards. “I'm also grateful for Councilor O'Malley's partnership and for all of the advocates that helped push us to take this important step toward a cleaner, more sustainable future."   “This piece of legislation sends a strong signal of where Boston stands in our fight against the climate crisis and the prison industrial complex, and where we are headed in our shared future,” said Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space. “I want to thank Mayor Wu, Councilor Edwards, Councilor O’Malley, and all of the residents and activists for taking this major step towards racial justice and a just transition to the green economy.”    The ordinance prohibits the use of public funds from being invested in the stocks, securities, or other obligations of any company which derives more than 15 percent of its revenue from fossil fuels, tobacco products, or carceral facilities. Fossil fuel investments are defined as any company which derives more than 15 percent of its revenue from the combustion, distribution, extraction, manufacture, or sale of fossil fuels, including coal, oil and gas, or fossil fuel products, and electric distribution companies with corporate affiliates that derive revenue from fossil fuels. Full divestment from these industries will be achieved by 2025.    Boston joins a divestment movement that includes a growing number of municipalities, universities, and private investment funds worldwide. As a Council member, Mayor Wu joined students and activists in filing a complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General that states Harvard College's investment in fossil fuels goes against the state's Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act. Colleges, universities, and municipalities across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as Maine, New York, and Quebec, have all led successful divestment campaigns showing that investing in renewable energy can be more profitable and create more jobs than investing in the fossil fuel industry. The City of Boston passed a similar divestment ordinance in 1984 as part of the global anti-apartheid movement.   "Michelle Wu is clearly intent on becoming a transformative mayor for the climate era, and this is a powerful first step--breaking with the fossil-fueled (and money-losing) status quo. Divestment has become a key part of the fight for a working future, and Boston's action today, coming as it does from a center of financial and scientific power, sends a signal that will be heard loud and clear across the country and around the world,” said Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org and Schumann Distinguished Scholar in Environmental Studies at Middlebury College.   “Sierra Club applauds Mayor Wu’s strong and sensible climate leadership. Our new mayor understands that to build a resilient Boston, the city must divest from the corporations that are powering the accelerating climate crisis. The outdated, expensive and dirty 20th century fossil fuel energy technologies cannot be part of a 21st century sustainable Boston,” said Michele Brooks, Sierra Club’s Boston Lead Organizer.   This ordinance builds on Mayor Wu’s work to create an accessible, inclusive green economy that works for all of Boston’s residents. Last week, on her first full day in office, Mayor Wu filed an appropriation order with the City Council for $8 million in federal funds to eliminate fares on the 23, 28 and 29 MBTA bus routes for a two-year period. This program builds on the 4-month fare-free 28 bus pilot program initiated by former Mayor Janey. While overall bus and subway ridership is at 53% of pre-pandemic weekday ridership, the free 28 bus saw ridership surge to 92% of pre-pandemic levels, making it the most popular in the system.   ###

波士頓市長吳弭簽署法令禁止波士頓市投資經費用於化石業

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 簽署條例，禁市府資金投資於燃料化石業。

            (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)上任一週，繼續實踐競選承諾，在邁向地鐵免費之路上寸步前進之際，今(22)日中午她在市議員、環保人士簇擁中，簽署條例(ordinance)，禁止波士頓市府資金投入化石燃料行業。

                          在環保議題上和吳弭步調相類似的聯邦參議員Ed Markey特地出席簽署儀式，稱這就是「綠色新政 (Green New Deal)」的一部分。他為參與這一儀式感到榮幸。

吳弭和環保支持者。

                         波士頓市議會以氣候變化威脅人們的生存，是重要且急迫的議題為由，上星期通過了這一條例。

                     波士頓市府稱，吳弭市長簽署這條例，禁止公共資金投資進任何15%營收來自化石燃料，菸草，或監獄設施等公司的股票，證券，或其他債務。這條例由波士頓市議會無異議通過，根源於市長對促進波士頓市內低碳，資源效率及社會包容性經濟的承諾。

            哈佛大學今年9月時才宣佈，將停止投資進化石燃料行業。

              

波士頓市長吳弭簽署禁投資化石燃料法案。(波士頓市府提供)

所謂化石燃料包括煤，石油，以及天然瓦斯，或其他相關產品。

去年，全美12個城市的市長也承諾將揮別化石燃料。這些美國城市包括紐約，洛杉磯，匹茲堡，及新奧爾良。

             刻正參選麻州參議員補選的波士頓市議員Lydia Edwards週末時在推特上發貼文，稱氣候危機需要人們立即採取行動，波士頓市議會剛剛批准了她和市議員Matt OMalley，以及吳弭提議的，把市府資金從化石燃料業中移除出去。

            吳弭在星期天(21日)下午出席洛士百利波士頓青年家庭中心的「藤蔓 (Vine)街社區中心」紀念凱爾特人(Celtic)籃球隊隊員Terrence Clarke的練球活動中，也透露她為自己能夠親筆簽署這一條例，感到興奮。

             該條例將要求波士頓市府財政把市府資金從化石燃料相關公司抽取出來，但該辦法將不適用於由州法管轄的市府退休金。

             波士頓市府財政局監管約20億元的投資，有13億元由波士頓市官員控制，其餘由州法管轄。

             波士頓市議員Lydia Edwards表示，該法令將在2025年前，把大約6500萬元的市府資金，從化石燃料業完全撤出。

             根據彭博社，今年6月，緬因州才剛成為全美第一個立法遠離石化燃料業的州。根據美聯社報導，紐約退休金監管者今年1月也宣佈，會從石化燃料業撤走40億美元投資。然後9月又有哈佛大學加入行列。

             麻州財政長高柏珂 (Deb Goldberg)上周四也宣佈草擬計畫，有意逼使企業減排環保。

             今日中午在市政府大樓三樓觀禮的嘉賓包括聯邦參議員Ed   Markey，350 Mass的Cabell， 社區及環境替代方案的Emmanuell De Barros， 氣候金融行動的Mary Cerulli，波士頓清潔能源聯盟的Rickie Harvey，麻州Sierra俱樂部的Vernon Walker，麻州環保聯盟的Maliha Khan，波士頓大學榮譽教授Richard Clapp，Eastie 農場的Kannan Thiruvengadam，波士頓大學教授Nathan Phillips。

          

波士頓僑務座談強調新老僑團聯誼交流、世代傳承

 

部分出席會議者合影。(僑教中心提供)

(Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導) 波士頓文教中心日前召開年終僑務工作線上座談會，匯報僑務會議概要，建議加強傳統與郊區僑團聯繫，敦請僑胞多多利用隨時更新的電子版「僑胞服務手冊」。

波士頓經文處處長孫儉元致詞。

這場線上座談會，共30多人參加，由駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元主持，有僑務委員蔣宗壬、郭競儒，僑務諮詢委員梅錫銳，以及全美安良工商會總理陳仕維等人簡報他們出席今年僑務委員會議的概況，並有波士頓文教中心主任潘昭榮介紹僑委會「僑胞服務手冊」內容，明年的僑務工作計畫。

波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬。

孫儉元處長感謝各僑團過去一年來支持波士頓經文處和僑教中心所推動的各項活動，直言希望僑團首長們踴躍發言，提供意見，以期經文處，僑教中心能和僑社更密切合作，為僑胞提供更多服務，也為提升臺灣在主流社會之能見度攜手努力。

梅錫銳和蔣宗壬都提到僑團面臨傳承問題，建議將來增加舉辦對年輕人更有吸引力的美食、體育或文化活動，同時顧及拉近傳統和新興僑社之間距離，以藉由感情交流，奠定傳承與團結的基礎，促成僑社發揮更大影響力。

郭競儒匯報了僑務委員會議在2天會期內總結的3項決議。

波士頓僑務委員郭競儒。

第一為未來一年要促進各僑居地僑民團結力量，或發表書面聲明，或向媒體投書、或召開記者會、拜會國會議員等的來為台灣發聲，促請美國政府及民間支持臺灣加入跨太平洋夥伴全面進展協定CPTPP。

第二為結合海外臺商和臺灣有優勢產業。藉以充分利用台灣產業發展之優勢，以及值得投資的項目。

僑務諮詢委員梅錫銳報告

第三則是支持各僑居地藉當地僑校現有資源來設立臺灣華語文學習中心，以推廣具臺灣特色的華語文教學，並向國際社會轉達臺灣的發展現況與各種美好事物。陳仕維亦表示後續將積極鼓勵年輕人參與僑團以服務社區，肯定僑務委員會推展FASCA青年志工的努力，並可有效結合僑界力量共同為臺灣發聲。

陳仕維稱許僑委會在疫情期間應用新科技，對海外新僑、老僑在使用新科技來服務僑胞上，起到很好的帶頭作用。他也指出接班是所有僑團都面對的一大問題，建議將來在志工培訓，僑務榮譽職聘任上，加強招攬年輕人，相信僑胞們攜手可做很多事。

全美安良工商會總理陳仕維報告

今年的年終僑務座談，紐英崙中華公所主席鄭慧民也出席了。他感謝孫處長和潘主任從去年7月到任後，邀他參加了台灣美食節，支持台灣參加WTO車隊遊行等許多活動，後來他遭遇一場車禍，孫處長，潘主任和僑教中心張小慧的探望、關懷，讓他覺得很窩心。希望中華公所以後能和大家合作，舉辦許多以前沒有辦過的活動，彼此溝通也能更上層樓。

僑教中心主任潘昭榮則在會中匯報過去一年來該中心舉辦過的元旦升旗，迎春揮毫、青年健行、臺灣美食展、國慶升旗典禮，「i臺灣體驗營」座談會等活動，以及111年的工作規劃。他還特別介紹僑委會編製之「僑胞服務手冊」，鼓勵僑胞踴躍加入僑務電子報Line官方帳號，僑胞卡特約商店等。

波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮介紹僑胞服務手冊。

今年出席僑務座談會議的僑團首長，約略透露了本地僑社人事變遷，世代傳承正在進行中的訊息。至少有3名新人出席了會議，包括以往未參加過僑務座談會的陳建立，以及新任波士頓台灣同鄉會會長蔡幸君，紐英崙中華專業人員協會會長林致中。

波士頓市長吳弭以身作則 帶6歲兒子接種新冠疫苗

波士頓市長吳弭(Michelle Wu，左)帶著6歲的兒子Blaise注射輝瑞新冠疫苗。
(波士頓市政府提供)

      (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 在20日中午，帶著6歲大兒子 Blaise到多徹斯特的全美最古老非洲裔洪門總會所 (Prince Hall Grand Lodge) ，注射輝瑞(Pfizer)新冠疫苗，藉以鼓勵人們接種疫苗，同時提醒民眾，5-11歲兒童現在也有疫苗可打了。       

              波士頓公共衛生局 (BPHC)和哈佛街鄰里健康中心 (Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center)合作，借用位於華盛頓街24號的全美最古老非洲裔洪門總會所 (Prince Hall Grand Lodge)，設立家庭疫苗接種門診。

波士頓市長吳弭(Michelle Wu，左)帶著6歲的兒子Blaise注射輝瑞新冠疫苗。(周菊子攝)

           哈佛街鄰里健康中心執行長Charles Murphy表示，從去年4月該機構在這地點設立疫苗門診以來，已有14,000多人在那兒接種了疫苗。11月2日聯邦疾病防治中心 (CDC)批准輝瑞兒童新冠疫苗上路，他們也開始為兒童提供疫苗接種服務。

接種完第一劑，Blaise也拿到一張注射疫苗卡。(周菊子攝)

             吳弭市長表示，疫苗是讓學校持續開門，讓社區內每一個人都安全的最重要工具，現在5歲以上兒童也可以接種疫苗，就有更多家庭可以加入中止病毒大流行的行列。冬天和節日季節就要來了，希望大家都能很快的為兒童接種疫苗，讓成人加打補充劑，好讓每一個人都能享受節慶假日。

             波士頓市府在新聞稿中稱，波士頓公共衛生局行政主任Bisola Ojikutu博士既是一名醫生，也是一名5歲女兒的母親。她們注意到社區中感染新冠病毒的個案數，最近增加了，兒童感染新冠病毒，雖然少見，而一旦感染，仍然可能造成嚴重併發症，得住院，甚至死亡，但研究顯示兒童接種疫苗，預防感染新冠病毒的有效率高達90%以上，她強烈建議家長及監護人帶兒童去接種疫苗。

市長媽媽牽著兒子，離開疫苗接種站。(周菊子攝)

             波士頓公共衛生局在全市各地支持7個家庭接種疫苗門診。除了位於多徹斯特的普林斯霍爾總會所(Prince Hall Grand Lodge)之外，還有在麥特潘(Mattapan)的移民家庭服務所 (Immigrant Family Services Institute)、Gallivan社區中心，晨星(Morningstar) 浸信會教堂，在羅森岱爾(Roslindale)的大羅森岱爾醫療及牙科中心，在海德公園的海德公園(Hyde Park)青年會，在多徹斯特的柯德門(Codman)廣場健康中心。這些家庭疫苗門診提供兒童疫苗，也提供成人疫苗及補充劑。

波士頓公共衛生局也和波士頓公校，醫療護理提供者合作，以確保波士頓市內所有兒童都可以接種到疫苗。查詢相關地點，可上網 here。

從11月2日迄今，波士頓市內5到11歲兒童，已有14%接種了第一劑新冠疫苗。波士頓市居民也有大約67%已完整接種疫苗。

波士頓市府提醒民眾，任何年滿18歲以上成人，接種輝瑞或莫德納(Moderna)疫苗已超過6個月，或接種強生(Johnson & Johnson)疫苗已2個月，都有資格接種補充劑。查詢疫苗接種地點或相關訊息，可電洽市長健康熱線617-534-5050。

左起，  哈佛街鄰里健康中心執行長Charles Murphy和Prince Hall總會所總會長M. W. Timothy R. Downes等人紛紛和波士頓市長吳弭(Michelle   Wu)合影。
(周菊子攝)

麻州長，波士頓市長感恩節前聯袂呼籲支持食物捐贈

麻州州長Charlie Baker (右三)，波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 和大波士頓銀行董事長
Catherine D'Amato等人各拿一隻冷凍火雞，提醒人們節日將至，請攜手協助人們溫飽。
(周菊子攝)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 11月25日就是感恩節了，大波士頓食物銀行18日特地請出麻州州長、波士頓市長來聯袂宣導「給予鍊 (Chain of Giving)」，鼓勵民眾捐款，捐食物，當義工，幫助更多人溫飽過節。

             大波士頓食物銀行是個致力協助人們溫飽的非牟利機構，共有500多個會員組織，經由80多個服務站，為麻州東部190多個市鎮給貧苦人家，耆英供應食物的各種項目服務。

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)強調為有需要者提供新鮮、健康、營養食物的重要性。
(周菊子攝)

             今年感恩節，整個社會都面對著物價上漲，人手短缺，供給不足，運送延遲等挑戰，大波士頓食物銀行董事長Catherine D'Amato指出，今年恐怕是他們曾經歷的最昂貴節日，火雞漲價了10%，甜薯漲價20%，卡車司機及包裝材料的短缺也十分嚴重，往年3週能運達的東西，今年恐怕得花5週時間，為保障更多家庭能享受感恩節大餐，萬一火雞供應量不足，他們將以雞取代。

             由於疫情關係，他們估計食物需求量會比往年增加30%，因此希望有更多社會大眾加入捐助，當義工的行列。

             麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker)恭喜大波士頓食物銀行今年40週年，感謝該機構所有工作人員，開卡車的，包裝食物的，那些穿著夾克在現場服務的所有人，直言新冠病毒大流行開始時，人們面對的最大問題之一，就是運送食物等的很多服務停頓了，很多食物儲藏室無法營運，或者沒了義工，或者是車輛不足，整個食物運送系統都必須重新構想如何運作，才能把食物送到有需要的人那兒。他還特地頒發表揚狀給該機構董事長Catherine D'Amato，感謝她的堅持服務。

麻州州長Charlie Baker感謝基層服務人員，讚揚他們維持住了食物運送系統。(周菊子攝)

             波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)也感謝Catherine D'Amato為女性做模範，並指出早前曾攜手商議如何促進社團機構合作，讓更多社區民眾知道這些資源。她也感謝波士頓市府的「獲取食物(Food Access)」部門在保障學童有營養餐食等方面的努力。她強調，食物系統是鍊接所有人的媒介，不論人們的背景，收入，族裔為何，一旦食物系統出問題，所有人都會受影響。所以她很感謝大波士頓食物銀行不但確保食物的新鮮，健康，營養，還關注因應社區文化，族裔身分。

             大波士頓食物銀行目前大約每月要為60萬人服務，這個年末節日期間，估計得供應2300萬份餐食，需要大量義工協助。該機構也在官網上貼出了11個職缺。

大波士頓銀行董事長Catherine D'Amato獲頒表揚狀，籲請更多人加入服務行列，(周菊子攝)

Mayor Michelle Wu will address all City of Boston workers on Nov. 19th

 

At 9:30AM on Nov. 19, Mayor Michelle Wu will address all City of Boston workers to touch base, give an update from her administration, and share her plans for the coming weeks. We invite you to join us!

吳弭市長、聯邦眾議員Pressley支持 Lydia Edwards 角逐麻州參議員

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley endorses
Lydia Edwards for State Senate 

BOSTON – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley has endorsed Lydia Edwards in her campaign for State Senate to represent the First Suffolk and Middlesex District.

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley said: "Our communities are facing overlapping crises of public health, economic inequality, and racial injustice. At the heart of each of these issues is housing, and Lydia has been a champion for housing justice throughout her career. On the City Council, she has brought compassion and commitment to the fight for safe, stable housing for every Bostonian — that brings with it the opportunity for greater economic mobility, better health, and generational wealth building. I know Lydia will bring that same understanding, determination, and leadership to the State Senate, and I'm proud to endorse her campaign."

“Ayanna Pressley opened doors for people like me on the Boston City Council. She is a pioneer who shattered glass ceilings and literally changed the face of our elected government,” said Lydia Edwards. “I was proud to serve with her on the council before her election to Congress and hope that we can continue that partnership in the legislature.”

This past June, U.S. Rep. Pressley joined Councilor Edwards in East Boston to address climate justice and to advocate for a green economy and promote clean energy jobs with the aid of President Biden’s American Jobs Plan. Recently, Lydia led the effort to create a Boston-Cambridge tourism marketing district. This partnership between cities of Boston and Cambridge, and hotels in both communities, will create revenue to stimulate the economy and promote local businesses, particularly critical in the wake of COVID-19’s devastating impacts on the physical and financial health of our communities.

Primary Election Day is December 14, 2021. Early vote in Boston begins on December 4 and will take place at City Hall and neighborhood locations to be announced by Mayor Wu. Boston Democratic voters that requested mail-in ballots through the end of the year on their initial applications should receive ballots in the mail in the coming week.

 

吳弭將指派Segun Idowu出任經濟發展長

圖片來自BECMA網站。

                (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導) 波士頓市長吳弭還未發佈人事任命，但她的辦公室人員已對外透露，波士頓市經濟發展長將敦請麻州黑人經濟協會(BECMA)董事長Segun Idowu出任。

             根據推特上的一份活動視頻，Segun Idowu本人在該協會年會上也宣佈此事，表示他將於12月31日卸任，並於1月3日就任新職。

             在推特上，吳弭還轉推了該則推文，加註”新首長閣員剛出爐 (New cabinet chief just dropped)”。

吳弭轉推Segun Idowu將出任波士頓市經濟發展長一職的推文。

         Segun Idowu之前曾在波士頓市政府，愛德華甘迺迪研究院 (Edward M. Kennedy Institute)工作，還曾經參選代表海德公園 (Hyde Park)的麻州眾議員。

             根據麻州黑人經濟協會上的董事長暨執行長介紹，Segun Idowu是波士頓拉丁學院學生，取得喬治亞州亞特蘭大Morehouse學院歷史學位，並獲有美國學術界最著名組織Phi Beta Kappa，以及金鑰匙會社的榮譽。

             去年他到波士頓基金會接受訪談時，詳述了他的過往經歷。2012年大學畢業後，他加入波士頓市第4區市議員Charles C. Yancey辦公室，2年後轉任聯邦參議員愛德華甘迺迪研究院工作。2018他加入牛頓市長Setti Warren角逐麻州州長位的競選團隊，擔任務財務主任。這讓他受啟發，同年自己參選麻州眾議員，後來麻州黑人經濟協會邀他當行政主任。

             在那期間，他於2014年和高中同學Shekia Scott組織了波士頓警察相機行動組(BPCAT)，期以藉由警察穿戴相機，加強波士頓市內的安全及問責程度，並促成2018年底前，波士頓警察開始配戴相機。2021年，波士頓雜誌表揚他是波士頓內最有影響力的100人之一。

            年僅30出頭的   Segun Idowu獲指派為波士頓市經濟長，透露出波士頓市新任市長吳弭打造年輕內閣，或平衡內閣年齡、族裔的意圖。

                波士頓環球報17日刊登的一篇文章指出，波士頓市的前任經濟發展長 John Barros   在2度角逐波士頓市長一職失利後，將出任商業地產經紀公司 Cushman & Wakefield的管理長 (Managing Principal)。

               波士頓市府19日中午發出新聞稿，正式宣佈了這一消息，同時說明，在John Barrow辭職後，出任代理經濟發展長，日裔的Midori Morikawa，將繼續在該職位上工作到年底，然後轉換到市府其他部門工作。(更新版)

CABINET CHIEF TO LEAD ECONOMIC RECOVERY, CLOSE RACIAL WEALTH GAP

November 19, 2021

PUBLISHED BY:

MAYOR'S OFFICE

Segun Idowu, President and CEO of BECMA, to oversee Boston’s economic development departments and city contracting.

Mayor Michelle Wu today announced the appointment of Segun Idowu, currently President and CEO of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, as Boston’s new Chief of Economic Opportunity & Inclusion. In this role, Idowu will lead the city’s efforts to advance neighborhood economic development, support business growth and formation, and spearhead reforms to city contracting, all with a goal of closing the racial wealth gap and expanding equitable job and business opportunities for Boston residents.

“Segun Idowu has expanded our vision for what is possible when we champion inclusive business and economic development and use our city’s resources to build wealth and opportunity in every community,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’ve worked alongside Segun to require equitable city contracting and ensure that Boston invests in building wealth in our communities. I’m thrilled that Segun will be leading our efforts to grow a thriving, inclusive and equitable economy as the Chief of Economic Opportunity & Inclusion.”

Segun Idowu is the President and CEO of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, whose mission is to advance the economic wellbeing of Black businesses, organizations that support the Black community, and Black residents of the Commonwealth.

“I am grateful to Mayor Wu for giving me this opportunity to serve the city I love and grew up in in this way,” said Idowu. “I am excited at the prospect of working with my colleagues in an administration keenly focused on making Boston an equitable world-class city for all.”

Idowu is a proud product of the Boston Public Schools and a 2012 graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia with honors from the Phi Beta Kappa and Golden Key Societies. 

Following his graduation, Segun Idowu joined the office of then-District 4 City Councilor Charles C. Yance as a Legislative Aide. After two successful years, Idowu transitioned to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. At this time, Idowu organized the Boston Police Camera Action Team (BPCAT) in 2014 with fellow high school graduate, Shekia Scott. As a result of BPCAT’s advocacy, Boston police officers were equipped with mandatory body cameras, a major step in furthering accountability and safety in Boston. In April 2021, Idowu was recognized by Boston Magazine as one of the “100 Most Influential People in the City of Boston.”

Wu also announced that Interim Chief of Economic Development Midori Morikawa would continue to serve in the role through the end of the year and then transition into a new city role supporting neighborhood economic growth. As Interim Chief, Morikawa led the launch of multiple campaigns to help Boston’s workforce and economy recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the All Inclusive Boston campaign, B-Local and most recently the Restaurant Revitalization Program. She also helped launch small business relief funds to aid business owners in their reopening and recovery. 

“I am excited to stay with Mayor Wu’s administration, support the transition, and continue the ongoing work of neighborhood economic recovery and small business growth,” said Morikawa. “This is a moment to expand what’s possible in Boston.” 

              

波士頓公校註冊學生人數10年來首度低於5萬人

               (Boston Orange 綜合編譯)根據麻州教育局最新的註冊人數報告，波士頓公校學生人數出現近10年來第一次的低於5萬人，和去年相比，6個學區共少2000人。

              過去10年來，波士頓學校系統的學生人數減少了大約8000，其中一半以上是在過去2年中減少的。

              波士頓學校委員會在17日時，要求波士頓公校總監Brenda Cassellius研議一份新的樓宇設施10年總體計畫。學校委員會也在考慮要求她關閉2所中學和1所小學。不過，她要求給幾所小學增加模造教室，以容納來自關閉學校的6年級學生。

              麻州的註冊學生人數和去年相比持平在911,529左右。公校註冊學生減少大約37,700人，主要是因為家長對學校關閉感到沮喪，逃到私立學校，或其他教育選擇中去了。

              例如布魯克蘭鎮 (Brookline)，學生人數去年減少900，今年只增加幾十人，現在約有6,928人。

              波士頓學校系統的人數減少，原因包括出生率降低，移民人數減少，房價高漲，反而和家庭選擇就讀波士頓公校的轉變率，沒那麼大的關係。

              牛頓市的學校系統註冊入讀學生人數，在之前一年減少了大約700，今年大約只再減少50。總人數為11,974。尚莫維爾(Somerville)情況類似，去年減少250之後，今年再減少18人。

              學生人數減少，意味著學區經費減少。因為聯邦及州撥發給地方學區的經費，都是以學生人數為基準的。不過今年有聯邦政府幫助學區從疫情恢復的激勵經費，將有紓緩作用。

              波士頓學校基金創辦人Will Austin指出，波士頓公校註冊入讀人數，已連續減少8年了。導致註冊人數減少有幾個因素，包括生育率降低，家庭規模縮小，住房費用增加，以及新冠病毒大流行的影響。

              波士頓教育正義聯盟 (Boston Education Justice Alliance)主任 Ruby Reyes表示，註冊學生人數下降意味著家長對學校系統的失望。她認為，缺乏溝通與透明對，對家長的選擇有很大影響。

波士頓市長吳弭宣佈2名市府法律人事任命

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES KEY CITY LEGAL COUNSEL APPOINTMENTS Adam Cederbaum appointed Corporation Counsel and Henry Luthin to serve as Senior Counsel

 

BOSTON - Thursday, November 18, 2021 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced appointments to top positions in the City’s Law Department. Adam Cederbaum will serve as Corporation Counsel, and Henry C. Luthin will serve as Senior Counsel. Cederbaum has previously served the City as the Chief of Government Services, and Luthin as Corporation Counsel. “As we work to build a Boston for everyone, we need a legal team with the skill, passion, and creativity to tackle our biggest challenges head on,” said Mayor Wu. “I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside Adam Cederbaum for a decade in City Hall, and I’m grateful to appoint this longtime friend and colleague, brilliant attorney, and fierce advocate for the people of Boston as our next Corporation Counsel. I am also delighted that Henry Luthin will continue to guide our Law Department at this critical moment with wisdom and experience built over a career of distinguished service to our city.” Adam Cederbaum has practiced in the City of Boston Law Department for fifteen years, serving as the Chief of Government Services for the past six years. In that role, Adam led the City’s in-house counsel team on its work of advising the Mayor and City departments on municipal law and authority, negotiating contracts, and representing the City’s regulatory bodies. His work has included intergovernmental agreements about Greenway funding, various land transactions, contracts for COVID-19 housing and shelters, and representing the City in challenges to its short-term rental ordinance. Prior to that, he served as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Boston. Cedarbaum and Mayor Wu were both students of Senator Elizabeth Warren in law school. “I am deeply honored by Mayor Wu’s appointment, and thankful for the opportunity to be a part of her team and to serve as the Corporation Counsel for the City of Boston,” said Cederbaum. “I will work to ensure transparency in our local government, and am looking forward to continuing to serve the City in a new way.” Cedarbaum is a 1997 graduate of Harvard College and a 2004 graduate of Harvard Law School. After graduating law school, he clerked for The Honorable Mel L. Greenberg of the Massachusetts Appeals Court, and for The Honorable Judith A. Cowin of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Adam lives in the South End with his wife and two children. “It’s been an honor to serve as Corporation Counsel and I am thrilled to help our new Mayor and new administration,” said Luthin. “Together we can ensure the law is upheld and our City staff can efficiently work to serve Boston’s residents.” Before taking on the role of Senior Counsel, Luthin was appointed Corporation Counsel in March 2021. Previously, he had been First Assistant Corporation Counsel for Government Services. Luthin received the Shattuck Award from the Boston Municipal Research Bureau in 2019. He lives in Brighton with his wife Marianne Rea Luthin. They are the parents of three grown children. The Law Department works for the City of Boston’s government, offering strategic legal advice to the Mayor’s Office, the Boston City Council, City Boards and Commissions, and all other City departments and agencies. For more information on the City’s senior legal team, visit here.