波士頓市長吳弭鼓勵人們搭乘地鐵時聊天

         (Boston Orange 編譯) 波士頓環球報今(14)日刊文稱波士頓市長吳弭(Michelle Wu)的交通方案，可能又增加了一項細節。她要波士頓人在地鐵上說更多話。

吳弭經常搭乘麻州地鐵(MBTA)。她在Politico的一次訪問中被問到，當她搭乘地鐵時，人們會否和她攀談時，她做了這樣的呼籲。

她說，「我 (週五) 早上搭地鐵時，又是沒有人這樣做。只有 (地鐵總經理) Steve Poftak，有時候人們會在下地鐵時說哈囉」。

吳弭已經把維修基礎設施，廢除費用，建立更公平路線等事項，放在了她的改革MBTA檢查單上。她上任迄今一個月，已推出800萬元的試驗計畫，讓23，28，29號這3條巴士線免費2年。

但她說，她還歡迎通勤路上閒聊。

「我們得改變搭地鐵的文化」，她在訪談中這麼說。「那是社區對話的公民空間，但每個人在那兒總是那麼安靜」。

來自芝加哥的吳弭補充道，「也許在心裡，我仍是中西部人」。

不過許多支持吳弭地鐵計畫的通勤者，卻並不想搭乘人們喋喋不休的地鐵。有幾名乘客在推特上支持安靜同勤的神聖性。

其中一名通勤者在推特上回應吳弭的說法，「吳市長，我愛你，但絕對不要，也別和我眼神接觸」。

另一名支持者也寫道，「吳市長的超級粉絲，社區對話的超級粉絲，地鐵的超級粉絲，但我現在正搭乘紅線，而我並不想和任何人說話」。

這2人是發表意見的幾十人之一。

有一人甚至問，吳弭是否想要增加車輛交通。吳弭回應了一個哭泣的表情包。

不過反應也不全是負面的。有幾個人支持讓地鐵上的人更愛講話，其中包括一人寫道，他們因為在地鐵上和有些人講話而得到第一份工作。另一人甚至建議在MBTA列車上增加酒吧車，以鼓勵社交。

波士頓市著名僑領陳毓璇辭世 享年92歲

陳毓璇(中)慶祝90歲生日時，和姐姐，阮陳金鳳(左起)，阮陳月娥合影。

              (Boston Orange 編譯) 波士頓餐館業傳奇人物，積極參與公共事務的僑領陳毓璇 (Billy Chin)，11月26日辭世，享年92歲。波士頓環球報12月12日刊出訃聞。

              儘管陳毓璇後來以經營餐館的技能出名，1963年，他在波士頓華埠開始管理華珍酒樓(現在的龍鳳酒樓，China Pearl)時，生意卻出奇清淡。

              1996年時，他告訴波士頓環球報，「頭3個月，我們幾乎要關門了」。他還補充的說，一度因為餐廳裡面太過安靜，一名路人竟然把這餐廳錯當成了殯儀館 - 「真的很糟糕」。

              不過陳毓璇在那兒，一天17小時，每天無所不包的從帶位，侍應生，洗碗工到清潔工，什麼工作都做，把華珍酒樓變成了社區人士，波士頓企業領袖，來自市政府及畢肯丘的政治權力掮客經常光顧的地方。

              人稱「比爾叔叔」的陳毓璇是一名熱心公共事務的傳奇性餐館業人士，提升了華埠在大波士頓的地位。住在布魯克蘭鎮的他，近年健康走下坡，11月26日辭世。

              陳毓璇是一名驚人的善於籌款者。在籌集款項建成中華頤養院，這麻州第一家，為因應亞裔耆英居民需要所設計護理中心的主要人物。

              中華頤養院的共同創辦人，榮譽董事長陳秀英說，陳毓璇以在街道上和人親切打招呼，與人為善聞名。他也常常在看到地方上的企業東主時，攔住他們，然後由說他們捐款。

              有天，陳毓璇追上了載著富有的王實驗室 (Wang Laboratories)共同創辦人王安的豪華轎車。

              在1993年的波士頓環球報訪問中，陳毓璇回憶道，「我很頑皮」，「我站在那豪華轎車旁，王安夫人問我，”一切都好嗎，比利 (Billy)”，我就說，”不太好，我們的頤養院需要錢”。最後王安暨給我一張一萬元的私人支票。

              陳毓璇補充道，「不過那沒什麼，我捐了3萬元」。

              陳毓璇的親戚、朋友說，這軼聞描繪了陳毓璇的幽默，度量，以及他的願意需要什麼就做什麼的來幫助華埠。

              陳秀英說，「除了是一名非常棒的商人之外，比利非常非常大方」。「他就是個對社區非常棒的人」。

              陳毓璇在政治上的精明，讓他知道華埠可以得到更多影響力。

              他弟弟，住在波士頓的陳毓禮(Frank)說，「我們做了很多政治方面的事」。「我哥哥比利的最大成就是，因為他參與政治體系，把華人社區帶進了美國主流社會」。

              陳毓禮說，從1970到77年，他們倆兄弟在華埠，布萊頓 (Brighton)，南端 (South End)，西洛士百利 (West Roxbury)等地區逐戶敲門，鼓勵居民登記，把亞裔選民登記名冊上的人數，增加了10倍有多。

              陳毓璇的大姊，住在波士頓的阮陳金鳳說，「他試著用他所有來把華埠帶進主流社會」。

              在波士頓環球報1993年的訪問中，陳毓璇回憶道，當選舉開始時，「人們問我們，”比爾叔叔，法蘭克叔叔，我們該投票給誰? 我們沒有拿搶對著他們，或者扭曲他們的手臂」。我們投票給會為華埠做最多事的人。

              已退休的所物銀行(Sovereign)新英格蘭分行主席，也曾是麻州艦隊銀行(Fleet)及所物公司 (Shawmut Corp.)董事長的John P. Hamill，是陳毓璇在農曆新年時，經常邀到華珍酒樓參加晚宴的好友，企業領袖及政客之一。他說，陳先生「有著連接波士頓城中企業社區的能力，而且他把讓華埠變成一個更好地方當成了他的工作」。

            John P. Hamill還說，「他是一位很卓越的人」，「我想陳毓璇一直有那種看法，讓他覺得他要確保他的社區不是與世隔絕的，而是更大社區的一部分，不只是波士頓，是超過那兒」。

              陳毓璇是1929年8月19日在他父親草藥鋪所在的華埠好事福街(Oxford)3樓出生的。

              陳毓璇的父親陳華，跟隨他父親的腳步踏入草藥師這行。陳毓璇的父親及母親黃彩蓮，在他們6個小孩都還小時就過世了。6兄弟姊妹後來搬去了中國，由他們父親的元配梅顏香扶養。

              阮陳金鳳說，「我們稱她為聖人」，「她就是那麼的好」。

              在第二次世界大戰期間，陳氏兄弟回到美國，起初住在好事福街只有冷水的一個公寓裏。陳毓璇在1996年時說，「我們遇到的是艱難時期」，「但那也是讓我們那麼堅強的原因」

              完成學業，從Burdett學院獲得商業副學士學位後，陳毓璇和他的好朋友，後來成為麻州參議會議長，麻州大學總校長的William Bulger一同在軍隊服務。

              William Bulger在1996年時告訴波士頓環球報，「在迪克斯堡(Dix)，我們夜間行軍」，「天氣非常的冷，很多人都走不下去了，陳毓璇卻一直前進，儘管他的個頭那麼小，他的揹包都比他還大，他教了我一個規則:”即使我想，也許我沒辦法做到一直走下去，我可以再多走一步”，我們兩個人都挺過了那個晚上」。

              1950年代時，陳毓璇和兒童服裝和鞋子設計師，在服裝區工作的黃景佩結婚了。

              在把華珍酒樓的生意扭轉成功後，陳毓璇在多元化他的企業興趣之前，和他的企業夥伴在大波士頓陸續開了其他的中餐館和食肆，最高峰時有18家。

              正在做「華埠故事」口述歷史項目的羅燕玲，在給「舢舨」的一篇向陳毓璇致敬文中寫道，「他成為社區內的主要雇主，而且每到下午，人們經常在那已成為他的延伸辦公室的華埠街道角落看見他」。

              陳秀英說，儘管陳毓璇熱心助人，他卻是個很注重隱私的人，然而他又認識城裏的每一個人，得到那麼多來自各行各業人們的尊重與友誼。

              羅燕玲寫道，陳毓璇也用他的政治及經濟能力來贊助家庭，包括他自己的許多員工，從中國來到美國，「有數以百計的華埠家庭，是陳毓璇經由雇用，低收入住宅，或社會項目來幫助過的」，在中華頤養院之外，他還幫助許多其他社區組織籌款。

              陳毓璇身後遺有妻子黃景佩，弟弟陳毓禮，姊姊阮陳金鳳，住在新罕布夏州Salem的姊姊陳月娥，住在加州Venice的兒子陳德君(Brady)，住在德州Trophy俱樂部的女兒陳德儀(Joliana Kurtz)，以及2名孫輩。

              葬禮將於星期六早上9點45分起，在波士頓J. S. Waterman-Langone Chapel舉行。

              陳毓璇的弟弟陳毓禮說，「我們從小到現在都在一起，我會想念和他的情誼，他的笑聲」。

              陳毓璇和阮陳金鳳說陳毓璇的健康是漸走下坡。阮陳金鳳說，「我接到許多人的電話」，他們說「妳傷心嗎?」，我說「不，我很高興他現在是在上帝手中」。

South Cove Manor at Quincy Point Rehabilitation Center Dear Family and Friends of South Cove Manor:   Many of you know the name “Uncle” Bill Chin, but some of you may not know that Uncle Bill was one of the founders of South Cove Manor. I would not be writing this letter without his dedication to his community, and his realization that the Chinese Elders needed a culturally competent organization to provide care for them in their later years.   Uncle Bill passed away peacefully at home on November 25th and will be laid to rest on December 18th.  His obituary and arrangement details can be found by clicking here.   In addition, Helen Chin Schlichte, another founder of South Cove Manor and current board member, penned the attached tribute to her longtime friend.  I felt it would be appropriate to share it with all of you so that you all may have a glimpse of the selflessness of these visionary leaders that are responsible for the creation of this organization.     Sincerely, William J. Graves President & CEO Tribute to Billy (Uncle Bill) Y.S. Chin South Cove Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Newsletter December 2021   In 1974 Billy (Uncle Bill) Y.S. Chin and Auntie Amy Guen gathered a group of people interested in addressing the problems that many elderly Chinese living in Boston faced: significant cultural barriers for accessing health care, especially in the area of long-term care. We as a group understood that the real solution lay in creating a cultural environment within a skilled nursing facility where the community’s elderly could truly feel at home. Uncle Bill invited the working group to meet at his China Pearl restaurant where we could eat and drink whatever we wished at a cost of $5.00 per person, with the proviso that we make steady progress toward our goal of creating a nursing home. Successful businessman that he was, Uncle Bill under-stood the value of incentive and positive reinforcement. For more than ten years we enjoyed his warm and generous hospitality as we worked toward the creation of a nursing facility that would accommodate elderly Asians.   Uncle Bill was a phenomenal fundraiser, garnering more than $1M in donations for South Cove Manor’s capital campaign in a single year. South Cove Manor, then located at 120 Shawmut Avenue, admitted its first patient on November 20, 1985. With Auntie Amy’s vision and Uncle Bill’s leadership, the community had a first-rate long-term care facility dedicated to the Asian’s elderly.   Uncle Bill’s work within the greater Chinese community, locally, nationally, and internationally, is well known. He had the respect and friendship of people from all walks of life, from the highest levels of government, commerce, and industry to the poorest, to those less fortunate. He was a multi-talented man, an amazing leader and manager, a businessman of high integrity, a concerned and involved citizen. He responded effortlessly to the needs of many people in the community, sometimes finding them jobs or making referrals to the appropriate social service agencies. His philanthropy was most often anonymous. He saw the bright side of things and looked for ways to reconcile differences. It was his style to listen to all sides of an issue. He wanted everyone to have a chance. He had a way of putting people at ease, making everyone feel welcomed and special.   For those of us who have had the good fortune of his friendship, we will most of all remember his easy smile and warm heart; his playful sense of humor; his basic decency; his humility; his loyalty; his compassion.   For all his achievements and successes, his legion of admirers and multitude of friends, Uncle Bill was first and foremost a caring husband and parent. We send our deepest condolences to Auntie Josephine, Brady and Jolianna, to all Uncle Bill’s family, for their great loss.   Uncle Bill exemplified a reverence for age that has been a hallmark of Chinese thought and culture for centuries, of turning to their elderly for values, for perspective and for understanding of life itself. For nearly fifty years he shared his vision, his wisdom, his leadership and his unwavering support to South Cove Nursing Facilities Foundation and South Cove Manor. He also honored South Cove employees, establishing with Auntie Josephine the Wah Jin Fund to support South Cove Manor Employee Appreciation events celebrating employee milestones of service. He considered his part in creating South Cove one of his most notable accomplishments. From a grateful community, thank you, Uncle Bill, for all that you have been and for all that you have done. May you rest in peace.   Helen Chin Schlichte Co-Founder, President Emeritus Board of Directors, South Cove Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center 親愛的中華頤養院的家人和朋友：   很多人都知道 “陳毓璇 Bill Chin”這個名字，但有些人可能不知道陳毓璇叔是中華頤養院的創始人之一。如果沒有他對社區的奉獻，我就不會寫這封信，也沒有他意識到華人長老需要一個文化上有能力的組織來照顧他們晚年。   陳毓璇叔於 11 月 25 日在家中安詳離世，並將於 12 月 18 日安息。單擊此處可以找到他的訃告和安排詳情。   此外，中華頤養院的另一位創始人、現任董事會成員陳秀英 (Helen Chin Schlichte) 還向她的老朋友致意。我覺得與你們所有人分享它是合適的，這樣你們就可以一瞥這些負責創建這個組織的有遠見的領導者的無私。     真摯地， 威廉·J·格雷夫斯 總裁兼首席執行官 Tribute to Billy (Uncle Bill) Y.S. Chin South Cove Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Newsletter December 2021   1974 年、陳毓璇叔和 阮陳金鳯姑聚集了一群感興趣的人們一起解決許多居住在波士頓的中國老年人所面臨的問題：獲得醫療保健的重大文化障礙、尤其是在長期護理領域。作為一個團隊、 我們明白真正的解決方案在于能在技術娴熟的護理機構內創造讓社區的老年人感到賓至如歸的文化環境。陳毓璇叔邀請工作組在他的華珍酒家開會、在那裏我們每人能以$5.00 美元的價格任吃任喝、唯一的條件就是我們能朝著創建療養院的目標穩步前進。作為成功的商人，陳毓璇叔明白激勵和積極強化的價值。十多年來、在我們致力于創建一個可以容納亞洲老年人的護理設施的過程中、我們一直享受著他的熱情和慷慨款待。 陳毓璇叔是一位非凡的籌款人、在一年內為中華頤養院的籌款運動籌集了超過 $100 萬美元的捐款。 當時位于肖穆特大道 120 號的中華頤養院于 1985 年 11 月 20 日收治了第一名患者。  在陳秀英阿姨的遠見和陳毓璇叔的領導下、社區擁有一流的專門為亞洲老人服務的長期護理設施。   陳毓璇叔在當地、全國和國際大華人社區的成就衆所周知。他獲得了各界人士的尊重和友誼、上至政府、工商界的最高層， 下至最貧窮與不幸的人。他多才多藝，是一個了不起的領導者和經理、一個高度正直的商人、一個熱心參與的公民。他毫不費力地回應了社區中許多人的需求、有時會為他們找到工作或轉介到適當的社會服務機構。他的慈善事業通常是匿名的。他總能看到事情好的一面，並尋找調和分歧的方法。傾聽問題的方方面面是他的風格。他希望每個人都有機會。他有一種讓人放心的方式、讓每個人都感到受歡迎和特別。   對于我們這些有幸獲得他友誼的人、我們永遠會記住他的微笑和溫暖的心；他頑皮的幽默感；他的基本禮儀；他的謙遜；他的忠誠；他的憐憫。   對于他的所有成就和成功、他的衆多崇拜者和衆多朋友、陳毓璇叔首先是一個有愛心的丈夫和父親。我們向陳黄景佩嬸、陳徳君和 陳德儀、以及陳毓璇叔的所有家人致以最深切的哀悼。   陳毓璇叔體現了幾個世紀以來中國思想和文化的標志：對老年人的尊敬與孝順。向老年人求助，尋求價值觀、觀點和對人生本身的理解。近五十年來、他與中華頤養院的設施基金會和中華頤養院分享了他的遠見、智慧、領導力和堅定不移的支持。 他還表彰了中華頤養院、與陳黄景佩嬸芬建立了華進基金、以支持中華頤養院員工感謝活動、慶祝員工的服務裏程碑。 他認為自己在創建 中華頤養院方面的貢獻是他最顯著的成就之一。 來自一個感恩的社區，感謝你、陳毓璇叔、感謝你所做的一切。願你安息。 聯合創始人 陳秀英 名譽總裁  中華頤養院護理及康複中心董事會

波士頓市府提供12月食物資源指南

 

Governor Baker Signs $4 Billion Federal COVID-19 Relief Funding Spending Bill

 Governor Baker Signs $4 Billion Federal COVID-19 Relief Funding Spending Bill

 

BOSTON — Governor Charlie Baker today signed a $4 billion spending plan to support continued recovery across key priority areas, making substantial investments in housing and homeownership, healthcare, workforce development, premium pay for essential workers and infrastructure. The funding, first proposed by the Baker-Polito Administration in June of 2021, will put to work a portion of the Commonwealth’s direct federal aid from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

 

“The pandemic has had a significant impact on Massachusetts workers, families, communities, and businesses for nearly two years, and today’s signing directs billions of dollars in relief toward those hardest hit across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “While this package falls far short of the investment I called for to address the housing shortage, the important investments included in this bill will help to accelerate Massachusetts’ economic recovery and provide long-lasting benefits to infrastructure, healthcare, education systems, and small businesses.”

 

“The funding allocated in this bill addresses critical areas of need across the

Commonwealth, from addiction services to housing availability to environmental infrastructure,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “This relief will play a crucial role in the ongoing recovery of our residents and communities, especially those disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, and we are eager to put it to work.”

 

The bill authorizes up to $2.55 billion in spending from the $5.286 billion ARPA Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds provided to Massachusetts in May 2021. This direct federal aid is intended to support urgent COVID-19 response efforts, replace lost revenue, support immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses, and address unequal public health and economic challenges in Massachusetts cities and towns. After accounting for spending in this bill and previously announced commitments, approximately $2.3 billion of the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds will remain to be further appropriated. 

 

“The Commonwealth has worked diligently over the past two years to deploy billions worth of federal support to strengthen our economic recovery, support those in disproportionately impacted communities, and get people back to work,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael J. Heffernan. “We appreciate the collaboration of our colleagues in the Legislature on this bill to invest in healthcare, housing, and the Massachusetts workforce and look forward to even more critical investments in 2022 with the remaining ARPA funds.”  

 

Coupled with the authorized ARPA dollars, $1.45 billion in spending is appropriated from the Transitional Escrow Fund, made up of state fiscal year 2021 surplus funds. The bill assigns the Secretary of Administration and Finance the responsibility of matching expenditures to the most appropriate funding source, which provides important flexibility in recognition of the significant federal rules and regulations associated with federal funds.

 

Highlights of the plan include:

 

Housing

• $150 million to finance the statewide production of housing for various populations, including seniors and veterans;
• $150 million for public housing maintenance;
• $115 million for rental housing production and to provide increased housing options to residents of disproportionately impacted communities;
• $115 million to support housing production in disproportionately impacted communities through MassHousing’s CommonWealth Builder Program and similar efforts;
• $65 million to support expanded homeownership opportunities, focused on first-time homebuyers who are residents of disproportionately impacted communities.

Health Care

• $400 million for addiction treatment and related behavioral health services, workforce, and infrastructure;
• $260 million for fiscally stressed hospitals in disproportionately impacted municipalities;
• $200 million for local and regional public health, including local boards of health staffing, technology, and training;
• $50 million for workforce retention and capital improvements at nursing facilities and $30 million to support loan repayment, retention, and recruitment programs for human service workers;
• $37.5 million for grants to reduce juvenile delinquency, youth homelessness, and summer jobs.

Workforce Development

• $500 million to support the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund;
• $500 million for premium pay for low-income essential workers;
• $107.5 million for workforce and career technical skills training;
• $24.5 million for workforce development and capital grants to YMCAs and Boys & Girls clubs.

Economic Development

• $135 million to support cultural facilities and tourism assets throughout Massachusetts;
• $75 million for grants to small businesses, $50 million of which will go to businesses reaching underserved markets and minority, women, and veteran owned businesses. $25 million will be reserved for small businesses that did not qualify for prior programs.

Infrastructure Investment

• $100 million to fund grants for water and sewer infrastructure improvements;
• $100 million to improve culverts, dams, and other environmental infrastructure;
• $90 million for marine port development;
• $50 million to close the digital divide and increase broadband internet access;
• $44.8 million for food security;
• $25 million for greening gateway cities.

Education

• $105 million for a variety of education supports, including recovery grants to state universities and community colleges, workforce support for special education schools, and support for recruiting educators of color;
• $100 million for public school district HVAC grants;
• $100 million for capital grants to vocational high schools and career technical education programs.

The Governor vetoed language in seven line items containing requirements that would cause delays in putting funds to use.

 

Of 88 outside sections included in the bill, the Governor signed 86, including one that excludes federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) advances, Shuttered Venue Operators grants, Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants, and SBA loans from taxable income for individual taxpayers for all applicable tax years, creating parity with corporate taxpayers.

 

Governor Baker returned one outside section to the Legislature with proposed amendments and vetoed one outside section. Notably, while signing outside sections that establish and fund a $500 million COVID-19 Essential Employee Premium Pay Fund for one-time payments to frontline workers, the Governor vetoed a section setting up administrative obstacles that would interfere with the efficient distribution of payments, including the requirement to consult with an extensive 28-member advisory panel on program design.  Vetoing this section will allow the administration to immediately get to work on the process to distribute these funds.

 

To read the Governor’s signing letter, click here.

 

To read the Governor’s signed amendment letter, click here.

 

To read attachments to the signed amendment letter, click here.