麻州州長查理貝克宣佈 Thomas Koonce 及 William Allen 減刑

 Governor Baker Announces Commutations of Thomas Koonce and William Allen

 

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced that Governor Charlie Baker is commuting the first-degree murder sentences of Thomas Koonce and William Allen to second degree murder, making each immediately eligible for parole. The Parole Board, serving in its function as the Advisory Board of Pardons, recently recommended commutation for both Mr. Koonce and Mr. Allen.

 

The Massachusetts Constitution grants the Governor the power to commute, or remit, a portion of a criminal sentence.  Governor Baker issued updated Executive Clemency Guidelines in February 2020. Petitions for commutation are reviewed by the Advisory Board of Pardons. The Board evaluates the petition, weighing the factors laid out in the Executive Guidelines, and makes a recommendation to the Governor. The Board had recommended that the Governor commute the sentences of both Mr. Koonce and Mr. Allen to second-degree murder. The commutations must now be approved by the Governor’s Council. If approved, Mr. Koonce and Mr. Allen would be eligible for a parole hearing and would be on parole for life if parole was granted.

 

“The authority given to me by the people of Massachusetts to commute and pardon individuals is one of the most sacred and important powers of this office,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “There are few things as important to me in this position as ensuring justice is served for the individuals impacted by a crime and my responsibility to ensure fair application of justice to all.  To make these difficult decisions, I spent months carefully weighing the circumstances of the two terrible crimes, the actions of the two men since and the Parole Board’s recommendation for commutation.  I believe both men, having taken responsibility for their actions and paid their debt to the Commonwealth by serving sentences longer than most individuals found guilty of similar actions, deserve the right to seek parole from prison.  I hope the Governor’s Council carefully weighs the facts of these cases as well as the undeniable impact on the families involved and reaches the same decision.”

 

According to the updated guidelines released in February 2020, commutation “is intended to serve as a strong motivation for confined persons to utilize available resources for self-development and self-improvement and as an incentive for them to become law-abiding citizens and return to society.”  Commutation does not excuse or negate an inmate’s criminal conduct, nor is it a review of the trial or appellate legal proceedings that resulted in the inmate’s conviction.

 

Thomas Koonce is a 54-year old former United States Marine who has served 30 years in prison for the murder of Mark Santos.  On July 20, 1987, Mr. Koonce fired out of the window of a car during an altercation in New Bedford, fatally wounding Mr. Santos.  On June 23, 1992, a Bristol Superior Court jury convicted Mr. Koonce of first-degree murder, and he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.  During his time in prison Mr. Koonce has participated in significant programming, become a leader to help other inmates benefit from some of those same programs, and helped to establish new programs, including the restorative justice program at MCI-Norfolk.  Mr. Koonce earned a Bachelor of Liberal Studies, magna cum laude, through Boston University’s prison education program.  He has been active in his church and employed throughout his incarceration.

 

William Allen is a 48-year-old man who has served 27 years in prison for his role in the murder of Purvis Bester.  On February 8, 1994, Mr. Allen and a co-defendant broke into Mr. Bester’s Brockton apartment intending to rob him, and the co-defendant fatally stabbed Mr. Bester.  On August 29, 1997, a Brockton Superior Court jury convicted Mr. Allen of first-degree murder for his joint participation in the robbery, and he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.  While incarcerated Mr. Allen participated in significant programming – among them restorative justice and violence alternatives – as both a student and a facilitator.  He has earned vocational licenses to be a barber, food service worker, and law clerk, served as a Eucharistic minister for the Catholic community, and consistently held a job, including working as a companion and assistant to severely mentally ill patients at Bridgewater State Hospital.

波士頓市長吳弭任命蘇清華 (PAULINA MANGUBAT)為數位主任

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES PAULINA MANGUBAT AS DIGITAL DIRECTOR

 

Boston - Wednesday, January 12, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced Paulina Mangubat as Digital Director, leading the Mayor’s digital media teams. In this role, Mangubat will work to ensure that City Hall connects and empowers Boston residents through creative, accessible digital content. “We must connect and engage with every resident to build a Boston for everyone,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m inspired by Paulina’s passion for engaging people where they are online, and ensuring that residents are connected with the work across city government. I’m so excited to see her leadership in helping each of our City’s departments engage with residents through social media and other digital channels.” Paulina Mangubat is a Phoenix native and first-generation Chinese-Filipino American. Recently, Mangubat served on Mayor Wu’s campaign as the Digital & Creative Director, where she created engaging content for multiple communication channels and built an innovative digital presence that advanced Mayor Wu’s vision and policies for all. “In the year that I have spent on the campaign trail and now in City Hall, Mayor Wu knows that digital work is not just about checking a box,” said Paulina Mangubat. “It’s about ensuring that every resident is connected to the amazing work and resources coming out of City Hall. I’m honored to continue working with Mayor Wu on content that pushes the boundary of what’s possible in Boston.”  Previously, Mangubat has worked in advertising operations at POLITICO, digital strategy at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) for the 2018 midterms, and as a digital advertising consultant and creative lead for Mayor Wu’s mayoral campaign, Sen. Hickenlooper, Rep. Adam Schiff, Sen. Jon Tester, Voto Latino, and more.  Mangubat is a graduate of Barnard College with a B.A. in Political Science and East Asian Studies. She enjoys bargain shopping. Mangubat serves under Jessicah Pierre, who was appointed Chief Communications Officer for the Wu administration in December. Pierre oversees the City’s press, speechwriting, digital, and photography teams. “Paulina’s creativity, skills, and passion for building community digitally is unmatched, as well as her enthusiasm for using technology to communicate equitably,” said Jessicah Pierre. “We are beyond excited to welcome Paulina to our team!”

AG HEALEY JOINS BIPARTISAN, MULTISTATE COALITION CALLING ON THE FCC TO STOP INTERNATIONAL SCAM CALLS

AG HEALEY JOINS BIPARTISAN, MULTISTATE COALITION CALLING ON THE FCC TO STOP INTERNATIONAL SCAM CALLS

 

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey has called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take steps to protect consumers from foreign-based illegal robocalls that attempt to scam Americans.

 

AG Healey and a bipartisan group of 51 attorneys general sent a letter to the FCC Monday calling for the commission to require gateway providers – companies that allow foreign calls into the United States – to take steps to reduce how easily robocalls have been able to enter the U.S. telephone network, including implementing STIR/SHAKEN, a caller ID authentication technology that helps prevent spoofed calls.

“My office hears frequently from consumers who have been harmed by robocall scams,” said AG Healey. “Not only are they invasive and unwanted, but they are draining millions from the wallets of our residents. I am joining my colleagues across the country in calling on the FCC to put the proper measures in place to protect people from these scammers.”

 

 According to the letter, gateway providers should be required to implement the STIR/SHAKEN technology and make sure that international calls passing through U.S. telephone numbers are legitimate.

 

In their letter, the attorneys general specifically ask the FCC to require all gateway providers to:

• Respond to requests from law enforcement, state attorneys general, or the FCC’s Industry Traceback Group to trace back calls within 24 hours.
• Block calls when providers are aware of an illegal or likely fraudulent caller.
• Block calls that originate from numbers that are on a “do not originate” list – such as government phone numbers that are for incoming calls only.
• Ensure that foreign telephone companies they partner with are making sure that calls are being made from legitimate numbers.

 

The attorneys general also encourage the FCC to require all phone companies to block calls from a gateway provider if it fails to meet these requirements.

 

In 2020, Americans lost more than $520 million through illegal robocall scams. AG Healey has supported measures that would reduce the amount of illegal robocalls people receive. In 2018, the AG’s Office joined a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general calling on telephone companies to implement technology to block robocalls, and in 2019, during National Consumer Protection Week, AG Healey also joined a group of attorneys general in issuing a letter to Congress to enact the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act to curb illegal and harmful robocalls. In December, AG Healey and a coalition of 51 attorneys general successfully helped to persuade the FCC to shorten by a year the deadline for smaller telephone companies to implement STIR/SHAKEN.

 

The bipartisan letter was sent by the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 

 

A copy of the letter is available HERE.

2022國際領袖基金會 暑期公共事務實習計劃1月14日截止報名

 2022國際領袖基金會 暑期公共事務實習計劃

1月14日截止報名!

      (華府訊) 國際領袖基金會 (ILF)  的2022暑期公共事務實習計劃 (Civic Fellowship Program) ，1月14日截止報名，預定錄取30人。

國際領袖基金會每年遴選大約30名傑出亞太裔大學生，發給獎學金，安排他們在暑假期間參加講座、領袖力培訓課程，並進入美國首府華盛頓特區(Washington DC)的聯邦政府各行政部門，或是美國國會議員辦公室，非牟利機構，或智庫等處實習8到10週，以深入了解美國國會、白宮的實際運作。

    在培訓期間，學員們將有機會經由”爐邊談話”，小組討論，領導力發展工作坊等各項領袖培訓課程與活動，和聯邦政府官員，全球及全美各地的傑出企業家、社團領袖等當面對談。

    歷年來參加實習的亞太裔學員們，在國會和聯邦政府各部門實習期間，表現都很優異，備受肯定。學員們結業後，在各自的專業領域也都有卓越表現。

    參加實習的學員們，需負擔自己的旅費，住宿及生活開銷。

      國際領袖基金會主席徐紹欽 (Paul Hsu) 表示， “國際領袖基金會的目標之一是培養並支持下一代的公共服務領袖”。他說， ” 加強接觸並認識公民參與非常重要，這樣青年領袖才能以適當方式採取行動，支持他們的社區”。

    國際領袖基金會行政主任王靈輝 (Linh Hong) 表示，”培養下一代亞太裔領袖是我們的核心使命，我們幫助大專學生獲得技能，經驗，以及成為領袖的必要見識，以持續前輩們的奮鬥。國際領袖基金會公民事務獎學金是學員們快速啟動事業及領導旅程的獨特機會”。

     國際領袖基金會鼓勵亞太裔大專院校本科生申請。資格要求包括美國公民身份，平均成績至少3.0，目前在或即將在信譽良好的大專院校就讀。其他需要繳交的文件包括正式成績單，履歷表，以及至少一封推薦信等。

     申請即起受理，文件須在2022年1月14日，美東時間下午5點前送出。查詳情或送交申請文件，請上網 https://www.ilfnational.org/fellowship/.

重要通知: 國際領袖基金會估計有效的新冠病毒疫苗在2022年上半年時，已經到處都有。申請者需要準備這夏季實習會在華府實地舉行。不過視乎聯邦機構政策，有些或者大部分的實習，可能在網上辦理。國際領袖基金在申請及安置過程中會通知申請者。

查詢更多資訊，請上我們的網站: https://www.ilfnational.org/fellowship/.

About ILF

國際領袖基金會 (International Leadership Foundation) ，係全美最著名的青年領袖人才訓練機構，以提升美國亞太裔地位，培育國際青年未來領袖為目標，並結合美國政經資源，以促進美國及亞太地區國際交流活動為宗旨的非營利性組織。過去近二十年來，國際領袖基金會結合美國及亞太地區的領袖資源，提供獎學金及領袖訓練，已培育、輔導上千名美國亞太裔優秀大學生參加「公共事務實習計劃」，進入美國聯邦政府各行政部門正式實習，並經由組團參訪拜會國會及政府各部會，更全面的瞭解了美國國會、白宮運作及制定政策的方式與流程。

參加活動者在實習期間，還有機會參加企業與領袖高峰論壇，亞裔傑出楷模獎頒獎典禮，進一步為將來提升美國亞太裔權益，成為青年領袖人才做準備。

國際領袖基金是由前美國聯邦交通部次長長傑龍 (Joel Szabat)，以及前美國聯邦商務部副助理部長董繼玲以他們共同創辦的「沙加緬度教育夥伴計劃(PIE）」為基礎，於1994年在加卅創辦的培育亞太裔青年領袖機構。2000年起，該會聯合全美亞裔企業及社區領袖在華府增設了全美「暑期公共事務實習計劃」。

美國聯邦政府前商務部及交通部部長峰田，美國聯邦政府前勞工部及交通部部長趙小蘭，同為該會名譽理事長。

波士頓市內不須預約的疫苗施打站

 

Danielle Allen Submits Testimony On Tenant Protections, Listens to Housing Advocates’ Calls to Tackle Housing Crisis

Danielle Allen Submits Testimony On Tenant Protections, Listens to Housing Advocates’ Calls to Tackle Housing Crisis

Boston, MA — Today, gubernatorial candidate and policy innovator Danielle Allen submitted the following testimony to the State Legislature’s Joint Committee on Housing, as part of the Committee’s hearing on new legislation to address the housing crisis:

“Hi everyone. I’m Danielle Allen, and I’m a longtime nonprofit leader and democracy advocate. I’m also running for governor. And as part of my campaign, I spent several months this year doing a listening tour — going from community to community across our Commonwealth to hear what problems people are facing and what they need to move forward. One of the biggest things that came out of that listening tour was clarity that housing is the biggest issue in the Commonwealth today.

“It’s no secret that we’re facing a housing crisis. And it’s not just in the Boston area, either — it’s Commonwealth-wide. We have a huge job to do to make affordable housing abundant. And we have a huge job to do to protect people who are renting their home. That’s why today, I want to testify urgently in support of the tenant protection bills sponsored by Representatives Connolly, Elugardo and Arciero and Senator Gomez and by Representative Rogers and Senator Jehlen.

“What’s so great about these bills is that as much as housing is a Commonwealth-wide issue, the needs and context in each community are distinct. So we need to support municipalities in building solutions — and these bills will make it possible for municipalities to implement rent stabilization. This will help municipal officials bring everyone to the table — including renters, homeowners, and landlords alike — to consider tenant protections that make sense on the local level.

“Just to help fill in the picture on how serious this situation is: One in four Massachusetts renter households manage to keep a roof over their heads only by spending more than 50 percent of their income on rent. Most families in this situation cannot afford to own or rent in the neighborhoods that would give their children ideal opportunities to thrive.

“No one should be paying more than half their income in rent. No one should get automatically evicted if they can’t afford a lawyer, or if their landlord decides to sell the apartment building. And just because someone doesn’t own their home does not mean that they should not be able to expect stability. 

“As all of us know, the pandemic has exacerbated all of this. Which is why these tenant protection bills are a critical tool to get in place to support families right now. This is just one piece of the puzzle in the push to make sure people across Massachusetts have the housing they need. For those who rent, it is often an unstable situation: it’s hard to know year-to-year whether you can stay in your same home, your same community. For those who hope to buy, the idea of coming up with a down-payment might seem insurmountable. For those who own, you wonder how you can pay your increasing electric bills, whether you’ll get wiped out by the next hurricane, and where you can move when your current house isn’t right for you anymore.

“I’m committed to supporting the incredible organizers and lawmakers testifying today on behalf of housing solutions for people across the Commonwealth. Because ultimately, we need to come together, build solutions, and start seeing ourselves as One Commonwealth. Our Commonwealth — where we work together, and find the path forward together. Thank you.”

麻州文化協會60萬元預算怎麼花 1/24聽民意

Mass Cultural Council Seeks Public Input on Cultural Sector COVID Relief

Commonwealth’s ARPA Spending Plan includes $60M to aid artists and cultural organizations in pandemic recovery; Stakeholders can offer comments during virtual Public Input Session on January 24 or submit written comments through February 7

Boston – Mass Cultural Council, the independent state agency charged with supporting the Commonwealth’s cultural sector will convene a virtual Public Input Session on Monday, January 24, 2022, from 4pm to 6pm, to solicit public comment on how the $60 million in the state’s ARPA spending plan to aid artists and cultural organizations with pandemic recovery should be utilized and invested.   Mass Cultural Council is seeking feedback from all stakeholders to determine what types of assistance programs are considered most helpful or necessary by artists and cultural organizations. Those who prefer to submit written comments can do so until 5:00pm on Monday, February 7, 2022.   Under the law, Mass Cultural Council must administer grant programs to help artists and cultural organizations with pandemic recovery and to operate more efficiently. Mass Cultural Council has $60 million to award, and, is directed to both “consider racial, geographic and programmatic diversity and equity within the cultural sector when establishing grant criteria” and “consider and prioritize those applicants with the largest demonstrated economic need as a result of the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic, and the applicant’s demonstrated economic impact in terms of job creation and tourism generated.”   The Legislature’s direction to “consider racial, geographic, and programmatic diversity and equity within the cultural sector“ when developing these relief programs mirrors Mass Cultural Council’s own equity and access goals, which are outlined in the Agency’s Race Equity Plan. Mass Cultural Council hopes all stakeholders, especially individuals who identify as, and organizations who serve BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities, under-resourced rural communities, and Gateway Cities will engage in this process and share feedback.    As outlined by Mass Cultural Council’s Access Policy, language translation assistance is available and can be requested through Equity & Inclusion Program Officer Cheyenne Cohn-Postell.      The virtual public input session will be conducted via Zoom and co-chaired by Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director and Jo-Ann Davis, Chair of the governing Council’s Grants Committee. Members of the Agency’s Governing Council and staff will be in attendance to listen to stakeholder testimony.   Those wishing to comment will be asked by the Co-Chairs to “raise their hands” using the Zoom feature and will be called in order. Comments should be limited to three-minutes during the forum, however, there is no limit to the length of written comments and those who present may follow up in writing.    Written comments will be accepted until 5:00pm on Monday, February 7, 2022. Stakeholders may register their thoughts online.

WHAT: Mass Cultural Council Public Input Session on Cultural Sector COVID Relief WHO: Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council; Jo-Ann Davis, Chair, Governing Council Grants Committee; Members of the Agency’s Governing Council; Members of Mass Cultural Council Staff WHEN: Monday, January 24, 2022, from 4pm to 6pm   PRESS: This session is open to the public and the press.

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Climate Change Habitat Resilience Grants to Municipalities and Conservation Organizations

 Baker-Polito Administration Awards Climate Change Habitat Resilience Grants to Municipalities and Conservation Organizations

 

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced $216,078 in grants through the Climate Change Resilience Grant Opportunity Program to five conservation organizations and municipalities. The funds, administered through the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), will be used in six habitat improvement projects totaling 237 acres in seven Massachusetts communities.

 

“The Commonwealth’s investments in improving wildlife habitat will assist in the restoration of regional biodiversity throughout the state,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Through the Climate Change Habitat Resilience Grant Opportunity Program, the positive management actions being taken are natural solutions that will result in a more diverse, resilient landscape of wildlife, plants and other natural environments.”

 

“Improving climate change resiliency for the Commonwealth’s natural resources is a key priority of our Administration, and communities, private landowners, and the general public will greatly benefit from the Climate Change Habitat Resilience Grant funds,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “This program offers a wonderful opportunity to address conservation needs in both rural and more densely populated areas throughout the state.”

 

In its first year, the Climate Change Resilience Grant Opportunity Program seeks to provide financial assistance to private and municipal landowners of conserved lands to enhance climate-vulnerable wildlife habitats and make them more resilient to climate change by funding habitat improvement projects in ecological communities disproportionally susceptible to climate change, including, but not necessarily limited to:

• Fire adapted natural communities; and,
• Riparian communities and floodplains along cold water streams and other climate-vulnerable wetland/aquatic systems (e.g. coastal marshes).

 

“Habitat management restores ecological integrity through removal of stressors that limit our wildlife and natural communities’ ability to respond to changing environmental conditions,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “Conservation science has repeatedly demonstrated that continuous active habitat management activities for common and rare wildlife and plants are necessary to achieve ecological resiliency and diversity.”

 

“This grant program is a great complement to the Department of Fish and Game’s wildlife habitat management efforts and furthers our climate resilience goals,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Ron Amidon. “Partnering with municipalities and conservation organizations helps us achieve wildlife and ecological conservation goals benefitting wildlife, the landscape, and the people of Massachusetts.”

 

The program seeks proposed habitat management activities that reduce stressors adversely affecting proposed project sites, thereby enhancing climate resilience. For example, projects in fire-adapted communities that improve habitat quality, native species diversity, remove invasive species, and mitigate risk of extreme wildfire behavior reduce climate vulnerability. Similarly, projects in coldwater stream riparian zones that maintain or enhance tree canopy coverage, reduce erosion or other adverse alterations to stream water quality or hydrology, and/or control invasive species may enhance climate resilience.

 

“Improving ecological biodiversity can only take place where certain environmental conditions exist,” said MassWildlife Director Mark Tisa. “The MassWildlife Climate Change Resilience Grant allows us to focus conservation efforts on habitat management activities in those special places which over time, benefit both common and rare wildlife living in our communities.”

 

The following projects will receive MassWildlife Climate Change Resilience Habitat Grants:

 

• Falmouth – The Town of Falmouth has been awarded $28,000 conduct a prescribed burn at Coonamessett Fields, a site within an Environmental Justice Community, to improve grassland habitat. Eastern meadowlarks, grasshopper sparrows, endangered pollinators like moths, native bees, and tiger beetles will benefit from this management action.

 

• Great Barrington – The Berkshire Natural Resources Council will receive $37,495 to improve floodplain forests by removing invasives along the Housatonic River and Rising Pond, sites within Environmental Justice Communities.  As one of the few major rivers designated as a coldwater fishery resource (CFR), removing invasive trees, plants and shrubs will enhance floodplain growth conditions of large-canopy trees in the Housatonic River. The trees create shaded microclimates (pockets) of cool water benefiting the longnose sucker, a state-listed fish and CFR species. Additionally, when large dead trees fall into the riverbed, it will provide valuable sheltering structure for young fish.

 

• Marlborough – The City of Marlborough has been awarded $26,667 to improve pitch pine – oak forest at the Desert Natural Area. Mowing and timber harvest of trees will be for ongoing habitat maintenance and create safer conditions for future planned prescribed fires.  Whip-poor-wills, brown thrashers, wild lupine, state listed moths and an endangered reptile will be the beneficiaries of a multi-phase management plan.

 

• Monson/Wales– The Norcross Wildlife Foundation will receive $45,450 to improve grasslands and fields through removing invasive plants such as bittersweet, autumn olive, and multiflora rose at Chapin Meadow. Tree mowing and timber harvest of white pines that dominated the former pitch pine oak forest is also part of the habitat restoration plan. Native bees, and less common birds such as eastern towhees, field sparrows and brown thrashers will benefit from these activities.

 

• North Andover – The Trustees of Reservations will receive $49,050 to restore oak-hickory barrens at the Weir Hill Reservation. Tree mowing and timber harvesting will prepare the site for a future prescribed fire. These actions will allow yellow indigo plants to thrive while serving as a critical host plant for endangered pollinators such as the frosted elfin butterfly and the scrub oak feeder moth. Exposed bare mineral soil from these management actions will also benefit a highly specialized state-listed plant.

 

• Sheffield – The Trustees have been awarded $28,512 to improve habitat on Bartholomew’s Cobble’s Ashley Pasture by removing invasive plant and woody species such as multi-flora rose, mugwort, Asian bush honeysuckle and oriental bittersweet. The restoration goal is to benefit birds such as bobolink and American kestrel, and a state-listed plant, while increasing the ecological resiliency of the Pasture’s grassland habitat.

 

“Norcross is a vital partner in creating a healthier and more sustainable environment,” said Senator Anne Gobi (D-Spencer). “Under Executive Director Ed Hood's leadership, this award is well deserved. By undertaking these efforts, Norcross Wildlife Foundation is eliminating invasive species; fostering growth and rehabilitation for native flora and fauna.”

 

“I want to congratulate the Norcross Wildlife Foundation for being awarded this competitive grant,” said Representative Todd Smola (R-Warren). “Norcross and the Department of Fish and Game do outstanding work protecting the land and wildlife which make central Massachusetts such a unique place to live.”

 

“I am thankful to the Department of Fish and Game for granting Weir Hill Reservation a Climate Change Habitat Resilience Grant,” said Representative Christina Minicucci (D-North Andover). “The preserved land at Weir Hill Reservation sits on our town reservoir and ensuring its continued environmental health is essential to the overall health of our community. This grant will allow for the cultivation of plant life necessary to host endangered pollinators, a critical component of long term environmental sustainability.”

波士頓徵駐市藝術家 2/18 截止

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES CALL TO ARTISTS FOR YEAR FIVE OF BOSTON ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE Artists, organizers, and cultural workers of all disciplines are invited to participate in a 15-month-long residency with the City of Boston.

BOSTON - Tuesday, January 11, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture today announced applications are open for the fifth cohort of Boston Artists-in-Residence (Boston AIR). Through Boston AIR, a group of six artists will spend 15 months collaborating with a parallel group of City of Boston partners to co-design projects that imagine and test new approaches to challenges the City faces. “Elevating and investing in Boston’s artists by bringing them into City Hall and embedding them in our departments’ work is crucial to addressing the challenges we’re facing as a city in new, creative ways,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “In this moment, arts and culture will help us recover, heal, connect, and thrive.” Through Boston AIR, artists bring their expertise and experience with creative approaches while City partners provide policy expertise and knowledge of City systems. Through the collaboration, artists learn more about government, while City departments practice creative problem solving.  Participants of Boston AIR are asked to co-design projects that consider the needs of Boston’s diverse communities, examine City policies with a lens of resilience and racial equity, help residents understand how local government impacts them, support a collaborative creation of City policies and processes, and provide a model for civic practice that departments can use going forward. “As an artist concerned with the potential of the creative process to positively impact communities, being a Boston AIR was a transformative experience,” said former Boston Artist-in-Residence Erin Genia. “It allowed me to think deeply about how my practice might be of service, to develop my ideas within a supportive cohort and to learn how to enact them directly through city processes. It has changed how I see my own contributions to society through art by connecting me with amazing people around the city who are working to address deep disparities and create positive change.” This year, five artists will work with Boston Parks and Recreation, the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA)’s Planning and Research Divisions, the Environment Department, and Boston Transportation Department. An additional artist will be selected to conduct participatory action research with the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture as part of the program. “Over the past several years, we’ve worked with so many talented artists and have seen the continued impact of their projects on City processes,” said Kara Elliott-Ortega, Chief of Arts and Culture. “We’re excited to work with a new cohort of artists this year, and think creatively with them to break down some of the barriers between communities and government.” This Call to Artists is open to all artists, organizers, and cultural workers aged 18 and over with demonstrated experience working on civic issues, whether through community organizing, cultural work, or social artistic practice. Individuals working in any and all media are encouraged to apply. Each artist receives a $37,000 artist stipend and up to $10,000 for project materials. "A focus of the BPDA in the past few years has been to promote and provide spaces for art in the community through projects like the PLAN: Mattapan Public Art Project,” said Director of Planning Lauren Shurtleff. “Now, with Boston AIR, we are excited to bring that artist perspective in, to be applied directly to our work." "There is an undeniable connection between humans, nature, and Mayor Wu's call to action to build a better future for our children and our planet-- and art is a critical vehicle to educate, connect with, and mobilize our communities," said Kathleen Hart, Environment Department Communications Manager. "Through Boston AIR, the Environment Department is eager to welcome an artist to share their unique creative-thinking and enhance our work to achieve carbon-neutrality, environmental justice, and resilience." A virtual info session for interested applicants will be held on Wednesday, January 26 at 12 p.m. ET. The deadline to apply is Friday, February 18, 2022 at 5 p.m. More information about the program can be found at boston.gov/boston-air.

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Danielle Allen Urges New Action On Ongoing Covid-19 Surge, Calls on Baker Administration To Take Proactive Approach to Protect Communities

Danielle Allen Urges New Action On Ongoing Covid-19 Surge, Calls on Baker Administration To Take Proactive Approach to Protect Communities

Boston, MA — Today, gubernatorial candidate and pandemic response leader Danielle Allen called for new action amid the ongoing COVID-19 surge, filling a leadership vacuum that has left Massachusetts families to navigate the rapid spread of Omicron on their own.

Since early 2020, Allen has been a leading voice in Massachusetts and across the United States regarding best practices for pandemic response. Allen has built broad coalitions of community activists, medical experts, and government leaders in order to develop effective and proactive plans to respond to the public health threats faced by communities across Massachusetts. As families, schools, businesses, and communities across the Commonwealth grapple with the recent Omicron surge, Allen is offering practical solutions that would have mitigated the current situation and should be put in place to offer a path forward through future surges.

“I’m hearing from parents, families, and teachers across Massachusetts who are frustrated and exhausted — and I’m right there with them,” said gubernatorial candidate Danielle Allen. “The current situation with Omicron was predictable and preventable, and as the parent of an elementary schooler and a middle schooler, I see the impact that this is having on my kids. But the good news is, there’s a path forward. I’m calling on our decision-makers to act now and make sure that during the next surge, Massachusetts families, caretakers, health workers, educators and school staff have the support and protection they need to weather the storm.”

Allen is calling on the Baker administration to:

• Shift our COVID-19 reporting and analysis to focus on hospitalization rates — using hospital capacity as the key metric to evaluate COVID-risk levels and to make determinations about when protective measures should be put in place.

• Invest ARPA funds in fully building out school-based health teams linked to municipal offices of public health and the State Department of Public Health — to anchor ongoing work of community education, vaccine clinic provision, and testing and to improve the ability of state government to make decisions informed by educators with on-the-ground understanding of context.

• Significantly ramp up availability of COVID-19 rapid tests — to provide communities, schools, families, and caretakers with the information and reassurance they need to act safely and protect themselves and each other. 

• Create an ongoing remote learning infrastructure to support students in need of remote learning  — whether because of quarantine, or other health issues that may keep a student out of school even in times when they are available for learning.

“They say that if you want shade, the best time to plant a tree is thirty years ago, and that the second best time is today. That same principle applies  to our pandemic response. I so wish our administration on Beacon Hill had put this strategy in place a year ago, but now is the time to act proactively, and make sure we’re in a different place the next time a new variant comes around,” said gubernatorial candidate Danielle Allen. “By ramping up access to rapid tests, getting schools the tools they need to stay open safely and keep all kids learning even during a surge, and shifting our key indicators to focus on how our hospitals are doing, we can get Massachusetts communities back on track — and flourishing.”