吳弭在IG上遭遇反對接種疫苗、戴口罩者圍攻 福斯新聞、紐約郵報搶報

IG上也有支持吳弭的留言。(截屏)

IG上的有些留言很不客氣。(截屏)

          (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 是80後的年輕世代，在從政人士當中，是少數的本人就善用社交媒體者之一。無論是推特，IG或臉書，她無處不在，還經常在這些社交媒體上和選民直接對話。

              最近她在IG上的一次即問即答現場直播活動，卻出現出乎她意料之外的情況。那些反對為了新冠病毒 (COVID-19) 戴口罩，注射疫苗的人，紛沓而來，留下許多批評性字句。這情況引起紐約郵報、福斯新聞等全國性新聞機構注意，描述了這狀況，還有許多人在” 抖音 (TikTok)” 。” 推特 (Twitter)” 上轉發這段視，使得累計觀看人數在推特上已經超過180萬人。

              在2月11日的這IG視頻城鎮會議中，其中一人寫著，“你在毀壞我們的偉大城市”。

              還有一人寫道，”你為什麼恨小孩子? 老師? 警察? 消防員?”。

              另一人寫著，”你什麼時候才會停止用這規定破壞我們的城市”。

              在吳弭準備把一名嘉賓帶進串流，卻遭遇技術障礙，得等待技術問題解決時，吳弭決定即席回答提問，這些批評者也毫不留情的開始擠進來，留下不滿言論，質問什麼時候才會取消戴口罩規定。吳弭起初說，「看到一些朋友有不同….」，然後就把話題轉移到另一人留言的農曆新年了，說起「新年快樂，式的，虎年，很可愛的虎年表情符號」。

              後來她還回答了一個俏皮的，問她最喜歡波士頓冬天的什麼的問題。她臉帶淺笑的說，「我喜歡雪」。然後那些反口罩及疫苗的留言，繼續湧進來。

              2月10日時，麻州政府宣佈，2月28日起，幼稚園到中小學師生上學不再需要戴口罩。波士頓市吳弭認為波士頓市情況不同，許多學生還沒接種疫苗，為謹慎起見，波士頓市內學校將維持原有規定，得戴口罩，

              不過波士頓市府這天也公佈和波士頓教師工會達成協議，紓緩接種疫苗規定，允許教育者在新冠病毒傳染率低期間，定期做病毒檢測，就不要求一定得注射疫苗。

              當然，不是所有的留言都在批評。也有人支持吳弭的留言，「謝謝你在全球病毒大流行中保護我們的安全」。另一人則寫著，「你做得很棒!」。

              這段視頻在社交媒體上流傳得很廣泛，不過原始的現場直播視頻，並沒有保留在IG頁面上，也沒留在吳弭的帳號上。吳弭的新聞辦公室未就此事做回應。

                              吳弭對波士頓環球報的報導此事，似乎有點感冒，2月13日上推特，表示"留言"中的刻意攻擊在2022年內不是新聞。 (更新版)

麻州州長查理貝克訂5月出書 教人怎麼做事

(Boston Orange 編譯) 麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker) 要出書了。亞馬遜上已經公佈，這本名為「 結果: 超越政治把重要的事做成 (Results: Getting Beyond Politics to Get Important Work Done) 」，厚300頁的書，預定5月24日上市。

            共和黨籍，去年12月才宣佈不再競選第三度連任的查理貝克，然後就趕在卸任前出書。根據該書的網上”摘要”，儘管這本書的內容，免不了要談論他在位州長8年的種種，以及他在私人企業中的工作經驗，但他和他的前任州長幕僚長Steve Kadish卻形容這本書不是回憶錄，是要為任何想要出任公職的人，或是在大組織中受到官僚主義及政治阻礙的領導及經理人，提供「四步驟框架」參考。

麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker，檔案照片，周菊子攝)

                 查理貝克的幕僚說，不清楚他什麼時候開始寫這本書，但是已經寫了好幾年了。在一份聲明中，查理貝克和Kadish說，”我們想要把我們在公私兩界工作20多年，解決問題的經驗，寫下來，好讓其他從事公職，或在大機構中工作的人，能夠從我們的經驗中學習」。

                  查理貝克曾經擔任哈佛格林健保公司 (Harvard Pilgrim Health Care)執行長，Steve Kadish則是在2015年加入貝克政府之前，曾擔任東北大學營運長，再之前，也曾在哈佛格林健保工作。

             他們兩人是很親近的朋友。當Kadish在2017年，擔任貝克幕僚長2年半後卸任時，貝克曾說在那個時候，他們兩人已曾經共事過4次，”他愛這個人”。

                 在聲明中，他們說”這本書是關於在政府之內，以及周邊許許多多有才幹者的辛勤工作”。”我們想，這能夠幫助其他人為他們的對象提供更好的產品或服務，並因此而建立對政府和民主來說至關重要的信任”。

             查理貝克的辦公室說，他打算把出書的所有收入捐給為參與麻州兒童及家庭署活動兒童提供補助及贈款的私營非牟利機構， 「麻州奇蹟基金 (Massachusetts Wonderfund)」。

             這本書似乎和查理貝克長期以來倡議的務實，不分黨派治理的信念，密切相關。該書摘要指出，Kadish是民主黨籍，而他們承諾要提供”很廣泛的例子”，來展示政府能夠成為”有效率經營的例子，而不是沒有希望的官僚機構”。

             該書摘要還引述去年在美國國會山莊發生的1月6日攻擊事件，稱那威脅了”民主核心”，證明政府能夠運作對確保未來至關重要。

             根據書摘，查理貝克在書中寫道，”從某個角度切入議題對製造頭條新聞也許很重要，但是那不會推動我們向前。成功是由我們一起成就了什麼來衡量的。我們對我們所服務人民的責任太重要了，不應該把政治和黨派放在進步與結果之前”。

             查理貝克現年65歲。他的辦公室助理說，他沒有在出書時巡迴打書或做大型宣傳的計畫。

Danielle Allen Outlines Vision To Secure Carbon-Free Transit Statewide, Reimagine Transportation For A Healthy, Connected Commonwealth

Danielle Allen Outlines Vision To Secure Carbon-Free Transit Statewide, Reimagine Transportation For A Healthy, Connected Commonwealth

Boston, MA — Today, gubernatorial candidate Danielle Allen unveiled the latest in a series of in-depth policy agendas that are already driving consensus for change across our Commonwealth. Allen’s new agenda to reimagine transportation will create electric-based transportation networks across the Commonwealth; prioritize electrification of commuter rail systems and a One Commonwealth rail network; help families put the pieces together by making efficient, affordable transit available to everyone; and move our transportation paradigm off fossil fuels and towards renewable energy. The full agenda is available here.

Communities across Massachusetts are facing transportation challenges — from parents losing out on time with their kids because they’re stuck in long commutes, to small towns emptying out because of limited transportation options to reach jobs nearby. A lack of public transportation is placing a disproportionate burden on seniors and people with disabilities in rural communities, and communities of color are facing disproportionate impacts of pollution from traffic congestion. Allen’s transportation plan will tackle these challenges head on. By empowering regional transit authorities to better serve our towns and cities, and building out affordable, electric-based transit networks statewide, Allen will drive a connected Commonwealth, a dynamic, inclusive economy, and a healthy climate.

“Great transportation helps all of us connect the dots: between home, work, our loved ones, and services like getting to the doctor. And whether it’s opening up job opportunities or getting us transitioned off fossil fuels, affordable, electric-based transportation is the missing link,” said gubernatorial candidate Danielle Allen. “I’m pushing to reimagine our transportation systems across our state, for healthy communities, climate resilience, and a connected Commonwealth.”

To make that a reality, an Allen administration will: 

• Transform our transportation infrastructure to achieve climate resilience and justice, including prioritizing decarbonization and electrification of the commuter rail by enacting the Rail Vision Full Transformation Agenda, retrofitting transit infrastructure for climate resilience, building out electric vehicle infrastructure, and accelerating the conversion of all public vehicles to electrification.

• Secure equitable, efficient transportation access Commonwealth-wide, including pursuing high-speed East-West passenger rail service between Pittsfield and Boston via Springfield at least five times daily, driving high-frequency service across the whole commuter rail system, improving bus service in rural areas and investing in regional transit authorities, and supporting the Work & Family Mobility Act and End Debt-Based Drivers’ License Suspensions legislation.

• Reduce congestion and ensure safe, affordable transit through a 10 year plan to get people out of cars and prioritize bikes, ride shares, and keeping reliable public transit affordable. This includes piloting congestion pricing, delivering subsidized fares for low-income people, and piloting free bus routes through high-density, low-income neighborhoods. 

• Build a coordinated, sustainably-resourced system by establishing a One Commonwealth Rail Division to coordinate rail and take some of the burden off of the MBTA, creating a Northeast Transportation Task Force to work on regional transit across New England (including the North Atlantic Rail Initiative), and paving the way to take full advantage of federal infrastructure investment partnerships.

• Connect transportation infrastructure to the building blocks of prosperity, investing in housing, good jobs, health, and climate to reinforce and advance our transportation goals.

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES BOSTON TO OFFER RESIDENTS WEEKEND CURBSIDE TEXTILE COLLECTION

 

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES BOSTON TO OFFER RESIDENTS WEEKEND CURBSIDE TEXTILE COLLECTION  Program builds on the already 30 textile dropbox locations across the City

BOSTON - Friday, February 11, 2022 - Building on the success of the neighborhood textile dropbox program, Mayor Michelle Wu announced today that the City of Boston will begin offering weekend curbside collection of household textiles at no cost to residents. The Boston Public Works Department has again partnered with Northeast textile recycling company, Helpsy, which will coordinate pick-ups across the city.       “Bringing a curbside textile recycling program to Boston is an important step towards making waste reduction practices equitable and accessible for all our residents,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “By empowering our residents to take bold action against climate change and finding innovative and convenient ways to recycle, we’re creating a cleaner, more sustainable city for future generations to come.”  Residents looking to schedule a pick-up can simply fill-out an online request form at boston.gov/textiles. Once a date is scheduled and confirmed, household textiles should be left on the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled pick-up day. Textiles should be clean, dry, and properly bagged to allow for a quick pick-up for Helpsy drivers. Acceptable textile items include dresses, shirts, pants, suits, coats, towels, bedding, costumes, curtains, placements, tablecloths and throw rugs. Items that will not be accepted include breakable houseware or glass, electronics, furniture, construction materiel, scrap metal, appliances, mattresses, books or magazines.  Once household textiles are collected, sorted and graded, 95 percent will be reused, upcycled, or recycled. The higher grades are resold to thrift stores in North America and other second hand markets around the world. The lower grades get turned into rags for industrial use or alternative functions like stuffing or insulation. In just the last year, Helpsy has collected and processed over 30 million pounds of textiles from the Northeast region. Of that, 5 million pounds were generated from the Greater Boston area.  “The City of Boston is always looking for new and creative ways to expand recycling services to our residents,“ stated Superintendent of Waste Reduction, Brian Coughlin. “We not only want to provide convenient programs that work for everyone, but also educate residents on why and how these programs will assist in our ultimate goal of becoming a zero waste city.”  According to the Environmental Protection Agency, textile waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the United States, occupying nearly 5 percent of all landfill space. As a country, the U.S. throws away 36 billion pounds of textiles each year, nearly 100 pounds per person. Of those discarded textiles, currently only 15 percent is recycled, whereas 95 percent could be.   Along with weekend curbside collection, residents can also drop off their textiles at 30 dropbox locations across the city. Dropboxes are located at city owned municipal lots, as well as Boston Public School and Boston Housing Authority locations. You can find a full list of locations and accepted items here.   The City of Boston continues to encourage residents to utilize tools like the City’s free “Trash Day” app. The app enables Boston residents to search a directory of hundreds of household items to find out the right way to dispose of them while on the go or at home. App users can also view a calendar for their home’s collection dates, set reminders, and get notifications of schedule changes to service. Boston residents can also safely dispose of hazardous waste, shred unwanted documents, discard textiles and recycle electronics for free at a series of Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off events.  These programs build on Boston’s Zero Waste Plan, which includes 30 near- and long-term strategies to divert at least 80 percent of the City’s waste from landfills and municipal solid waste combustors by 2035. Key pieces of the plan include expanding Boston’s composting program, increasing access to recycling opportunities and launching a city-wide education campaign on recycling. Greenhouse gas emissions from waste disposal is equivalent to approximately six percent of Boston’s overall emissions. By reducing waste, recycling more, and composting, Boston can reduce emissions associated with waste and move one step closer to its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, outlined in the City’s 2019 Climate Action Plan update.  While reducing emissions, the City is working to prepare for sea level rise and the impacts of climate change. Climate Ready Boston is the City's initiative to prepare for the short and long term impacts of climate change. In addition to citywide climate resilience plans, the City has created neighborhood-level coastal resilience plans for areas most vulnerable to sea level rise and coastal storms, including East Boston, Charlestown, South Boston, North End, Downtown, and Dorchester.  This expansion reinforces the Wu Administration’s commitment to a Boston Green New Deal and creating sustainable recycling and waste disposal resources. Additionally, Mayor Wu signed an ordinance to divest City-funds from the fossil fuel, tobacco, and private prison industries. Mayor Wu also announced new, lower community choice electricity rates and outlined steps to reduce vehicle emissions and electrify the City fleet. Mayor Wu additionally announced the launch of the two-year fare-free program on MBTA bus Routes 23, 28, and 29 on March 1, 2022.

吳弭市長堅持波士頓市維持戴口罩規定

            (Boston Orange 編譯) 麻州的幼稚園到12年級學校在2月28日以後，學生上學不需要戴口罩了。波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)說，波士頓市的學校還得繼續戴口罩。

             吳弭市長說，儘管新冠病毒變種奧米克戎 (Omicron) 的個案激增已經趨緩，但是許多兒童還沒打疫苗，謹慎一點比較好。

             吳弭說，「我不會假設我知道，州長的計算應該怎麼做或可以怎麼做」，「我知道的是波士頓市還沒為取消戴口罩規定做好準備。所以波士頓市會暫時維持戴口罩規定」。

             波士頓市在10日這天，也宣佈了和波士頓教師工會達成協議，准許教師以定期檢測取代注射疫苗，但是只能在病毒傳染低的期間可以這麼做。在其他時候，沒接種疫苗的老師們就不能回校上課，得動用他們自己的累積假期，或者停薪休假。

             這一協議，對吳弭來說，意味著在解決持續尖銳化的勞工爭議上有了進展，卻也同時意味著她從以指標為準，不容許以檢測為替代選項的最初規定，做了重大退讓。

             總的來說，這決定彰顯了在病毒大流行持續2年，政府領導治理需要不斷因應情況，是多麼有挑戰性。吳弭的行動也讓人看見，在病毒走向持續不穩定中，市政府領導所面對的公共衛生及政治等等的無數壓力。

             以學校戴口罩的規定來說，麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker) 走在一些市鎮領導，以及醫生和家長之前，放寬了規定。在規定接種疫苗上，吳弭變得沒那麼嚴格。查理貝克的要求州政府行政部門員工接種疫苗規定，不准以檢測代替接種。

             吳弭對學校的戴口罩規定，仰賴的是大家熟悉的指標。吳弭說要看檢測陽性的比率，有多少人住院，以及重症病房的佔用率。

             吳弭說，波士頓市公共衛生局決定需要看到這些數目持續下降，而不是上上下下。她知道那對整個學校社區來說都非常具有挑戰性。

             2月9日時，吳弭和市長的青年協會 (Mayor’s Youth Council)成員晤談，問這一群高中學生，他們認為波士頓市的戴口罩規定，應不應該再2月28日以後繼續執行。

             吳弭在推特上分享了一張照片，幾乎所有這些學生都舉手贊成繼續戴口罩。

             波士頓拉丁學校的Tiffany Luo說，她很高興戴口罩規定會繼續，尤其是她看著朋友、同學即使已接種疫苗，戴了口罩，還是感染了奧米克戎變種病毒之後。和2名有感染高風險者同住的她說，「如果我沒有戴口罩，我會覺得更不安全」。「我會更焦慮」。

             在波士頓維持戴口罩規定之際，一些郊外學區做了相反選擇，要求州政府准他們更早取消這規定。霍普金頓 (Hopkinton) , 衛斯伯洛夫 (Westborough)，諾維爾 (Norwell) 等高中，以及Wrentham鎮的菲利普國王區域(King Philip Regional)高中，在申請豁免之後，已經不要求學生戴口罩了。波士頓羅馬天主教總教區9日說，2月28日起，將取消其麾下所有教區學校的戴口罩規定。

             在幾個第一線工作人員工會提起的法律挑戰中，法院暫時禁止波士頓市執行戴口罩規定。不過波士頓市打算在該暫時令取消時，開始執行原訂政策，讓未接種疫苗的員工留職停薪。

             教師工會和波士頓市府達成的協議，保護了未接種疫苗的會員們，只要她們遵循一週2次的檢測規定，就不致於被解雇。不過其他的未接種疫苗市府員工，如果他們的所屬工會沒有和波士頓市政府達成類似協議，就可能面對解雇命運。

             波士頓市18000名多的市府員工，絕大部分已接種疫苗。波士頓教師工會本週也表示，在8403名工會成員中，只有367名教育者還未接種疫苗。

             波士頓市的4大公安工會，波士頓消防員本地718分會，波士頓警察主管聯盟(Boston Police Superior Officers Federation)，波士頓警探慈善會 (Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society)，以及波士頓巡邏警察協會(Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association)在9日發了一封公開信給吳弭市長，表示他們對波士頓市政府在協商時，又延期，又取消會談的處理過程感到非常失望。

             在吳弭接任市長之初，工會為戴口罩規定反應激烈，抗議人士不但跟著吳弭，把抗議聲音帶到各個場合，還每天早上在吳弭家門外吹號敲鼓的抗議。

             不過10號早上，在吳弭家門外，只有大多數是退休人士的支持者，靜靜地站在那兒。抗議人士沒出現。

             一名支持者的標語牌寫著，”謝謝你，吳市長，謝謝你的支持工作人員健康與安全”。

波士頓慈濟人文學校慶虎年新春 竹筒回娘家賑濟災民

波士頓慈濟人文學校校長彭淑敏(右一)和財神一起發壓歲紅包給全校師生。波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮(後右四)拱手拜年。(慈濟人文學校提供)

波士頓慈濟人文學校竹筒回娘家，濟助中西部風災難民。(慈濟人文學校提供)

    (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導) 波士頓慈濟人文學校慶祝壬寅虎年，2月6日舉辦春節聯歡會。各年級學生輪番表演，校長彭淑敏請財神發壓歲紅包給全校師生，邀波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮即席揮毫，一同祝禱「一元復始、萬象更新」。

             在美國過農曆新年，不容易營造氣氛，波士頓慈濟人文學校這天不但刻意布置一番，準備了橘（吉）、梨（利）和發糕，祝老師們大吉大利發發發，還以及舞獅，財神爺發紅包，給人好意頭的喜氣洋洋感覺。

波士頓慈濟人文學校的老師以新春剪紙，擺出年節氣氛。(慈濟人文學校提供)

            會場內安排有寫春聯，寫春字，剪立體春，做燈籠，拓印虎年板畫，剪紙教學，拍全家福照片等親子活動，不斷播放著2021年全球慈濟大藏經，慈濟波士頓大藏經，要讓更多人知道，過去這一年來，慈濟在全球各地以及大波士頓的努力耕耘足跡，藉以鼓勵人感恩自己平安度過一年，也轉身幫助有需要的人。

             在強調年節氣氛中，慈濟各年級學生都準備了與年有關的活動。

           幼中班學生唱唸「新年到，穿新衣，戴新帽，大街上，放鞭炮，舞龍舞獅真熱鬧...」的歌謠，幼大班學說吉祥話，做獅臉面具，為恭喜發財字樣著色，一年級學生聽老師講解辦年貨，大掃除，年夜飯等習俗，以及吉祥話和春節食物的關聯。

波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮即席揮毫。(慈濟人文學校提供)

           二年級由老師以「年的故事」為開頭，設了摺紙，做燈籠和寫書法的3個攤位。三年級學生在老師引導下學習如何張貼春聯，以及春聯上下聯和橫批的分別。四年級學生以鋼琴、小提琴，大提琴演奏「恭喜、恭喜」。五年級學生表演才藝。六年級學生即席錄製「新年好」歌曲，動手做金元寶。八、九年級學生寫書法「虎」字。

             慈濟人文學校和其他中文學校在慶祝農曆新年時的最大差別在，慈濟有「全校竹筒回娘家」環節。所有慈濟學生們在這天把自己平日攢下來，存進竹筒的零錢，都帶回學校，捐了出來，藉由慈濟匯集善心，善念，善款，傳遞大愛。今年，這些回娘家的竹筒錢都捐給賑災專案，濟助去年冬天美國中西部刮颶風的受災民眾

波士頓慈濟不畏疫情 賑災、服務默默行

波士頓慈濟新春小團聚，左起李豐、陳裕逢、蔣宗壬、長金滿、潘昭榮，張桂英、
李佩屏等人。(周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 寒冬賑災送暖。慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處行善腳步不停，2月5日組隊前往Sailsbury關懷火災受難戶，2月9日在波士頓華埠服務站新春小團聚，鼓勵有需要的民眾，隨時致電聯繫，或每週二、三、六親臨洽談。

慈濟波士頓聯絡處負責人長金滿(中)和慈濟波士頓華埠服務站的聯絡人陳裕逢(右)，
李豐(左)。(周菊子攝)

              慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處負責人長金滿表示，新冠病毒疫情逼使該處減少了許多會所活動，但賑災、做善事是慈濟的使命，那兒有需要，慈濟人就會匯聚力量往那兒去。波士頓華埠服務站目前由陳裕逢，李豐2人負責輪值，調配，因應地方民眾需求，就地接待，或提供代看信件等服務。他們也將在天氣轉暖後，重新開始清掃華埠，鼓勵環保節能行動。

波士頓僑教中心特地送上"福運旺來"的春聯，以及虎年燈籠，給慈濟增添喜氣。
(周菊子攝)

              長金滿並透露，經由聯合國全球和平發展基金會董事長楊愛倫爭取的 CDC 聯邦經費，慈濟基金會將每週一次，為志工免費提供準確度高達99.7%的 PCR 新冠核酸檢測。波士頓慈濟已收到50多份美國製造的檢測劑，這週末就可發給掃描二維碼預先登記的志工。

              賑濟火災受難戶這事則源於1月17日，麻州東北方郊區小鎮Sailsbury在凌晨1點45分，突然失火。當天氣溫太低，風勢強勁，風速高達每小時20到30英里，火苗迅速蔓延，一下子就燒成9級火警，包括「麥可的海邊汽車旅館 (Michael’s Oceanfront Motel)」，1棟有12戶居民的公寓樓宇，以及3棟民房，一下子就捲入熊熊火舌中，麻州和鄰近新罕布夏州的30多個消防局共出動了100名消防員，30輛消防車，奔往滅火。

              最後火是滅了，還幸運的無人傷亡，但是那5棟房屋卻都夷為平地，共24戶36人瞬間無家可歸。

              這些災民，一部分由紅十字會安排住進聚火災地點約5分鐘車程的Knolly Pine 汽車旅館，一部分人去了自己的親友家暫住。

慈濟基金會今年的年曆以"一道屬光"來貸給人們希望。(周菊子攝)

              麻州急難救助局 (MEMA)當天迅速行動，邀集紅十字會、救世軍、房屋局，以及慈濟波士頓聯絡處，到Sailsbury老人中心，瞭解、探詢災民的需要。其中有13戶人家向慈濟求助，紅十字會也轉介了13名災民，請慈濟訪談需要。

              波士頓慈濟匯整資訊，張羅籌備後，原定1月29日探訪受災戶，發放物資及賑濟金，沒想到卻遇上風速每小時50到60英里，降雪20多到30英吋的大風雪，只得延至2月5日，由9名志工在攝氏零下5度中，開著2輛廂型車，載滿物資，到Sailsbury的老人中心，和其他11名志工會合，把金額從300到1000元不等，總值9900元的21張現金卡，以及20條環保毛毯，32條環保圍巾，20何靜思薄餅等物資，送到受災戶手中。

             

波士頓慈濟志工到Sailsbury發放物資，賑濟火災受難戶。(慈濟提供)

在發放救災物資時，慈濟志工們也不忘親切慰問，給受災戶們一個關懷滿滿的大擁抱，鼓勵他們積極面對人生。

              有一位災民的遭遇最是讓人唏噓。他年僅半百，卻遭遇過3次大火，每次都燒到只留下他一條命，其餘盡皆化為灰燼。波士頓慈濟志工聽到他的故事，無不泛淚，也都感佩，稱許他仍能樂觀面對未來。

              波士頓慈濟負責人長金滿表示，帶動社會向善，鼓勵人們茹素，呼籲注重環保，都是慈濟在震災之外的志業，希望有更多人能加入行善行列。查詢波士頓慈濟詳情，可上網http://www.tzuchiboston.org/。

波士頓第一區市議員4月5日補選 Gabriela Coletta獲前任背書

 Gabriela Coletta endorsed by Lydia Edwards

Endorsement comes from the newly elected State Senator

BOSTON – Gabriela Coletta, candidate for Boston City Councilor District One, announced the endorsement of her former boss, First Suffolk & Middlesex State Senator and District One Councilor Lydia Edwards. Preliminary Election Day is April 5, 2022. General Election Day is May 3, 2022.

“Gabriela Coletta is the most prepared, competent, and capable person to be the next City Councilor. She is uniquely qualified for the job. She came out of Boston Public Schools, worked in government, and has done incredible work fighting to ensure Boston’s waterfront is truly a waterfront for all,” said Edwards. “As my first Chief of staff, she demonstrated unmatched commitment, compassion, and drive, and proved she is ready to do the work of a city councilor…she knows the district like the back of her hand. Whether by policy, project, or by pothole - she knows the work.”

Lydia Edwards is one of the many elected leaders to endorse Gabriela Coletta for Boston City Council District 1.

“The endorsement of my former boss and mentor, now State Senator Lydia Edwards, means a great deal to me," said Coletta. "I've had a front row seat to her advocacy and I've learned so much about how to effectively fight for this district. I intend to utilize the knowledge I gained as chief of staff to uplift our communities, to center the lived experiences of all district one residents, and advocate for what we deserve in City Hall.”

Gabriela Coletta, candidate for Boston City Council District 1 will host a weekend of action with State Senator Edwards and other endorsed elected officials to door knock in East Boston on Saturday and Charlestown on Sunday. Please visit gigi4district1.us/events to sign up and learn more.

In just the first month of her candidacy, Coletta has raised over $70,000 and secured the endorsement of over seventy community leaders including various former and current elected officials. 

Coletta intends to run a robust, grassroots campaign focused on listening to residents, having inclusive discussions about the issues, and will bring her vision for the district directly to voters. To learn more visit about gabrielacoletta.com, Facebook at @GigiforDistrictOne, and Twitter @Gigi4District1