星期四, 8月 04, 2022

波士頓華埠居民會談全市增加20個投票站 支持Food Opera酒牌轉移申請

波士頓華埠居民會8月例會仍然在網上舉行。
               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓華埠居民會 8月3日晚在網上召開月例會，解說華埠投票站變動，支持” 喜臨門” 餐廳酒牌轉移，預告8月6日有美華村、尊尼閣街區派對，8月14日有中華公所中秋節聯歡會等活動。

              波士頓選務局局長Eneida Tavares，以及該局的Sabino Piemonte當晚應邀出席，解說波士頓市選務局今年4月調整各選區投票站選民人數，凡是超過3000人的投票站，都以2000上下為準則，做了調整。共有2至9，以及15、16、19、20等11個選區的投票站數量或地點有變動。

波士頓選務局局長Eneida Tavares 說明選區投票站變動。 (周菊子翻攝自網會視頻)
              波士頓市原有共有22個選區 (ward)，255個投票站，前述11個選區投票站數量依選民人口數做增減調整後，共增加了20個投票站。其中增加數量最多的是包括華埠的第3選區，投票站數量從8個變成17個。有許多華埠居民的第5選區，則增加了3個投票站。

              第8選區的投票站數量則是從7個減少1個，變動後只有6個。其他個選區的變動多為增加1至3個投票站。

華埠居民會會議由會長黃國威主持。 
              根據波士頓市選務局網站上可察看的選區投票站變動簡報，第3選區包括北端 (North End) ，西端 (West End) ，城中區 (Downtown)，南端 (South End) ，中國城 (Chinatown)，原本只有8個投票站，各投票站的選民人數從2000到7000，差距頗大。調整後，投票站數量增至17個，各投票站選民人數調整為最低有1161人的第13號投票站，以及最高有2604人的第10號投票站。

              中國城的這第3選區第8號投票站，原有選民7241人。調整之後，縮減為2542人。新增的中國城/皮革區這第14號投票站，有選民1860人。

              調整後第3選區第8號投票站和新增的第14號投票站的投票地點一樣，都在華埠內屋接 (Oak) 8號的的王氏青年會 (Wang YMCA) 。

華人前進會主任陳玉珍為選務局長做翻譯。
              第3選區的第7號投票站，投票地點不變，和新增的第17號投票站，都在華盛頓接1336號的天主教高中體育館。

              第3選區新增的第12及第13號投票站，投票地點都在Arch街100號的聖安東尼教堂 (St. Anthony Shrine) 。在會中為選務局做翻譯的華人前進會主任陳玉珍說明，美順樓，彩絲樓，史頓樓的居民，都改在這個投票站投票。

             住在華福樓的居民，要改到所物街 (Shawmut) 120 號的波士頓華人佈道會現址去投票。

共有2至9，以及15、16、19、20等11個選區的投票站數量或地點有變動。
              第5選區的第1號投票站，包括城中區/中國城/南端，原本有4684選民，經調整後，減少為1704名選民，投票站地點改至天滿街 (Tremont) 539號的Cyclorama劇院。堡壘村居民將改到這個地點投票。

              Eneida Tavares在會上說明，這一選區及投票站的變動，從今年9月6日的初選，就開始實施。選務局將在寄發提早投票通知時，提醒選民相關變動。

              8月27、28兩日的早上11點至下午7點，是波士頓市華埠的提早投票日。選民可到華埠昆士小學大樓內的波士頓青年及家庭中心 (BCYF)投票。由於選民登記的截止日也是8月27日，當天登記為選民者可在提早投票站立刻投票。

              波士頓市的提早投票日為8月27日至9月2日。有意以郵寄方式投票者，必須在8月29日下午5點前向市政府提出申請。

第3選區的投票站從8個增為17個。

              Eneida Tavares在回答鄺寶蓮的提問時說明，無論是郵寄選票或提早投票，只要民眾預先向市政府提出要求，都可拿到雙語選票。

              在華埠居民會主席黃國威建議下，Eneida Tavares感謝華埠居民會與華人前進會的願意協助，到老人屋等地派發通知，或設立看板，讓更多華埠居民知道投票地點可能有的變動。

                查詢投票站變動，或要查悉各人自己的投票站地點，可上波士頓市府網站www.boston.gov/election，或者上州政府網站www.wheredoivotema.com，以及https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx。

Food Opera餐廳老闆梁國光親自出席會議，請華埠居民支持酒牌轉移申請。
              華埠居民會當晚的第2項議題是喜臨門大酒樓因土地發展計畫關門後，東主梁國光 (Albert Leung) 希望把喜臨門的酒牌轉給他在潮州城舊址經營的新餐廳 Food Opera使用。雖然兩家餐廳的老闆是同一個人，但餐廳不同，仍須辦理牌照轉移手續。由於梁國光在華埠經營餐廳不下40年，許多人都認識他，梁國光又親自出席會議，表現了誠意，當晚只走了個程序，就無異議的通過支持了。該餐廳營業時間為早上10點至凌晨2點。

華人前進會的鄺寶蓮提醒華埠居民， 8月6日，14日這兩個週末都有熱鬧活動。
              波士頓市亞裔聯絡員黃楚嵐當晚也特地出席會議，說明波士頓市長吳弭剛發佈熱浪警報 (Heat Emergency) ，8月4至7日這幾天的早上9點至下午5點，都可以到昆士小學大樓內的波士頓青年家庭中心 (BCYF)納涼。

              會末，鄺寶蓮提醒華埠居民，這週末的8月6日，華埠土地信託會和華人前進會攜手，在美華村和尊尼閣前的空地舉辦"社區遊樂日"的街區派對，另外8月14日有中華公所舉辦的中秋節聯歡會，都有很多讓人開心的表演及活動。



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星期三, 8月 03, 2022

AG HEALEY JOINS COALITION ADVOCATING FOR TRANSGENDER STUDENTS’ RIGHTS

AG HEALEY JOINS COALITION ADVOCATING FOR TRANSGENDER STUDENTS’ RIGHTS

Coalition of 15 Attorneys General File Brief to Protect an Indiana Transgender Student Against Gender-Based Discrimination 

 

BOSTON — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey today joined a coalition of 15 attorneys general in filing a brief in support of a 13-year-old Indiana transgender boy who is suing his school district for banning him from using the boys’ bathrooms, instead forcing him to use a single-sex restroom located in the school’s medical clinic.

 

The brief, filed today in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, urges the appeals court to affirm a lower court ruling requiring the Metropolitan School District of Martinsville, Indiana to allow the student to use the boys’ bathrooms in his school. The coalition argues that preventing a transgender student from using a school restroom consistent with the student’s gender identity violates Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 by denying transgender students access to the same common restrooms as cisgender students.

 

“Trans kids deserve the right to be their full authentic selves at school,” AG Healey said. “Discriminatory policies like this one stigmatize transgender children and put them at risk. I’m joining my colleagues in calling on the court to protect their rights.”

According to the brief, over 1.6 million people in the United States, including approximately 300,000 youth between the ages of 13 and 17, identify as transgender. Transgender students experience discrimination, violence and harassment at rates that far exceed their cisgender peers.

Today’s brief is a continuation of AG Healey’s ongoing advocacy for the equal rights of LGBTQI+ individuals. Earlier this year, AG Healey joined a coalition of attorneys general in filing an amicus brief opposing an Arkansas law that prohibits healthcare professionals from providing transgender teenagers with medically necessary care. Last year, AG Healey was part of a coalition of attorneys general who filed an amicus brief in support of a transgender student who sued the St. Johns County School Board in Florida for gender identity discrimination. In 2017, she joined an amicus brief filed with the Supreme Court in support of a transgender student suing his school in Gloucester County, Virginia for gender identity discrimination. In 2016, AG Healey worked closely with advocates, the business community, and transgender families to successfully garner support for the passage of an amendment to Massachusetts’ Public Accommodations Law protecting against discrimination on the basis of gender identity.

Joining AG Healey in filing the brief are the attorneys general of California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington and the District of Columbia. 

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波士頓市長吳弭宣佈熱浪來襲 8/4-7開放16 社區中心供民眾納涼

MAYOR WU DECLARES HEAT EMERGENCY, OPENS 16 BCYF COOLING CENTERS TO ALL RESIDENTS
BOSTON - Wednesday, August 3, 2022 -  Today, Mayor Michelle Wu declared a heat emergency in the City of Boston beginning tomorrow, August 4 through Sunday, August 7, due to the upcoming weather forecasts. High temperatures will reach into the 90s, with the heat index expected to reach high 90s to over 100 degrees. 

“We’re working quickly to make sure all of our Boston residents and families are protected during this week’s extremely hot weather,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I urge everyone to stay cool and safe, and check on your neighbors during the week. I’m thankful for the many City employees who are preparing for this emergency and will be responding to calls for service throughout our neighborhoods.”

To help residents stay cool, cooling centers will be open at 16 Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) community centers through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A full list of centers can be found at boston.gov/heat. Due to the rising COVID-19 case count, the use of masks in cooling centers is strongly recommended. Additionally, splash pads will be open at parks and playgrounds throughout the City. Select indoor BCYF pools and the outdoor BCYF MIrabella Pool in the North End are open. Registration for a time to swim can be found at this link.

Anyone, regardless of their medical conditions, can feel the impacts of extreme heat. During last month’s heat wave Boston EMS experienced a 15-20% rise in daily calls to 9-1-1.

“We strongly encourage people to increase hydration and avoid outside activities during the hotter parts of the day, from 11am-6pm,” said Boston Emergency Medical Services Chief James Hooley. “With multiple days of high heat, we see people of all ages, including the young and healthy, who are affected by the heat.” 

The City of Boston is taking critical immediate action to provide heat relief, including short-term, actionable steps toward relief during heat waves. The City of Boston has been engaging in a variety of catalytic projects to support extreme heat mitigation and improved health for residents. This includes the distribution of pop-up cooling kits with a hose, misters, and a tent to community organizations that have public events this summer. 

Boston Public Library locations are available for residents to seek relief from the heat. The East Boston and Egleston Square branches recently installed misters in their outdoor free WiFi zones. 

The Boston Public Schools is encouraging students and their families to prepare for hot weather this week by staying well hydrated and dressing appropriately. Families are welcome to send their children to their respective summer programs, which will provide students with water and meals. Additionally, the majority of summer sites are equipped with air conditioning and fans will be delivered to sites in need of cooling.
 
Information on heat safety tips can be found online at boston.gov/heat and by following @CityofBoston on Twitter. Residents can sign up for AlertBoston, the City's emergency notification system, to receive emergency alerts by phone, email or text. Sign up online here. Residents are also encouraged to call 311 with any questions about available City services.

The Mayor issued the following heat safety tips:
  • Children and pets should never be left alone in vehicles, even for short periods of time.
  • Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids regardless of activity level. Avoid alcoholic beverages and liquids high in sugar or caffeine.
  • Keep cool with frequent cool showers, shade, and air conditioning or fans. 
  • Limit outdoor activity to morning and evening hours. Rest often in shady areas and be extra cautious from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., when the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation is strongest.
  • Know the signs of heat exhaustion. Heavy sweating, cool and clammy skin, dizziness, nausea, and muscle aches could all be signs of heat exhaustion. If symptoms persist, call 911 immediately. Do not delay care. Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. and can exacerbate underlying illnesses.
  • Adults and children should use sunscreen containing an SPF-30 or higher and wear protective, loose-fitting clothing including long sleeve shirts and hats.
  • If you have a child in your home, use child window guards in addition to screens on any open window on the second story or above. Falls are the leading cause of injury for children under the age of six. 
  • Secure all window air conditioner units according to the manufacturer's specifications.
  • If you are heading to a beach, lake, or pool to beat the heat, swim where lifeguards are present. Always watch children near the water and make sure they’re wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket.
  • Please call or check on neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities.
  • Please keep pets indoors, hydrated, and cool as asphalt and ground conditions are significantly hotter and unsafe during heat.

Helping Individuals Experiencing Homelessness:
  • If you see individuals out in the heat who appear immobile or disoriented, please ask them if they need assistance and call 911 immediately.
  • The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) operates emergency shelters at 112 Southampton St (men’s shelter) and 794 Massachusetts Ave (women’s shelter). These facilities are air conditioned and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Amnesty has been called because of extremely high temperatures so those with non-violent restrictions can access shelter out of the heat. 
  • The City of Boston works closely with a network of shelter providers to ensure there is adequate shelter, food, water, and a cool respite from the heat.
  • Street outreach teams providing recovery services remain operating as normal during summertime weather. Outreach teams are providing water on outreach routes.
  • The Engagement Center at 112 Southampton Street, run by BPHC, will be open and provides air conditioning, showers, and beverages from 8AM – 5PM, seven days a week.  

Playground Safety:  
  • Shoes should be worn outdoors, including playgrounds and turf athletic fields, as  surfaces can become extremely hot and cause burns, even on splash pads and spray decks.

Outdoor Fires and Grilling:
  • No outdoor fires are allowed in Boston, including fire pits, chimineas, and bonfires.
  • Charcoal grills must be on the ground and away from buildings. Keep in mind the wind and never leave grills unattended. Dispose of the ash in a metal container once completely out.
  • Propane tank grills are only allowed on first floor porches with steps to the ground. Do not place propane tank grills near air conditioners or up against a building. Make sure all connections are tight and never carry propane tanks into a home.
  • Grills should always be used in a well-ventilated area.

Mayor Wu recently announced Heat Resilience Solutions for Boston, a citywide framework to prepare Boston for hotter summers and more intense heat events. The Heat Plan presents 26 strategies that will help build a more just, equitable, and resilient Boston. To support the implementation of the Heat Plan, the City will launch the Boston Extreme Temperatures Response Task Force, which will help deliver a unified, all-of-government response to address chronic high temperature conditions and prepare the city in advance of extreme heat events. The Task Force’s work will be supported by the Environment Department, the Office of Emergency Management, and the Boston Public Health Commission’s Office of Public Health Preparedness with the goal of collaboratively protecting and promoting the health and wellbeing of Boston residents facing increasing temperatures and other climate risks. 
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麻州地鐵橘線將停駛一個月 麻州長今午宣佈細節

麻州州長查理貝克 (右，Charlie Baker) 和麻州地鐵總經理Steve Poftak (左)聯袂宣佈
橘線地鐵停駛一個月。 (周菊子攝)
               (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 上個月中，麻州地鐵 (MBTA)橘線經過神秘河 (Mystic)時，突然著火，停在橋上，乘客紛紛爬窗逃生，其中一名女乘客，索性跳進河裏。這事件的照片上了全美報紙頭條。麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker) 今 (3) 日中午宣佈橘線將暫時停駛一個月。

              在麻州地鐵的紅，藍，綠，橘等四條路線中，橘線是繁忙度第2高的路線。

              麻州州長查理貝克今日在威靈頓 (Wellington)車站，這個橘線地鐵從這兒出發後不久就著火了的車站，宣佈橘線暫時停駛。

在威靈頓站的橘線地鐵車廂，新舊並列。 (周菊子攝)
             地鐵當局在今日之前，已經有人透露，考慮停駛30天，以進行早就該作的維修。傳統上，地鐵維修是擠在每日正常行駛班次的2小時休班時間中進行，但那些早就該做的維修，無法擠壓得在這2小時內完成。

              麻州地鐵總經理Steve Poftak今日和麻州州長一起出席”加速更新地鐵基礎設備計畫”的說明會。

              麻州交通廳廳長James Tesler也出席在場。

              麻州地鐵局董事會今早10點15分，安排了一場會議，檢視地鐵和”洋基線 (A Yankee Line)”的合約。該公司在地鐵路線局部停駛時，提供巴士轉運服務。

              橘線地鐵從摩頓市 (Malden)行駛到牙買加平原 (Jamaica Plain) ，共有20個車站，是這整個社區內人們的最基本交通選擇。根據麻州地鐵的數據，以2021年10月來說，每日平均載客量為10萬4000人。藍線是4萬1000人，綠線9萬4000人，紅線12萬5000人。

橘線地鐵的軌道也需要維修。 (周菊子攝)
              自從綠線在2021年7月發生碰撞事件後，麻州地鐵發生了一連串事故，包括後灣車站電梯故障，造成人們堆疊流血，9人受傷；Wilmington穿越信號的故障，造成通勤火車把一名開車經過的女子撞死在車中；還有2次綠線車廂撞擊脫軌，使得4名乘客受傷；在百老匯車站，一名乘客的手臂被紅線地鐵車門夾住，遭拖行死亡。

              聯邦交通管理局 (The Federal Transit Administration) 從4月起展開了密集的安全調查，最後的報告預定本月份出爐。

              6月時，聯邦交通管理局說他們發現麻州地鐵沒有足夠的調派員 (dispatchers)來安全的營運地鐵，於是麻州地鐵縮減了20%的橘線，藍線及紅線的地鐵服務。聯邦調查員還說麻州地鐵需要修理並大量更新車軌。

              聯邦交通管理局發現，10%的麻州地鐵車軌因為瑕疵，都必須限速，其中包括橘線在塔芙茨 (Tufts)醫療中心站和後灣站 (Back Bay)之間路段的低速區，已經限速一年多了。

              橘線地鐵還面對著1979到1981年間加入行駛行列車廂的安全問題。其中一輛車廂在側板脫落，觸及電力化的第三軌道時著火了，逼使200多乘客瘋狂逃生。

              2014年時，麻州地鐵挑選了CRRC MA，一家中國公司，以遠低於競爭者的標價，得到在春田市建組裝廠，遞交數以百計橘線及紅線新車廂的合約。

              截至上個月，麻州地鐵已收到152節新橘線車廂中的78節車廂，以及252節紅線車廂中的12節。麻州地鐵發言人Joe Pesaturo在7月22日時表示，該公司已經說過，新冠病毒疫情和共應鏈問題造成延緩。

              波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)呼籲過，以更激烈方式來修理麻州地鐵的老化架構。

              她說，”我們正在這節骨眼上，麻州地鐵不能夠再一直踢罐子”。”我們將和該局緊密合作，確保波士頓市為任何額外變動做準備、支援，以確保在這期間，該做的工作確實發生，讓我們能夠真正的看到服務改善”。 (更新版，加註圖說)
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美國商務部宣佈五億元好工作挑戰32贏家

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN $500 MILLION GOOD JOBS CHALLENGE TO EXPAND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

32 Regional Partnerships Receive Once-In-A-Generation Funding from the American Rescue Plan to Develop Training Programs that Support Local Economies and Place an Additional 50,000 Workers in Quality Jobs

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S.August 3, 2022

Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced grant awards to 32 industry-led workforce training partnerships across the country as part of the $500 million Good Jobs Challenge funded by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. The Good Jobs Challenge is administered by the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration and will enable communities across the country to invest in innovative approaches to workforce development that will secure job opportunities for more than 50,000 Americans.

The 32 winning projects were selected from a competitive pool of 509 applicants. By partnering with labor unions, community colleges, industry, and other stakeholders, these projects will solve for local talent needs and increase the supply of trained workers and help workers secure jobs in 15 key industries that are essential to U.S. supply chains, global competitiveness, and regional development. This funding will advance a broad range of sectors—including agriculture and food production, energy and resilience, healthcare, manufacturing and information technology—jumpstarting the design, development, implementation, and expansion of training programs that are tailored specifically to each community.

“A trained workforce is essential to ensuring that the United States can compete and succeed in the 21st century,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Thanks to funding from the American Rescue Plan, the Commerce Department is able to make once-in-a-generation investments in industry-driven, and locally-led workforce systems that will create high-quality jobs and accelerate regional economic growth, especially for underserved communities.”

Further, these projects will expand access to the workforce and increase labor participation through a focus on job quality and equity. The projects will serve and support a broad range of individuals from underserved populations across the country in urban and rural areas, including members of Latino, African American, Indigenous, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, as well as women, the formerly incarcerated, and those recovering from substance abuse disorder. By providing access to high-quality jobs that include good pay, benefits and career mobility for Americans who need it most and simultaneously serving vital industries, these grants will support flourishing regional economies that in turn benefit the nation’s growth, competitiveness and resilience. Many of these investments also advance the goals of the President’s Talent Pipeline Challenge to create equitable workforce development opportunities for infrastructure jobs.

“Workforce development is a critical pillar to supporting innovative and competitive economic development, and the Good Jobs Challenge is working hand-in-hand with diverse partners and local leaders to strengthen local economic recovery and resiliency,” said Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves. “The Good Jobs Challenge prioritizes employer leadership and hiring commitments, which we know are critical to expanding career opportunities for more Americans to reach their full potential and secure good jobs, leading to a stronger regional and national economy.”

“By integrating industry in every step of the talent development process, these awardees are focused on supporting underserved communities in diverse areas across the country, helping to remove systemic barriers for workers and connecting employers with the trained workforce they need to grow and sustain competitive local economies,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Castillo.

The Good Jobs Challenge is part of a suite of American Rescue Plan programs developed by EDA to equitably distribute its $3 billion allocation to assist communities nationwide in their efforts to build a better America by accelerating economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and building more resilient, shockproof local economies. EDA is currently evaluating all applications and will announce grantees for the full suite of programs by September 30, 2022.

For more information, please visit our fact sheet. (PDF)

The project leads for each awardee are listed below. (Project summaries are available via hyperlinks.)

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