星期二, 9月 12, 2023

波士頓市議會 9/12 初選 第3567等四個選區有競爭

               (Boston Orange 綜合報導) 912日是2023年波士頓市議會議員選舉的初選日,各席位得票最高的2名候選人,將於117日一決勝負。13個議員席位,只有35674個選區的分區市議員席位有競爭。

              其餘的分區,以及不分區議員席位,或者無人競爭,或者參選者不超過2人,不必辦理初選。

              波士頓市在2021年選出一個有史以來最多元化的市議會之後,包括選區重劃,市府預算審議等,爭議不斷,甚至還出現過市府員工聲稱受議員威脅,議員們互相指責言語涉嫌種族歧視等狀況。

              最近又發生3名市議員涉嫌違紀狀況,包括第6區市議員Kendra Lara涉嫌無照駕駛,開未買保險的車,小孩在車上沒依照交通規則的坐在安全座椅上;第5區市議員Ricardo Arroyo涉嫌曾經違反利益衝突法,為他曾任波士頓市府健康及人民服務長的哥哥擔任辯護律師,繳交了3000元罰款,年輕時曾涉嫌性騷擾事件曝光,還在競選薩福克郡地方檢察官時,讓美國駐麻州地方檢察官Rachael Rollins不恰當地宣佈調查其競爭對手,成為了導致Rachael Rollins下台的原因之一 ;第7區市議員Tania Fernandes Anderson涉嫌違反利益衝突法,聘用自己的兒子出任職員,繳交了罰款5000元等事故。

              然後,第3選區市議員Frank Baker,不分區市議員Michael Flaherty紛紛倦勤,棄選連任。第8區市議員白凱欣 (Kenzie Bok) 於今年5月轉任波士頓市房屋局局長,曾經是波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 助理,為其籌款的Sharon Dunkan補選上位,接任其職。

              於是,往年人們不太關注的市級選舉,今年似乎備受矚目。

Sharon Dunkan (左)已順利補選成為第8區市議員,將在11月大選後,
同額當選為任期2年的市議員。 (周菊子攝)
              尤其是波士頓市長吳弭面對著市議會的經常出現不同聲音,在這次選舉中,公然出面為候選人站台,動用人脈,支持她就任市長後新設"公民組織辦公室 (Office of Civic Organization」所聘用,年僅27歲的Henry Santana競選不分區市議員;支持Sharon Dunkan參加第8區市議員補選;還讓許多人跌眼鏡的支持現年僅26歲,曾任波士頓市鄰里服務辦公室主任的多明尼加移民之子Enrique Pepén參選第5區市議員,和原本一直是吳弭盟友的Ricardo Arroyo競爭。

              至於第3區市議員席位,在市議會選區重劃後,一部分南端地區,原本屬於第2選區,今年被劃進第3選區後,選民們將須在已辭世麻州眾議員Kevin Fitzgerald之子,得到波士頓市前市長馬丁華殊 (Marty Walsh) 背書支持,現任波士頓計畫發展局 (BPDA) 物業營運副主任的John Fitzgerald,來自路易斯安那州,住在多徹斯特的Jennifer Johnson,來自南卡羅來納州,住在多徹斯特,曾任學校老師,現經營小企業的Barry Lawton;工人權益律師暨社區組織者Matthew Patton,和波士頓公校老師Joel Richards,以及曾擔任前波士頓市議員John Connolly幕僚長的Ann Walsh,新英格蘭婦女崛起中 (Women on the Rise New England)會長兼執行長Rosalind Wornum7名參選者中,選出2人進入11月大選。

星期一, 9月 11, 2023

美國總統拜登紀念911 (視頻)


President Biden delivers remarks to service members, first responders, and their families on the anniversary of 9/11.

麻州紀念911 在州政府大樓升旗唸讀逝者姓名 (短視頻)


麻州州長Maura Healey把國旗捧到旗桿前,交給環保衛隊。 (周菊子攝)
               (Boston Orange 綜合報導) 麻州正副州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) Kim Driscoll和波士頓市市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 911日一大清早,在州政府大樓正門前的入口階梯上,舉行升半旗,默哀儀式,唱唸206名麻州逝者姓名,誌記世界從此改變了的這一天,已然踏入22週年。

麻州州長Maura Healey (中) 和副州長Kim Driscoll在911紀念儀式中。
(周菊子攝)
              22年前的911日這天,恐怖組織在美國發動一連串自殺式恐怖攻擊,分別有19名蓋達組織 (Al-Qaeda)恐怖分子,劫持了4架民航客機,其中2架分別撞向紐約世貿中心雙塔的2座大樓,導致全球約90個國家的2753人遇難的悲劇。

              另外2架被劫飛機,一架撞向白宮的五角大廈,一架墜毀在賓州的尚克思維爾。位紀念這一事件蓋的911國家紀念博物館,銘刻了2977名罹難者姓名。

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 在儀式中聆聽其他人朗讀逝者姓名。
(周菊子攝)
              從這一天以後,在全世界各地搭乘飛機的人都必須接受嚴格的安全檢查。每年這一天,全美各地都有紀念活動。
911事件罹難家屬上台朗讀逝者姓名。
(周菊子攝)

              麻州州長奚莉和波士頓市長吳弭等人一早在州政府大樓前舉行唱名紀念儀式,由麻州9/11基金家庭顧問委員會成員Leslie Blair致詞,迎接到場出席者,Josh Groban演唱”To Where You Are”,麻州州長奚莉捧著國旗,在波士頓兒童合唱團演唱星條旗美國國歌聲中,交給環保衛隊在”We Remember Them (我們記得他們)” 的歌聲中,把國旗升至旗桿的一半,再全場默哀後,由州長,副州長,市長及911事件家屬朗讀在911事件中,來自麻州的206名逝者的姓名,並敲鐘以表悼念。

              接著頒發今年的Amy Sweeney勇敢公民獎,給從一棟燃燒中的房屋,把1名女子救了出來的4Berlin鎮居民。 Amy Sweeney911事件中的一名空中小姐,麻州Acton鎮居民。

              這天下午,在波士頓公共花園接著舉行獻花圈儀式,由波士頓市長吳弭主持。

              全美各地這天都為911事件舉辦紀念活動。美國總統拜登 (Joe Biden) 呼籲「團結守護民主」,美國紅十字會及紅襪隊,Beth Israel Deaconess 醫療中心攜手,在波士頓的芬衛球場 (Fenway Park) 舉辦捐血活動。

2024波士頓馬拉松賽今日起接受報名 160個慈善項目獲選合作

Courtesy form BAA.
            (Boston Orange 編譯) 波士頓體育會 (B. A. A.) 宣佈,911日起接受第128屆波士頓馬拉松賽參賽報名,已選定160個組織參加由美國銀行贊助,訂2024415日舉行之比賽的活動慈善計畫。

             2023年的波士頓馬拉松賽,共籌募了破紀錄的4030萬美元。自波士頓馬拉松賽從1989年開始舉辦慈善籌款計畫以來,累計已為慈善機構募得5002億美元。2024年的慈善募款將由美國銀行統籌,已選定160個非營利組織參加募款籌資活動。

圖片來自推特。
             美國銀行大波士頓區總裁Miceal Chamberlain表示,波士頓馬松賽和參賽者對社區有巨大影響力,該行在全世界各地參與體育活動,盡社會責任。

             波士頓體育會執行長Jack Fleming表示,社區參與和慈善是該會的2大基石,2024將和美國銀行合作,與所有參賽者一起為明年415日的比賽做準備。

             美國銀行波士頓馬拉松正式慈善計畫的160個組織名單,相關信息,以及正式慈善計畫內容,可以在此處找到。

B.A.A. Announces 2024 Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program Members

Organizations ready to fundraise ahead of 128th Boston Marathon on April 15 

BOSTON – The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has announced that 160 organizations have been selected for the 2024 Bank of America Boston Marathon® Official Charity Program. All organizations will raise valuable funds for worthy causes leading up to the 128th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America on Monday, April 15, 2024. 

The Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program provides invitational entries into the Boston Marathon to select non-profit organizations. Comprising almost 10% of the total field size, organizations utilize entries to recruit athletes who pledge to raise funds for their cause. In 2023, athletes fundraising in the Boston Marathon raised a record $40.3 million, and since the charity program’s inception in 1989, more than $500.2 million has been fundraised. 

“The Boston Marathon, and all those who participate in it, have an enormous impact on our community,” said Miceal Chamberlain, Bank of America President of Greater Boston. “Our engagement in sports and sporting events around the world, like the Boston Marathon, are one of the ways we drive Responsible Growth locally, nationally and globally.” 

“In partnering with Bank of America, we’re committed to taking steps together to elevate the Boston Marathon Official Charity Program to new heights,” said Jack Fleming, Chief Executive Officer and President of the B.A.A. “Philanthropy and community have long been two cornerstones of our event, and charity program. We’re enthusiastically cheering on participants as their fundraising and training journeys begin for April’s race.” 

A complete list of Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program organizations can be found below, while information on the official charity program and selected charities can be found HERE. 

The Boston Athletic Association will again field its own fundraising team for the Boston Marathon. B.A.A. Charity Team members fundraise to help expand the B.A.A.’s youth and community initiatives, bringing the benefits of running and healthy lifestyles to greater Boston. Applications will be accepted for 2024 B.A.A. Official Charity Team beginning today (September 11). 

Registration for the 128th Boston Marathon will begin today - September 11, 2023, within the B.A.A.’s online platform Athletes’ Village.  

The B.A.A. is committed to a world where all people can access and benefit from running and an active lifestyle. 

2024 Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program Members 

261 Fearless Inc.

Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island

50 Legs

Mass Eye and Ear

A Leg Forever

Mass Mentoring Partnership

Abby Mac Foundation

Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Achilles International - Boston

Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress

Alzheimer's Association MA/NH Chapter

Massachusetts General Hospital

America SCORES New England

McLean Hospital

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), Massachusetts Chapter

MEB Foundation

American Liver Foundation, N.E. Division

MetroWest YMCA

American Red Cross of Massachusetts

Michael Lisnow Respite Center

Back on My Feet Boston

Minds Matter Boston

Bay Cove Human Services, Inc

Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation

Bay State Games

Muscular Dystrophy Association

Best Buddies Massachusetts & Rhode Island

National Braille Press

Beth Israel Lahey Health

National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater New England Chapter

Big Sister Association of Greater Boston

National Ovarian Cancer Coalition - MA Chapter

Black Girls RUN! Foundation

New England Patriots Foundation

Boston Athletic Academy

Newton-Wellesley Hospital

Boston Athletic Association

Next Step

Boston Bruins Foundation

Officer Sean A. Collier Memorial Fund, Inc.

Boston Bulldogs Running Club

One Mission

Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation

One Summit, Inc.

Boston Children's Hospital

One World Strong Foundation

Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center

Pine Street Inn

Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program

Play Ball Foundation

Boston Medical Center

Progeria Research Foundation

Boston Police Foundation

Project HOPE Boston Inc

Boston Theater Company

Project Purple

Bottom Line

Rebekah's Angels Foundation

Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence

Red Sox Foundation

Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston

Ronald Mcdonald House Charities of New England

Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester

Rosie's Place

Brain Aneurysm Foundation

Roxbury Community College Foundation

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Samaritans, Inc.

Camp Casco

Semper Fi & America's Fund

Camp Shriver at UMass Boston

SG United Foundation

Cardinal Cushing Centers

Silver Lining Mentoring

Caring for a Cure

South Boston Neighborhood House

Casa Myrna

South Shore Hospital, Inc.

Community Rowing, Inc.

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

Cops for Kids with Cancer, Inc.

Special Olympics Massachusetts

Corey C. Griffin Foundation

Sportsmen's Tennis & Enrichment Center

Cradles to Crayons

Stride for Stride

CYCLE Kids

TargetCancer Foundation

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Team IMPACT

David Ortiz Children's Fund

Tedy's Team

Dennis "DJ" Simmonds Unsung Hero Foundation

Tenacity, Inc.

DetecTogether

The ALS Association

Doc Wayne Youth Services

The Bill Belichick Foundation

Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism

The Born to Run Foundation, Inc

Dream Big!

The Cam Neely Foundation

Ellie Fund

The Children's Room

Esplanade Association

The Dimock Center

Expect Miracles Foundation

The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation

Family Reach

The Greater Boston Food Bank, Inc.

FamilyAid

The Heather Abbott Foundation

Fast Feet Running and Athletics, Inc.

The Home for Little Wanderers

Fenway Health

The Hoyt Foundation

Fisher House of Boston

The James Gang

Girls on the Run Greater Boston

The Kita Center (Formally Camp Kita)

Golf Fights Cancer

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Massachusetts Chapter

Good Sports, Inc.

The McCourt Foundation

Gronk Nation Youth Foundation (Fiscal Sponsor - Good Causes, Inc.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

Hale Education, Inc.

The New England Center for Children (NECC)

Herren Project

The Play Brigade

Homes For Our Troops

The Sports Museum

HomeStart, Inc.

The3PointFoundation, Inc.

Horizons for Homeless Children

Thompson Island Outward Bound

House of Possibilities

Trinity Boston Connects

IMPACT Melanoma

Trustees of Tufts College

In My Running Shoes

Tufts Medical Center

InnerCity Weightlifting

UMass Chan Medical School Foundation

JDRF Greater New England

United Service Organizations Incorporated (USO)

Joe Andruzzi Foundation

Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation

John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton

Walker Therapeutic and Educational Programs

Journey Forward Inc.

Webb Norden Foundation

Krystle Campbell Memorial Fund

West End House

Light Foundation

Women's Lunch Place

Lingzi Foundation

YMCA of Greater Boston

Lovin' Spoonfuls, Inc.

Youth Enrichment Services (YES)