麻州長Healey指派Monica Tibbits-Nutt接任交通廳廳長 大波士頓商會祝賀

 Governor Healey Appoints Monica Tibbits-Nutt as Secretary of Transportation  

BOSTON – Governor Maura T. Healey today announced that she is appointing Monica Tibbits-Nutt as Secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) effective today. Tibbits-Nutt has been serving as Acting Secretary since mid-September and was previously Undersecretary for Transportation.  

 

“Monica Tibbits-Nutt is a proven leader who has done important work at MassDOT over the past year as we’ve worked to make Massachusetts’ transportation system more reliable, safe and accessible,” said Governor Healey. “As Acting Secretary, she hit the ground running by working with the MBTA to prepare a first-of-its kind plan to fix the tracks by the end of next year, taking important steps to integrate climate planning across MassDOT, securing federal funding  to support infrastructure needs, and stepping up for communities that were devastated by extreme weather. She prioritizes community engagement and equity at every turn. Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and I are confident that Secretary Tibbits-Nutt is the right person to lead the hardworking team at MassDOT and serve the people of Massachusetts.” 

 

“Secretary Tibbits-Nutt has been a deeply valued member of our team from day one, and our entire administration is thrilled to see her step into this well-deserved role,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “She has earned the respect of her colleagues and community partners, and I know that our transportation system is in good hands under her leadership.” 

 

“I am grateful to Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll for the opportunity to lead MassDOT as Secretary,” said Secretary Tibbits-Nutt. “Over the past year, I have had the privilege to serve alongside and get to know the incredible team at MassDOT. We all share a deep commitment to delivering the safe, reliable, resilient and equitable transportation system that the people of Massachusetts deserve. I am honored by the opportunity to lead the Department in this critical moment and build on the progress that the Healey-Driscoll Administration has made together.” 
 

About Monica Tibbits-Nutt 

 

Monica G. Tibbits-Nutt, AICP, LEED AP BD+C was sworn in as Acting Secretary for Transportation on September 11, 2023. She was previously appointed Undersecretary of Transportation by Governor Healey in January 2023. She also completed her tenure on the MassDOT Board of Directors and as the Vice-Chair of the Fiscal Management and Control Board (FMCB) that oversaw the MBTA from 2015-2021.  

  

For the past two months as Acting Secretary, she has: 

 

• Facilitated emergency construction and relief in the wake of the catastrophic flash flooding and property damage caused by the October 11 rainstorm. 

• Received more than $108 million in funding from the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program, which will lay the groundwork for construction of West-East Rail. 

• Submitted federal funding applications for the Cape Cod Bridges, the Allston Multimodal Project, the Vernon Hill project in Worcester, and the Schell Bridge. 

• Released $4.7m in Community Transit Grant awards directly to municipalities. 

• Received more than $4.57 million for infrastructure projects to improve road safety in Brockton, Haverhill, Lowell, and Somerville through a U.S. Department of Transportation Program. 

• Completed the Squires Bridge Project in Somerville in 25 days, on time and with minimal disruption to the 2023 Fluff Festival. The original projected timeline was 42 days. 

• Worked with the MBTA to prepare a first-of-its kind Track Improvement Plan and extended all MBTA ferry service into the late fall. 

• Moved forward in the process of standing up the first-ever Office of Transportation and Climate Planning and Policy as a shared service responsible for setting operational standards for both MassDOT and MBTA. 

As Undersecretary of MassDOT, she directed oversight over the Rail & Transit Division, Aeronautics Division, and the Office of Transportation Planning. 

  

Prior to accepting her current role, Secretary Tibbits-Nutt served as the Executive Director of 128 Business Council, a unique transportation management association and regional service provider that builds privately-funded, cooperative public transportation routes throughout the Route 128 West Corridor.  

  

Secretary Tibbits-Nutt's areas of specialty are regional and transportation planning, urban design, and transit equity. In both her work and research, she is particularly interested in capitalizing upon every opportunity to better educate transportation stakeholders and the public about all aspects of the planning process. As part of this focus on education, she serves as the Vice President of the non-profit Youth Engagement Planning (YEP!), which brings urban planning and community advocacy into K-12 environments.  

  

Secretary Tibbits-Nutt also commits a significant portion of her time to mentorship through her roles as a member of the Board of Advisors to The Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston, and, less officially, by making herself available to the students and young professionals she has met through guest lecturing and her membership in the American Planning Association, the Transportation Research Board, and other professional associations. Secretary Tibbits-Nutt serves on the Board of Directors of WTS International and the WTS Foundation, which seeks to create a more inclusive and equitable transportation industry and provides scholarships to female-identifying professionals and students, respectively; and on the Board of Trustees of TransitCenter, which works to support, inform, connect and fund civic and public leaders working to truly make transit better. 

 

Secretary Tibbits-Nutt is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and a LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design & Construction with the U.S. Green Building Council. Originally hailing from the rural Midwest, she is a first-generation college graduate. 

Statement from James E. Rooney regarding 

Appointment of Monica Tibbits-Nutt to Secretary of Transportation

"I commend Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll's decision to entrust the future of MassDOT to Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt. Over the years, I have seen Secretary Tibbits-Nutt lead impactful organizations and teams, and her immense expertise will strengthen MassDOT and the Commonwealth's transportation system. I look forward to continuing to work with the Secretary to move forward strategic solutions to difficult challenges that our communities and businesses urgently need," said James E. Rooney, President & CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Comme

麻州長 Healey 拜訪木匠學徒中心誌記國際學徒週

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Kicks Off Massachusetts Apprenticeship Week 

Week of Events Will Highlight the Value of Registered Apprenticeship in Building Massachusetts’ Skilled Workforce  

 

BOSTON — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration kicked off Massachusetts Apprenticeship Week, in conjunction with the 9th anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week. The administration is hosting a weeklong series of events across the state to highlight the Registered Apprenticeship Program as a key resource for employers to address workforce shortages and encourage residents to pursue apprenticeship pathways in sectors like

 construction and building trades, life sciences, health and human services, early education, advanced manufacturing, and other industries.   
 
 “The Registered Apprenticeship Program is instrumental to providing residents with the hands-on training and hard skills that lead to a long-lasting, family sustaining careers, while meeting the workforce needs of our state’s employers,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our investments in Registered Apprenticeships will make

 the program more accessible to populations that have been underrepresented in the workforce and provides employers with tax credits to expand Registered Apprenticeships in all industries across the state.”  

 

“Earn while you learn – that’s what Registered Apprenticeships are all about,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to creating more rewarding and equitable career pathways for all of our residents, while solving our greatest workforce challenges." 

  
Governor Healey and Secretary Jones were joined at the Massachusetts Apprenticeship Kickoff Event by Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus, state and local officials, and members and leaders of the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, who hosted the event. Currently, 88 percent of apprentices are in the building and construction industry. At the kickoff, Governor Healey signed the proclamation officially declaring November 12th through 18th Massachusetts Apprenticeship Week in the Commonwealth.  

 
“Registered Apprenticeship is a vital tool in the state’s toolbox to help solve the workforce shortages in industries like construction and the building trades, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, finance, and more,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “To maintain Massachusetts’ competitive edge, we need to invest in our people—both existing workers and untapped talent—and Registered Apprenticeship is a proven, effective model to build the skilled talent that employers need. I look forward to highlighting this essential program with many partners throughout the week.” 

 

“Apprenticeships are vital to building up the pipeline of skilled, trained carpenters and trades workers of all kinds,” said Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Ed Augustus. “We’re on a mission to build more housing in Massachusetts through the Affordable Homes Act and that means thousands of good jobs. We are going to need more skilled labor now and in the years to come. And the work our skilled laborers are doing will ensure more workforce housing so that the tradespeople who build our homes can afford to live in them.” 

  

“Our apprenticeship programs open doors to long-term, challenging careers that provide a real pathway to a higher standard of living. The partnership brings together the union and employers, as well as local schools and pre-apprenticeship programs to provide comprehensive craft skills development,” said Joe Byrne, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. “For many years the apprenticeship model has proven to be incredibly successful in meeting the needs of the construction industry. As development projects expand in new and different directions--from repurposing office space to housing; green energy; and high-tech manufacturing--our apprentices will be trained and prepared to efficiently produce the quality work necessary.”  

  
Registered Apprenticeship is a proven workforce development model that provides individuals with paid work experience, classroom instruction, and on-the-job training to gain nationally recognized credentials while offering progressive wage increases, supporting economic mobility, and driving greater affordability, equity, and competitiveness. The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to expanding apprentice into other emerging industries. The Administration’s FY24 budget delivers $4 million to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion for the construction and building trades in Massachusetts and expand registered apprenticeship. The Healey-Driscoll Administration anticipates this funding will lead to more than 1,000 new apprentices employed in expansion industries as well as pre-apprenticeships in construction and other sectors to ensure that Massachusetts is creating more equitable pathways to work for all residents. Already in FY24, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development has invested $3.5 million overall to connect 740 individuals to registered apprenticeship. 
 

Additionally, in the recently signed tax cuts package, the Healey-Driscoll Administration furthered their commitment to Registered Apprenticeship by expanding the Registered Apprenticeship Tax Credit to enable employers in more industries to access the credit, including in-demand occupations essential to a region’s economic success. 
 
Massachusetts Apprenticeship Week, in conjunction with National Apprenticeship Week, takes place during the second week of November each year and is organized by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the Division of Apprentice Standards. Across the Commonwealth, leaders from industry, labor and workforce development, education, not-for-profit, and government come together to showcase the value and success of Registered Apprenticeship in Massachusetts. For more information about Massachusetts Apprenticeship Week, visit www. Mass.gov/Apprenticeship.  

「昆市好聲音」 Fiona Yang奪冠 林淑明觀眾最喜愛

「昆市好聲音」決賽打入決賽者合影。 (周菊子攝)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導) 新節奏樂隊樂隊成立30年後再度舉辦歌唱比賽，11月12日晚在昆士市新星藝術學校決賽，11名入圍決賽者在近百名觀眾面前輪番獻唱後，Fiona Yang以一曲海闊天空，贏得冠軍及獎金800元。

                  這場「昆市好聲音」決賽，贏得亞軍及季軍的分別是在州街銀行工作的陳雅莉 (Jennifer Chin)，12年前從香港移民過來的楊燕如 (Red Yeo)。

「昆市好聲音」決賽新在林勁經營的星藝術學校舉行。 (周菊子攝)

               當晚贏得最佳台風獎的是麥若蘭 (Helen Mach)，贏得”我最喜愛的歌手”獎的是父母都、丈夫都出席助陣了的林淑明 (Ada Lam)。

「昆市好聲音」決賽裁判(前排)和決賽選手，樂隊合影。(周菊子攝)

              這場比賽由麥澤衡、李小宏擔任司儀，有廣州聯誼會舞蹈團表演，打入決賽的11名選手，Kelvin Tam， Helen Mach，Jing Mei，Andy Fung，Fiona Yang，Christine Diep，Meikit Ma，Wendy Eng，Ada Lam，Jennifer Chin, Red Yeo等3男8女的共11人，各唱一曲後，由裁判選出3人，再各唱一曲的競爭冠亞季軍。

                 當晚的裁判有曾和溫拿樂隊合作的Billy Chen，曾在波士頓地區歌唱比賽中贏得冠軍的Anna Tam，以及Wendy Chin，馬仕威樂隊共同創辦人梅錫銳，新節奏樂隊創始團員之一，現任昆士市市長助理的邱潔芳等人。

Fiona Yang贏得冠軍。(周菊子攝)

                 新節奏樂隊靈魂人物Joyce Chan雙喜臨門，與鼓手曹勇等人組成的樂隊規模越來越大，兒子Laurence Louie一家於2022年8月開設的Rubato HK Cafe，贏得Bon Appetiti的2023最佳新餐廳獎。

               主辦單位在比賽結束前還特地感謝Rubato HK Café，Ellen Chan，MK婚禮娛樂，Viva Karaoke，種籽音樂教育中心，Boston A.J. K.等個人及機構的贊助。

                  這場音樂比賽彰顯了昆士市在亞裔人口爆增至佔全市總人口30%之後，亞裔商戶及活動精采紛陳。

Fiona Yang。 (周菊子攝)

Jennifer Chin贏得亞軍。  (周菊子攝)

Jennifer Chin。 (周菊子攝)

Red Yeo贏得季軍。 (周菊子攝)

Red Yeo。 (周菊子攝)

Helen Mach (左二)贏得最佳台風獎。 (周菊子攝)

Helen Mach。 (周菊子攝)

林淑明 (中) 贏得"我最喜愛的歌手"獎。 (周菊子攝)

林淑明。 (周菊子攝)

廣州聯誼會舞蹈團表演。 (周菊子攝)

裁判們為選手們打分。 (周菊子攝)

 

波士頓半馬拉松賽 6千餘人參加 Dana Farber籌得逾70萬元

 Boston’s Best Take to The Roads for 2023 B.A.A. Half Marathon presented by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund 

A field of more than 6,300 finishers raced in New England’s signature half marathon 

BOSTON – The 2023 B.A.A. Half Marathon presented by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund took place today, November 12, starting and finishing within Boston’s Franklin Park. Personal bests and fast times were achieved on a chilly fall day. Preliminary results can be found here. 

In the professional open divisions, Fotyen Tesfay (Ethiopia) and Abel Kipchumba (Kenya) took home the women’s and men’s titles respectively, while Jenna Fesemyer and Hermin Garic, both of the USA, captured the wheelchair division victories. American Paralympian Liz Willis set a world record in the T61-64 division (lower limb impairment) in a time of 1:45:19. Among today’s finishers were more than 600 athletes representing the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Jimmy Fund, raising more than $700,000 to defy cancer. 

Warming up through the early miles, Tesfay and a sizeable lead pack passed 5 miles in 27:10 and 10 miles in 53:17. The race began to intensify as Tesfay, American record holder Keira D’Amato, B.A.A. 5K champion Senbere Teferi, and World Cross Country Championships silver medalist Tsigie Gebreselama covered the hilly course along Boston’s Emerald Necklace Park System. 

While it was a pack with 5K to go, Tesfay was all alone entering White Stadium, breaking the tape in 1:08:46. In her Boston debut, Tesfay not only conquered the competition but also the cold temperatures. 

“The pack was so big, but I managed to move ahead of them as I got close to the finish to take the win,” said Tesfay. “This is my first time running a half marathon in Boston and the coldest race I have ever run, so I am very happy to win.” 

Teferi (ETH) and Gebreselama (ETH) rounded out the podium in 1:09:00 and 1:09:06, followed by D’Amato as the top American in 1:09:12. 

In the men’s race, Kipchumba was determined to improve upon a ninth place finish a year ago. Running with Australian Olympian Pat Tiernan and defending champion Geoffrey Koech (Kenya) through five miles, Kipchumba began to break away little by little. At six miles it was a seven second lead, then at 10 miles the gap stood 30 seconds. 

Kipchumba’s broke the tape all smiles in 1:01:32 with a hard-charging Tiernan second (1:01:56) and Yemane Haileselassie third in 1:02:17. Sam Chelanga, who won a silver medal in the 10,000m at the Pan Am Games on the track last week, was top American, seventh in 1:02:49. 

“Today was difficult because it was very cold. And as we know, Boston has a lot of hills. But I managed to win the race, so I am happy,” said Kipchumba. “I like the crowds. They cheered me and I got a lot of energy to push the pace.”  

FESEMYER DEFENDS, GARIC GAINS REDEMPTION IN WHEELCHAIR DIVISION 

One week after placing eighth at the TCS New York City Marathon, Jenna Fesemyer battled with training partner and Illinois teammate Yen Hoang for much of the B.A.A. Half Marathon course. With hopes of breaking her course record from a year ago, Fesemyer attacked the hills and broke away for a nine second win over Hoang, 1:01:47 to 1:01:56.  

“I always love coming to Boston and I always appreciate the support of the B.A.A. It was a really strong field today, and the sun came out too, so I’d consider it a good day!” said Fesemyer. 

Hermin Garic and Wyatt Willand entered White Stadium side by side, and it was the veteran Garic –winner of this year’s B.A.A. 10K—who prevailed in a sprint to the line. One second separated the pair: Garic’s 53:34 to Willand’s 53:35. The win helped Garic gain redemption on the course, as an errant turn last year cost him a podium finish. 

“It was a year’s preparation to get some redemption and get the win here,” said Garic, clutching the winner’s trophy. “A win at any B.A.A. race is just an amazing feeling. You have the crowd supporting you out there, all the staff, all the people who put this together. It is awesome.” 

WORLD RECORD FOR WILLIS; REYNOLDS EARN HOMETOWN WIN 

Paralympic sprinter Liz Willis set a pending world record of 1:45:19, earning the victory in the Para Athletics T61-64 Division (lower-limb impairment). With her family cheering her on, Willis averaged an 8:11 mile pace along the course, and continues her winning ways in Boston having also won the Boston Marathon and B.A.A. 10K Para Athletics Divisions. 

“It feels unbelievable to have set a world record,” said Willis. “The fact that the B.A.A. has given us the opportunity to do this is extremely humbling and I hope I can pave the way for future Paralympians to see that there are possibilities for them in this sport.” 

Brian Reynolds, a Dedham, Mass.-native, timed 1:26:44 to win the men’s T61-T64 Division. While he came up just short of his world record time from last year, the experienced marathoner and mountaineer was pleased with the day.

“Happy to be back out on the course. So many people, my hometown, my friends and family,” said Reynolds. “I’ve grown up in Boston, I was always on the sidelines of the marathon course, so it was kind of in my blood before I was even a runner…. so coming back to run in my hometown streets has always been a special occasion for me.” 

Irwin Ramirez was the top T11-T13 (vision impairment) men’s finisher in 1:33:07, followed by Eric Strong in 1:42:39. Jennifer Herring earned top women’s honors in 1:41:11. 

TEAM DANA FARBER RAISES $700,000+ TO DEFY CANCER 

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund have partnered with the B.A.A. Half Marathon since 2003 as the race’s presenting sponsor and exclusive charity team. Through this relationship, Dana-Farber runners have collectively raised more than $8.6 million to support groundbreaking cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and enabled Dana-Farber scientists and clinicians to positively impact the lives of cancer patients around the world. A team of 600+ athletes were part of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund’s team for this year’s event, having already raised over $700,000 to defy cancer. Those interested in supporting Dana-Farber’s team can make a donation here. 

B.A.A. HALF MARATHON FAST FACTS 

• 6,311 athletes started the event, coming from 46 U.S. states (plus Washington, DC) and 97 countries. 

• Also on course from start to finish were 38 MarathonFoto photographers. MarathonFoto and the B.A.A. celebrate 40 years of partnership in 2023, and photos from today’s event can be found at marathonfoto.com. 

• 2,072 athletes were on track to complete the 2023 B.A.A. Distance Medley, a three-race series which includes April’s B.A.A. 5K, June’s B.A.A. 10K, and November’s B.A.A. Half Marathon. The B.A.A. Distance Medley series provides athletes a year-long way to experience training and racing at three different distances, with the aim of improving fitness throughout the calendar year.   

• A prize purse of $96,200 was available for professional athletes in the open, wheelchair, masters, and Para Athletics Divisions. Additional details can be found here. 

• For additional information on the 2023 B.A.A. Half Marathon presented by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund, please visit our event website.