Baker-Polito Administration Awards Over $2.7 Million for Land and Drinking Water Supply Protection Projects

 Baker-Polito Administration Awards Over $2.7 Million for Land and Drinking Water Supply Protection Projects

 BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today awarded $2,765,295 in grant funding through the Drinking Water Supply Protection, Landscape Partnership, and Conservation Partnership Grant Programs.  These three grant programs, administered through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), will help five municipalities protect land for drinking water supply purposes, seven non-profit land trusts conserve land for open space and outdoor recreation, and the Berkshire Natural Resources Council in partnership with the Departments of Conservation and Recreation and Fish and Game complete the Mt. Hunger Conservation Project.

 “Investing in these important projects will make our communities more resilient to climate change, protect critical drinking water supplies, and ensure communities benefit from access to open space,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our Administration is proud to assist communities and land trusts in acquiring land that will provide residents with clean drinking water, as well as beautiful places to recreate with friends and family.”

 “Increasing access to open space natural resources throughout the Commonwealth has grown in importance since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “These grant programs play an important role in ensuring that Massachusetts families have access to clean drinking water, as well as invaluable recreational opportunities where they can spend time together outdoors safely.”

 Through the Conservation Partnership Grant Program, $489,825 was awarded to seven Massachusetts non-profit organizations. The funding will be used to help land trusts protect land for future generations for conservation and outdoor recreation purposes. Additionally, $1,025,470 was awarded to five Massachusetts municipalities through the Drinking Water Supply Protection Grant Program. Since 2004, the program has been funding municipal and public water systems and fire districts’ acquisition of land in fee or a conservation restriction for drinking water supply protection.  Finally, $1,250,000 was awarded to the Mt. Hunger Conservation Project to protect 836 acres in Monterey and Tyringham. This joint effort involving the Berkshire Natural Resources Council, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Department of Fish and Game will expand public access for passive recreation including hunting and add to a connected conservation corridor of over 14,000 acres, achieving a key strategy to build climate resilience.

 Recognizing the importance of these types of investment, the Baker-Polito Administration has proposed in its Forward Bill that federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding be utilized to augment capital funds. Proposed spending currently before the legislature specifically related to the grants announced today includes $232 million for park and trail assets, $64 million for clean water projects, and $4 million for open space acquisition.

 “Land conservation and protection measures provide the Commonwealth with many benefits, such as safeguarding critical drinking water supplies, providing access to the natural world, increasing resiliency to climate change, and ensuring important habitat is protected.” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card. “The Baker-Polito Administration is proud to partner with municipalities, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders to protect these lands, which will positively impact the public for generations to come.”

 Conservation Partnership Grant Program awardees are:

· Buzzards Bay Coalition - Headwaters Bog Conservation Project: $85,000to protect ecological and water resources, enable natural wetland habitat restoration, provide public access for outdoor passive recreation, enlarge a block of contiguous protected open space, and protect scenic view access.

· Dennis Conservation Land Trust - White Cedar Conservation Project: $51,325 to conserve upland pitch pine-oak forest with BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscape.  The purchase will protect the habitat of deer, rabbits, coyotes, fishers, turkeys, raptors, and songbirds.

· East Quabbin Land Trust - Finn Woodland Acquisition: $13,500 to protect a part of the Dougal Range, identified as an Important Bird Area by Mass Audubon.

· Essex County Greenbelt Association - Tompson Street Church Lot: $85,000 to purchase a substantial addition to the 320-acre Tompson Street Reservation and protect several existing trailheads and part of the larger trail network.

· Harwich Conservation Trust - Robbins Pond Preservation Project: $85,000 to protect the watershed recharge area for Robbins Pond and the Herring River and important wildlife habitat for threatened species.

· Mattapoisett Land Trust - Alves Riverfront Conservation Project: $85,000 to protect 4.3 acres with 800 feet of riverfront along the tidal portion of the Mattapoisett River.

· Wellfleet Conservation Trust - High Toss Conservation Project: $85,000 for protection of estimated and priority habitats of rare species, critical natural landscape, and shorebird and migratory bird habitat.           

 Drinking Water Supply Protection Grant Program awardees are:

· Town of Yarmouth – Higgins Crowell Road Project: $300,000 to purchase ten parcels for a total of 9.66 acres adjacent to a 107-acre parcel owned by the town for well and drinking water supply protection.

· Fitchburg Division of Water Supply – Kerlinger Conservation Restriction Project: $140,370 grant award to preserve a 49.43-acre parcel that will extend protection for Fitchburg’s watershed lands and will serve to extend established recreational trails on adjacent land.

· Fall River Department of Community Utilities – Copicut Reservoir Watershed Protection Project: $121,750 grant award to acquire 16 acres of woodland to provide an additional buffer to the Copicut Reservoir.

· Southampton Water Commission – Pomeroy Meadow Protection Project: $213,350 grant award to preserve 76 acres of forested land to protect the town’s critical drinking water source. This project will also serve as a catalyst for preserving adjacent land.

· City of Haverhill – Meserve Woods Conservation Restriction Project: $250,000 grant award to preserve 54 acres of critical watershed land near Crystal Lake Reservoir, Haverhill’s primary drinking water system.

 The Landscape Partnership Grant Program Awardee is:

· Berkshire Natural Resources Council in partnership with the Departments of Conservation and Recreation and Fish and Game: $1,250,000 to conserve 836 acres in Monterey and Tyringham thus preserving the opportunity for continued forest management, expanding public access for passive recreation, and building climate resilience by adding to a connected conservation corridor of over 14,000 acres.

 “Drinking water and preserved open spaces are essential elements to our quality of life in Massachusetts, yet we cannot take them for granted. Careful planning and strategic investment are critical to both, and through these grants, the Baker-Polito Administration is proving once again its commitment to our environment,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R- Gloucester). “Congratulations and thank you to Essex County Greenbelt and the other recipients for their leadership in providing the kind of stewardship these resources need and deserve.”

 “The grant awarded to Berkshire Natural Resources Council will have both an immediate and long-term impact on our beautiful natural assets here in the Berkshires,” said Representative Smitty Pignatelli (D-Lenox). “I’m grateful to Governor Baker and Lieutenant Governor Polito for making this investment to keep our open spaces accessible for anyone who wishes to enjoy them, putting measures in place for resiliency, and continuing to protect and preserve our environmental resources.”

 “It is critical that we protect this beautiful land and water source for the present and future residents of Haverhill,” said Representative Andy X. Vargas (D-Haverhill). “In partnership with our colleagues in the legislature and the Administration, I’m grateful that this funding has been authorized and approved for our community. This would not have been possible without the diligent work of Greenbelt, the Haverhill Water and Conservation Departments, Mayor Fiorentini and the very generous donation of land from the Meserve family.”

 “Our Commonwealth continues to lead on initiatives to preserve our drinking water supply – from action on combined sewer overflows to PFAS to watershed protection,” said Representative Linda Dean Campbell (D-Methuen). “Water quality is a major priority in the Merrimack Valley, and this grant for the City of Haverhill will go a long way toward protecting our natural resources and our drinking water.”

 “Protecting land and drinking water supply is of critical importance to the health of the environment and our residents. Congratulations to the City of Haverhill for securing $250,000 for the Meserve Woods Conservation Restriction project, a key step in protecting water resources for the City,” said Representative Christina Minicucci (D-North Andover). “I am thankful for the partnership of EEA and the Baker-Polito Administration in acknowledging the importance of protecting our natural resource areas and in providing this grant funding for the preservation of these areas.”

For more information regarding the Conservation Partnership Grant Program, Drinking Water Supply Protection Grant Program, and the Landscape Partnership Grant Program, please visit the program’s webpages

麻州總檢察長 Maura Healey 呼籲 FDA 監管非菸草尼古丁產品

AG HEALEY JOINS BIPARTISAN COALITION CALLING ON THE FDA TO REGULATE NON-TOBACCO NICOTINE PRODUCTS 

Coalition Highlights Dangers of Unregulated Nicotine Products and Their Appeal to Youth 

BOSTON– Attorney General Maura Healey today joined a bipartisan coalition of 31 attorneys general calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reject marketing authorization for all non-tobacco nicotine products, which are currently being sold without regulation of their contents, manufacturing, health effects, required warning labels or marketing claims.  

In today’s letter, the coalition argues that these products currently don’t meet the FDA’s public health standard, and that the health of our residents – especially our young people – should not be gambled on the unknown effects of these highly addictive products. The letter specifically calls for the FDA to reject a request by product manufacturers to grant marketing authorization for non-tobacco nicotine products. The letter also insists that if the agency does grant marketing authorizations for these products, it imposes the same restrictions required of tobacco-derived nicotine products including a ban on all products with a flavor other than tobacco and strict regulatory requirements regarding their contents, manufacturing, and effect on users’ health. Products should carry warnings concerning their addictiveness, and manufacturers should be required to validate health claims made about their products, including claims that a product is safer than tobacco. 

 

“I am joining my colleagues in calling on the FDA to step up and consider the health and well-being of the public – most notably, our young people – by rejecting the marketing authorization for all non-tobacco nicotine products, or at the very least, ensuring they meet the same regulations that we require of tobacco-derived nicotine products.” said AG Healey. “We know how dangerous, addictive, and highly appealing to teens these products are. The health and safety of our young people is a top priority for my office.”  

 

To create nicotine products derived from substances other than tobacco, manufacturers have turned to chemicals with potential health impacts that are less understood than their tobacco-derived nicotine counterparts. Yet, these non-tobacco nicotine products, also referred to as “synthetic nicotine products,” have not faced the restrictions on sales and marketing that the FDA requires for tobacco products. As a result, these products are being sold in a variety of fruit and other flavors and have become increasingly popular with youth. A new law signed in March by President Joe Biden gives the FDA jurisdiction to regulate these products and requires that manufacturers now seek FDA approval to market and sell them.  

 

The lack of regulation on non-tobacco nicotine products has created an unlevel playing field, as manufacturers of one category of nicotine products have evaded regulatory burdens and restrictions, while manufacturers of tobacco-derived nicotine products must undertake the expense and effort required to conform to FDA requirements. Non-tobacco nicotine products have also skirted the tobacco bans of some major online retailers and are available for purchase online from sellers that do not sell tobacco. These regulatory disparities create incentives for more manufacturers to switch to non-tobacco nicotine products, expanding the problem. 

 

In the letter, the coalition argues that there is no justification for regulating non-tobacco nicotine any differently than tobacco-derived nicotine. On the contrary, synthetic nicotine’s obscure origins, unexplored chemical characteristics and use in flavored products that appeal to youth call for heightened vigilance. 

 

AG Healey has been a leader in taking on the e-cigarette industry. Beginning in 2018, AG Healey announced an investigation into JUUL Labs, Inc. and other online e-cigarette retailers over concerns about the marketing and sale of electronic smoking devices and products to minors. In 2020, the AG’s Office filed a lawsuit against JUUL for creating a youth vaping epidemic by intentionally marketing and selling its e-cigarettes to young people. In 2021, AG Healey entered into a $51 million consent judgment with another e-cigarette company that permanently banned the company from selling, distributing, marketing, or advertising any tobacco products to consumers in Massachusetts, after suing them initially in 2020. 

 

This coalition is led by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson and Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro. Joining AG Healey and the lead attorneys general in sending the letter are the attorneys general of Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. 

波士頓僑教中心感謝志工聚會 劉柏君分享推動性平經驗

出席的波士頓僑務志工們和嘉賓合影。 (僑教中心提供)

 

波士頓經文處處長孫儉元( 右)特地出席會議，和波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮 (左)一起
感謝志工們。 (周菊子攝)

         （Boston Orange周菊子麻州報導）波士頓僑教中心6月9日中午舉辦僑務志工會議，感謝志工，宣導僑胞服務手冊、台商服務手冊、影音串流平台「Taiwan Plus」，請劉柏君暢談她從當社工，成為台灣棒球界首名女國際裁判，走上推廣運動性平之路的過程。

劉柏君在台灣推廣運動外交與性平，照顧女性運動員需求。 (僑教中心提供)

這場志工會議在位於牛頓市的僑教中心會址舉行，由波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮主持，駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元應邀致詞，波士頓僑務委員郭競儒，前任僑務委員蔣宗壬側身志工之列。

孫儉元處長指出，這次會議其實主要是感謝志工們在僑教中心或經文處辦活動時，一直的支持與幫助，無論是佈置場地，搬桌端椅，現場總能見到志工身影。他個人非常感謝，也覺得無以回報，但仍希望志工們將來繼續支持，如果志工們有任何需要辦事處、僑教中心協助之處，也希望大家不要客氣。

劉柏君(左)用簡報片說明她的經歷。 (周菊子攝)

潘昭榮主任在感謝志工之餘，為志工「上課」，介紹僑委會製作的僑胞服務手冊，台商服務手冊，以及由文化部設立的英文影音串流平台「Taiwan Plus」，請志工協助推廣，讓更多人知道、利用僑委會為僑胞們提供的資源。

6月25日，波士頓華埠牌樓旁，將有僑胞舉辦的「台灣夜市」活動。潘昭榮主任也請志工們協助宣傳，招睞更多人體驗台灣文化。

左起，波士頓僑務委員郭競儒，志工陳玉瑛，鄭玉春出席志工會議。 (周菊子攝)

                     由於美國國務院「全球體育輔導項目 (Global Sports Mentoring Program) 」獲選人劉柏君正好應美國國務院之邀，來美出席美國教育法修正案第九條 (Title 9)的50週年慶，參加在波士頓及華府各舉行一週的活動，潘昭榮主任特地邀她出席，分享她在台灣推動性平運動，當志工的經驗。

曾經在宮廟當乩童、仙姑，還是台灣電影「通靈少女」原型的劉柏君，從小喜歡棒球，也因為棒球開展了不一樣的人生。

劉柏君當選十大傑出青年，獲總統蔡英文接見。 (劉柏君提供)

                   劉柏君和波士頓僑教中心志工們分享了她在2008年成為中華民國棒球協會首位全國性比賽女主審，以及經由澳洲棒球總會，美國洋基隊，All Star護具公司台灣代工廠通德興業董事長陳前芳的支持，幫助她克服了在台灣棒球場上遭遇的女生不能摸球，不能坐下來，在球場裏被孤立，冷對，責罵等種種困難，取得職業國際裁判執照，2017年成為世大運首名女棒球裁判等經歷。

她透露，自己最驕傲的一件事是美國裁判學校因為她的關係，入學報名表格新添了性別欄，從此女生可藉勾選這欄，讓人知道申請者不是男生。

2017年，美國國務院把她選為「全球體育導師項目（Global Sports Mentoring Program）」的17名學員之一，送她到美國跟隨全美冰棍球聯盟 (NHL)副總裁副總裁學習組織運作，市場行銷，開會實務等知識與技能，2019年她再獲得國際奧委會季聯合國婦女署婦女及體育世界獎 (IOC Women and Sports World Award) ，2020年獲得兒童、性別及人權關懷類的十大傑出青年，都幫她在棒球這條路上走得更順遂。

經美國在臺協會前會長鼓勵，劉柏君覺得該利用自己的專長與經歷為台灣做點事，於是創立了「台灣運動好事協會」，以及社團法人台灣女子運動體育協會，擔任社團法人冬瓜生命教育協會秘書長，從公益角度出發，照顧弱勢少兒運動員，推廣運動外交與性別平等，還出版了Women雜誌。

波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn進華埠召開「反亞裔暴力歧視」聆聽會 將製作報告

波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn 在昆士小學前校長李素影協助翻譯中主持聆聽會。 (周菊子攝)

              (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓市議會議長愛德華費連 (Ed Flynn) 和波士頓市府的鄰里服務局 (DND)合作，6月6日晚在昆士小學飯堂舉辦聆聽會，從將近80名出席者那兒，聽取遭遇過「仇恨亞裔」者的經歷，表示將整理一份調查報告，再向社區回報。

              當晚出席的波士頓市政府各部門人員人數之多，打破歷年紀錄。

這場聆聽會有共約80多人出席。 (周菊子攝)

              出席民眾述說自己或朋友的遭遇之餘，有人強調報警，留下記錄的重要性，因為不說出來，就沒人知道，也就沒人能夠做些甚麼來改善狀況；有人反應不熟悉美國社會體系，遇事就不知所措，完全不知道有哪些地方可以求助，政府有些甚麼資源。

右起，黃楚嵐，Ruthzee Loujieun， Ed Flynn，胡盈弢，Carolyn Wong 和李素影等人
在會議中和民眾晤談。(周菊子攝)

              早年在波士頓華埠內為社區服務，迄今仍十分關心華埠的社區熱心人士的余淑勤表示，她和劉仲岳，黃豪華三人，願意再次為華埠民眾辦一場旁觀者干預培訓，幫助民眾保護自己和他人。

波士頓市長的平等及包容長Mariangely Solis Cervera (中)從警察那兒了解情況。(周菊子攝)

              愛德華費連強調，這次會議是他和波士頓市長吳弭辦公室合作舉辦的會議，包括波士頓市長的平等及包容長Mariangely Solis Cervera，波士頓老人局局長Emily Shea，波士頓消防局副局長黃瑞瑜，波士頓移民進步辦公室代理主任Agnes Chang，波士頓市A-1區警長Robert Ciccolo，波士頓市長亞裔聯絡員黃楚嵐，以及波士頓市人權辦公室工作人員等，有許多市府工作人員到場，聆聽民眾聲音。

              波士頓不分區市議員Ruthzee Loujieun這天特地到場，表示自己也是移民後代，深知移民面對的許多困境，希望自己能為大家服務。

透過昆士小學前校長李素影的翻譯協助，愛德華費連在會議中告訴與會者，這會議主要是為聽取華埠居民及亞裔在新冠病毒疫情期間，都遭遇了什麼樣的困難。

波士頓老人局局長Emily Shea和波士頓移民進步辦公室代理主任Agnes Chang。(周菊子攝)

愛德華費連辦公室的3名會講廣東話助理，政策主任王芳菲，公共管理主任胡盈弢，以及盧善柔，都趕到現場協助會議進行。

波士頓市人權辦公市代表。(周菊子攝)

愛德華費連指出，他第一次進華埠社區召開「反亞裔仇恨」會議，是2020年1月時，因為一名女學生搭橘線地鐵時，一進車廂，很多人，尤其是白人，紛紛起身離開，把這女學生當作病毒，然後美國白宮發出可怕的言論，把這場病毒疫情責怪到中國人頭上，接著社會上就看到在麻州以及全美的反亞裔仇恨暴力事件暴增。

在會議中，住在大同村的鄺元傑，住在尚莫維爾的黃林雪芳，住在南端聯合公寓的余珮瑛，布蘭岱斯大學鄧姓學生等，約五、六人分別陳述了自己，以及朋友的經歷。

波士頓消防局副局長黃瑞瑜也出席會議。 (周菊子攝)

鄧姓學生說他和室友在布萊頓鎮買飲品時，遇到一群年輕人，對著他們講髒話。他說自己身形高大，都還遭遇這樣的狀況，如果是老人家，恐怕不堪設想。他還指出，自己來美已逾10年，知道那些人是在講髒話，但是新移民可能就完全不懂了。他很想知道，遇到這種情況，他們該怎麼反應。

黃林雪芳表示自己在麻州已居住50年，每個星期天都到華埠的華人佈道會上教堂。4月2日那天中午，上教堂後，她到夏利臣街的溫莎餅店買麵包，出來時，一名大約200磅重的白人，一拳打了她的左眼，把她嚇壞了。報警後，

波士頓警察局A-1區警長Robert Ciccolo強烈建議遭遇語言侮辱的人，不要把事件升級到
大打出手的程度，以免涉嫌違法。 (周菊子攝)

3名警察打電話到她家，索取資料。兩個禮拜前，警察局要她從照片中認人，但她只敢說50%確認其中的一個人。她強調自己在美國這50年，第一次遇到這種事情，實在很驚嚇。

波士頓A-1區警長Robert Ciccolo表示，攻擊黃林雪芳的人，在Braintree也有類似犯行，在交通警察 (Transit)和塔芙茨大學警察的協助下，他們得以確認這個人，只是這個人是個精神有問題的人。

黃林雪芳說明自幾無辜被打的遭遇。 (周菊子攝)

余佩英述說遭遇。(周菊子攝)

             住在聯合公寓的余佩英說，去年5月有一天她到全食超市 (Whole Food)對面的CVS買東西，排隊付款時，明明排隊的人有十幾人，結果一名四十多歲白人，逕自插隊站到她前面，讓她很害怕，等輪到她付完款後，她看到那名白人還站在CVS店外徘徊，嚇得她在店內等了不下15分鐘，不敢一個人走出門口回家。今年4月時，住在她那棟公寓的一位老伯，出門後回家時，摀著眼睛，原來這位老伯被人打得眼鏡都打爛了。問他為什麼不報警，結果他說多一事不如少一事。

一名出席者表示，歧視、仇恨亞裔事件，牛頓市也有。 (周菊子攝)

                   黃林雪芳的女兒表示，她自己在美國出生長大，她母親英語流利，可是遇到這種事情，除了報警之外，她們也不知道還可以打電話給誰，她覺得目前的制度有漏洞，許多人不知道什麼情況，才構成犯了仇恨罪，才可以做記錄。當天有波士頓市人權辦公室的人在場，告訴出席者，遇到狀況，可以和該辦公室聯絡，他們會協助人們尋找資源，接洽相關機構。黃林雪芳的女兒回應道，她以前都不知道還有這樣一個機構存在。

Ed Flynn的兩名助理王芳菲，胡盈弢都到場協助。(周菊子攝)

                  麻州大學亞美研究院院長保羅渡邊，以及最近發表一份報告的Carolyn Wong，希望社區民眾參與問卷調查，以俾各界有數據、資料做各項決策參考。保羅渡邊提醒波士頓警察局，希望警察局能和社區分享數據，好讓社區大眾對整體環境有更切實地了解。

波士頓市議會議長愛德華費連表示，一段時日之後，他將交給華埠民眾一份報告。 (更新版)

昆士小學校長司徒玉櫻野參與聆聽會。(周菊子攝)

華埠居民會主席黃國威在會場門口招呼人們進場。(周菊子攝)

大同村居民鄺元傑侃侃而言新冠病毒疫情對人們生活造成極大影響。(周菊子攝)

一名出席者請愛德華費連和民眾分享市府相關求助資源。(周菊子攝)

鄧姓學生述說遭遇。(周菊子攝)

一名出席者分享遭遇語言暴力，以及女兒無故被人扭耳朵的經歷。(周菊子攝)

麻州大學亞美研究院院長保羅渡邊。(周菊子攝)

余淑勤和劉仲岳等社區熱心人士表示願意舉辦「反仇恨亞裔旁觀者干預培訓」，
以幫助社區民眾在遭遇狀況時，知道該如何因應。 (周菊子攝)

麻州州長候選人 Maura Healey 強調精神健康、給青年機會很重要

麻州總檢察長奚莉 (Maura Healey   (前左三)     和麻州參議會議長Karen Spilka (前左二) 和部分
出席參訪活動者合影。   (周菊子攝)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州綜合報導) 麻州總檢察長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 和麻州參議會議長Karen Spilka，6月8日聯袂參訪位於傅萊明罕市 (Framingham)「路邊青年及家庭支援網 (Wayside Youth & Family Support Network) 」的「節奏青年資源中心 (Tempo Young Adult Resource Center) 」，藉以強調撥給資源，支持精神健康，以及幫助、給年輕人機會的重要性。

傅萊明罕市 (Framingham)市市長Charlie Sisitsky，麻州眾議員David Paul Linsky 、Jack Patrick Lewis (民主黨米斗塞郡第5選區，地7選區)，和麻州議會參議長Karen Spilka都背書支持奚莉參選麻州州長的民選官員，也都參加了這一參訪活動。

麻州總檢察長奚莉 (Maura Healey   (中)     和麻州參議會議長Karen Spilka (右)， 
傅萊明罕市 (Framingham)市市長Charlie Sisitsky 左)，說明支持精神健康，
給青少年機會的重要性。    (周菊子攝)

前述這幾位民選官員和「路邊」及「節奏」的工作人員，接受服務的青少年，一起在「節奏青年資源中心」走了一圈，聽工作人員述說他們在新冠病毒疫情發生前就為社區提供，以18到25歲青年為主要對象的這服務，在新冠病毒大流行期間，需求陡增，卻面對要聘用，留住符和符合資格工作人員不易，以及為所服務對象尋找有品質，可負擔，及時的精神間康服務很困難的情況。

奚莉和Karen Spilka上星期才在西部都會日報上聯名發表了一篇文章，大綱式的列舉他們對於在麻州各地提供精神健康服務的努力。

奚莉表示，他們在「路邊」這機構親耳聽到的和他們在麻州各地聽到的情況類似，人們正陷於精神健康危機中。社會上沒有足夠的符合資格服務供應者來因應這高漲的需求，現有的供應商不但負荷過重，還支薪不足。

奚莉的競選陣營指出，行為健康護理一直是奚莉在麻州總檢察長任內的一項重要元素。她斡旋出破紀錄的協議來執行行為健康平價法，為100多萬麻州居民擴大了取得這醫療的途徑。她的控告鴉片類藥物公司，將帶來教育、預防性治療，以及恢復性服務帶來數以億元計的經費，藉由她和Sandy Hook Promise這機構合作的計畫，在50個學區，提供減少社會隔離感的服務，以及藉由 Project Here，協助教育者取得預防濫用藥物資源，幫助學生做更健康的決定。