陳翟蘇妮 (Sonia Chang Diaz) 宣佈退選麻州州長

麻州參議員陳翟蘇妮在聖派翠克日早餐會上和麻州州長查理貝克小敘。
(檔案照片，周菊子攝)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州綜合報導) 麻州參議員陳翟蘇妮 (Sonia Chang-Díaz) 在今 (23) 日一早9點15分，以電郵告訴支持者，她退出麻州州長選舉了。

             現年44歲，已7度連任麻州參議員的陳翟蘇妮是在正好一年前的這時候，宣佈參選麻州州長，向選民展現她是一名激進的改革者，會是邊緣化社區在畢肯丘 (Beacon Hill)上的聲音。

             曾任公校老師，後來擔任麻州參議員Cheryl Jacques的議會助理，以及麻州平等 (MassEquality)的競選經理，2006年挑戰競選連任的麻州參議員Diane Wilkerson，僅以數百票落敗，2008年捲土重來，贏得席位，當上麻州眾議員，並連任迄今。

             波士頓環球報稱，如果陳翟蘇妮當選麻州州長，她將是麻州首名拉丁裔暨亞裔州長。

             維基百科對陳翟蘇妮的描述是她於1978年3月在麻州波士頓出生，父親是美國國家航空航天局的太空人陳福林 (Franklin Chang-Diaz)，但稱她為麻州參議會的第一位拉丁裔女議員。

             當年她競選麻州參議員時，她父親陳福林曾親至麻州為她助選，也向華文媒體透露了他姓氏中的Chang其實是陳，是祖先輩當初抵達美國入境時，海關人員錯把Chan寫成Chang，然後傳承了下來。

             在這次的麻州州長選舉中，雖然住在牙買加平原 (Jamaica Plain)的陳翟蘇妮比麻州總檢察長奚莉 (Maura Healey)早了半年宣佈參選，但她做為麻州參議會第二選區參議員，在麻州其他地區知名度不如總檢察長 (AG)的這一事實，加上她對許多議題的觀點，和奚莉無太大差異，讓她無論是在競選或募款上，都一直落後於奚莉，甚至也未能爭取到她自己的議會同僚，以及議會黨團的支持。

             陳翟蘇妮在宣佈退選時說，她從每個角度分析了可能的選舉數據，很不幸的，看不到今年她可能當選的跡象。

             麻州州務卿威廉蓋文 (William F. Galvin)表示，參選人退選的截止日期，早就過了好幾個禮拜了，也是說，在9月6日的民主黨初選選票上，陳翟蘇妮的名字，還是會印在選票上。

             追蹤陳翟蘇妮選舉動態的人，對這一宣佈都感驚訝。她的退選也將使今年的麻州州長選舉成為歷來最奇特的一次，使得奚莉成為民主黨9月初選時的無競爭對手參選人，11月也將勢如破竹的當選。

             在被人問及退選後她是否會支持奚莉時，陳翟蘇妮拒絕答覆，轉而表示她把精力放在支持一長串的其他職位參選人。至於初選時她自己的那一票，她會投給自己，因為她認為她是州長最佳人選。

             陳翟蘇妮除了發電子郵件通知支持者之外，也和丈夫，小孩，父親，以及許多支持她的民選官員，社區民眾，在牙買加平原的早期教育中心外，宣佈了這一決定。今早她也在Zoom會議中告訴了一些她的支持者。

             陳翟蘇妮表示，她打算把自己的競選資源導向其他的激進參選人，包括參選麻州眾議員的   Vivian Birchall， Raul Fernandez，以及 Sam Montaño，還有參選地方檢察官的Ricardo Arroyo (薩福克郡)，Rahsaan Hall (普利茅斯郡)。

             在6月初的民主黨黨代表大會中，陳翟蘇妮得到的黨代表支持率不到30%，遠落於奚莉的70%之後。也在那星期，一度剝奪了陳翟蘇妮長期擔任的麻州參議會教育委員會共同主席職務麻州參議會議長Karen E. Spilka，宣佈支持競選財庫多達520餘萬元，已2度贏得全州性選舉的麻州總檢察長奚莉。

             陳翟蘇妮曾挑戰，要求在民主黨黨代表大會舉行前，和奚莉做3場電視辯論，但未能如願。今年4月時，一場民調顯示她的支持率比奚莉低45%。

             她在競選時的政見，主要是承諾將推動顛覆式的政策改變，包括支持免費公共交通，政府支持的單一付費者醫療保險系統，把”綠色新政”推到州政府層級等。

             她強調”坐而言不如起而行”，儘管會讓自己在政治上受傷，仍揚言自己敢於和州議會領導對抗，她也數度數說2018年未能就學校經費法案達成協議，她被移除了教育委員會，但她在協商上的堅守陣線，最終實現了在數年之內注入15億元進州內學校。

             她目前是參議會大麻政策，以及種族平等的立法委員會主席，她也領導協商了在2020年通過的綜合警察問責法。

             陳翟蘇妮的退選，使得9月初選的激烈競爭戲碼，從民主黨轉移到了共和黨身上。美國前總統川普支持的共和黨參選人，曾任麻州議員的Geoff Diehl，以及第一次參選的Wrentham 商人Chris Doughty將角逐，看誰能名列11月大選選票。

                       薩福克大學和波士頓環球報在4月底做的一份民調顯示，奚莉的民意支持度分別領先這2人27%和30%。

Sonia Chang-Díaz turns focus from Governor’s race to electing “Courage Democrats” down ballot

BOSTON, MA - State Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz announced today that she is directing her focus and her movement’s energy to elect down-ballot candidates who share her values and approach to put “courage over politics." While she will remain on the ballot, she is no longer actively campaigning for governor. 

“The reality is, this race has always been about more than just me. It’s been about all of us coming together and building a movement for courage and urgency in this state,” said Chang-Díaz. “A good leader calls the question and focuses resources not just on themselves — but on the best way to build our power and win real change for the long-term.

“I am going to be spending my time campaigning and marshaling my supporters and the movement we’ve built for these Courage Democrats down ballot, candidates who walk the walk when it comes to our values,” she added. “I have no doubt that they will fight to put courage over politics in our state, and I am going to be using my energy to help put them into office.” 

Chang-Díaz announced a slate of Courage Democrats. The slate includes: 

• Vivian Birchall, Candidate for State Representative, 14th Middlesex District

• Raul Fernandez, Candidate for State Representative, 15th Norfolk District

• Sam Montaño, Candidate for State Representative, 15th Suffolk District

• Ricardo Arroyo, Candidate for Suffolk County District Attorney

• Rahsaan Hall, Candidate for Plymouth County District Attorney

“Sonia Chang-Díaz has shown enormous courage throughout this primary and her decision today is perhaps her bravest yet,” said Fernandez, one of the endorsed slate. “By being honest about what is most effective, she is keeping the movement front and center. Sonia has had a huge impact through her work in the legislature, has raised standards and driven commitments on big issues by entering the race. Her support is incredibly meaningful for progressive candidates like me. I am proud to have her endorsement.”

Senator Chang-Díaz will be announcing actions in support of Courage Democrats in the weeks to come, along with ways for supporters to get involved in the movement. 

“In addition to helping courageous candidates win down ballot, our campaign will be working to drive up voter registration and turnout in communities that have long been overlooked,” said Chang-Díaz. “This is an important part of how we keep building power for years to come.”

 

About Sonia Chang-Díaz:

Sonia is the daughter of a social worker and America’s first Latino astronaut, Franklin Chang-Díaz. She was elected Massachusetts' first Latina and first Asian-American State Senator in 2008 and quickly became a driving force behind many of the state’s biggest progressive reforms — including landmark $1.5 billion progressive education funding reforms, criminal justice reform, LGBT equal rights, and police reform and accountability. She made history as the first woman of color to make the ballot for Governor in Massachusetts this year. For more information about Sonia Chang-Díaz, please visit www.soniachangdiaz.com.

One year ago today, I announced my candidacy for governor of Massachusetts.

I decided to run because over my thirteen years in office, I have seen how much our government needs more leaders who will put courage over politics. Beacon Hill is broken, and I got in this race to change that.

But this campaign has never just been about me. It’s been about all of us coming together and building a movement for courage and urgency in this state. And a good leader calls the question and focuses resources not just on themselves — but on the best way to build our power and win real change for the long-term.

I’ve never shied away from being honest — even when it was hard. And that’s why I’m being honest with you today. I have looked at the variables from every direction and, unfortunately, there is no path I can, in good faith, lead my supporters on that results in me becoming governor this year.

That does not mean that there is no path to victory for the movement we’ve built together.

Over my time on Beacon Hill, I have seen too many politicians prioritize building up their own personal image over the good of the movement. I never want to be that person.

I am announcing today that, rather than asking people for their vote for governor, I am asking for your time, energy, and dedication to the project of building courage on Beacon Hill for the long term.

Instead of campaigning to ask people to vote for me, I’m announcing a slate of Courage Democrats that I will be asking you to marshal behind.

I’m going to be spending my time campaigning for candidates down ballot who walk the walk when it comes to their values. I have no doubt that they will fight to put courage over politics on Beacon Hill. I’m going to be using my energy to help put them into office, and I hope you’ll join me.

I’ll be in touch soon so you can learn more about these courageous candidates and how you can join Team Sonia in getting involved in their races.

In the meantime, I want to thank you for your support over this past year. Together, we’ve made history by putting a woman of color on the ballot for governor, won commitments on issues from childcare to housing to climate action, and fought for more courage and urgency in Beacon Hill’s culture — and our work together is far from over.

Saludos,

Sonia

Maura Healey Endorsed by Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia, City Officials During Visit to Victory Theatre

 Maura Healey Endorsed by Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia, City Officials During Visit to Victory Theatre

HOLYOKE – Maura Healey picked up numerous endorsements from Holyoke officials on Wednesday during an event held at the Victory Theatre renovation site. Mayor Joshua Garcia, City Council President Todd McGee, City Councilor At-Large Tessa Murphy-Romboletti, and School Committee Member Erin Brunelle announced their support for Healey’s campaign for Governor.

Officials pointed to Victory Theatre, as well as the nearby South Holyoke Homes affordable housing project, as examples of transformative projects currently taking place in the city.

“I’m honored to receive the endorsements of Mayor Garcia, Council President McGee, Councilor Murphy-Romboletti, and School Committee Member Brunelle. I look forward to partnering with them to bring economic development and opportunities to our Gateway Cities,” said Maura Healey. “The South Holyoke Homes and Victory Theatre projects are examples of the types of investments we need to help communities thrive. As Governor, I’ll be committed to increasing the housing stock across the state, expanding pathways to homeownership, and supporting our vibrant arts industry.”

“Maura Healey gets it! She has proven that she will be a Governor who understands and values Gateway Cities like Holyoke. She is committed to investing in black and brown communities like ours, which have oftentimes been overlooked. This is why I proudly endorse her.” said Mayor Joshua Garcia. “She knows that to create a Massachusetts where every family can thrive, we need real economic development, housing solutions, world class public education and reliable public transportation that center equity and fairness. Only then can we connect, build and grow our communities and offer meaningful opportunities to everyone.”

About the Victory Theatre:

The Victory Theatre is a 1,600-seat Broadway-style theater that opened in 1920 and has been vacant since 1979. It is currently being restored by the Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts (MIFA) with the support of private, individual, corporate, and foundation donations, public grants, and State and Federal Historic Tax Credits and New Market Tax Credits.

About South Holyoke Homes

The South Holyoke Homes, an affordable rental and homeownership project in South Holyoke led by the Holyoke Housing Authority (HHA). It will ultimately hold 66 affordable rental units and 19 rowhouse-style, owner-occupied properties on vacant lots surrounding Carlos Vega Park. The project also includes streetscape work, such as new curbing, sidewalks, streetlights, pedestrian walkways, and green space. 

Healey Proposes Expanded State Child Tax Credit to Deliver Direct Relief to MA Families

Healey Proposes Expanded State Child Tax Credit to Deliver Direct Relief to MA Families

Under Healey Proposal, Every Family With A Child Under Age 13 Would Receive Annual Check of $600 Per Child

BOSTON – In response to the rapidly rising cost of living in Massachusetts, gubernatorial candidate Maura Healey today released an affordability proposal that would simplify and substantially increase the tax credits paid to parents of young children in Massachusetts. 

Under Healey’s proposal, every family with a child under age 13 will receive an annual check of $600 per child. This benefit would also apply to families with dependents with disabilities or over 65. This proposal would offer direct economic relief for more than 700,000 families across Massachusetts.

“The best way to help families dealing with high costs right now is by making meaningful investments while also putting money back in people’s pockets,” said Maura Healey. “Tax relief must be part of the solution. Increasing and expanding our child tax credits will give families $600 per child to go toward the costs they are struggling to pay.”

Healey’s proposal would merge the Household Dependent Tax Credit and the Dependent Care Tax Credit into one Child Tax Credit. She would more than double the value of the existing tax credits being offered and remove the dependent cap currently set at two dependents. Healey would also index the credit to inflation moving forward. This would allow tax filers to simply include the number of dependents (children under age 13, individuals age 65 and over, and persons with disabilities) on their returns in order to receive the credits. 

Currently, the Household Dependent Tax Credit is for all families with dependents, but it is capped at two dependents with a $180 benefit per dependent, for a maximum benefit of $360. The Dependent Care Tax Credit is for child care-related expenses, but it is also capped at two dependents with a $240 benefit per dependent, with a maximum benefit of $480. Under current law, a tax filer may choose either tax credit but cannot choose both. A family with two dependents who previously received the Dependent Care Tax Credit would get a maximum of $480 – under Healey's plan, that family would receive $1200 in tax relief.

The Healey Child Tax Credit proposal would have numerous benefits. As inflation and the cost of living continues to burden Massachusetts residents, this proposal would put more money back in their pockets. Large families would no longer be excluded from additional assistance. Further, the fully-refundable tax credit would help address the economic crisis stemming from our under-invested child care system, and families who don’t use professional child care would also see an added impact. This will be especially impactful for Black and Latino families, which are more likely to rely on informal child care. Overall, this proposal also would streamline and simplify the tax filing process for Massachusetts families.

Healey supports consideration of additional tax relief proposals as part of an overall approach to reducing costs for people.

In addition to tax relief, Healey has also proposed and supported major investments to reduce costs for families across Massachusetts. This includes:

• Common Start legislation that would make child care free for low income families and ensure that no family pays more than 7% of their income on child care costs.

• Increasing housing supply through state investment, addressing local zoning barriers and protecting 40B. Increasing first-time home ownership and closing the racial wealth gap by expanding down payment assistance and housing counseling.

• Improving reliability and expanding access to affordable public transportation through increased investments in transportation infrastructure, including supporting the Fair Share amendment that would provide more than $1 billion in additional revenues for transportation projects and education programs.

Governor Baker Nominates Acting Clerk Magistrate Erica Colombo as Clerk Magistrate of the Malden District Court, Attorneys Christopher N. Henry and Mary Beth Ogulewicz as Associate Justices of the District Court

Governor Baker Nominates Acting Clerk Magistrate Erica Colombo as Clerk Magistrate of the Malden District Court, Attorneys Christopher N. Henry and Mary Beth Ogulewicz as Associate Justices of the District Court

 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Baker nominated Acting Clerk Magistrate Erica Colombo as Clerk Magistrate of the Malden District Court and Attorneys Christopher N. Henry and Mary Beth Ogulewicz as Associate Justices of the District Court.

 

“With the addition of Attorney Christopher N. Henry and Attorney Mary Beth Ogulewicz, Massachusetts will receive two candidates well-suited for the judiciary,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Acting Clerk Magistrate Colombo will also bring valuable knowledge and experience to her new role if confirmed. We are proud to submit their nominations for consideration.”

 

“Attorneys Henry and Ogulewicz both possess years of experience in public service that make them well-qualified candidates for the District Court,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Additionally, Acting Clerk Magistrate Colombo’s knowledge of the Malden District Court and time as Acting Clerk make her an exceptional candidate for Clerk Magistrate.”

 

The District Court hears a wide range of criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health, and other types of cases. District Court criminal jurisdiction extends to all felonies punishable by a sentence up to five years, and many other specific felonies with greater potential penalties; all misdemeanors; and all violations of city and town ordinances and by-laws. The District Court is located in 62 courts across the Commonwealth.

 

For more information about the District Court, visit their homepage.

 

Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and recommended to the governor. Governor Baker established the JNC in February 2015 pursuant to Executive Order 558, a non-partisan, non-political Commission composed of volunteers from a cross-section of the Commonwealth's diverse population to screen judicial applications. Twenty-one members were later appointed to the JNC in April 2015.

 

About Erica Colombo

 

Erica Colombo began her legal career in 2004 first as an Assistant District Attorney at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, and later as a Supervising Assistant District Attorney in 2006. In 2007, Acting Clerk Magistrate Colombo joined Vitale Caturano and Company, where she worked as a wealth management associate. Then in 2009 until 2014, Acting Clerk Magistrate Colombo joined the Law Offices of Clayman & Dodge and represented clients in all stages of criminal proceedings within the Commonwealth. Acting Clerk Magistrate Colombo was then appointed Assistant Clerk Magistrate of the Malden District Court, where she still works today. Acting Clerk Magistrate Colombo is also an active member of the community, volunteering for the Chelsea Salvation Army, the Greater Boston Food Bank and the New England Center and Home for Veterans. She received her bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College in 1998, her Master of Business Administration from the Suffolk University Sawyer School of Management in 2003 and her Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School in 2004.

 

About Christopher N. Henry

 

Christopher N. Henry began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office in 2011. In 2014, Attorney Henry joined the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU), where he held various roles including Division Counsel of the Transportation Oversight Division, Director of the Transportation Network Company Division and DPU Chief of Staff. Since 2020, Attorney Henry has served as General Counsel of the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. Attorney Henry is also an active member of the community, working with the CD44 Foundation and previously serving as a member of the Belmont Zoning Board of Appeals. Attorney Henry received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts in 2006 and his Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School in 2010.

 

About Mary Beth Ogulewicz

 

Mary Beth Ogulewicz began her legal career as a law clerk within the Superior Court of Massachusetts in 1989. In 1991, Attorney Ogulewicz joined the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney before joining the Office of the Attorney General of Guam in 1992, where she served as a Felony Criminal Prosecutor until December 1993. She then rejoined the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney until 2001, and again from 2006 until 2008. In 2018, Attorney Ogulewicz joined Schmidt and Sikes, P.C., before joining Morrison Mahoney, LLP, that same year. In 2019, Attorney Ogulewicz joined the Town of Amherst, serving as Director of Senior Services & Staff Liaison to Homeless Services. Since 2021, Attorney Ogulewicz has worked in the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, where she serves as Chief of the Elder and Persons with Disabilities Unit. She is also an active member of the community, working as an adjunct professor at multiple universities and serving as a host family for the School of Leadership Afghanistan. Attorney Ogulewicz received her bachelor’s degree from Boston College in 1985, her Master of Social Work from Westfield State University in 2018 and her Juris Doctorate from Western New England University in 1989.

MBTA 七月一日起為減價票乘客提供更多優惠

         (Boston Orange 編譯) 麻州地鐵局 (MBTA)日前宣佈，從7月1日起有5項變動，包括一日通票價從12.75元降至11元，擴大可轉乘類型，以及為減價票乘客提供的新套票。

一日通 套票(1-Day LinkPass)價格從12.75元降到11元，是為鼓勵更多乘客購買，讓經常購買這種票的低收入民眾及少數族裔，獲益更多。只要一天搭地鐵5次，就值回票價了。

目前MBTA只准許乘客在巴士和地鐵之間轉搭一次，持有查理卡乘客可搭地鐵轉巴士，或是搭巴士轉地鐵。MBTA為簡化轉搭政策的複雜性，將標準化的容許所有車種類型的轉搭。

MBTA還為符合資格的減價票乘客，提供新的套票。可享有減價票的乘客有殘障人士，持有醫療補助卡 (Medicare)者，65歲以上耆英，初中或高中生，18到25歲的低收入人士。

這3種針對減價票乘客所做的票價變動旨在增加公平性，為持有減價票者彌平現有的票價結構差距。

MBTA為符合持有減價票資格者新增的3種套票包括，一張10元的7日套票 (7-Day LinkPass)，方便手邊前不夠買月票的人；以50%的優惠，讓有資格持有減價票者購買通勤火車，渡船，快車等地月票。通勤火車1區，以及內海港渡輪也容許持有LinkPass者搭乘。

這幾項新票種可在波士頓會議展覽中心 (BCEC)，芬衛球場 (Fenway Park)，Lynn Busway，波士頓美術館 (MFA)，Woburn Anderson，以及屋斯特聯合車站 (Worcester Union Station)等這幾個特定地點購買。

麻州民主黨聘 Joe Sherlock 代理執行主任

 Massachusetts Democratic Party Announces Appointment of Joe Sherlock as Acting Executive Director

 

 

BOSTON – Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Gus Bickford today announced the appointment of Joe Sherlock as Acting Executive Director of the Massachusetts Democratic Party. Chairman Bickford will formally nominate Sherlock for the position permanently at the next State Committee Meeting in September. 

 

“Joe is well versed in the Party’s agenda and will continue to ensure that our values of diversity and inclusion are part of all that we do,” Chairman Bickford said. “As we head into the general elections this Fall, I’m confident Joe will be a critical asset in our work to take back the Governor’s office and ensure Democrats are elected up and down the ballot.” 

 

In his role as Acting Executive Director, Sherlock will manage the day to day operations of the State Party in collaboration with Party Chair Bickford. Sherlock takes over the role vacated by Veronica Martinez, who departed earlier this year for a position with the Democratic National Committee.

 

Sherlock most recently served as the Party’s Convention Director. Prior to joining the Massachusetts Democratic Party, Sherlock served as a Paralegal Advocate at the Harvard Law School Legal Services Center Project on Predatory Student Lending. In that role he worked with students who were cheated by the predatory for-profit college industry. At the party, Sherlock has served as Convention Director and Manager, Legislative Elections Coordinator, and Campaign Manager to Dan Sena’s 2020 special election. Prior to his work at the Project on Predatory Student Lending, Sherlock served as a field organizer to Congressman Seth Moulton and was a candidate for Haverhill City Council. He previously taught middle school social studies for two years in New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

“The work before us is important and urgent and I’m honored to take on this role at this pivotal moment,” Sherlock said. “Democrats in Massachusetts have a lot to offer but we can take nothing for granted. We will work hard to support the Democratic candidates in the general election this Fall so that Massachusetts can continue to be a national leader on so many important policy issues.” 

 

Sherlock, a native of Haverhill, is a resident of East Boston and is a graduate of Bowdoin College. 

 

His appointment as Acting Executive Director is effective immediately.

ESPN和WCVB第5號頻道將獨家轉播第127屆波士頓馬拉松賽

(Boston Orange編譯) 波士頓體育會 (BAA) 今日 (22) 宣佈，2023年的第127屆波士頓馬拉松賽，ESPN和WCVB第5號頻道將享有全國及本地的獨家轉播權。WCVB還將為所有的BAA活動，包括5K賽，10K賽，以及半馬賽做一整年的獨家轉播。

ESPN and WCVB Channel 5 Named Exclusive Broadcast Partners for the Boston Marathon

 

ESPN Named Exclusive National Television & Streaming Partner; WCVB Channel 5 to be Exclusive Year-Round Local Television & Streaming Partner for Boston Marathon & All B.A.A. Events

 

BOSTON—The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) announced today that ESPN and WCVB Channel 5 will serve as the exclusive national and local broadcast partners, respectively, for the Boston Marathon beginning in 2023. WCVB will also provide exclusive year-round coverage for all B.A.A. events including the B.A.A. 5K, B.A.A. 10K, and B.A.A. Half Marathon.

 

“We’re honored to partner with ESPN and WCVB Channel 5, respected market leaders who bring a spirit of innovation and thoughtful storytelling that will propel the mission of the B.A.A. and legacy of the world’s oldest annual marathon forward,” said Jack Fleming, acting Chief Executive Officer of the B.A.A. “Both have established a tradition of broadcasting world-class athletic events, and we are excited to build on this tradition together into the future.”

 

“The Boston Marathon is one of the world’s most recognizable and best-known sporting events and we’re proud to be able to bring it to ESPN viewers for years to come,” said Burke Magnus, President, Programming and Original Content, for ESPN. “We look forward to working with the B.A.A. and WCVB to present the stories and athletic achievements of this classic race.”

 

“The B.A.A. and the Boston Marathon are esteemed around the world and beloved by our community, and to be launching this exclusive partnership as WCVB marks 50 years in broadcasting and service to the community is especially fitting,” said Kyle I. Grimes, WCVB Channel 5 President and General Manager. “WCVB has a proud history of covering the market’s marquee events, and the Boston Marathon is the perfect addition to Channel 5’s signature, local programming. We also look forward to working with the B.A.A. year-round to highlight their many other athletic events as well as the great work they do in the community.”

 

ESPN will broadcast the 127th Boston Marathon, scheduled to take place on Monday, April 17, 2023, on its flagship channel from 8:30 a.m. ET until 1:00 p.m. ET. In addition, ESPN will also have coverage of the race within SportsCenter before the live coverage and later in the day, as well as coverage appearing on other ESPN shows and platforms.

 

Live coverage of the Boston Marathon will air on WCVB beginning at 4:00 a.m. ET through 8:00 p.m. ET. The race will be exclusively simulcast regionally on WCVB Channel 5’s Hearst Television owned sister-stations WMUR (Manchester, NH), WMTW (Portland/Auburn, ME), and WPTZ (Burlington, VT/Plattsburgh, NY). WCVB and all of its television partners will provide coverage of the marathon on their digital platforms and mobile apps. The Boston Marathon will also be live streamed on Very Local Boston, and the streaming platform will host year-round content featuring the B.A.A. WCVB will also serve as the first-ever exclusive broadcast partner for the B.A.A.’s Distance Medley races and will provide year-round coverage of the B.A.A. and its races, with a focus on the Boston Marathon.

 

The partnership marks the return of the Boston Marathon to both ESPN and WCVB, with ESPN having aired the world’s most prestigious road race in the early 1980’s and then from 1997-2004. WCVB provided wire-to-wire coverage of the marathon from 1982 through 2006, including the largest Boston Marathon in history—the centennial Boston Marathon in 1996 featured 35,868 finishers.

 

ESPN annually televises other endurance events including the TCS New York City Marathon, NCAA Division I Indoor & Outdoor Track and Field Championships, NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships, the American Track League, the Penn Relays and various collegiate track & field meets.

 

The field size for the 127^th Boston Marathon has been established as 30,000 participants. Registration will take place over five days, September 12–16, 2022. The 2023 race marks the 10th anniversary of the tragic events surrounding the 2013 Boston Marathon, which will be honored and recognized by the B.A.A.

 

The next B.A.A. event is the B.A.A. 10K presented by Brigham and Women’s Hospital on Sunday, June 26. Athletes can register online and compete with Boston Marathon champions and Olympians. Media interested in covering the 2022 B.A.A. 10K may apply for credentials here.

波士頓市公佈2022流浪漢人口統計調查結果 減少2.4%

(Boston Orange 編譯) 波士頓市第42次年度流浪漢人口統計結果出爐。根據2月23日晚的調查數據，和2021年相比，減少2.4%，從1659人減至1545人。 波士頓市府稱，這是從2020年到2021年的減少24.7%之後的又一進步。 在調查當晚，在街頭流盪，無庇護之所的人數，減少了30%，從2021年的170人，減至2022年的119人，其中沒有一家流浪在外者。流浪在街頭的退伍軍人也減少了15.5%，從2021年的213人減至2022年的180人。 在執行流浪漢人口統計的大城市中，波士頓市逗留街頭無庇護的流浪漢人數是最低的其中一個。根據聯邦房住局 (HUD)公佈的最近這幾年數據，2021年中，波士頓睡在街頭的流浪人口，不到4%。                           在2020年，全美有39%的流浪漢沒有得到庇護。 MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF THE 2022 HOMELESSNESS CENSUS

BOSTON - Wednesday June 22, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced the results of the 42nd annual homeless census. On the night of February 23, Mayor Wu led a group of volunteers, including City and federal officials, homeless service providers, and public health and safety first responders in conducting the City of Boston's 42nd annual homeless census. During the annual census, the City of Boston collects data on individuals spending the night unsheltered on the street, and individuals and families staying in emergency shelter, transitional housing, or domestic violence shelter programs. This point-in-time count is a national requirement for cities who are receiving funds from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. "This year's census data helps us better shape Boston's work to support our unhoused residents, coordinate effectively with our state and federal partners, and move closer to ensuring everyone has a safe, healthy home," said Mayor Michelle Wu. "As we continue our work to tackle housing across all of our neighborhoods, these results will guide our efforts to serve all of our residents and end homelessness in our city." Overall, the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in Boston on the night of the census decreased by 2.4 percent, from 1,659 individuals in 2021 to 1,545 individuals in 2022. This reduction builds on a decrease of 24.7 percent from 2020 to 2021 which was due in part to a coordinated effort by city agencies and homeless service providers to create alternative housing, shelter and healthcare options that de-concentrated shelters during the first wave of the pandemic. It also reflects sustained and successful efforts in housing individuals experiencing homelessness and at-risk individuals and diverting individuals from emergency shelter to safe alternatives when possible. The number of unsheltered persons staying on the street on the night of the census decreased by 30 percent, or 51 individuals, from 170 individuals in 2021 to 119 individuals in 2022. There were no unsheltered families on the streets of Boston on the night of the census, as has been true for more than the past decade. After two years of increased unsheltered homelessness, this year’s street count is slightly lower than the total of 121 in 2019. The number of veterans experiencing homelessness decreased by 15.5%, from 213 veterans in 2021 to 180 veterans in 2022.  “The homeless census is an important tool in understanding the status of unsheltered veterans," said Andrew McCawley, president of the New England Center and Home for Veterans. "As an organization deeply engaged in efforts to end homelessness among veterans, this data provides us with a further understanding of the trends in our community so that we can plan for and deliver services. Even with this decrease, ONE unsheltered veteran is too many.  We appreciate the City's work to conduct this census and its collaboration with our organization to move forward a coordinated strategy to end veteran homelessness in the City of Boston." In 2021, the Mayor’s Office of Housing, Mayor’s Office of Recovery Services, Boston Housing Authority and a collaborative of homeless services and housing providers launched the Street-to-Home (S2H) Initiative focused on placing persons experiencing long-term unsheltered homelessness in permanent housing with wrap-around services. Participants were identified from a city-wide list of unsheltered individuals with a particular focus on the area centered at Massachusetts Ave. and Melnea Cass Blvd. By the night of the unsheltered count in late February, 150 individuals had been housed. The Street-to-Home Initiative is an ongoing part of a larger effort by the Mayor’s Office of Housing to invest Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG-CV) funding from the CARES Act to provide housing assistance and stabilization services. As a result of this funding, an additional 215 adult individuals experiencing homelessness were housed through ESG-CV rapid rehousing (RRH) programs over the 12 months prior to the 2022 census. In November 2021, Mayor Wu brought in a special advisor, Dr. Monica Bharel, M.D. to accelerate efforts to mitigate the growing encampment crisis in the Newmarket triangle area at Mass Ave. and Melnea Cass Blvd. The Boston Public Health Commission, Mayor’s Office of Recovery Services, and numerous public health, behavioral health and health care agencies worked with the Mayor’s Office of Housing to support six low-threshold sites providing interim housing, access to much needed medical and substance-use disorder care and ongoing housing navigation. This effort resulted in placement opportunities for more than 150 individuals who had been living in unsafe and dangerous encampments in the depth of winter. By focusing on public health, substance-use and trauma-informed approaches, persons suffering from substance use disorder and other challenging life struggles were able to transition to safety and begin to navigate treatment, safe shelter, family reunification and housing pathways. Both the Boston Street-to-Home initiative and the low-threshold housing sites continue to work to assist and stabilize clients as they transition to treatment and supportive housing, helping break the cycle of homelessness for vulnerable unsheltered individuals.    “This census data is a valuable tool in devising strategies to solve homelessness in Boston,” said Lyndia Downie, president and executive director of Pine Street Inn. “We are pleased to see a decrease in Boston’s numbers, especially given the national picture, where street homelessness is at 39%. We know we still have work to do, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Mayor Wu and the Mayor’s Office of Housing to scale up permanent supportive housing. Moving individuals off the street and out of shelter into the safety and stability of housing is the solution and will benefit not only those experiencing homelessness, but all residents and businesses in the city.”   With insights gained from addressing the intersecting crises of unsheltered homelessness and the substance use epidemic during the last two pandemic years, the Wu administration will invest new resources and strengthen partnerships to address low-threshold shelter access, substance use treatment access and permanent supportive housing strategies to improve unmet needs for outreach, engagement, and intervention. In the coming year, the Mayor’s Office of Housing,  the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Services, Boston Police Street Outreach Unit, Boston EMS, Fire and Public Works and Parks will work with a newly appointed Coordinated Response Director, Tania Del Rio, and her team to ensure a continued coordinated response to street homelessness and the successful implementation of the plan developed over the last six months by former Senior Adviser Dr. Monica Bharel. The Mayor’s Office of Housing will invest up to $1 million in funding to work with Pine Street Inn, Eliot Community Health Services and other street outreach providers to strengthen diversion and housing navigation for unsheltered individuals, and to enhance housing stabilization for individuals who transition into permanent supportive housing. Additional funds will be dedicated to ensure ongoing client engagement, behavioral health and substance use treatment access, housing navigation and rehousing for participants in the six low-threshold sites set up to mitigate last year’s encampment crisis.    The number of homeless families increased slightly this year, from 843 to 929, and Mayor Wu, the Boston City Council and a number of dedicated family homelessness providers, people with lived experience of family homelessness, and advocacy agencies have joined a Commission on Ending Family Homelessness to explore strategies and develop a plan to address the housing, childcare, education and family support needs of homeless children and adults in families. The census helps inform the City of Boston's policy development and allocation of resources. The information gained through the census is shared with other homeless service providers to aid in the coordination among the Continuum of Care members. Boston has one of the lowest percentages of unsheltered people living on the street of any major city conducting a census, with under 4 percent of Boston's homeless population sleeping on the street in 2021, the most recent year for which HUD has published national data. HUD did not publish national data for the total number of homeless persons who were unsheltered in 2021, because many Continua of Care waived their unsheltered count due to COVID-19. In 2020, 39 percent of all homeless persons were unsheltered nationwide.