麻州政府再撥3200萬元氣候變遷經費給市鎮 總額達一億元

 Baker-Polito Administration Awards Over $32 Million in Climate Change Funding to Cities and Towns Bringing Total Investment to $100 Million

97% of Communities Now Participating in Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program

 

WILLIAMSBURG – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced $32.8 million in grants to cities and towns through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EEA) Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program, continuing its historic investment in building climate change resilience throughout the Commonwealth. The grant program, which was launched in 2017 as part of Governor Baker’s Executive Order 569, provides communities with funding and technical support to identify climate hazards, develop strategies to improve resilience, and implement priority actions to adapt to climate change. With today’s announcement, the Administration has now awarded $100 million to 97% of the Commonwealth’s cities and towns through the MVP program.

 

“Since we started the program in 2017, the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program has played a large role in helping cities and towns across the state fight climate change by investing $100 million in 341 municipalities, or 97% of the Commonwealth’s communities,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “With this latest round of MVP funding, we are making the single largest investment in the program by directing nearly $33 million towards critical climate resilience projects throughout Massachusetts.”

 

“This is the sixth round of MVP funding, and we are making a major push forward by funding more climate resilience implementation projects than ever before,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “It has been rewarding to see projects move through the phases from planning to design to construction and implementation over the last five years, and we are starting to see the tangible difference these projects are making in our communities as we prepare for a changing climate.”

 

The MVP Program pairs local leadership and knowledge with a significant investment of resources and funding from the Commonwealth to address ongoing climate change impacts, such as inland flooding, increase in storm events, sea level rise, drought, and extreme temperatures. Of the $32.8 million in grants announced, $32.6 million was awarded to 73 municipal projects that build local resilience to climate change in the Commonwealth’s sixth round of MVP Action Grant funding. Additionally, $157,700 was awarded to six towns to pursue a community-led planning process to identify vulnerabilities to climate change and priority actions. When complete, these municipalities will be eligible for the next round of implementation funding.

 

“Every year the real need for climate resilience funding becomes even more important for our municipal partners, who have remained steadfast in their commitment to the hard work of preparing their communities for climate change,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card. “It is extremely gratifying to see more dollars than ever before being put towards local projects, such as drought mitigation, stormwater and culvert upgrades, and land acquisitions, which will have numerous positive impacts on the state’s residents for many years to come.”

 

The following communities will receive funding to complete the MVP planning process:

 

Grantee	MVP Program Region	Total Award
Hancock	Berkshires & Hilltowns	$27,000
Hanover	Greater Boston	$36,700
Lee	Berkshires & Hilltowns	$27,000
Middlefield	Berkshires & Hilltowns	$27,000
Monroe	Berkshires & Hilltowns	$25,000
West Stockbridge	Berkshires & Hilltowns	$15,000
Total (6)		Total: $157,700

  

The following projects are receiving Action Grants: 

 

Grantee	Project Title	Grant Award
Andover & Lawrence	Shawsheen River Nature-Based Flood Resilience	$271,705
Ayer & Devens	Ayer-Devens Main Streets Regional Pocket Forests Pilot Project	$282,624
Belchertown	Scarborough Brook Watershed Improvements	$139,500
Berlin	Horseshoe Pond Acquisition Project	$874,268
Beverly	Bass River District Resilience Plan	$200,000
Boxford	Increasing Watershed Scale Resiliency in Boxford Through Culvert Upgrades in the Howlett Brook Watershed	$265,900
Brockton	Trout Brook Flood Resilience	$157,300
Brookline	Climate Crisis Action and Resilience Plan Update	$75,000
Cambridge	Cambridge Community Corps Climate Readiness Initiative	$150,000
Chatham, Provincetown, Harwich, Mashpee, & Falmouth	Regional Low Lying Road Assessment and Feasibility	$205,479
Chatham Brewster, Harwich, & Orleans	Pleasant Bay Climate Adaptation Action Plan	$292,710
Chelsea, Revere, & Winthrop	Envisioning Resilience in the North Suffolk Region through Community Preparedness	$87,500
Chelsea	Eastern Ave. Alternatives Analysis + Conceptual Design	$333,492
Chelsea, Somerville, Everett, Malden, Revere, & Winthrop	Equitable Coastal Resilience and Redevelopment in Lower Mystic	$556,000
Chester, Blandford, & Middlefield	Evaluating & Planning for Resilient Rural Dirt Roads	$317,550
Dedham & Neponset Watershed Communities	Neponset Watershed Regional Adaptation Strategy and Flood Model	$389,457
Dennis	Pound Pond - Flood Mitigation and Storm Drainage Improvements Dennis, Massachusetts - Phase 2 Final Design	$73,628
Dracut	Design and Permitting for Collinsville Dam Removal Project	$174,000
Easthampton	Emerald Place Resiliency	$117,800
Essex	Apple Street Roadbed Elevation and Culvert Replacement Project	$222,037
Everett & Chelsea	Island End River Flood Resilience Project	$2,998,600
Everett, Malden, Chelsea, & Arlington	Beat the Heat: Wicked Cool Outdoors / Venza el Calor: Súper Fresco Afuera	$339,915
Fairhaven	Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment	$40,000
Fall River & Westport	South Watuppa Pond Green Infrastructure Blue Water Restoration	$379,875
Fall River	Fall River CSO Treatment Study	$1,163,000
Fitchburg	Generating Resiliency in Downtown Fitchburg with Nature-Based Solutions	$109,000
Framingham	Walnut Street Neighborhood Flood Mitigation -Permits & Easements	$155,000
Great Barrington	Lake Mansfield Recreation Area Improvements Phase 1	$992,500
Hatfield	Climate-Smart Comprehensive Planning for Hatfield	$283,900
Hudson, Framingham, & Natick	SuAsCo Natural Climate Solutions Project	$314,393
Hull	Hull Climate Adaption Roadmap; Alternatives Analysis for the Hampton Circle Area	$198,624
Lincoln	Town of Lincoln Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (L-CAP) Proposal	$100,000
Longmeadow	Toward the New Normal: Envisioning an Inclusive & Resilient Longmeadow	$235,555
Lowell	Resilient Urban Forest Master Plan and Urban Heat Island Assessment	$93,000
Malden	Malden River Works for Waterfront Equity and Resilience	$200,550
Mashpee	Increasing Resilience to Harmful Algal Blooms in Santuit Pond Stormwater Retrofit Implementation - Phase 1	$469,037
Mattapoisett, Fairhaven, Marion, Rochester, & Acushnet	Mattapoisett River Valley Water Supply Resilience Project	$4,500,000
Medford	Interconnected Resiliency Network & Resilient Communications	$416,738
Medford	Andrews School Resilient Emergency Shelter	$670,568
Middleborough	Picone Farm Preservation for Climate Resiliency, Flood Storage, Water Quality & Food Security	$1,364,325
Monson	Chicopee Brook Flood Resilience Improvements	$295,000
Montague	Incorporating Climate Resiliency into the Montague Comprehensive Plan	$80,000
Monterey	Enhancing Flood Resiliency Through the Evaluation and Redesign of Critical Infrastructure Along the Konkapot River - Phase II Final Design & Permitting	$124,071
Natick & Charles River Watershed Communities	Building Resilience Across the Charles River Watershed Phase III	$333,070
New Bedford	Kempton Street Corridor Green Infrastructure	$161,800
Northampton	Climate Resilient Downtown Affordable Housing	$921,300
Oak Bluffs	Vulnerability Assessment and Permit Level Design of Coastal Resilience Improvements for Dukes County Ave Pump Station	$69,529
Plympton	Preserving Turkey Swamp: A Keystone Goal	$502,500
Reading & Mystic River Watershed Communities	Maillet, Sommes, Morgan Constructed Stormwater Wetland	$2,116,578
Revere	Diamond Creek Catchment Improvements Investigation and Assessment	$235,509
Revere, Saugus, Malden, Everett, & Lynn	Regional Saugus River Watershed Vulnerability and Adaptation Study	$150,872
Richmond & West Stockbridge	Resilient Stormwater Action and Implementation Plan	$265,408
Rowe, Heath, Shelburne, & Conway	Community Driven Forest Climate Adaptation: Implementing the Forest Climate Resilience Program in the Mohawk Trail Woodland Partnership	$164,450
Salem	Collins Cove to Willows Resilience Study	$234,565
Seekonk	Attleboro Dye Works Dam Removal: Design & Permitting	$191,000
Sherborn	Sherborn's Climate Activation and Resilience Plan- A Model for Climate Mobilization for the MetroWest Region	$38,145
Shrewsbury	Regulatory Update for Sustainable Parking Requirements	$90,000
Shrewsbury	Climate Action and Resilience Plan	$100,000
South Hadley	Queensville Dam and Buttery Brook Restoration	$162,000
Stoneham	Stoneham High School Wetland Restoration	$108,700
Stoughton	Stoughton Town-wide Drainage Model, Vulnerability Assessment, and Adaptation Strategies to Mitigate Future Flooding	$218,175
Stow	Stow Acres North Acquisition and Climate Resilience Master Plan	$1,135,000
Sutton	Manchaug Village Water Resource Resiliency Action Plan	$75,000
Templeton	Old Royalston Road Culvert Replacement	$503,225
Uxbridge	Home Brew Dam and Whitin Pond Dam Removal	$185,450
Waltham	Designing a Resilient Chester Brook Corridor	$143,900
Ware	Muddy Brook Subwatershed Resiliency Master Plan	$42,740
Whately	Whately Energy Resilience and Education	$304,778
Williamsburg	Williamsburg Public Safety Complex	$1,831,137
Woburn & Mystic River Watershed Communities	Hurld Park - Heat Resilient Park	$271,425
Worcester	Drainage and Green Infrastructure Master Plan	$1,253,091
Wrentham & Norfolk	Eagle Dam Removal Phase II	$41,337
Yarmouth	Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan	$80,089
Total: 73		Total: $32,640,374

 

“The MVP grant program is among the most relevant and the most effective in the Commonwealth,” said State Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “I'm absolutely delighted to see substantial funds flowing to western Massachusetts thanks to the stellar work of EEA officials and municipal leaders alike. I look forward to offering sustained support for this critical initiative.”

 

“We are witnessing the elevated impact of climate change in our small towns, including storms that wipe out culverts, bridges, and roads,” said State Senator Adam Hinds (D-Pittsfield). “I am proud of the relationship between the legislature and the administration to act forcefully in support of our municipalities that often struggle to keep up with demand.”

 

“Communities often struggle with figuring out how to stretch dollars to fund critical projects. The infusion of funds to Northampton, Williamsburg, and Hatfield in my district will go a long way to support projects that will help ensure these communities are climate ready,” said State Representative Lindsay Sabadosa (D-Northampton). “I am extremely grateful that the Commonwealth has acknowledged the importance of offering tangible support to these cities and towns today.”

 

As the MVP program reaches its five-year anniversary, EEA is formulating a process, trainings, and resources, called “MVP Planning 2.0,” for updating MVP plans and the priority actions identified within them. EEA is seeking to develop an updated process that is inclusive, engaging, equitable, collaborative, and actionable. The update process will take into account newly available climate change tools and projections, the ongoing Massachusetts Climate Assessment, data from the first iteration of MVP planning grants, and feedback from the many MVP stakeholders who have made the program a success to date. The revamped process and resources are expected to launch in Spring 2023.

 

Furthermore, MVP supports the implementation of the State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan (SHMCAP), released in September 2018, which provided a national model of integrating hazard mitigation priorities with forward-looking climate change data and solutions. The plan is implemented within state government by the Resilient MA Action Team (RMAT), an inter-agency team led by EEA and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, and staffed by designated Climate Change Coordinators from each Executive Office. The Resilient MA Action Team provides guidance and decision-making for plan implementation, further refines priority actions, and ensures actions are integrated into agency practice and policy. Recently, the RMAT launched the Climate Resilience Design Standards Tool to integrate best available statewide climate change projections to inform climate resilient planning and design of infrastructure, buildings, and natural resource assets. This tool was used in the 2022 MVP Action Grant and Community One Stop for Growth application processes.

 

Currently, RMAT and EEA are developing the MA Climate Change Assessment, a statewide analysis detailing how Massachusetts people, environments, and infrastructure may be affected by climate change and related hazards through the end of the century. This assessment will directly inform the first five-year update to the SHMCAP, which will be released in Fall 2023.

波士頓市長吳弭呼籲美國交通部長插手 協助恢復麻州地鐵服務

(Boston Orange編譯) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 在8月29日和波士頓市街道長Jascha Franklin-Hodge，移居街道聯盟 (LivableStreets Alliance) 、更好城市 (A Better City) ，以及交通有關係 (Transit Matters)等機構聯合發表聲明，呼籲聯邦、州、市政府合作，恢復麻州地鐵 (MBTA)服務。

麻州地鐵在8月24日發出通告，聲稱從8月28日起，紅藍橘線地鐵的夏季刪減服務模式，將展延進秋季。綠線地鐵服務也將縮減，巴士服務也將縮減。

這意味著正當學校開學之際，地鐵乘客將面對地鐵、巴士班次更少狀況。

在聯邦交通管理局 (FTA)發現麻州地鐵的操作控制中心人員嚴重不足後，麻州地鐵從6月20日起，把夏季的平日 (週一至週五) 服務量減少20%以來，麻州地鐵的紅藍橘線地鐵班次，已經更少了。

預定從9月19日起恢復營運的麻州地鐵橘線，今秋將增加週六的服務，但減少週日的服務。

麻州地鐵的巴士服務在12月時，因為駕駛人員不足，減少了大約3%，8月24日這天，麻州地鐵宣佈，入秋後，將刪減更多服務，有43條巴士路線將更少發車，9條巴士路線有變動，30條巴士路線的發車時間有變動。有2條巴士路線會增加服務。

麻州地鐵人員表示，根據疫情期間的搭乘量，該機構暫停了一些乘客量少的路線，把服務調至更仰賴巴士的社區。該機構今秋將持續監看使用狀況，適時調整。

麻州地鐵網站表示，紅線地鐵將在平日 (週一至週五) 期間，停駛Davis站，從10月30日起，週末停駛公園街站 (Park Street)，已配合Alewife車站的軌道工作。

麻州地鐵在上個月時說，該機構現有17明調派員，想要再增聘15名。新增的調派員必須先接受10週培訓，才能上任，而麻州地鐵在同一時段只能培訓6明調派員。麻州地鐵在招聘調派員上，一直面對困難，最近甚至推出了簽約就有獎金1萬元的鼓勵策略。

波士頓市長吳弭的聲明稱麻州地鐵在8月24日宣佈，麻州地鐵系統及巴士網路將維持並進一步縮減服務，將危害本地區的未來交通。這些服務刪減將和前所未有的橘線及綠線停駛同時發生，勢將逼使本地區乘客面對更大挑戰，也讓人更加擔憂平等、移動力、環境及經濟等議題。這些情況也放大了長年來對基礎建設的投資不足，這些服務刪減更彰顯了麻州地鐵的無力解決嚴重的員工問題。

該聲明稱，為了重建民眾對交通系統的信心，他們呼籲美國交通部部長Buttigieg，以及代表麻州的國會議員們和麻州地鐵、以及聯邦交通管理局合作，為波士頓及這個地區恢復安全，可靠的服務。

該聲明稱，我們必須:

找到加速解決鐵路調派員短缺問題的辦法，以儘快恢復尖峰時段的服務。

立刻解決巴士操作員嚴重短缺問題。

支持改善麻州地鐵和乘客的溝通。

定期向公眾提交進展報告。

在波士頓都匯區人們的生活品質、移動能力受到直接影響之外，麻州地鐵的無法提供完整服務，也將使全美最糟糕的擠塞地點大為增加，未來出行模式也將使得減碳目標更難達成。在安全是麻州地鐵首要考量之際，麻州地鐵必須支持每一層級政府，僅及執行解決安全問題的計畫，為人民提供安全可靠，平等的交通選擇，以支持地方上的通勤和流動性。

我們隨時準備和麻州地鐵合作，加速恢復社區應享有的安全可靠服務。    

       MBTA Fall Service Cuts are Yet Another Hit to Mobility in Greater Boston and the Region 

Today Mayor Michelle Wu, Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin-Hodge, LivableStreets Alliance, A Better City, and Transit Matters issued the following joint statement:   MBTA Fall Service Cuts are Yet Another Hit to Mobility in Greater Boston and the Region  Coordinated action needed by Federal, State, and local agencies to restore service

 

Wednesday’s announcement by the MBTA that it would sustain and deepen service cuts on the rapid transit system and bus network puts the region’s transportation future in jeopardy. Federal, state, and local officials must work together to restore critical services as quickly as possible. These service cuts will overlap with the unprecedented Orange and Green Line shutdowns, compounding significant challenges for riders and the region, and raising serious equity, mobility, environmental, and economic concerns. Magnifying the impact of chronic underinvestment in infrastructure, these cuts underscore the MBTA’s continued inability to address critical systemic staffing issues.  Transit is essential to Boston and the consequences of diminished service are felt every day by riders. These cuts will ripple across our region this fall as students return to school, more workers return to the office, and the Orange Line resumes service with the expectation of major improvements. To rebuild trust in transit, we call on Secretary Buttigieg and members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation to work with the MBTA and the FTA to restore safe, reliable service to Boston and the region. We must:   ·       Find accelerated solutions to the rail dispatcher shortage that has resulted in substantial reduction in rail service since June. As additional dispatchers enter service, the MBTA, with support from the FTA, must prioritize restoration of peak period service levels as quickly as possible.  ·       Immediately address the critical shortage of bus operators which has led to dwindling service for the most loyal and transit-dependent riders. The Department of Transportation and Department of Labor must work with the MBTA, state officials, and labor unions to understand and remove the barriers to attracting this essential workforce, financial or contractual. ·       Support improved MBTA communication with riders in advance of any significant future service disruptions that may be necessary to address safety deficiencies identified by the FTA.  ·       Provide regular progress reports to the public on staffing levels and targets, headways, and ridership impacts in order to maintain transparency and rebuild trust.  In addition to the direct impact on mobility and quality of life for the people of Metro Boston, the MBTA’s inability to provide full service will increase some of the nation’s worst congestion, further lock in unsustainable travel patterns, and make our decarbonization goals more difficult to reach. While safety must be the MBTA’s number one priority, the MBTA needs the support of every level of government to urgently implement a plan to address safety and provide robust, reliable, and equitable transit options to support commuting and mobility within the region. We stand ready and eager to partner on these needs and accelerate the return of safe, reliable service that our communities deserve.

AG HEALEY CO-LEADS BIPARTISAN EFFORT IN SUPPORT OF CHANGES TO 90/10 RULE, CALLS FOR STRONGER BORROWER PROTECTIONS

 AG HEALEY CO-LEADS BIPARTISAN EFFORT IN SUPPORT OF CHANGES TO 90/10 RULE, CALLS FOR STRONGER BORROWER PROTECTIONS

  Letter to U.S. Department of Education Stresses Importance of Preventing Abuse and Exploitation by Predatory For-Profit Schools  

BOSTON – Following a monthslong negotiated rulemaking process by the U.S. Department of Education aimed at reaching new regulatory proposals, Attorney General Maura Healey is co-leading a bipartisan group of states in providing comments commending the Department’s proposed improvements to the 90/10 Rule, which prohibits for-profit schools from receiving more than 90 percent of their revenue from federal student aid. The comments also call on the Department to adopt stronger regulations to protect borrowers from the perils of improper conversions by for-profit schools to nonprofit status.  

 

The letter applauds the Department for proposing regulations that would protect borrowers from dangerous loopholes that have plagued the 90/10 Rule, eliminating financial incentives for schools to aggressively target members of the military. The proposed 90/10 regulations were approved by consensus during the negotiated rulemaking in which representatives from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and Minnesota Attorney General’s Office served on behalf of all state attorneys general.  

 

“We are proud to have worked with the Department to reach a consensus on these important regulatory changes that help clarify the 90/10 Rule process, prevent borrower abuse, and protect our veterans and servicemembers from predatory practices,” said AG Healey. “We look forward to continuing our mutual work to support students and taxpayers.”  

 

The 90/10 Rule was originally directed by Congress in 1992 as a response to findings of fraud, waste, and abuse in the for-profit higher education sector, including issues like tuition increases tied to maximum financial aid, disbursements of financial aid without concern for whether students could repay their debt, and other problems with program integrity. According to the letter, Congress created the 90/10 Rule as a “bright-line quality-control measure” for schools. 

 

Bad actors, however, soon found ways to exploit gaps in the 90/10 framework, specifically the exclusion of benefits disbursed from Veterans Affairs (VA) from the calculation of federal aid revenues. Because the Post 9/11 GI Bill made billions of dollars in new educational revenue available for veterans and their families, a market of potential paying students emerged for schools looking to exploit and maximize financial aid. While these new benefits administered by the VA were funded by taxpayers, none of these dollars counted towards schools’ 90 percent cap on federal funding. According to the letter, the “90/10 loophole” not only undermined the purpose of the Rule, but it created perverse incentives for abusive and low-quality programs to target recruitment at servicemembers and veterans. 

 

The Department’s proposed updates to the 90/10 Rule effectuate Congress’s recent action to close the loophole related to financial aid administered by the VA and improve the Rule’s application.  

 

In addition to supporting the Department’s proposed 90/10 regulations, the comments also address the Department’s proposed regulations regarding changes in institutional ownership. While the coalition applauds the Department for addressing the risks associated with for-profit to nonprofit conversions, it urges the adoption of additional measures to ensure that the Department is not “inadvertently creating loopholes that are subject to abuse by institutions with problematic financial incentives.” A report published in 2020 found that 75 percent of institutions converting from for-profit to nonprofit status between January 2011 and August 2020 were sold to entities that have never before operated education institutions. One third of these transactions involved some level of “insider involvement,” raising the risk of continued financial entanglements with previous owners.  

 

The letter also includes recommendations to strengthen protections against improper revenue-sharing between converted nonprofit institutions and former owners or affiliated entities, and to reconsider regulations that would reduce the threshold for what automatically constitutes a change of ownership requiring Departmental review. 

 

Today’s bipartisan letter, led by AG Healey and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, is also joined by the attorneys general of Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.  

波士頓市議員Arroyo年輕時涉嫌性騷擾 市議長Ed Flynn撤支持拔其副議長職位

波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn 剝除Ricardo Arroyo的市議會副議長職位。 (檔案照片，周菊子攝)

                   (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合編譯報導)波士頓市議員Ricardo Arroyo，上週爆出年輕時曾因2宗性騷擾案被調查，但未被控罪的消息後，波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn已公開撤銷他給Arroyo的背書支持，今 (29)日，Ed Flynn再進一步表態，剝除Arroyo的市議會副議長職位，以及2個委員會主席職務。

                   Ricardo Arroyo刻正參選薩福克郡地方檢察官職位，和麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker)指派出任該職位，今年參選以期續任的Kevin Hayden競爭。

                  Ricardo Arroyo宣佈參選後，迅速獲得包括波士頓市市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)，波士頓華人協選會，代表麻州的聯邦參議員Elizabeth Warren，最近率團訪問台灣的聯邦參議員Ed Markey，已宣佈退選麻州州長的麻州參議員陳翟蘇妮 (Sonia Chang Diaz)，麻州眾議員Jon Santiago，曾代理波士頓市市長一職的Kim Janey，以及多名波士頓市議員等的支持。

Ricardo Arroyo (檔案照片，周菊子攝)

                  年輕時曾涉及性騷擾的消息曝光後，前述眾人很沉默，波士頓市長吳弭回應外界詢問時表示，將等此事的完整情況揭露後，再評估作法。

                   聯邦參議員Elizabeth Warren，波士頓市長吳弭，前波士頓市代理市長Kim Janey在 27日到波士頓公共圖書館總館前，為刻正競選麻州總檢察長 (AG) 職位的Shannon Liss-Riordan站台、拉票時，面對記者們關於Arroyo事件的詢問，霎時全體靜默無聲，最後是波士頓市長吳弭忍不住，抓起話筒說，這天的活動重心是支持Shannon Liss-Riordan，請回歸活動主題。

                 這天也應邀出席支持Shannon Liss-Riordan的波士頓市議員Kendra Lara，倒是不怕發聲，27日沒機會說話，但28日就以行動表現繼續支持Arroyo，還在推特上貼出她參加了Arroyo的競選活動。

                   已宣佈撤除支持Arroyo的有波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn，前任聯邦眾議員Joe Kennedy III，以及鐵工本地7工會。

                  8月27日，波士頓市議員Frank Baker，以保護市議會的整體正直為由，藉”第17F章”法令，大膽要求波士頓市長吳弭在保護受害者隱私權的情況下，交出有關Arroyo案件的波士頓警察局所有調查記錄。

              波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn今天 (29日)發信給波士頓市書記辦公室，要剝除Ricardo Arroyo的市議會副議長職位60天，同時拔除他的政府運作委員會，區域重劃委員會的主席職務。Arroyo被拔除的職務中，還包括審核給市府高層員工加薪的委員會。

                 Arroyo 也立即發表聲明，稱Ed Flynn無故剝奪他的副議長及委員會主席職務，是不民主的行為。

             波市頓環球報揭露的Arroyo所涉性騷擾事件，發生在Arroyo年僅18、19歲時。涉案者一人為他的高中同學，一人為當年僅16歲的未成年少女。Arroyo的高中同學在2005年向警察舉報，Arroyo曾在長達6個月期間，強迫她為Arroyo口交。另一名少女則是參加派對喝醉，醒後認為Arroyo可能強暴了她。這2宗案件雖然在波士頓警察局留下了報案紀錄，但Arroyo都未被控罪。

             Arroyo的父親，Felix D. Arroyo在政界人脈深厚，1984年創辦麻州首個拉丁裔政治組織，在John Kerry擔任美國國務卿時，曾任John Kerry的拉丁美洲事務主任。2003年他首度當選為波士頓市不分區市議員，並連任至2007年。2014年他成功當選為薩福克郡的遺囑認證官。

             Arroyo的哥哥，Felix G. Arroyo曾任波士頓市不分區市議員，和馬丁華殊 (Martin Walsh)競爭波士頓市長一職失利後，表態支持，並在馬丁華殊上任市長後，出任波士頓市人民健康長，2017年因涉及性騷擾案被革職。2020年時他遞案控告波士頓市政府，以及波士頓市長馬丁華殊違約，疏忽及毀謗。

             在Ricardo Arroyo的案件中，雖然有2宗，而且都不是大案，但是Arroyo在申請律師牌照時，曾聲稱自己從未涉及任何案件，若他明知自己曾涉案，但隱忍未做說明，就違反了律師的職業道德要求，他的律師牌照可能因此受影響。

             Arroyo在回應案件時聲稱，在波士頓環球報刊文報導前，他從不知道自己涉案。但波士頓環球報在後續報導中稱，Arroyo當年曾聘請律師為他處理此案，在波士頓環球報訪問他的高中同學5小時之後，他聯繫上該名高中同學，要求談話，接著該名高中同學在臉書上告訴波士頓環球報記者，當年的事情沒發生過。

             在麻州選舉的初選日9月6日距今不到10天之際，Arroyo案件的實情到底如何，估計不可能水落石出，此案對選情會有多大衝擊，實難預料。 (更新版)

60 performing Arts organizations will convene on Greenway for Arts Expo

 

WITH HOPE FOR A ROBUST RETURN TO THE ARTS THIS FALL, GREATER BOSTON ARTS EXPO OFFERS THE CITY’S LARGEST-EVER LIVE SEASON PREVIEW SEPTEMBER 19

BOSTON – August 29, 2022 – Nearly 60 performing arts organizations from across the region will convene on the Rose Kennedy Greenway (Atlantic Avenue between Milk Street and High Street) next month for the Greater Boston Arts Expo (GBAX, BostonArtsExpo.com), an audience-focused celebration of the 2022-’23 performing arts season that comprises the city’s largest-ever live season preview. GBAX will feature a variety of free public performances, ticket and season discount offers, and a chance to meet artists and the people behind shows and events coming up this year. 

The Greater Boston Arts Expo takes place September 19 from 4-8 pm and is produced by arts service organizations ArtsBoston and StageSource, with support from the City of Boston, the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District, the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, Lexus Broadway in Boston, and the Cultural Equity Incubator. The Boston Globe is lead media sponsor for the event.

The paths and sidewalks of the Greenway between Rings Fountain and Rowes Wharf Plaza will be lined with tents and tables staffed by regional artists and arts leaders. During the family-friendly event local celebrity emcees will welcome performances ranging from dance and rap to opera and Shakespeare, from drag to flamenco and classical music to musical theatre – all on a main stage provided by Boston Dance Alliance and The Wandering Stage. Pop-up performances, family activities including a “selfie station” with props from StageSource’s Props Co-Op, and arts-centered interactive games that encourage arts exploration will happen throughout the event. 

Although free, attendees are encouraged to register for the event for updates and to request special accessibility needs. GBAX will have ASL interpretation, audio description and accessibility assistance.

Trillium Brewing Company’s Garden on the Greenway will open for the evening. Food trucks (including Revelry, the winner of Boston magazine’s 2022 Best Food Truck) will offer meal options to GBAX attendees. Onsite discounts and dozens of hourly opportunities to win free tickets will be available.

Among the organizations that will be part of GBAX (in alphabetical order):

 

Actors’ Shakespeare Project

American Repertory Theater

Arts Connect International

ArtsBoston

ArtsEmerson

Back Bay Ringers

Ballroom in Boston

Beheard.world

Blue Man Group Boston

Boch Center for the Performing Arts

Boston Center for the Arts

Boston Dance Alliance

Boston Lyric Opera

Boston Philharmonic Orchestra

Boston Playwrights' Theatre

Broadway In Boston

Cappella Clausura Inc.

Celebrity Series of Boston

Central Square Theater

City Ballet of Boston

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company

Company One

Coro Allegro

Cultural Equity Incubator

Eastern Massachusetts Association of Community Theatres

Emerson Colonial Theatre

Emmanuel Music

Footlight Club

Fresh Ink Theatre Company

Global Arts Live

Greater Boston Stage Company

Guerilla Opera

Handel and Haydn Society

Hub Theatre Company of Boston

The Huntington

Jewish Arts Collaborative

Liars & Believers

Longy School of Music of Bard College

Lurenzone Theatrics

Lyric Stage Company of Boston

Moonbox Productions

Mosesian Center for the Arts

Museum of Fine Arts Boston

New Repertory Theatre

OnStage Dance Company

Puppet Showplace Theater

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston

Regent Theatre

Revels, Inc.

Sarasa Chamber Music Ensemble

Sh*tfaced Shakespeare

Slate Casting

SpeakEasy Stage Company

StageSource Props Co-Op

Suffolk University Theatre Department

The Theater Offensive

Titanic Theatre Company

Wheelock Family Theatre

ArtsBoston Executive Director Catherine Peterson (she/her) says GBAX will connect Boston’s revitalized performing and visual arts sector with city residents, visitors and workers itching to get back to performances and events. “We know audience members are eager to come back to the arts; they started dipping their toes back in last season,” Peterson says. “With most arts groups back in full force this fall, and so much to see and do, we want to produce a celebratory event where arts lovers of all kinds can learn about the theater, dance, music, and visual arts coming up. At GBAX, people will be able to plan their arts calendars for the season.”

StageSource Interim Executive Director Jen Lewis (she/her) says she’s excited about the great stories and performances that will be on city stages this year. “GBAX is a rare opportunity for audiences to experience and directly interact with a wide variety of artists and organizations doing incredible creative work around the region,” Lewis says. “Performers on the GBAX stage and organizations bringing resources to the event are a cross-section of what’s happening culturally in Boston. Our emphasis is to help smaller and BIPOC-led organizations become better known among audiences this season. GBAX will be a truly inclusive and diverse event in every way – and a lot of fun!”

"Bringing audiences to the arts in Boston means supporting the shops and restaurants here, which means a real and reliable boost to the downtown economy," says Downtown Boston BID Interim Co-Director Anita Lauricella. "It's in the city's best interest that the arts thrive here and we're proud to support this effort to make that happen."

"The Greater Boston CVB is thrilled to sponsor this inaugural festival,” says Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO Martha Sheridan. “The arts and cultural tourism sector must fully recover for the visitor economy as a whole to thrive.  Cultural organizations were particularly hard hit by the pandemic and we are excited to participate in events such as the Greater Boston Arts Expo that aim to reengage and reinvigorate arts audiences."