Lt. Governor Polito Kicks Off “Building Stronger Communities” Tour in Holyoke, Greenfield

Lt. Governor Polito Kicks Off “Building Stronger Communities” Tour in Holyoke, Greenfield

Lt. Governor Meets with Mayors To Discuss The Community Compact Cabinet, Chapter 90 Funds

HOLYOKE – Lt. Governor Karyn Polito today began the “Building Stronger Communities” tour in Holyoke and Greenfield to meet with local officials and discuss ways to strengthen partnerships in all schools and communities across the Commonwealth.  Last Friday, Governor Charlie Baker signed his first Executive Order, creating the Community Compact Cabinet chaired by Lt. Governor Polito, to ensure the Governor’s Office works more closely with local governments. 

“Governor Baker and I both worked as selectmen in our hometowns and we understand how important it is for state and local government to work hand in hand to achieve greatness,” said Lt. Governor Polito.  “Our mission is to bring our cities and towns to the table to create an effective and efficient partnership, driving stronger schools and communities in the Commonwealth.”

Polito also discussed the $100 million in new Chapter 90 funding that was released on the Administration’s first day in office to fund local road and bridge repairs for every city and town in the Commonwealth.  The Baker Administration has pledged to protect local aid, funding for the homelessness and the Department of Children and Families.

"I am excited about these new initiatives coming from the Governor's Office. They will allow for a better flow of information between state and local leaders, in addition to giving cities like Holyoke the tools necessary to navigate the many state bureaucracies,” said Mayor Morse.  “This is particularly important in terms of job creation and economic development, two areas where Gov. Baker and Lt. Gov. Polito agree we need to be working closely together."

“We are encouraged by this concept of a Community Compact. Regional centers, whether they are Gateway Cities or not, like Greenfield, Gardner, Gloucester and North Adams, are integral hubs of commerce, culture, education and jobs,” said Mayor Martin.  “This Compact will allow direct communication with the Governor and Executive Secretaries concerning the unique and special needs of these local regional centers. The increased Chapter 90 monies began a long journey to repair and maintain our roads and bridges. Any assistance to abbreviate the bureaucratic process for action in dealing with these issues will be helpful.”

On January 8^th, Governor Baker sent a letter to all mayors informing them that Chapter 90 apportionment for Fiscal Year 2015 were increased.  Holyoke increased from $1,059,765 to $1,589,648 and Greenfield increased from $640,398 to $960,597.  Click here to read more on Ch. 90 Funds.

About Executive Order:

• Empowers Lieutenant Governor Polito to be a champion for municipal issues across state government.

• Restructures the Department of Revenue to include a new Senior Commissioner for the Division of Local Services, reporting directly to the Commissioner.

• Creates a Community Compact Cabinet that will work toward mutual accountability, work to reduce red tape, promote best practices, and develop specific “community compacts” with local governments. 

• These community compacts will create clear, mutual standards, expectations, and accountability for both the state and municipalities as we seek to create better government for our citizens.

Click here to read more on Governor Baker’s Executive Order and Chapter 90 Funding.

Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Names George Peterson Commissioner of Fish and Game

Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Names 

George Peterson Commissioner of Fish and Game

BOSTON - January 29, 2015 - Today, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton announced George N. Peterson, Jr. will serve as Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game. Secretary Beaton also announced that Mary-Lee King will serve as Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game.

“I have the utmost faith in George’s dedication and capability to lead the Department of Fish and Game,” said Matthew Beaton, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs. “As an avid outdoorsman and former commercial fisherman, George will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience as well as a unique understanding of the issues most important to sportsmen and commercial fishermen across the Commonwealth.” 

“I thank Secretary Beaton, Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito for asking me to serve as Commissioner,” said George N. Peterson, Jr., Commissioner of Department of Fish and Game. “I am honored to lead the Department of Fish and Game, and look forward to upholding the Department’s ongoing commitment to the protection of the Commonwealth’s wildlife, open space, and outdoors educational programs.”

“I would like to thank Governor Baker, Lieutenant Governor Polito, Secretary Beaton, and Commissioner Peterson for this opportunity,” said Mary-Lee King, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game.  “Having worked for the last six years in the Department, I look forward to continuing to work with the agency’s talented and committed staff.”

George N. Peterson, Jr., Commissioner of Department of Fish and Game

George Peterson served for 20 years in the Massachusetts House of Representatives representing the Ninth Worcester District. Prior to his time on Beacon Hill, George served in municipal government for 10 years in the town of Grafton. 

In the private sector, George has worked as both a commercial fisherman based out of Gloucester, MA, as well as the owner of a wholesale and retail seafood business. 

George is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts – Stockbridge where he earned a degree in Park Management and Arboriculture.

Mary-Lee King, Deputy Commissioner of Department of Fish and Game

Mary-Lee King currently serves as the Interim Commissioner for the Department of Fish and Game. Mary-Lee has also served as the Legislative Director for the Department of Fish and Game. King has previously held the position of Chief Policy Advisor in the Weld Administration, and served as Chief of Staff for State Senator Paul Cellucci.

MAYOR WALSH LAUNCHES GO BOSTON 2030 "WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION" TRUCK

MAYOR WALSH LAUNCHES GO BOSTON 2030 

"WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION" TRUCK

Questions submitted by residents, commuters will serve as basis of long-range transportation plan for Boston

BOSTON - January 29, 2015 – Mayor Martin J. Walsh today launched the on-the-ground phase of the City of Boston’s Go Boston 2030 transportation initiative with the “What’s Your Question” truck, a glass truck that will visit every city neighborhood from January 29 to February 7. The truck is part of the larger Go Boston 2030 Question Campaign that asks residents and commuters, “What’s your question about getting around Boston in the future?”

Go Boston 2030 is an initiative launched by the City of Boston to imagine a bold new transportation plan for Boston for the next five, 10, and 15 years. The plan will be built on direct input from people who participate in the Question Campaign by donating their question in-person through the “What’s Your Question” truck, donating online at GoBoston2030.org, tweeting their question using the #GoBoston2030 hashtag, or texting questions to 617-925-6914. Participants can track their question throughout the process to see how their input fits into the larger Vision, which will be created from submitted questions.  Everyone is encouraged to donate a question whether resident, commuter, or visitor.

“The Go Boston 2030 initiative is using the latest technology and real grass roots activity to achieve an unprecedented level of community engagement. We're hearing directly from a broad group of people about what their needs and hopes are for Boston's transportation future,” said Mayor Walsh. “Together, through this initiative, the public and city officials will build a bold and innovative plan that will improve mobility for residents, commuters, and visitors.”

The Go Boston 2030 initiative takes a unique approach to community engagement through the Question Campaign that combines cutting edge technology with grassroots, in-person interaction to gather input from as many residents, commuters, and visitors possible on what their needs and hopes are for transportation. The campaign was built on the premise that asking questions can inspire vision, make concerns visible, and lead to great ideas.

Roughly 1,000 questions have been submitted so far, which are available to view and track on the Go Boston 2030 website. To engage more people, Go Boston 2030 has also been advertising on the MBTA buses and trains as well as bus shelters. The goal is to have about 5,000 questions donated in this Question Campaign. The “What’s Your Question” truck will tour the city for 10 days and provide people with the opportunity to donate and display their question right in the truck.  The stops cover every neighborhood in Boston – from residential to the business districts.

“Our last comprehensive transportation was completed more than a decade ago and things have changed in the city,” said Transportation Commissioner Gina Fiandaca. “We are developing a big vision as well as a concrete list of immediate improvements and long term investments to ensure that our transportation system is safer, greener, and more equitable for everyone traveling in Boston in the future. Working with residents and business, this vision will establish common goals for shaping mobility in the future.”

Following the Question Campaign, the submitted questions will be reviewed and organized into themes, which, in turn, will serve as the foundation for a Vision, shared goals, and set of early action steps to be released this spring.  This will be followed by a comprehensive, long-term Action Plan to be released in spring of 2016 that will have resulting transformative polices and projects designed to increase equity in mobility, improve the economy, better connect people to jobs and education, and protect the environment.

The public will have further opportunities to weigh in on all phases of the process with public forums in spring to display the results of the Question Campaign. In the fall of 2015, there will be more public meetings to identify policies and projects to help turn the Vision and goals into an innovative transportation plan. 

The Go Boston 2030 initiative is led by the Boston Transportation Department and is a collaboration of many City agencies, MassDOT, and the MBTA.  The initiative is steered by the Mayor’s Mobility Plan Advisory Committee, which is co-chaired by Representative Russell Holmes, who represents the Sixth Suffolk district in Boston and Richard Dimino, President and CEO of A Better City, a business group advancing the economic competitiveness and quality of life in Boston.

Question Truck Schedule

The “What’s Your Question” truck schedule is below. This is subject to change due to winter weather. For the latest schedule, please contact Alice Brown at alice.brown@boston.gov.

·         Thurs 1/29      

o   12:00 – 2:00    City Hall Plaza

o   4:00 – 7:00      Hyde Park – River Street at Fairmount Avenue

·         Fri 1/30           

o   12:00 – 2:00    Back Bay/Beacon Hill – Copley Square 

o   4:00 – 7:00      South Boston – West Broadway at East Broadway

·         Sat 1/31          

o   12:00 – 2:00    Allston/Brighton – Oak Square YMCA

o   4:00 – 7:00      North End – Cross Street at Hanover Street

·         Mon 2/2          

o   12:00 – 2:00    Downtown Crossing – Summer Street at Washington Street

o   4:00 – 7:00      Charlestown – Public Library

·         Tues 2/3          

o   12:00 – 2:00    Downtown – Dewey Square

o   4:00 – 7:00      Roslindale Square

·         Wed 2/4         

o   12:00 – 2:00    Mattapan Square

o   4:00 – 7:00      West Roxbury – Roche Community Center

·         Thurs 2/5        

o   12:00 – 2:00    Roxbury – Dudley Square 

o   1:45 – 3:30      Roxbury – Madison Park High

o   4:00 – 7:00      Jamaica Plain – Centre Street at Green Street

·         Fri 2/6 

o   12:00 – 2:00    Chinatown Gate 

o   4:00 – 7:00      East Boston - Maverick Square 

·         Sat 2/7

o   12:00 – 2:00    South End – Tremont Street at Clarendon Street

o   4:00 – 7:00      Dorchester – Upham's Corner 

###

Game on: Governors Baker, Hassan and Inslee Wage Friendly Bet for 2015 Super Bowl to Support Food Pantries

Game on: Governors Baker, Hassan and Inslee Wage Friendly Bet for 2015 Super Bowl to Support Food Pantries

BOSTON – Governors Jay Inslee (D-WA), Charlie Baker (R-MA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) announced what's at stake for their respective states over the outcome of the 2015 Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. 

Win or lose, Baker agreed to donate Boston cream pie cupcakes from the Koffee Kup Bakery in Springfield, Massachusetts, to a Washington state food pantry.  Hassan and the North Country Smokehouse in Claremont, New Hampshire, will donate New Hampshire bacon, win or lose. Inslee and Seattle-based Ivar's Chowder will donate 1,000 cups of clam chowder to food pantries in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire. To make the game especially "soup-er," Ivar's will donate the chowder, win or lose. 

"If there's one thing we know it's that the Hawks will fight to the end for this win," Governor Inslee said. "Washington's 8 million 12s will be with them in full force to cheer our team to victory and are looking forward to celebrating another Super Bowl win." 

"New England may have been hit by a historic blizzard this week, but nothing can ice our team who has another Super Bowl Championship to win this Sunday," said Governor Baker.  "Our Boston cream pie cupcakes were a lucky wager against the Ravens and Colts, and I hope they will lead us to victory again on Sunday."

"The New England Patriots and Granite State agriculture are cherished New Hampshire traditions, and I can't wait to join all of New England on Sunday in cheering the Patriots on to another Super Bowl victory," Governor Hassan said. "I cannot think of a better way to demonstrate New Hampshire's Patriots pride than by donating to a Washington food pantry for those in need."

Super Bowl kick off is at 3:30pm PT on Sunday.

Lieutenant Governors Wager Friendly Bet for Super Bowl XLIX

Boston – Lieutenant Governors Karyn Polito (R-MA) and Brad Owen (D-WA) today announced a friendly wager between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks ahead of Super Bowl XLIX. 

Lt. Governor Polito will send a case from Wormtown Brewery and a box of cannoli from Wholly Cannoli, both products of Worcester, in the rare instance that the Seahawks prevail.  Under the more likely possibility that the Patriots win, Lt. Governor Owen will deliver a bottle of Quilceda Creek wine, an assorted package of smoked salmon,  albacore tuna, herbal tea, a “Paddle to Quinault” plush throw and wooden decorative carvings and a small box of superior Washington apples.

“The New England Patriots are unstoppable and I have no doubt they will come back home with another win for our great fans,” said Lt. Governor Polito.  “I’m excited to offer Lt. Gov. Owen some of Worcester’s finest goods, but I have a feeling he will not have the opportunity to enjoy them this year.  Either way, this wager is meant for a good cause to support our teams and local food pantries.”

The Lt. Governor of the losing team will also make a donation to a local food pantry of the winning Lt. Governor’s choice.

The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks will face off in Super Bowl XLIX in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday, February 1^st at 6:30 PM EST.

”羊眉吐氣迎新春“ 邀社區揮毫

為慶祝中華民國104年，紐英崙中華公所、新英格蘭中文學校協會、紐英崙藝術學會、中華書法會、北美藝術家協會、駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處華僑文教服務中心，將聯合舉辦「羊眉吐氣迎新春；四海同心賀吉歲」迎春聯合揮毫活動。歡迎各界人士踴躍參加，為鼓勵新生代使用毛筆，學生參加者將由主辦單位頒發紀念品。

參加者可自備筆墨，由主辦單位提供筆墨及揮春紅紙，於指定時間，前往特定地點書寫。書寫地點分兩個：（1）波士頓華僑文教服務中心， 2月7日（星期六）上午10時至下午2時， 90 Lincoln St. Newton Highlands, MA 02461 Tel: 617-965-8801（2）紐英崙中華公所，2月8日（星期日）上午10時至下午2時 。90 Tyler St. Boston , MA 02111 Tel: 617-542-2574。參加者可自由創作，亦可參照主辦單位準備之參考資料，書寫對句。

紐英崙中華專協 2/28 慶元宵

專協將於2月28日（星期六）晚間6時在韓香苑（Sichuan’s Garden, 411 Waverly Oaks
Road, Waltham ）舉辦元宵燈謎晚會，備有獎品。今年並擴大邀請紐英崙師大校友會、紐英崙成功大學校友會、波士頓建中校友會共同協辦。歡迎大家共襄盛舉，在新春之際，藉此餐聚與其他會員聯絡感情。

參加費用會員每人$20元, 非會員$25元，請事先報名以利訂席 (notBuffett)。 報名請洽專協幹事彭淑敏（電話650-288-8792）或電郵2neacp@gmail.com。

波市府再撥款一百萬元鼓勵青少年參與市政

波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin Walsh）昨（廿八）日宣佈，將撥款一百萬元給“青年領導改變（YLC）”，以繼續鼓勵青少年關心，參與市政，學習分配預算。

            馬丁華殊表示，鼓勵青少年參與市政，是培訓下一代領袖從批判性角度思考，政府該怎麼做，才能更好的服務居民。他很高興波市府能夠在去年的基礎上，繼續鼓勵青少年就他們的未來，發表意見。

            波市青少年去年投票資助七個項目，包括改善社區公園，安裝警衛相機，資助波士頓公校購置Chromebook電腦，並資助一項滑板可行性調查。

            “青年領導改變“是青年參與及就業部辦理的一個項目，和廿六個社區及青年服務組織組成的執行委員會密切合作。

            “青年領導改變”今年將於一月廿九日（週四）下午四點半，在牙買加平原的海德廣場工作小組，下午三點半在波士頓華埠社區中心舉行項目討論會議。

            有意遞交項目構想者，可上網 youthleadboston.org ，或發短信到 844-YLC-LEAD。