Malden Earns Gold Medal for Early Voting

Monday, October 24, 2016

The City of Malden is the recipient of a “gold medal” award by the Massachusetts Election Modernization Coalition for going “above and beyond” in offering early voting options to residents. Early voting runs from October 24th through November 4th and has been established to give residents additional options in casting their ballots. Although residents may obtain an absentee ballot if they will be away on Election Day, there is an explanation required to obtain an absentee ballot. For early voting, residents just walk up and vote. Malden was one of 34 communities to receive top honors in exceeding the requirements and extending the service to the maximum number of hours. State Representatives Paul Donato, Paul Brodeur and Steve Ultrino surprised City Clerk Karen Anderson and her staff last Friday and presented the award. Mayor Gary Christenson, State Senator Jason Lewis and City Councillors Barbara Murphy and Debbie DeMaria attended as well.

For more information about early voting, including dates and location, please visit www.cityofmalden.org/vote.

Tours of New Police Station Offered for Residents

Monday, October 24, 2016

To accommodate residents who were unable to attend last Saturday’s Grand Opening Ceremony of the new Police Station located at 800 Eastern Avenue, tours of the new facility will be offered on Saturday, October 29th from1-2 PM. 

總統籲團結僑胞力量 吳新興說明配套政策

總統蔡英文（第一排中）出席105年僑務委員會議開幕典禮，並與出席代表合影。

總統蔡英文24日出席僑務委員會「105年僑務委員會議」開幕典禮致詞時表示，國家需要僑胞的協助連結世界，呼籲來自六大洲的160位僑務委員與政府一起努力讓世界看見台灣。回應蔡總統的期許，僑委會委員長吳新興在隨後的僑務工作報告中，說明僑委會如何引導全球僑胞力量，協助台灣發展。

總統蔡英文（右一）出席105年僑務委員會議開幕典禮，
在僑教成果展體驗AR虛擬實境

蔡總統隨後由吳新興委員長陪同，參觀僑教成果展，吳委員長說明僑務是國家務實外交的基礎，僑教則是僑務的根基，並介紹僑委會每年提供逾千所海外僑校超過65萬冊的教材，深化僑社子弟與台灣的連結。尤其推行60多年來的僑生政策更培育出12多萬名僑生，其中東南亞僑生就占了近一半，可說是推動新南向政策的基石，獲得蔡總統肯定。

僑務委員會委員長吳新興在105年僑務委員會議，進行僑務工作報告。

吳委員長在開幕典禮後接續進行僑務工作報告，詳細說明政府的僑務施政規劃藍圖。吳委員長表示，回應蔡總統對僑胞培養年輕世代及力行民間外交的期待，僑委會擘劃未來僑務工作的5大工作目標，協助國家總體發展。首先是整合僑界資源，協助推展民間外交，讓世界看見台灣。第二是推動二代僑青方案，協助僑社世代傳承，並妥善利用海外信保基金的機制，鼓勵僑社年輕。第三，建構全球聯繫平台，支持連結國人與海外發展；第四，全力串連僑界人脈，協助新南向政策的推動，提升國家競爭力。第五是靈活運用僑委會的平台角色，調整服務布局，尋求跨界合作整合，擴大對東南亞國家僑務服務的整體成效。

配合新南向政策，吳委員長表示，僑委會將善用深耕的東南亞僑界網絡，藉由1600多所華文學校的力量，擴大招收東南亞學生來台升學，同時倍增技職僑生人數，為台灣及台商企業培育人才，也協助台灣年輕人走出去，提升台灣整體競爭力。他特別提到，行政院長林全上周五召集19個部會研商新南向政策，也指示僑委會和行政院主計總處研議增資海外信保基金新台幣20億元的可行性。以承保倍數20倍計算，海外承保能量將可擴增至新台幣400億元，將是東南亞台商強力的資金後盾。吳委員長強調，僑委會將持續致力團結全球僑胞的力量，協助台灣布局全球。(僑委會提供)

BAKER POLITO ADMINISTRATION AWARDED $1.5 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT TO INCREASE APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN NEW INDUSTRIES

BAKER POLITO ADMINISTRATION AWARDED $1.5 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT TO INCREASE APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN NEW INDUSTRIES

Efforts in Massachusetts will focus on the education and healthcare sectors

BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 24, 2016 – The Baker-Polito Administration has been awarded  a $1.5 million federal grant to expand registered apprenticeships in education and healthcare to provide more opportunities for women, minorities and low-income individuals.

The grant will create 2,000 new apprenticeship opportunities over the next three years, and will also assist with on-the-job training for apprentices and related instruction in partnership with the Commonwealth’s community colleges.

“Massachusetts has a long history of strong apprenticeship programs through unions and the trades and we are pleased these resources will allow for expansion into the healthcare, education, and technology industries,” Governor Charlie Baker said. “This grant will help us achieve our vision of growing apprenticeship opportunities, and giving more residents the chance to learn valuable skills to compete and succeed in our state’s economy.”

“Building strong talent pipelines is critical to the success of our state and regional economies,” Lt. Governor Karyn Polito said. “Our administration has pursued new opportunities, and created a statewide strategy to expand apprenticeship opportunities into new industries with different employers.”

“I am really proud of my team for pursuing federal resources that will enable us to realize our vision and strategy around apprenticeships,”Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Ronald L. Walker, II said. “One of the best ways to help individuals learn new skills and advance their careers is through apprenticeship programs.”

The U.S. Department of Labor on Friday afternoon awarded $50.5 million in grants to 37 states to help expand apprenticeships. The grants aim to engage employers and other partners to expand apprenticeships into new sectors and underserved populations, as well as enable states to conduct additional outreach to launch new programs.

In Massachusetts, initiatives are planned to market registered apprenticeships to new employers and support a network of regional coordinators to work with existing apprenticeship staff and the business service representatives in all 32 Massachusetts One-Stop Career Centers.

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, through the Department of Career Services and Division of Apprentice Standards, proposed through this application to create a pilot program to credential “child development associates” that will assist center-based child care providers to meet new standards set by the Department of Early Education and Care’s (EEC) Quality Rating Improvement System.

In healthcare, the Department of Career Services will work with two employers, each with multiple locations around the state, to implement a registered apprenticeship for pharmacy technicians and support advocates. The model will eventually be replicated.

The Education and Health Services sector accounts for 22 percent of all jobs in the Commonwealth, and continues to be one of the strongest growing sectors.

In July, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development was awarded $200,000 federal ApprenticeshipUSA State Accelerator Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor that is also being used to expand and diversify apprenticeship opportunities and strengthen existing programs in Massachusetts.

Under DOL requirements, all registered apprenticeship programs must include five components – on-the-job training, direct business involvement, related instruction, rewards for skill gains, and a national occupational credential. 

The average starting salary for an apprentice graduate is more than $50,000 a year, and over the course of their careers apprentices earn $300,000 more, on average, in wages and benefits than their peers who did not participate in a registered apprentice program, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Governor Baker Declares October 24, 2016 as Massachusetts Food Day

Governor Baker Declares October 24, 2016 as Massachusetts Food Day

Massachusetts Schools Participate in Food Day Activities

BOSTON – October 24, 2016 – Today, in recognition of National Food Day, Governor Charlie Baker declared October 24, 2016 as “Massachusetts Food Day.”  To celebrate, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner John Lebeaux and other state and public officials joined students across the state to celebrate locally sources food being served at school cafeterias throughout the Commonwealth.

“I am proud to declare today Massachusetts Food Day to raise awareness about eating a healthier diet and having access to affordable fruits and vegetables,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our administration supports local farmers and is dedicated to making sure all of the Commonwealth’s residents, especially our growing children, have access to fresh, healthy food.”

“Today, we celebrate the many farmers who produce high-quality crops, as well as the many Massachusetts residents employed in our vibrant food economy across the state,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “I urge everyone to celebrate Massachusetts Food Day by purchasing delicious, healthy food products from your local farmers.”

“Massachusetts Food Day is a great opportunity to celebrate our vital agricultural industry and efforts to create healthier diets and a better food system throughout the Commonwealth,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton.  “Throughout the year, the Baker-Polito Administration is working to improve food policies to support local food production and reduce food insecurity.”

Nationally, Food Day was started in 2011 to help inspire Americans to improve their diets and local, state, and national food policies for the better.  Every October, tens of thousands of Americans participate in local events aimed at celebrating healthy, affordable and sustainable food. 

“Farm to school is a win-win effort,” said Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux. “School food service directors can improve the nutritional value and taste of school meals while also supporting the local economy. Farmers selling locally-grown products to schools can earn a profit while finding new ways to connect with local consumers.”

There are about 7,755 farms in Massachusetts working on over 523,000 acres to produce $492 million in agricultural products.  The average farm produces $63,470 of agricultural products on just 68 acres.  Massachusetts farms provide employment to nearly 28,000 workers in the Commonwealth.  While nationally the United States witnessed a decline in agriculture from 2007 to 2012, Massachusetts was one of the few states that experienced a 1 percent growth in both number of farms and acres in farmland.  

“Everyone is a winner when food is sourced locally,” said State Senator Anne Gobi (D-Spencer). “Our diets are healthier, our food is tastier, and our farmers are busier!  Massachusetts Food Day is a great way to recognize and celebrate all of these benefits.”

僑教中心主任歐宏偉拜訪波士頓慈濟人文學校

慈濟人文學校歡迎波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉(左三)。
(波士頓僑教中心提供)

波士頓慈濟人文學校10月23日舉辦暑假作業展，提前慶祝萬聖節。

波士頓華僑文教中心主任歐宏偉應邀出席，並與該校校長齊君明

等多人交流，探問該校校務現況，向該校家長，職員表達問候之意，說明希望將來加強合作。

歐宏偉十餘年前曾派駐波士頓，與波士頓慈濟功德會資深成員陳祥達，陳裕逢等人已是舊識，當天再見，也相談甚歡。

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES $250K SHERRIN WOODS GRANT

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES $250K SHERRIN WOODS GRANT

BOSTON - Monday, October 24, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh has announced the award of $250,000 from a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant for the environmental restoration of the Sherrin Woods Urban Wild in Hyde Park. The LWCF is a federal grant program administered by the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for the National Park Service.                                                                "We are pleased to receive this grant to improve one of our natural areas that makes our city so livable and resilient," said Mayor Walsh. "We always welcome working with the National Park Service, the state Environmental Affairs Office and our communities to keep our neighborhoods green and healthy."   Sherrin Woods Urban Wild, a 24-acre natural area, is located in Hyde Park in southwestern Boston. It is primarily a wooded upland with two wetland areas and a large ledge outcropping, making for a varied natural landscape within a highly dense, urbanized neighborhood. According to Boston Parks Commissioner Chris Cook, the property was acquired in the early 1980s with help from a prior LWCF grant.    "This new LWCF grant will improve existing features of the site and add new features to make it more usable," Cook said.  "For the first time, the City will formally invest in new trails and trailheads to improve its access and usability by the public, create a signage and wayfinding system to encourage users to explore the extensive trail system and install seating at scenic overlooks."   The project will create a new recreational opportunity that aligns with the natural features of the site by installing two climbing areas at Pine Rock, the prominent ledge outcropping on the site. The City will also install new plantings for wetland restoration that will enhance the wildlife habitat and ecological functioning of the two wetland areas in this project site.    The community surrounding Sherrin Woods has participated in meetings and events at this site for several years. The Southwest Boston Community Development Corporation (SWBCDC) has partnered with the Boston Parks and Recreation Department to engage the community to better use this valuable resource. The SWBCDC has funded summer youth crews for improvement projects under the guidance of the City's Urban Wilds Manager Paul Sutton.   "Based on input from these community meetings, the project is incorporating elements preferred by the public," Sutton said. "A full community process with enhanced outreach will follow in the months to come with the selected project design consultant."

中華民國龍獅藝陣協會走進哈佛殿堂演示民俗文化 (圖片)