Governor Baker Nominates Kevin R. Connelly to Massachusetts Probate Court

Governor Baker Nominates Kevin R. Connelly to Massachusetts Probate Court

BOSTON – Governor Baker has nominated The Honorable Kevin R. Connelly, a Probate and Family Court Judge assigned to the Middlesex Division of the Probate and Family Court, to the Plymouth County Division of that court, which was vacated by Judge Catherine P. Sabaitis’ retirement earlier this year. Judge Sabaitis served that community, where she was born and raised, extremely well for twenty six years.

“Judge Connelly’s dedication to serving Massachusetts families during trying and complicated domestic legal proceedings is admirable,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I have the utmost confidence that the Court will be strengthened by his continued commitment to justice.”

“Judge Connelly brings distinguished experience to the Plymouth County Probate and Family Court and I am pleased that Judge Connelly will continue to serve the citizens of the Commonwealth with fairness and equality in these difficult matters,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. 

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 The Honorable Kevin R. Connelly:

Kevin R. Connelly of Kingston, Massachusetts began his legal career working as an associate at White, Inker, Aronson, P.C. in Boston, and was named a partner in 2000. In 2004 Judge Connelly joined the firm of Sally & Fitch LLP where he helped to nurture and develop their growing family law practice.  In 2013 Judge Connelly was appointed to a Middlesex seat on the Probate & Family Court. He serves on the Committee for Civility & Professionalism as well as the Child Support Guidelines Task Force. Judge Connelly graduated from Boston College in 1989 earning a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science before graduating from New England School of Law in 1993. 

GRANBY MAN CHARGED WITH POSSESSING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

GRANBY MAN CHARGED WITH POSSESSING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

NORTHAMPTON– A Granby man has been indicted in connection with possessing child pornography, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Sean W. Scully, age 45, was indicted Wednesday by a Hampshire County Grand Jury on the charge of Possession of Child Pornography (one count). He will be arraigned in Hampshire Superior Court on December 20.

Scully was arrested on July 26 by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office and Granby Police.  Following the arrest, Scully was arraigned in Eastern Hampshire District Court and released on $2,500 cash bail with various conditions including that he be monitored via GPS, surrender his passport, have no access to the Internet except for work-related purposed and have no unsupervised contact with any child under the age of 18.

State police assigned to the AG’s Office began an investigation in April, after receiving information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NMEC) about pornographic images of children that were uploaded to a device using a cellphone linked to Scully.

State Police obtained and executed a search warrant on July 26, authorizing the search of all computers, phones, tablets and storage devices found in Scully’s Granby residence.  Subsequent investigation of the devices seized revealed alleged images of child pornography.

The charge is an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Vasiliades, of AG Healey’s Western Mass. Regional Office. It was investigated by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Attorney General’s Office, investigators from the AG’s Digital Evidence Lab, with assistance from Granby police.

CITY OF BOSTON, STATE, PARTNERS TEAM UP TO HOUSE HOMELESS ELDERS

CITY OF BOSTON, STATE, PARTNERS TEAM UP TO HOUSE HOMELESS ELDERS

Housing surge focused on housing elders while helping them obtain support services and health care

BOSTON - Friday, November 18, 2016 - The City of Boston, in partnership with the State of Massachusetts' Executive Office of Elder Affairs, yesterday hosted a housing surge designed to connect chronically homeless seniors with housing and services. The event, held at the Labouré Center in South Boston, integrated the process of helping chronically homeless elders obtain health care and stabilization supports along with housing, in the form of either units in Boston Housing Authority (BHA) developments or housing vouchers. In total, 41 elders received either units of housing or vouchers. "The fact that so many people walked into our event homeless and walked out with an address is incredibly moving," said Mayor Walsh.  "I believe that we can end chronic homelessness in Boston, and housing surges will be one way we can accomplish our goal. We are looking at solving homelessness in innovative ways, with strong partners. Boston is a city that takes care of its people, and I'm proud of our values and our mission to ensure all Bostonians have a place to live." The housing surge also successfully built upon the recent partnership forged between the City and the State, designed to end chronic homelessness in senior populations across Massachusetts.   "This administration made ending homelessness a goal and we will continue to work with our partners in the City of Boston and neighboring communities by participating in events like today's surge," said Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Marylou Sudders. "Chronic homelessness is not solved with housing alone - it requires a mix of housing and services to support individuals and help them remain in a stable housing situation." "Today builds on the success of the first surge held last July which was coordinated by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, MassHealth, the City of Boston and our partners. These efforts demonstrate that effective collaboration among government agencies and community partners results in collective impact that can change lives. We can reduce elder homelessness and intend to continue these and other efforts throughout the Commonwealth," said Secretary of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Alice Bonner. At yesterday's surge, the Boston Housing Authority was able to connect 31 homeless seniors with units of permanent supportive housing. As part of an agreement signed with the City of Boston, the BHA offers a super-priority process for chronically homeless elders once they have supportive services in place.  This is only the second time that guests at a housing surge have been offered specific units of housing, rather than vouchers. "The BHA has long made a commitment to housing homeless individuals and families," said Bill McGonagle, Administrator of the Boston Housing Authority.  "By participating in this effort we have been able to use our scarce resources to house the most vulnerable with services that ensure they remain successfully housed."   Yesterday's surge was staffed by 35 different agencies.  Seniors attending the event were given "passports" and were assigned volunteer ambassadors to guide them from table to table where they were able to determine their eligibility for various types of support services. Seniors were able to meet with representatives from state programs including MassHealth, Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE); Senior Care Options (SCO); Pay for Success and Community Supports for Persons Experiencing Chronic Homelessness (CSPECH) to determine their eligibility and interest in these programs.  In addition, representatives from the Social Services Administration and Department of Transitional Assistance were on hand to help seniors qualify for additional benefits. In preparation for the event, City, State, and non-profit partners worked together to create a list of chronically homeless older adults, and undertook significant outreach at shelters and throughout the city to spread awareness of this opportunity. The chronically homeless seniors who attended the surge were identified as likely eligible for state benefits including long-term services, supports, and integrated care.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines chronically homeless individuals as adults with a disability who have been either living in an emergency shelter or in a place not meant for human habitation continuously for 12 months or more, or who have had four occasions of homelessness in the past three years that total 12 months or more. Those individuals in need of translation services were identified in advance, and translators were on hand to assist with language barriers. In addition, individuals with accessibility issues had also been identified ahead of time, with accommodations made in advance for their specific issues. Individuals also received breakfast and coffee, provided and served by volunteers from the BostonHome Interfaith Collaborative. BostonHome Interfaith Collaborative faith community partners also donated gift cards for attendees. This is the seventh in a series of housing surges hosted by the City of Boston. The first three surges focused on homeless veterans; the last two focused on all chronically homeless individuals. The previous events have in total served over 200 homeless individuals, during which 164 received permanent housing vouchers on the spot, along with enrollment in housing search, while others received rapid rehousing assistance, applied for housing and obtained documentation that will help them secure permanent housing. Partners for yesterday's surge included (alphabetical): Boston Department of Neighborhood Development Boston Public Health Commission Boston Housing Authority City of Boston Disabilities Commission City of Boston Elderly Commission MA Department of Mental Health MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs MA Executive Office of Health and Human Services MassHealth Social Security Administration United States Interagency Council on Homelessness HomeStart Hearth Eliot Human Services Pine Street Inn Catholic Charities Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership St. Francis House BostonHome Interfaith Collaborative Massachusetts Shelter and Housing Alliance Vinfen Baycove Boston Health Care for the Homeless Boston Senior Home Care Commonwealth Care Alliance - One Care and Senior Care Options Programs Tufts - One Care and Senior Care Options Programs BMC Healthnet Navicare/Fallon Senior Whole Health United Uphams Corner Elder Service Plan Elder Service Plan of Cambridge Harbor Health Elder Service Plan of East Boston Boston Center for Independent Living For more information on the City of Boston's plan to end chronic and veteran homelessness, please visit Boston's Way Home website or Twitter,@BostonsWayHome.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES GOWALKTALK WILL ESTABLISH U.S. HEADQUARTERS IN BOSTON

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES GOWALKTALK WILL ESTABLISH U.S. HEADQUARTERS IN BOSTON

North West of Ireland-based medtech company will capitalize on Boston's entrepreneurial spirit, wealth of talent and global reputation

BOSTON - Friday, November 18, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that GoWalkTalk, a North West of Ireland-based medical technology company, has selected Boston to establish its U.S. headquarters, adding to Boston's internationally renowned life sciences cluster. "I am thrilled to welcome GoWalkTalk to Boston and build on our strong relationship with the North West of Ireland," said Mayor Walsh. "As more and more companies choose Boston, we are focused on maintaining a welcoming environment for international business and letting the world know Boston is open for business. I look forward to supporting GoWalkTalk as they settle into Boston and become an active part of our medtech and innovation communities." GoWalkTalk, which is planning to create around 15 new jobs in Boston, develops intuitive healthcare management applications and solutions which help with staffing and personnel management in the home health and remote patient care management sectors. By choosing Boston, GoWalkTalk will be able to capitalize on Boston's talented workforce, thriving innovation economy and world-renowned research facilities and healthcare institutions. "We are delighted to call Boston our U.S. home and are hugely excited about the opportunities the city offers to grow our company and to reach a diverse, global audience," said Tony McIntyre, Founder and Managing Director, GoWalkTalk. "Through visiting and fostering relationships here in the city and across Massachusetts, it was clear to us that Boston is a progressive, innovative, and creative city and was an easy choice for GoWalkTalk's U.S. headquarters." GoWalkTalk is one of 17 companies from the North West of Ireland that visited Boston this week as part of a trade business delegation supported by Enterprise Ireland and led by Irish economic development officials in an effort to promote the region and establish relationships. Mayor Walsh's announcement was made Friday morning at the 8th Annual Golden Bridges Conference, which highlights successful transatlantic links in business, education, art, and culture between Ireland and Boston. Today's announcement highlights the City of Boston's partnership with Northern Ireland, including its Sister-City relationship with Belfast, the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, and partnering cities and regions around the world.

波士頓2030計畫草案出爐

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF IMAGINE BOSTON 2030 DRAFT PLAN TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITY, GUIDE STRATEGIC GROWTH

Initiatives support robust economic growth and mobility, housing affordability, open space, innovation, and climate preparedness and provide a set of comprehensive metrics to measure progress

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the release of Expanding Opportunity, Imagine Boston 2030's draft plan of priority action areas and major initiatives that will support a thriving Boston by expanding opportunity, supporting a dynamic economy, enhancing quality of life, and preparing for climate change. This plan was shaped by more than 12,000 residents who offered feedback as part of an extensive community engagement effort aimed at reaching residents in every corner of the city. Engagement efforts will continue through the release of the final plan next year. "Imagine Boston 2030 offers a citywide perspective of Boston's future that ties together our many planning initiatives already underway to guide strategic growth and expand opportunity for all residents," said Mayor Walsh. "I am excited to launch a draft plan that identifies ways to strengthen neighborhoods and support growth for many years to come. This plan represents the voice of thousands of residents who shared their thoughts, and I look forward to continuing the conversation so together we can build the future of Boston." The Expanding Opportunity draft identifies five action areas to strengthen neighborhood vitality and bolster Boston's economy. A breakdown of these action areas is available through Imagine Boston 2030's storymap, and are included below: Enhance neighborhoods: Improve public realm, strengthen neighborhood services and connectivity, and encourage contextually sensitive development to improve urban vitality and to affirm each neighborhood's distinct identity. Encourage mixed-use job centers: Continue to encourage dense mixed-use development and public improvements in the commercial cores, such as the Downtown and Longwood areas, to support job growth and new housing opportunities, add amenities, and create active centers for residents, workers, and visitors. Expand neighborhoods: Provide significant new mixed-use housing and encourage job growth in transit-accessible areas at the edges of existing neighborhoods to reduce housing-price pressure, expand access to opportunity, and stitch together the physical fabric of the city. Create a waterfront for future generations:  Encourage new open spaces, support existing and emerging job and housing centers, and ensure proactive climate planning and investment to create a waterfront that serves all Bostonians and supports future generations. Generate networks of opportunity: Target coordinated investments to expand opportunity for residents and strengthen physical, economic and social connections between historically underserved neighborhoods and the city's existing and emerging economic centers. By enhancing and expanding neighborhoods, and encouraging mixed-use job centers, Boston will be able to accommodate the approximately 829,000 jobs and 724,000 residents the city is projected to have by 2030, and be positioned to keep growing towards 2050.These action areas are founded on the bedrock of a set of strategic initiatives, which collectively help Boston acheive residents' goals: Housing: Creating quality neighborhoods that are affordable by creating more deed-restricted low, moderate, and middle income housing through inclusionary development, density bonuses and other tools, and preserve existing affordable housing by instituting robust anti-displacement policies. Education: Creating an educational system that supports Bostonians from birth to career, including universal pre-k and the expansion of free community college programs. Economic Mobility and Development: Supporting continued growth of Boston's strongest sectors and bringing new companies to Boston by providing the space, infrastructure, and talented workforce they need to thrive. Creating an environment where small businesses thrive by establishing a centralized Small Business Center and supporting worker cooperatives. Increasing access to commercial space and improving transit connections and infrastructure in neighborhoods. Reducing wealth disparities through Children's Savings Accounts, increased financial education in City programs, increased utilization of the Earned-Income Tax Credit, and strengthening citywide procurement targets. Energy and Environment: Aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2030 as a milestone to achieving the city's 80 percent by 2050 emissions reduction target; conducting district-scale planning, including updated building regulations and climate-ready zoning, and investing in flood protection that prepares neighborhoods and job centers for flood and heat risks from our changing climate. Open space: Creating a vibrant open space network citywide by completing the Emerald Necklace, strengthening Franklin Park and the Boston Common as keystone parks for the city, and creating new open spaces along Boston's waterfront. Transportation: Establishing more frequent and reliable service in the Fairmount corridor through collaboration with the State of Massachusetts, MBTA, and community organizations; strengthening transportation connections between neighborhoods and to existing and emerging job centers by investing in bus rapid transit corridors and multi-modal transit hubs. Technology: Investing in "smart city" infrastructure to dynamically respond to community needs, use land more efficiently, and make it easier to get around in Boston, including flexible lanes that shift purpose by time of day and traffic lights timed to reduce congestion. Health: Encouraging a healthy environment, including safe streets and communities that are pedestrian and bike-friendly where it is easy to bike and walk; reducing disparities in health outcomes by improving access to mental health services and substance abuse care; increasing access to healthy and affordable food; and reducing street violence in city neighborhoods. Arts and Culture: Creating three Arts Innovation Districts that strengthen local arts hubs, starting with Uphams Corner. The full draft report is available here. Residents can provide feedback online, and Imagine Boston 2030 will also plan events designed to solicit resident feedback on the draft Expanding Opportunity plan. Imagine Boston 2030 is designed to complement and work in conjunction with  with other City of Boston planning efforts, including Boston Creates, Go Boston 2030, Climate Ready Boston, and Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030. The final Imagine Boston 2030 plan is scheduled to be released in 2017. For more information, please visit www.imagine.boston.gov. Mayor Martin J. Walsh, his Cabinet, and the Imagine Boston 2030 team invite you to participate in a series of place-based events to explore and learn more about the first draft plan, Expanding Opportunity.    Imagine Boston Week, November 30- December 5 will include a ferry ride, a ride on the Fairmount line, a walk along a potential route for completing the Emerald Necklace, and more-- all events are free and open to the public, but make sure to RSVP, as some tours have limited capacity."

BPS Students to Receive Free Eye Exams, Glasses via Mobile Optometry Truck Tomorrow at TechBoston Academy

Boston, MA - Thursday, November 17, 2016 - Tomorrow, Boston Public Schools (BPS) will host one of the first On-Site 2020 eye exam events of the school year at TechBoston Academy in Dorchester. The school nurse gave students eyesight screenings in her office in the fall, and for this event chose approximately 50 students whom she felt needed more intensive eye exams and probably eyeglasses. TechBoston Academy Co-Principals Keith Love and Nora Vernazza, the school nurse, optometrists from On-Site 2020, and students will be on hand to discuss why this event is important and the impact impaired eyesight can have on student learning.  In recognition of National Eye Exam Month in August 2016, Superintendent Tommy Chang joined 2020 On-Site Optometry Founder and CEO Howard Bornstein in announcing a new partnership to provide BPS students with vision care, which includes vision screening and free pairs of glasses. Last year through an initial pilot between BPS and 2020 On-Site, more than 500 students received comprehensive eye exams, and over 280 pairs of glasses were put in the hands of those students. 2020 On-Site fully funded glasses for 150 of the students, as well as a majority of the eye exams.  WHEN: Friday, November 18, 2016 Suggested media arrival: 1:00PM Eye exams: 7:30AM - 2:30PM WHERE: TechBoston Academy, 9 Peacevale Road, Dorchester

CAPAC Condemns Trump Surrogate’s Comments on Japanese American Internment as Precedent for Muslim Registry

CAPAC Condemns Trump Surrogate’s Comments on Japanese American Internment as Precedent for Muslim Registry

Washington, DC – Today, leaders of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statements condemning comments by supporters of President-elect Trump who cite Japanese American internment camps as a “precedent” for the creation of a Muslim registry:

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:

“Any proposal to force American Muslims to register with the federal government, and to use Japanese imprisonment during World War II as precedent, is abhorrent and has no place in our society. These ideas are based on tactics of fear, division, and hate that we must condemn. The incarceration of innocent Japanese Americans due to wartime hysteria and racism was a dark chapter in our nation’s history which led to civil rights violations so unconscionable that Congress later apologized for it. Like Japanese incarceration, imposing a registry upon American Muslims goes against our constitutional values and our very principles as a nation. We will remain vigilant and push back against the creation of any such registry, and implore the President-elect to recognize the basic civil and constitutional rights of all Americans.”

Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo (GU), CAPAC Vice Chair:

“The suggestion of a Muslim registry, and likening such a registry to the internment of thousands of Japanese Americans during World War II is dangerous and recalls one of our nation’s darkest spots in recent history. Recognizing the wrongdoing, we officially apologized to the Japanese Americans who were interned, when President Ronald Reagan signed into law the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, saying that it reaffirmed ‘our commitment as a Nation to equal justice under the law.’ We should not let misguided fear undermine our constitutional protections for religious freedom and lead us back down this dark path. Let us remain vigilant to not repeat the grievous mistakes of our nation’s past.”

Congressman Mike Honda (CA-17), CAPAC Chair Emeritus:

“These remarks are beyond disturbing. This is fear, not courage. This is hate, not policy. President Reagan, himself, called our internment a ‘failure of political leadership.’ This does not make American great but would take us back to the bigotry of the 1940s. The Trump administration is showing they have not learned from our history when they suggest we go back to one of its darkest chapters. No one should go through what my family and 120,000 innocent people suffered regardless of their race or religion or any other way they would choose to try and divide us. I fought such divisive practices after 9/11 to ensure Muslims would not be unfairly targeted just as we were. Now today, I tell Mr. Trump that to reenact a policy fueled by prejudice is uncivilized, un-American and unworthy of a president sworn to uphold our Constitution.”

Congressman Mark Takano (CA-41), CAPAC Whip:

“The imprisonment of thousands of Japanese-Americans during World War II, including my parents and grandparents, is widely understood to be one of the darkest chapters in American history. I am horrified that people connected to the incoming Administration are using my family’s experience as a precedent for what President-elect Trump could do. These comments confirm many Americans’ worst fears about the Trump Administration, and they reflect an alarming resurgence of racism and xenophobia in our political discourse. I call on the President-elect to immediately disavow these comments and begin the work of healing our nation’s divides.”

Rep. Chu Condemns Trump Surrogate’s Comments on Japanese American Internment as Precedent for Muslim Registry

Rep. Chu Condemns Trump Surrogate’s Comments on Japanese American Internment as Precedent for Muslim Registry

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) released the following statement condemning comments by supporters of President-elect Trump who cite Japanese American internment camps as a “precedent” for the creation of a Muslim registry: 

“Any proposal to force American Muslims to register with the federal government, and to use Japanese imprisonment during World War II as precedent, is abhorrent and has no place in our society. These ideas are based on tactics of fear, division, and hate that we must condemn. The incarceration of innocent Japanese Americans due to wartime hysteria and racism was a dark chapter in our nation’s history which led to civil rights violations so unconscionable that Congress later apologized for it. Like Japanese incarceration, imposing a registry upon American Muslims goes against our constitutional values and our very principles as a nation. We will remain vigilant and push back against the creation of any such registry, and implore the President-elect to recognize the basic civil and constitutional rights of all Americans.”