Danielle Allen’s Statement on the Anniversary of the January 6 Insurrection

 Danielle Allen’s Statement on the Anniversary of the January 6 Insurrection

Boston, MA — Gubernatorial candidate Danielle Allen issued the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the insurrection in our nation’s Capitol:

“Many of us remember exactly where we were and what we were doing when we first heard the news of the insurrection, one year ago today. My heart goes out to everyone who experienced the trauma of that day firsthand in our nation’s Capitol — and to people across our Commonwealth and around our country who have dealt with the pain and fear of seeing our democracy in danger. We knew our democracy was in trouble — but now we know just how deep the trouble is, and what dire straits we’re in.

“These are dark and difficult times. We’re facing not only threats to our democratic system, but also the grave challenges of the pandemic, the climate crisis, racial injustice, and entrenched inequality. Yet in the face of those challenges, there is hope — precisely because of our democracy. Our democracy allows us to come together, weigh in, and build solutions that empower all of us. Because of that, throughout our history, we’ve been able to turn every moment of crisis into an opportunity for transformation.

“As we remember the events of January 6, 2021, we have the opportunity to once again turn crisis into positive change. Strengthening our democracy is not out of reach. We have the tools to do it — from pushing for full participation from every eligible voter, to rebuilding our information ecosystem to check the anti-democratic effects of social media. Let’s recommit to our democracy, and reimagine it to bring in all our voices. Let’s find common purpose, and come together to tackle our collective challenges. This is how we begin to find hope, and a path forward together.”

Ed Flynn當選波士頓市議會議長 華埠盼居民聲音可更大

波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn (中)和他的幕僚長Charlie Levin (右一起)，以及助理胡盈弢，
盧善柔，王芳菲。(周菊子攝)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 轄區包括華埠的波士頓市第2區市議員，也是波士頓市前市長雷費林 (Ray Flynn) 之子的愛德華費林 (Ed Flynn) ，2022年1月3日，正式就任波士頓市議會議長，並主持了本年度第1次市議會會議。

波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn和妻子Kristen，女兒Caroline，兒子Stephen。 (周菊子攝) 

              Ed Flynn原是美國海軍，服役24年，曾協助協調海地救災，還在柯林頓 (Clinton) 總統任內的勞工部工作過5年，也曾任薩福克高等法院緩刑官，2017年他在父親出馬支持中，順利當選波士頓市議員，並連任迄今。

             波士頓市第2區市議員的轄區包括市政府大樓/畢肯丘，華埠，南波士頓，南端，其中有金融區，海港區等幾乎所有的波士頓市內最精華地段。

             Ed Flynn自當選市議員後，對華埠關懷備至，無論是華埠居民會月例會，華埠社區安全會議，以及華埠內大大小小的社團活動，幾乎都知無不與，到處都是他的身影。他為移民爭權益，積極要求進華埠舉行的大小會議都須安排中文翻譯，更是讓許多華裔居民感到窩心。

波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn第一次以議長身份主持會議。(周菊子攝)

             剛當選時，Ed Flynn的小兒子還在昆士小學就讀，有著華埠學校家長身分，和華埠的關係，比其他人更深。他上任後陸續聘用不下3名都會講廣東話的雙語華裔助理，包括政策主任王芳菲 (Sophia Wang)， 管理行程的 Vanesa，主要負責華埠地區選民服務的盧善柔等，創下波士頓市議會議員辦公室聘用最多華裔員工記錄。

波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn第一次以議長身份主持會議。(周菊子攝)

             1月3日那天，先由第9區市議員Liz Breadon主持會議，點名投票，13名市議員無異議通過推選Ed Flynn擔任一任2年的市議會議長後，就由Ed Flynn開始主持本年度的第一次市議會會議，一口氣追認20項波士頓市長的人事任命，以及6項各市議員的辦公室臨時人員任命。市議員Frank Baker的臨時動議，要求市議會追問市長吳弭動用Roundhouse旅館安置遊民的相關決定，由Ed Flynn決定擱置，下次會期再議。

             做為市議會議長，Ed Flynn不僅搬進了面積比其他市議員大2倍的角落辦公室，在工作預算增加下可增聘人手，而且當市長因為出差，放假，或任何理由不在位時，自動成為代理市長。做為市議會議長，Ed Flynn還有權訂定市議會議程，增加，廢除或改變委員會，以及其主席。

波士頓市市議會第2區地圖。

             最接近現在的範例包括，前任代理市長Kim Janey當市議會議長時，她新設了 一個委員會來檢討、改革波士頓市和大型非牟利機構之間的稅務協議；在Kim Janey當代理市長，由Matt O'Malley來代理市議會議長時，他設立了處理聯邦紓困款的委員會，還規定所有市議員及其員工都必須接種新冠疫苗。

             接近市議會人士透露，Ed Flynn在1月3日獲得13名市議員無異議支持，選他出任市議會議長，在於他積極運作，甚至在市議會議長投票前，就已傳出他的競爭對手Richardo Arroyo改變參選決定，放棄競爭，將出任市議會政府關係委員會主席。新當選市議員的Kendra Hicks會當房屋委員會主席，Tania Fernandes Anderson會當撰寫預算的財政委員會 (Ways and Means Committee)主席。           

         波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn辦公室的去年成果簡報如附:   https://conta.cc/32gTP50.

Governor Baker Nominates Sarah Joss and Kristen Stone as Associate Justices of the District Court

  Governor Baker Nominates Sarah Joss and Kristen Stone as Associate Justices of the District Court

 

BOSTON — Today, Governor Charlie Baker nominated Sarah Joss and Kristen Stone as Associate Justices of the District Court. Attorneys Joss and Stone have a combined 37 years of legal experience.

 

“The decades of experience in public service that Sarah Joss and Kristen Stone will bring to the District Court and the people of the Commonwealth make them well-qualified candidates,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I look forward to the Governor’s Council’s consideration of their nominations for these appointments.”

 

“I am pleased with the nomination of these two distinguished attorneys,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “I am confident that their skills and knowledge will allow them to serve all those who will appear before them with fairness and justice.”

 

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 Sarah Joss

Sarah Joss began her law career in 1996 as a legal assistant in the litigation department of Foley Hoag, LLP before receiving her law degree and serving as an associate at the firm beginning in 2001. From 2003 to 2014, Attorney Joss served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General, where she practiced defensive litigation on behalf of state agencies and handled a varied case load, ranging from torts, to civil rights, and more. Since 2014, Attorney Joss has worked in various roles for the Massachusetts Probation Department, and currently serves as the Department’s Deputy Commissioner for Legal Services and Legal Counsel. Outside of her career, she is the Clerk and Chair of the Scholarship Committee for the Board of the Ipswich Music, Art and Drama Association (IMADA). Attorney Joss received her bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College in 1996 and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Chicago Law School in 2001.

 

About Kristen Stone

Kristen Stone began her legal career in 2003 as an Assistant District Attorney in the Plymouth District Attorney’s Office, where she worked until 2014. From 2015 until 2017, Attorney Stone served in the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General, first as an Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Bureau, Enterprise, Major and Computer Crimes Division and later in the White Collar and Public Integrity Division. Currently, she serves as Deputy General Counsel of the Administrative Office of the District Court, where she advises and makes recommendations on legal issues and ethical considerations. Prior to earning her law degree, she worked as a licensed clinical social worker at Bridgewater State Hospital from 1997 until 1999. A resident of Hanover, Attorney Stone participates in the Rock Steady Boxing Program for Parkinson’s Disease, and has previously served as a volunteer soccer and lacrosse coach for the Hanover Youth Athletic Association. Attorney Stone received her bachelor’s degree from Harvard University in 1988 before earning her master’s degree from the Boston College Graduate School of Social Work in 1997. Attorney Stone earned her Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School in 2003.

Danielle Allen Unveils Transformative Agenda To Strengthen Democracy, Build Foundation To Tackle Biggest Challenges Collectively

Danielle Allen Unveils Transformative Agenda To Strengthen Democracy, Build Foundation To Tackle Biggest Challenges Collectively 

Boston, MA — Today, gubernatorial candidate and democracy expert Danielle Allen unveiled her comprehensive agenda to strengthen our democracy — building a stronger foundation to tackle our biggest challenges collectively. The ambitious new agenda aims to push for full inclusion and participation for every eligible Massachusetts voter, rebuild our information ecosystem to check the corrosive effects of social media, cultivate shared civic purpose and collective ownership of our democracy, and rein in the influence of corporate money on politics. A summary is available here, and the full policy agenda is available here.

“What’s powerful about our democracy is that it’s ours — our tool for transformation, and our voice to claim, own, and use,” said gubernatorial candidate Danielle Allen. “Today, we’ve got serious problems to solve, but we’ve also got the opportunity to emerge stronger, more empowered, and more unified than ever. That starts with strengthening our democracy, so we can bring everyone to the table to build common purpose and tackle our biggest challenges — together.”

Danielle Allen is a lifelong democracy advocate and has published several books centered on democracy. As governor, Allen will:

• Enable and encourage the participation of every single eligible voter in Massachusetts — by expanding voting and registration options including Election Day registration, supporting innovation like ranked choice voting at the municipal level, and prioritizing language accessibility.

• Create checks on social media’s anti-democratic effects by rebuilding the information ecosystem for voters and local governments — including through the transformative step of committing the executive branch to adhere to the Public Records Act, as well as rebuilding local journalism, strengthening the school-to-voting-booth pipeline, and supporting local and regional decision-making with tools of good governance.

• Cultivate shared civic purpose through honestly acknowledging our history, building pride in our shared achievements, and promoting service. Allen will help finalize work being done to create a new state flag and center Indigenous communities’ leadership towards a better future, while building pride around the shining aspects of our shared history, like being the first state to abolish enslavement. She will also strengthen veterans’ voice in our government, establish a Youth Climate Corps and a universal expectation of service for all young people, expand the state’s civic infrastructure, and encourage civic dialogue.

• Rein in the influence of corporate money on politics, including by encouraging the state’s adoption of a 28th amendment — making Massachusetts the first state to undo the impact of Citizens United, and ensuring voters, not money, are the decision-makers in our Commonwealth.

“This agenda delivers a strategy to defeat creeping authoritarianism, alienation, and exhaustion by building a compelling people-powered alternative — a green and healthy next-generation democracy that genuinely works for everyone,” said gubernatorial candidate Danielle Allen. “If we want a democracy that can deliver on our most important needs, we need to work on the basic elements of representation — to make sure people are fully included, voters are participating and engaged, and governance is effective and just.”

Allen co-chaired the Our Common Purpose Commission which produced a bipartisan report that includes six strategies and 31 ambitious recommendations to help the nation emerge as a more resilient democracy by 2026. In addition, in response to nationwide challenges around the lack of civic education and Massachusetts’ recent mandate for comprehensive civic education in public schools, Allen built a civic education provider that developed DESE guidance and curriculum for school districts across the Commonwealth to give our children the foundation to be strong and active participants in our democratic systems. In the governor’s office, Allen will build off this track record, forging a stronger democracy as the basis for tackling our shared challenges together.

波士頓市長吳弭計畫在長島安置遊民 新設3收容點

波士頓市長吳弭 ( Michelle Wu)巡視長島後，說明預定1月12日安置美沙酮英里遊民計畫。
(周菊子攝)

                (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜報導) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 1月4日率市府首長搭船巡視長島 (Long Island)，宣佈市府計畫1月12日時，清除「美沙酮英里」的帳篷，並在3個臨時地點安排150個單位安置那兒的遊民。

             長島是波士頓的市有土地，經由昆士市通往該島的橋樑，2014年10月中因為破損瀕危而封閉，2015年拆除，島上的流民庇護所也從那時起暫停運作。

吳弭應要求以西班牙文與簡述當日宣布的內容。(周菊子攝)

             吳弭在競選市長時就曾說過，要藉由渡船服務，把長島用作”恢復校園 (recovery camapus)”，免得波士頓市得花一億元來重建通往該島的橋樑，還得擺平昆士市要提出法律訴訟的威脅。

             4日早上，吳弭和負責處理「美沙酮英里」危機的市府高級顧問Monica Bharel博士，以及公共衛生局主任Bisola Ojikutu博士，波士頓市房屋長Sheila Dillon，營運長Dion Irish等人從南波士頓的波士頓警察海港巡邏碼頭搭乘波士頓消防局船隻，前往長島視察。船程約11分鐘。

南波士頓海港。(周菊子攝)

             吳弭下船後表示，島上有許多樓宇，空置著，相當破舊，到處都是水淹痕跡，但是那兒真是地方很大，是市府處理相關危機的中長期計劃好地點。

           根據維基百科，長島面積約225英畝，17世紀時是美國土著印地安人聚居地，1634年4月1日和鹿島 (Deer Island)，Hogg島 (現為於東波士頓的東方高地。2014年波士頓前市長馬丁華殊 (Martin Walsh)下令封橋後，2016年原本由有機農場 (organic farm)用來栽種蔬菜的土地，重新啟動，讓承諾部分農作物將捐做慈善的b.good快餐連鎖店使用

                根據波士頓公共衛生局的資料，截至去年12月中，「美沙酮英里」還有77個帳篷，約143人住在那兒。

       吳弭4日時表示，波士頓市在過去這幾星期中已經把49名流民從那些帳篷遷往新的居住單位，也已找到臨時住宅，約可安置75%和波士頓市府聯絡上了的遊民。

       這150個居住單位分別位於3個不同地點，包括牙買加平原Shattuck醫院的臨時小屋社區，使命丘(Mission Hill)空置的EnVision旅館，以及在麻州大道上，原本是Best Western Roundhouse的旅館。

              這些居住單位大都是所謂的低門檻住宅。據悉，4日時，已有至少5人被安置進了有30個單位的Shattuck臨時小屋社區。

麻州新冠病毒疫情持續嚴重 1月4日新增16621例

               (Boston Orange 整理) 麻州的新冠病毒(COVID-19)疫情，今(4)日居高不下，新增16.621例確診，94人死亡，2,372人住院，441人住在重症病房，262人插管。20到40歲之間年輕人成為確診率最高族群。

              根據麻州公共衛生廳的互動數計資料圖，7日的平均確診率已陡升至21.62%。過去2週來，共有18,051名年紀在20到29歲之間的年輕人確診。年紀在30到39歲之間的青年，也有14,469人。

              麻州的累計確診數，日前已打破百萬大關，今日來到1,107,768宗之多。累計死亡人數已快要打破2萬大關，現為19,954人。

              波士頓市目前仍只一週匯總一次新冠病毒疫情數據，1月4日的數據為，累計有117,014例確診，91,664例痊癒，1,522例死亡。

              若以族裔來分，白人確診數最高，35%，其次為西班牙人的26%，再次為黑人的25%，亞裔有7%，其他為8%。死亡人數則為白人643，黑人508，西班牙人208，亞裔116。

              根據Worldometer的數據，全世界迄今累計的新冠病毒確診病例已近3億人，現有295,117,791例，累計死亡5,471,949。

              美國的新冠病毒確診個案，已累計至5779萬9706例，其中新增414,279例為新增，累計死亡有85萬餘人，新增死亡1440人。

波士頓市府 1/10 舉辦網上職業博覽會

 

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES FIRST SET OF CITY OF BOSTON JOB FAIRS OPEN TO ALL RESIDENTS, STARTING JANUARY 10th The City of Boston is holding various job fairs for residents to learn more about the work of city departments and apply to open roles across City departments

BOSTON - Tuesday, January 4, 2022 - Building on her commitment to bring City Hall out of City Hall and into each of Boston’s vibrant neighborhoods, today Mayor Michelle Wu announced that the City of Boston is holding various virtual job fairs throughout January for Boston residents to learn more about employment opportunities with the City. The first set of job fairs will start on Monday, January 10th at 5:30 p.m. with the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), a key City department that builds and maintains the technology tools that improve residents’ experience and keep the City running. “As we take on our biggest challenges, there are many critical positions that we need to fill in city government,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Our goal is to connect directly with community for job fairs to make sure the City’s workforce represents all of Boston’s diversity, reflects the expertise in our communities, and moves with urgency to deliver for our families across our neighborhoods.” “Getting dedicated, talented people to come be part of our workforce is one of the most important things we as City leadership can do,” said Alex Lawrence, Interim Chief Information Officer. “I am thrilled we are launching these job fairs, and that the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) will be piloting this program. We have so many critical roles open right now across the city-- especially in IT as technology continues to be an increasingly critical component of how we deliver services to our workforce and residents.  For those who want to make a difference by serving Boston residents, I personally believe there is no better way to do that more directly than coming to work for the City.” The job fairs are open to all Boston residents with the goal of reaching as many residents of Boston that are currently seeking employment opportunities. This initiative will serve as an opportunity for individuals across each of our neighborhoods who may not have considered working for the City to gain a better understanding of what departments do and what roles are available. Several departments will participate in one or multiple job fairs, including: Boston Public Schools, Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), Boston Fire Department, Office of Police Accountability & Transparency, Environment, Parks and Recreation, Age Strong, SPARK Boston, Operations, and Inspectional Services Department. The first round of Job Fairs in January will be held virtually through Zoom sessions in order to prioritize accessibility and participation. If an individual is unable to attend virtually, please complete this form to schedule a conversation with a relevant department’s Human Resources (HR) representative.   If you are interested in DoIT’s January 10th Virtual Job Fair, please register here. Following registration, The Mayor’s Office will reach out to you to verify confirmation and provide additional information about the DoIT Job Fair.   To register for future Job Fairs with participating departments and any questions regarding participation in this initiative, your principal point of contact with the City will be: NAME: John Paul Gervais   EMAIL: johnpaul.gervais@boston.gov   NUMBER: 671-635-5795

波克萊台商會換屆 徐小玲交棒 李孟潔接會長 率年輕團隊上任

波克萊台灣商會新舊職員交接典禮，部分出席者合影。(周菊子攝)

        

波士頓經文處處長孫儉元(中)監交，波克萊台商會徐小玲把會長職位交給新任的李孟潔。
(周菊子攝)

(Boston Orange 周菊子麻州牛頓市報導)波克萊台灣商會 (BTCC)一月一日下午改朝換代，在波士頓僑教中心會議廳舉行新舊會長交接儀式，由年輕人接手各項職務，刻正徵募2人申請加入北美洲台商會理事行列。

        波克萊台商會的2022年會長交接儀式由秘書長陳玉瑛主持，駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元監交。經營多家高級餐館的現任會長徐小玲在簡單隆重的儀式中，把會長棒子交給牙醫師李孟潔。

波克萊台灣商會新團隊，左起，財務長羅靜春，副會長洪維謙，會長李孟潔，秘書長
李典璋，資訊長葉南谷。(周菊子攝)

        徐小玲在卸任致詞中感謝團隊在過去二年中給她的莫大幫助，鼓勵和支持，波克萊台商會才能有今日的茁壯，雖然在她任內遇上世紀性的新冠病毒大流行，但是疫情的擴展與蔓延，並未阻礙會務的蓬勃發展。這天交接，她期待和新會長李孟潔密切合作，繼續協助會務的發展蒸蒸日上。

        出席交接儀式的貴賓，波士頓經文處處長孫儉元和僑教中心主任潘昭榮也一一致詞。

波克萊台灣商會顧問游勝雄 (左)代表前任北美洲台灣商會總會長吳怡明，送防護衣
給新任會長李孟潔，宋昇姬夫婦。(周菊子攝)

                 孫儉元處長憶述前年7月初到波士頓上任，第一個接觸的僑團，就是波克萊台灣商會，接著又得到波克萊台灣商會自發性捐贈口罩合作，跑了麻州大大小小的許多地區去捐口罩，讓大家感受到台灣政府及在地台灣人對麻州美國人的關心，期待新的一年和波克萊台商會繼續合作。

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元(右二)、波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮(左一)，
頒發給謝狀給卸任會長徐小玲，賀狀給新任會長李孟潔。(周菊子攝)

               僑教中心主任潘昭榮也感性表示，剛抵波士頓時，初來乍到，就要接辦推動加入世界衛生組織的活動，向蘇鴻昌顧問請教後，找到徐小玲會長幫忙，才能順利辦妥一應事務。他非常感謝所有相關人士，也希望以後繼續互助合作。

            波克萊台灣商會的新一屆幹部，除了財政是曾任該會，以及波士頓台灣婦女會會長的羅靜春之外，其餘全是新面孔的年輕人。

      李孟潔說明自己是牙醫師，在北岸地區工作，經由高雄醫學院學長蘇鴻昌的介紹，加入波克萊台灣商會。他謙稱自己經驗還淺，但很願意學習，並奉獻心力，還特地招募了一批年輕的幹部團隊，加入服務行列，包括現任武田製藥公司生產及發展經理的副會長洪維謙，現任武田製藥癌症研發科學家，獲有德國慕尼黑博士學位，曾在哈佛做研究的秘書長李典璋，目前在劍橋市Mega System的資訊長葉南谷。

      會中，波克萊台灣商會創會長游勝雄代表前任北美洲總商會會長吳怡明贈送防疫夾克給新任會長李孟潔，宋昇姬夫婦，並宣佈北美洲台商會需要2位理事，請大家報名申請。

      波克萊台商會前會長楊羅東也在會中說明，該會是北美洲台商會，世界台商會的會員團體，今年3月25日到27日，將在亞特蘭大舉行年會，並有會後旅遊，可和來自世界各地的商會理事們交流。 (更新版)