麻州文化協會將撥款100萬元資助亞裔項目 3/23截止申請

AAPI Arts & Culture Pandemic Recovery Grants Available from Mass Cultural Council

Application opens February 7; Deadline to apply March 23

Boston – Mass Cultural Council is pleased to announce pandemic assistance is now available for eligible cultural organizations through the FY22 Asian American & Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Arts & Culture COVID-19 Recovery Program.    This one-year program, a legislative mandate established and funded through an earmark in the FY22 state budget, is intended to uplift and provide financial assistance to AAPI arts and cultural organizations that have been economically impacted by the pandemic.   Mass Cultural Council acknowledges the leadership of the Massachusetts House Asian Caucus, who sponsored and secured this funding during the FY22 budget debate, and provided valuable assistance as the program guidelines were developed. Through their efforts and with this program, Mass Cultural Council continues to prioritize and invest in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the cultural sector, as outlined in the Agency’s Racial Equity Plan.    The House Asian Caucus is a bipartisan legislative caucus dedicated to bringing greater awareness to issues facing the AAPI community in Massachusetts and increasing participation and representation within our state government. Members include Caucus Chair Rep. Donald H. Wong (R- Saugus), Rep. Tackey Chan (D- Quincy), Rep. Paul A. Schmid, III (D- Westport), Rep. Rady Mom (D- Lowell), Rep. Tram T. Nguyen (D- Andover), Rep. Maria D. Robinson (D- Framingham), Rep. Vanna Howard (D- Lowell), and Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven (D- Somerville).   The goal of the FY22 AAPI Arts & Culture COVID-19 Recovery Program, as directed by the Legislature, is to provide pandemic assistance to entities that focus on one or more Asian ethnicity and conduct cultural events, cultural education, or cultural performances, with these funds being prioritized to entities who have been adversely affected by COVID-19 pandemic.   Mass Cultural Council expects to award up to $970,000 in grant funds towards this purpose in FY22. The number of grants and the size of awards will be determined as part of the application review.   For more information: · Read the program guidelines and FAQs. Application form opens on February 7, 2022. The application deadline is March 23, 2022. · Register for an information session on February 7, 2022 at 4pm and/or optional office hours. Translation Services Available: As part of the Agency’s Access Policy, Mass Cultural Council is happy to provide translation services so that all interested parties can participate in our programs and services. For immediate translations, please use the Google Translate option by clicking the “translate” button at the top right of the screen and select the preferred language. You may also request translation services. However, offline translation requests will take 5-10 business days to complete upon request.

麻州地鐵昆士市新巴士維修廠今日破土 地鐵巴士將全面電動化

政要們動鏟，為昆士市新巴士維修廠象徵性的破土。(周菊子攝)

          (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州昆士市報導) 設址於昆士市的麻州地鐵電動巴士維修廠，今 (14) 日一早由州、市、聯邦政要齊聚的破土動工了，意味著麻州朝向減少空汙，推動環保，向前踏進一大步。

             麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker)表示，在聯邦及州市各層級人員的通力合作下，美國總統拜登 (Joe Biden) 剛簽署的「不分黨派基礎建設法 (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law)」將在未來的5到6年內撥給麻州95億元基礎建設經費，其中54億元將用於修補橋梁、道路，22億元撥給麻州地鐵局 (MBTA)。查理貝克強調，這筆經費將容許麻州更積極的因應氣候變化，保護環境。

             查理貝克也特地申明，麻州能獲得這筆經費，是聯邦，州及地方市府通力合作的結果。今早的破土儀式，因此邀有聯邦參議員Elizabeth Warren，聯邦眾議員Steven Lynch，麻州眾議會議長Ronald Mariano，昆士市市長柯奇 (Tom Koch)等人出席。

             麻州地鐵總經理Steve Poftak表示，未來5年將陸續到帳的這22億元經費，有16億元將用於現有項目，約6億元用於新項目，包括4億元要用在車站及維修廠的改善。

           麻州地鐵早從2018年7月1日，就已推出「更好巴士計畫(Better Bus P)，打算以80億元，在5年內和麻州交通局 (MassDOT)，以及50個市鎮合作，要改善1100輛巴士每天載送約40萬人的服務。

             2020年1月，麻州地鐵就在社區會議中，向地方民眾報告了昆士市新巴士維修廠的設計，並召開了多次網上會議，聽取民眾意見，去年也做了環保評估。

             位於昆士市內的巴士維修廠，在MBTA體系內是最老舊的一個，因為廠內沒有維修新世代車輛所需的科技設備，及空間，一直都只有老舊巴士可以從這進出，昆士市及鄰近城鎮的巴士服務，也因此長年累月的頻頻發生班次有限，誤點等狀況。

 現在有了來自聯邦政府的基礎建設經費，麻州地鐵可以更無顧慮的推動昆士市新巴士維修廠的興建工程，同時著手把MBTA麾下9個巴士維修廠內的1100輛巴士，全面電動化，以及早達到2040年時零排放的環保目標。

昆士市市長柯奇表示，新的巴士維修廠將設在昆士市地鐵紅線亞當斯(Adams)地鐵站對面，到昆士中心地鐵站只有不到1英里，昆士市有很多巴士路線都從那兒出發。一旦新巴士維修廠建成，所有巴士換成新的零排放電動巴士，昆士市居民將不但可以搭乘嶄新巴士，得到更好的搭乘體驗，還可以有更多班次，更準時服務，昆士居民樂見其成。

Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito join Secretary of Transportation Jamey Tesler, MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Congressman Stephen Lynch, Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch and House Speaker Ronald Mariano to highlight the Commonwealth’s plans to make investments through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and to break ground on the MBTA’s new Quincy Bus Maintenance Facility. 

慶祝情人節 波士頓市長吳弭網晤3對牽手50年佳偶

 

波士頓市長吳弭慶祝2022情人節，在波士頓市老人局 (Age Strong Commission)安排下，和3對已結縭50年的夫妻網路晤談，稱許他們牽手長伴，有如情人模範。

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF YOUTH GREEN JOBS INITIATIVE

 

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF YOUTH GREEN JOBS INITIATIVE Davo Jefferson will enhance workforce development for young adults and returning citizens in fields that address environmental challenges

BOSTON - Monday, February 14, 2022 - Today, Mayor Wu announces Davo Jefferson as the new Executive Director for the City of Boston’s Youth Green Jobs program. Last week, the Boston Planning and Development Agency voted in favor of appointing Jefferson at their February Board meeting. Jefferson will support career development opportunities for young adults who are unemployed or underemployed, in green jobs and careers that help prepare for the impacts of climate change. This program is a partnership led by the Office of Workforce Development (OWD) and the City’s Environment Department, in collaboration with the Office of Public Safety, Department of Youth Engagement and Employment, and Boston Centers for Youth & Families.  “Boston’s Youth Green Jobs Corps acts as a roadmap to provide livable wages, good benefits, and strong worker protections for our young people and returning citizens,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I am thrilled about the creation of this critical program and excited for Davo’s leadership to help us transition to a clean, just economy.”  “I am both honored and humbled to have this opportunity to be the Executive Director for Boston’s Youth Green Jobs Corps,” said Davo Jefferson. “The Green Economy is a multi-billion dollar industry, so I am happy to be preparing people for employment opportunities that will not only allow them to earn a livable wage and take care of their families, but they'll also be helping to take care of the environment.” In this role, Jefferson will be charged with implementing an ambitious training program to move residents into green jobs after program completion. The City of Boston, with Jefferson’s support, will determine training pathways with the most pressing needs and significant potential to protect the environment. The City of Boston will identify and welcome community partners and non-profits who would like to engage in this work.  Jefferson is a social justice reform advocate who has a passion for working on issues that pertain to positive youth and young adult development and the re-entry population. With more than 15 years of non-profit management experience, Mr. Jefferson has been able to lead and manage workforce development efforts, implement evidence-based measurable programming, and create impactful resources and opportunities for the communities that he serves. Most recently Jefferson was the Service Delivery Manager for SOAR Boston, a program which utilizes an evidence-based approach to reduce recidivism, intervene in violent activity, and create pathways for active gang-involved youth and young adults in the city. A native of Boston and an educator at heart, Mr. Jefferson has taught in college, high school, middle school, and afterschool settings as well as in juvenile and adult correctional facilities. Mr. Jefferson holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Cambridge College and a Master’s in Public Administration from Baruch College. “The green jobs program serves the dual purpose of creating job opportunities for our young adults while protecting our city from the ravages of climate change and enhancing quality of life for all residents,” said Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space. “Davo has the critical skills to ensure the program members thrive in a green economy and I am enthusiastic to work together in this capacity.” The priority of this pilot program is to support Boston communities that have been hit particularly hard by the socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by creating an equitable recovery and growing job opportunities that fight climate change. The City of Boston’s green jobs program is inspired by the Philadelphia PowerCorpsPHL model that builds opportunities for young people by tackling pressing environmental challenges and developing the skills required to secure meaningful work. The program was designed with “earn and learn” practices to ensure that members enter and succeed in career pathways. Members go through specifically tailored phases, in a field of their choosing, that embed service and equity, as well as direct connections to job openings. The program will also offer connections to continuing education opportunities, including through the City’s Tuition Free Community College program. The Fiscal Year 2022 operating budget for the Cabinet of Environment, Energy and Open Space included $1 million for green jobs. An additional $3 million with funding from the American Rescue Plan was authorized by the City Council in July 2021 to grow the program. The City’s Environment Department convened a group of stakeholders to create a Community Advisory Board that focused on developing an investment plan driven by community needs and values. Over the summer, the City of Boston launched a request for information on the future of green jobs and shared a request for proposals for catalyst grants for green and mobility job training.

吳弭在IG上遭遇反對接種疫苗、戴口罩者圍攻 福斯新聞、紐約郵報搶報

IG上也有支持吳弭的留言。(截屏)

IG上的有些留言很不客氣。(截屏)

          (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 是80後的年輕世代，在從政人士當中，是少數的本人就善用社交媒體者之一。無論是推特，IG或臉書，她無處不在，還經常在這些社交媒體上和選民直接對話。

              最近她在IG上的一次即問即答現場直播活動，卻出現出乎她意料之外的情況。那些反對為了新冠病毒 (COVID-19) 戴口罩，注射疫苗的人，紛沓而來，留下許多批評性字句。這情況引起紐約郵報、福斯新聞等全國性新聞機構注意，描述了這狀況，還有許多人在” 抖音 (TikTok)” 。” 推特 (Twitter)” 上轉發這段視，使得累計觀看人數在推特上已經超過180萬人。

              在2月11日的這IG視頻城鎮會議中，其中一人寫著，“你在毀壞我們的偉大城市”。

              還有一人寫道，”你為什麼恨小孩子? 老師? 警察? 消防員?”。

              另一人寫著，”你什麼時候才會停止用這規定破壞我們的城市”。

              在吳弭準備把一名嘉賓帶進串流，卻遭遇技術障礙，得等待技術問題解決時，吳弭決定即席回答提問，這些批評者也毫不留情的開始擠進來，留下不滿言論，質問什麼時候才會取消戴口罩規定。吳弭起初說，「看到一些朋友有不同….」，然後就把話題轉移到另一人留言的農曆新年了，說起「新年快樂，式的，虎年，很可愛的虎年表情符號」。

              後來她還回答了一個俏皮的，問她最喜歡波士頓冬天的什麼的問題。她臉帶淺笑的說，「我喜歡雪」。然後那些反口罩及疫苗的留言，繼續湧進來。

              2月10日時，麻州政府宣佈，2月28日起，幼稚園到中小學師生上學不再需要戴口罩。波士頓市吳弭認為波士頓市情況不同，許多學生還沒接種疫苗，為謹慎起見，波士頓市內學校將維持原有規定，得戴口罩，

              不過波士頓市府這天也公佈和波士頓教師工會達成協議，紓緩接種疫苗規定，允許教育者在新冠病毒傳染率低期間，定期做病毒檢測，就不要求一定得注射疫苗。

              當然，不是所有的留言都在批評。也有人支持吳弭的留言，「謝謝你在全球病毒大流行中保護我們的安全」。另一人則寫著，「你做得很棒!」。

              這段視頻在社交媒體上流傳得很廣泛，不過原始的現場直播視頻，並沒有保留在IG頁面上，也沒留在吳弭的帳號上。吳弭的新聞辦公室未就此事做回應。

                              吳弭對波士頓環球報的報導此事，似乎有點感冒，2月13日上推特，表示"留言"中的刻意攻擊在2022年內不是新聞。 (更新版)

麻州州長查理貝克訂5月出書 教人怎麼做事

(Boston Orange 編譯) 麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker) 要出書了。亞馬遜上已經公佈，這本名為「 結果: 超越政治把重要的事做成 (Results: Getting Beyond Politics to Get Important Work Done) 」，厚300頁的書，預定5月24日上市。

            共和黨籍，去年12月才宣佈不再競選第三度連任的查理貝克，然後就趕在卸任前出書。根據該書的網上”摘要”，儘管這本書的內容，免不了要談論他在位州長8年的種種，以及他在私人企業中的工作經驗，但他和他的前任州長幕僚長Steve Kadish卻形容這本書不是回憶錄，是要為任何想要出任公職的人，或是在大組織中受到官僚主義及政治阻礙的領導及經理人，提供「四步驟框架」參考。

麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker，檔案照片，周菊子攝)

                 查理貝克的幕僚說，不清楚他什麼時候開始寫這本書，但是已經寫了好幾年了。在一份聲明中，查理貝克和Kadish說，”我們想要把我們在公私兩界工作20多年，解決問題的經驗，寫下來，好讓其他從事公職，或在大機構中工作的人，能夠從我們的經驗中學習」。

                  查理貝克曾經擔任哈佛格林健保公司 (Harvard Pilgrim Health Care)執行長，Steve Kadish則是在2015年加入貝克政府之前，曾擔任東北大學營運長，再之前，也曾在哈佛格林健保工作。

             他們兩人是很親近的朋友。當Kadish在2017年，擔任貝克幕僚長2年半後卸任時，貝克曾說在那個時候，他們兩人已曾經共事過4次，”他愛這個人”。

                 在聲明中，他們說”這本書是關於在政府之內，以及周邊許許多多有才幹者的辛勤工作”。”我們想，這能夠幫助其他人為他們的對象提供更好的產品或服務，並因此而建立對政府和民主來說至關重要的信任”。

             查理貝克的辦公室說，他打算把出書的所有收入捐給為參與麻州兒童及家庭署活動兒童提供補助及贈款的私營非牟利機構， 「麻州奇蹟基金 (Massachusetts Wonderfund)」。

             這本書似乎和查理貝克長期以來倡議的務實，不分黨派治理的信念，密切相關。該書摘要指出，Kadish是民主黨籍，而他們承諾要提供”很廣泛的例子”，來展示政府能夠成為”有效率經營的例子，而不是沒有希望的官僚機構”。

             該書摘要還引述去年在美國國會山莊發生的1月6日攻擊事件，稱那威脅了”民主核心”，證明政府能夠運作對確保未來至關重要。

             根據書摘，查理貝克在書中寫道，”從某個角度切入議題對製造頭條新聞也許很重要，但是那不會推動我們向前。成功是由我們一起成就了什麼來衡量的。我們對我們所服務人民的責任太重要了，不應該把政治和黨派放在進步與結果之前”。

             查理貝克現年65歲。他的辦公室助理說，他沒有在出書時巡迴打書或做大型宣傳的計畫。

Danielle Allen Outlines Vision To Secure Carbon-Free Transit Statewide, Reimagine Transportation For A Healthy, Connected Commonwealth

Danielle Allen Outlines Vision To Secure Carbon-Free Transit Statewide, Reimagine Transportation For A Healthy, Connected Commonwealth

Boston, MA — Today, gubernatorial candidate Danielle Allen unveiled the latest in a series of in-depth policy agendas that are already driving consensus for change across our Commonwealth. Allen’s new agenda to reimagine transportation will create electric-based transportation networks across the Commonwealth; prioritize electrification of commuter rail systems and a One Commonwealth rail network; help families put the pieces together by making efficient, affordable transit available to everyone; and move our transportation paradigm off fossil fuels and towards renewable energy. The full agenda is available here.

Communities across Massachusetts are facing transportation challenges — from parents losing out on time with their kids because they’re stuck in long commutes, to small towns emptying out because of limited transportation options to reach jobs nearby. A lack of public transportation is placing a disproportionate burden on seniors and people with disabilities in rural communities, and communities of color are facing disproportionate impacts of pollution from traffic congestion. Allen’s transportation plan will tackle these challenges head on. By empowering regional transit authorities to better serve our towns and cities, and building out affordable, electric-based transit networks statewide, Allen will drive a connected Commonwealth, a dynamic, inclusive economy, and a healthy climate.

“Great transportation helps all of us connect the dots: between home, work, our loved ones, and services like getting to the doctor. And whether it’s opening up job opportunities or getting us transitioned off fossil fuels, affordable, electric-based transportation is the missing link,” said gubernatorial candidate Danielle Allen. “I’m pushing to reimagine our transportation systems across our state, for healthy communities, climate resilience, and a connected Commonwealth.”

To make that a reality, an Allen administration will: 

• Transform our transportation infrastructure to achieve climate resilience and justice, including prioritizing decarbonization and electrification of the commuter rail by enacting the Rail Vision Full Transformation Agenda, retrofitting transit infrastructure for climate resilience, building out electric vehicle infrastructure, and accelerating the conversion of all public vehicles to electrification.

• Secure equitable, efficient transportation access Commonwealth-wide, including pursuing high-speed East-West passenger rail service between Pittsfield and Boston via Springfield at least five times daily, driving high-frequency service across the whole commuter rail system, improving bus service in rural areas and investing in regional transit authorities, and supporting the Work & Family Mobility Act and End Debt-Based Drivers’ License Suspensions legislation.

• Reduce congestion and ensure safe, affordable transit through a 10 year plan to get people out of cars and prioritize bikes, ride shares, and keeping reliable public transit affordable. This includes piloting congestion pricing, delivering subsidized fares for low-income people, and piloting free bus routes through high-density, low-income neighborhoods. 

• Build a coordinated, sustainably-resourced system by establishing a One Commonwealth Rail Division to coordinate rail and take some of the burden off of the MBTA, creating a Northeast Transportation Task Force to work on regional transit across New England (including the North Atlantic Rail Initiative), and paving the way to take full advantage of federal infrastructure investment partnerships.

• Connect transportation infrastructure to the building blocks of prosperity, investing in housing, good jobs, health, and climate to reinforce and advance our transportation goals.

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES BOSTON TO OFFER RESIDENTS WEEKEND CURBSIDE TEXTILE COLLECTION

 

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES BOSTON TO OFFER RESIDENTS WEEKEND CURBSIDE TEXTILE COLLECTION  Program builds on the already 30 textile dropbox locations across the City

BOSTON - Friday, February 11, 2022 - Building on the success of the neighborhood textile dropbox program, Mayor Michelle Wu announced today that the City of Boston will begin offering weekend curbside collection of household textiles at no cost to residents. The Boston Public Works Department has again partnered with Northeast textile recycling company, Helpsy, which will coordinate pick-ups across the city.       “Bringing a curbside textile recycling program to Boston is an important step towards making waste reduction practices equitable and accessible for all our residents,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “By empowering our residents to take bold action against climate change and finding innovative and convenient ways to recycle, we’re creating a cleaner, more sustainable city for future generations to come.”  Residents looking to schedule a pick-up can simply fill-out an online request form at boston.gov/textiles. Once a date is scheduled and confirmed, household textiles should be left on the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled pick-up day. Textiles should be clean, dry, and properly bagged to allow for a quick pick-up for Helpsy drivers. Acceptable textile items include dresses, shirts, pants, suits, coats, towels, bedding, costumes, curtains, placements, tablecloths and throw rugs. Items that will not be accepted include breakable houseware or glass, electronics, furniture, construction materiel, scrap metal, appliances, mattresses, books or magazines.  Once household textiles are collected, sorted and graded, 95 percent will be reused, upcycled, or recycled. The higher grades are resold to thrift stores in North America and other second hand markets around the world. The lower grades get turned into rags for industrial use or alternative functions like stuffing or insulation. In just the last year, Helpsy has collected and processed over 30 million pounds of textiles from the Northeast region. Of that, 5 million pounds were generated from the Greater Boston area.  “The City of Boston is always looking for new and creative ways to expand recycling services to our residents,“ stated Superintendent of Waste Reduction, Brian Coughlin. “We not only want to provide convenient programs that work for everyone, but also educate residents on why and how these programs will assist in our ultimate goal of becoming a zero waste city.”  According to the Environmental Protection Agency, textile waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the United States, occupying nearly 5 percent of all landfill space. As a country, the U.S. throws away 36 billion pounds of textiles each year, nearly 100 pounds per person. Of those discarded textiles, currently only 15 percent is recycled, whereas 95 percent could be.   Along with weekend curbside collection, residents can also drop off their textiles at 30 dropbox locations across the city. Dropboxes are located at city owned municipal lots, as well as Boston Public School and Boston Housing Authority locations. You can find a full list of locations and accepted items here.   The City of Boston continues to encourage residents to utilize tools like the City’s free “Trash Day” app. The app enables Boston residents to search a directory of hundreds of household items to find out the right way to dispose of them while on the go or at home. App users can also view a calendar for their home’s collection dates, set reminders, and get notifications of schedule changes to service. Boston residents can also safely dispose of hazardous waste, shred unwanted documents, discard textiles and recycle electronics for free at a series of Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off events.  These programs build on Boston’s Zero Waste Plan, which includes 30 near- and long-term strategies to divert at least 80 percent of the City’s waste from landfills and municipal solid waste combustors by 2035. Key pieces of the plan include expanding Boston’s composting program, increasing access to recycling opportunities and launching a city-wide education campaign on recycling. Greenhouse gas emissions from waste disposal is equivalent to approximately six percent of Boston’s overall emissions. By reducing waste, recycling more, and composting, Boston can reduce emissions associated with waste and move one step closer to its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, outlined in the City’s 2019 Climate Action Plan update.  While reducing emissions, the City is working to prepare for sea level rise and the impacts of climate change. Climate Ready Boston is the City's initiative to prepare for the short and long term impacts of climate change. In addition to citywide climate resilience plans, the City has created neighborhood-level coastal resilience plans for areas most vulnerable to sea level rise and coastal storms, including East Boston, Charlestown, South Boston, North End, Downtown, and Dorchester.  This expansion reinforces the Wu Administration’s commitment to a Boston Green New Deal and creating sustainable recycling and waste disposal resources. Additionally, Mayor Wu signed an ordinance to divest City-funds from the fossil fuel, tobacco, and private prison industries. Mayor Wu also announced new, lower community choice electricity rates and outlined steps to reduce vehicle emissions and electrify the City fleet. Mayor Wu additionally announced the launch of the two-year fare-free program on MBTA bus Routes 23, 28, and 29 on March 1, 2022.