麻州將接收烏克蘭難民 人數還未確知

麻州州長Charlie Baker歡迎烏克蘭難民。(檔案照片，周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange綜合編譯) 美國總統拜登 (Joe Biden) 允諾接收10萬名烏克蘭難民，其中一部分將來到麻州，但人數多少，仍未確定。

           在俄國、烏克蘭之戰歷經一個月，仍然持續之際，已有大約300萬居民逃離烏克蘭，落難各地，目前世界各國都在伸出援手，只是協助速度似有緩不濟急之勢。

                美國總統拜登在比利時布魯塞爾和歐洲盟國會晤時表示，美國將接收10萬難民，並為受到俄國侵略烏克蘭戰爭影響的國家，提供10億元人道援助經費。

               麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker)在白宮發佈這消息之前就已說過，麻州會伸開雙臂歡迎烏克蘭人的到來，只是到底會有多少烏克蘭人來到麻州，目前還不清楚。他相信每個人都為烏克蘭發生這可怕的事情感到很糟糕，「如果烏克蘭人找到方法來美國，我們當然會加緊找出幫忙這些人的方法」。

             查理貝克在3月3日時已經發出行政命令，指示麻州行政部門審視並終止任何與俄國國營公司的合約。他還指示麻州的難民及移民辦公室和聯邦政府的難民安置辦公室合作，支援逃離動亂的烏克蘭移民及難民。

             麻州共有6各機構和美國國務院合作安置難民。美國政府會依據各組織的能力決定安置多少難民進入各州。在塔利班接管阿富汗之後，在去年九月至今年二月間，麻州接收了2000名難民。

             根據波士頓市計畫發展局的數據，麻州現有25365名烏克蘭人，其中1682人住在波士頓。協助安置阿富汗難民，位於屋斯特(Worcester)的Ascentria 照顧聯盟(Ascentria Care Alliance)稱，大春田區約有一萬名烏克蘭人。

麻州州務卿候選人Tanisha Sullivan獲得「在這兒團結」本地第26工會支持

 UNITE HERE Local 26 Endorses Tanisha Sullivan for Secretary of State

 March 28, 2022 — Today, Tanisha Sullivan announced that her campaign for Secretary of State has received the support of UNITE HERE Local 26, which represents hospitality workers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  

 “Our next Secretary of State has a vital role to play in ensuring that every worker has a voice in our democracy, in protecting and expanding voting rights, and in ensuring that worker’s rights, including access to benefits and safe working conditions, are a priority,” said Sullivan. “I’m so grateful to Local 26 for their support and belief in this campaign. I look forward to continuing to work alongside labor to strengthen the rights and opportunities afforded to all workers and their families.” 

 “Tanisha Sullivan has been a leader, an advocate and a friend to Local 26 for years. She knows what we need to do to expand voting rights and she knows how to do it. We are honored to endorse her candidacy for Massachusetts Secretary of State,” said Carlos Aramayo, President, UNITE HERE Local 26.

 UNITE HERE Local 26 represents around 12,000 hospitality workers across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including workers at hotels, restaurants, and university dining halls, as well as at the Boston Convention Centers, Fenway Park, and Logan International Airport.

Today’s announcement comes less than a week after Sullivan announced the support of several leading elected officials in Boston, including State Representative Russell Holmes, State Representative Nika Elugardo, State Representative Liz Miranda, Boston City Councilor At-Large Julia Mejia, Boston City Councilor At-Large Ruthzee Louijeune, District 5 City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo, District 6 City Councilor Kendra Lara, and District 7 City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson. In February, Sullivan was endorsed by national democracy advocate and former Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate Danielle Allen.

麻州州長候選人Sonia Chang Diaz陣營叫陣辯論 Maura Healey陣營不置可否

             (Boston Orange 波士頓報導) 麻州州長候選人陳翟蘇妮 (Sonia Chang-Díaz)叫陣競爭對手奚莉(Maura Healey)在6月4日前做3次電視轉播的現場辯論，未獲回應，競選陣營今(28)日發聲明質疑。

               陳翟蘇妮的競選經理Joshua Wolfsun在聲明中指奚莉閃躲辯論，既是對麻州選民來說的一件壞事，也和她早年的立場不一致。2014年4月1日，奚莉第一次競選麻州總檢察長時，她就挑戰對手在選舉投票日前，至少每月辯論一次。2018年的州長選舉初選，民主黨也在6月的民主黨大會之前舉行過至少3次，有人主持，候選人親自出席的現場辯論。陳翟蘇妮這次要求辯論，也只是依往例形式而已。

               Joshua Wolfsun稱，民主黨的州長候選人不應該懼怕站上舞台，和其他候選人辯論真正的議題。有太多事情會受牽連影響，選民們應該得到更清楚瞭解的機會。

            在聲明中，陳翟蘇妮陣營稱發出要求辯論信後，犀利陣營次日就回覆了，但通篇回應未做任何承諾。

 

BOSTON, MA - State Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz’s campaign for Governor is responding to her Democratic opponent Attorney General Maura Healey’s refusal to commit to three live, moderated debates prior to the party’s convention on June 4. 

Joshua Wolfsun, Chang-Díaz’s campaign manager, issued the following statement

“The people of Massachusetts deserve a governor who will respect the democratic process, not expect a coronation. The Attorney General’s move to dodge committing to three debates before the convention is bad for the voters of our state — and inconsistent with her past positions. On April 1, 2014, when she was first running for Attorney General, Maura Healey challenged her opponent to debate her ‘at least once a month’ until the election. Sonia’s call for debates also reflects the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary, where the candidates participated in at least three live, in-person moderated debates and forums before June.

“Our Democratic nominee for Governor shouldn’t be afraid to get on a stage across from other candidates and debate the real issues. Too much is at stake, and the voters deserve nothing less. We urge the Attorney General to show the same commitment she showed in her first race, and agree to three live, moderated debates sponsored by media organizations ahead of the convention.”

Chang-Díaz initially called for three debates in a letter she sent to Healey last week. Healey’s campaign team responded with a media statement later that day that avoided making any commitments in response to the letter.

Read the Chang-Díaz’s full letter to Healey online here: https://bit.ly/Sonia-3-Debates 

吳弭市長等政要向國家戰爭英雄致敬 Francis B Wai或為唯一華裔戰爭英雄

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu，右四) 和波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn(右二)，波士頓市不分區市議員Michael Flaherty(左二)，
以及麻州參議員Mike Rush等人在南波士頓的一場儀式中，向這些國家英雄獻上花圈致敬。(圖片取自推特)

                  (Boston Orange 周菊子整理報導) 每年的3月

25日是美國的「國家榮譽勳章日 (National Medal of Honor Day) 」。波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 和波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn，波士頓市不分區市議員Michael Flaherty，以及麻州參議員Mike Rush等人在南波士頓的一場儀式中，向這些國家英雄獻上花圈致敬。

          吳弭市長在推特上發文表示，「今日我們在南波士頓紀念榮譽勳章日，向獲得我們國家最高軍事英勇獎，國會榮譽勳章的英雄們致敬。波士頓市感謝你們為國服務」。

             榮譽勳章基金會於1999年在美國國會支持下成立，既為表揚國家英雄，也為傳承美國精神，支持還在世的英雄們。

國家榮譽勳章的源始，可以追溯到1861年，但是直到1958年，美國國會和時任總統的艾森豪 (Eisenhower )才成立這組織，表揚戰爭英雄們。1963年越戰時，頒發國家榮譽勳章的標準更改為，必須在為國抗敵的英勇事蹟發生的3年內申報，5年內領取。

Francis B. Wai。

根據榮譽勳章基金會網站，從美國內戰以來，美國共發出過3511個國家榮譽勳章，迄今在世的有66人。

在麻州出生的有180人，4人仍然在世，分別是越戰英雄的1966年Robert F. Foley，1969年Thomas G. Kelley，以及反恐襲阿富汗戰爭的2008年Ryan M. Pitts，2002年Britt K. Slabinski。

這些戰爭英雄中，居然還有59人是1900年參加「中國援救遠征隊 (China Relief Expedition  (Boxer Rebellion))」，八國聯軍擊敗清軍和義和團在天津、北京戰役的人，包括在麻州出生的John M, Adams，James Burnes，William L. Carr，Francis T. Ryan，David J. Scannell，Frank E. Smith等6人。

讓人訝異，或者也不訝異的是，在這3千多名獲得國家榮譽勳章者中，有33名亞裔，從姓名看大概有一半為日裔，只有1名華裔，是在第二次世界大戰時的美國陸軍第34隊隊長Francis B. Wai，1917年在夏威夷好努魯努出生的他不但沿路把失去領導的士兵們納入麾下，帶領他們，還多次個人出擊，引誘敵方發動砲火，讓隊友查悉敵人火力所在。1944年10月20日時，他在率隊攻擊最後一個日本碉堡時陣亡。2000年6月時，由當年的柯林頓總統把獎章頒給了他哥哥。

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $1.6 Million in Community Compact Grants

 Baker-Polito Administration Awards $1.6 Million in Community Compact Grants

13 grants impacting 60 municipalities announced for regionalization and efficiency efforts

 

BUCKLAND – Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito today announced $1.6 million in grants through the Community Compact Cabinet Efficiency and Regionalization (E&R) Grant Program. This program’s funding assists municipalities in providing services to their constituents in a more efficient and cost-effective way. Including this year’s awards, the Baker-Polito Administration has issued 86 grants through this program, providing a total of $7.1 million in funding for one-time or transition costs for municipalities, regional planning agencies, school districts and councils of government.

 

“Through the Community Compact Program, our administration has provided hundreds of communities with means to pursue important regionalization and efficiency initiatives, best practices and technology infrastructure improvements," said Governor Charlie Baker. “Continuing this partnership, we are proud to support this year’s award recipients in their efforts to implement more effective and efficient ways to serve their residents.”

 

“This year’s Efficiency and Regionalization grants will again fund a wide range of innovative projects that will have outsized benefits on the recipient constituencies,” said Lt. Governor Polito, Chair of the Community Compact Cabinet. “We appreciate the continued commitment of our local community leaders in identifying opportunities to drive maximal impact through these collaborative regional efforts.”

The Efficiency and Regionalization Grant Program was started by the Administration in Fiscal Year 2017 and provides funds that may be used toward the planning and implementation of regionalization initiatives – including shared services, intergovernmental agreements, consolidations and other collaborative efforts – and for efficiency efforts to improve the delivery of local services.

 

“Efficiency and Regionalization grants enable initiatives that improve the quality and delivery of local services in smart, cost-effective ways,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Michael Heffernan. “By leveraging regional relationships, these municipalities will be able to maximize the impact of this funding and find efficient solutions to address shared needs.”

 

Buckland, where today’s announcement was held, will receive $200,000 to support shared police services with Shelburne. Other awards include:

 

• $200,000 for regional fire training for Norwood, Bellingham, Canton, Millis, Norfolk, Sharon, Stoughton, Walpole, Westwood and Wrentham;

 

• $200,00 for regional wastewater management for Sandwich, Barnstable, Bourne, Falmouth and Mashpee;

 

• $200,000 for shared police services for Russell and Montgomery;

 

• $187,000 for shared police services for Leyden and Bernardston;

 

• $130,707 for regional animal control for Uxbridge, Blackstone, Douglas, Hopedale, Mendon and Millville;

 

• $100,000 for shared human resources for Adams, North Adams and Williamstown;

 

• $95,000 for regional economic development for the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), focusing on the following rural communities: Blandford, Brimfield, Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Granby, Granville, Hadley, Hampden, Hatfield, Holland, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery, Pelham, Plainfield, Russell, Southampton, Tolland, Wales, Westhampton, Williamsburg and Worthington;

 

• $94,902 for a regional sustainability coordinator for Westford and Carlisle;

 

• $70,280 for the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission to develop a shared town administrator program, initially with Savoy;

 

• $46,852 for shared police services for Becket and Otis;

 

• $40,000 for Northfield to explore regionalization of its Emergency Medical Services (EMS);

 

• $25,000 for shared police services for Dalton and Hinsdale

 

About the Community Compact Cabinet

 

Formed in January 2015, the Community Compact Cabinet is chaired by Lt. Governor Polito and is composed of the Secretaries of Housing and Economic Development, Education, Transportation, Energy and Environmental Affairs, and Technology Services and Security, along with the Senior Deputy Commissioner of Local Services and the Assistant Secretary of Operational Services. The Community Compact Cabinet elevates the Administration’s partnerships with cities and towns and allows the Governor’s Office to work more closely with leaders from all municipalities. The Cabinet champions municipal interests across all executive secretariats and agencies, and develops, in consultation with cities and towns, mutual standards and best practices for both the state and municipalities. The creation of Community Compacts creates clear standards, expectations, and accountability for both partners. 

For a full list of awardees and projects, click here.

昆士市爐溪高球場訂4月1日起對外開放 50年來第一次

              (Boston Orange) 昆士市市長Tom Koch 宣佈，爐溪 (Furnace Brook) 高爾夫球場將從4月1日起對外開放。這是50年來的第一次。

 私人經營的爐溪 (Furnace Brook) 高爾夫球俱樂部和昆士市府簽有50年租約，去年屆滿後，由昆士市自然資源局接管營運。

           昆士市長柯奇表示，”我們非常興奮市政府的公園和開放空間，能夠增加這一休閒娛樂場所”。坤市府的計畫是為昆士居民提供可負擔的在地高爾夫球運動，向更多市民介紹這運動。昆士市非常高興又再擁有這一塊美麗的開放空間，希望能保有傳承下去。

           爐溪高爾夫球場的收費，目前訂為平日9洞30元，18洞45元，週末及假日依序為40元及55元。耆英有優惠價。有意打球人士須48小時前預訂。

Furnace Brook Golf Course Open to Public April 1st
Mayor Thomas Koch announced that the golf season at Furnace Brook Golf Course will open to the public on April 1st for the first time in 50 years.  The City of Quincy’s Department of Natural Resources is operating the course after the 50-year lease expired last year with the private Furnace Brook Golf Club, Inc.
“We are excited to add this recreational opportunity to our inventory of parks and open spaces,” said Mayor Koch.  “Our plan is to provide affordable, local golf for our residents and in the process introduce many more residents to the game of golf.  This is a beautiful parcel of open space and we are glad to keep it as such for generations to come.”

Greens fees for Quincy residents have been set at:

	Weekday	Weekend/Holiday
18 Holes 9 Holes SR 18  SR 9 JR 18 SR 9	$45  $30 $35 $25 $25 $15	$55 $40 $45 $30 $30 $20

Carts are $20 for 18 holes and $15 for 9 holes.  Non-residents will pay $10 extra in each category listed above.  Greens fees will be available through online booking for the first time.  Golfers can go to furnacebrookgolfcourse.com to book tee times 48 hours in advance.

“We want to introduce as many residents to the course as possible,” said Commissioner of Natural Resources Dave Murphy.  “This means affordable greens fees, camps, clinics, and other methods to help inform people of this great resource we have available to the public.  Golf has many barriers to entry and we see an opportunity to grow the game and improve the quality of life in the city.”

There are some Limited and Junior membership opportunities still available.  Family and Unlimited memberships are full but a waiting list is being compiled for 2023.

PGA Golf Professional Tom Ellis will be running the golf operations for the City.  Ellis comes from Granite Links Golf Club and has extensive experience managing public courses as well.

Plans are underway for a new clubhouse building to replace the antiquated structure that was built in 1926.  It does not meet ADA standards and much of the infrastructure and utilities would have to be replaced.  The Fours Restaurant group has been awarded the contract for food and beverage service at the clubhouse.  They expect to open their operation at Furnace Brook in early-April.

麻州州長候選人Sonia Chang Diaz叫陣 Maura Healey 6月前公開辯論3次

陳翟蘇妮在推特上貼文，描述她跑競選行程之忙碌。(圖片來自推特)

      (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 刻正競選麻州州長一職的現任麻州參議員陳翟蘇妮 (Sonia Chang Diaz) 今 (24) 日向另一名州長候選人，現任麻州總檢察長的奚莉 (Maura Healey) 公開挑戰，要求在6月4日的麻州民主黨黨代表大會舉行前，至少做3次電視辯論。

              陳翟蘇妮在發給奚莉的一封信中表示，”民主黨員應該公開的聽到麻州州長候選人對大家所面對重要議題的看法”。”這是要求願意回答艱難問題，展現領導力，並向我們所服務的居民提供無畏承諾的時刻”。

             “因為所有這些理由，我請你和我一起承諾，在麻州民主黨黨代表大會於6月舉行之前，在全州各地至少有3次由媒體機構贊助，有人主持的現場，實體辯論。

 

             陳翟蘇妮信件內容已放在網路上，https://bit.ly/Sonia-3-Debates 。

一移民律師被判不得經營移民服務 罰款24萬元

IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY BARRED FROM RUNNING ASYLUM SCAM, ORDERED TO PAY MORE THAN $240,000 FOLLOWING AG LAWSUIT
Court Order Follows 12-Day Bench Trial in October 2021 Against George C. Maroun, Jr.; AG’s Office Alleged Defendant Exploited Brazilian Immigrants Seeking Legal Services

            BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey announced today that an attorney, sued for running an asylum scam in the Brazilian immigrant community, has been found to have engaged in unfair or deceptive practices, ordered by a judge to pay more than $240,000 in penalties and restitution, and barred from any future illegal immigration services.

 

            The order, issued after a 12-day bench trial in Middlesex Superior Court, follows a civil lawsuit filed by the AG’s Office in 2018 alleging that George C. Maroun, Jr. targeted the Brazilian immigrant community and routinely employed deceptive and misleading practices in violation of the state’s Consumer Protection Act.

 

“This attorney's business model targeted and exploited immigrants looking for legal help and made a profit at their expense, while also putting them at risk of deportation,” said AG Healey. “This was a hard-fought case by my office, and we are pleased to secure restitution and achieve accountability for those harmed by these illegal practices.” 

 

            Maroun practices immigration law and has maintained law offices in various locations, including in Somerville, Woburn, Chelmsford, and Stoneham. According to the AG’s complaint, since January 2013, Maroun submitted immigration-related petitions and applications on behalf of more than 1,000 residents in Eastern Massachusetts, many of whom are Brazilian and speak limited English.

 

Based on the evidence presented at trial, the judge found Maroun repeatedly violated the Consumer Protection Act by filing immigration applications on behalf of new clients without their knowledge or consent; failing to explain the legal processes he would use in their cases or the possible risks or benefits of those processes; filing asylum applications and affidavits containing false information; filing untimely asylum applications which were nearly certain to result in denial and lead to removal proceedings; making false guarantees and misrepresentations about the likelihood that Maroun would secure clients legal immigration status; and using threats of deportation to collect attorney’s fees.

 

Under the terms of the court order, Maroun is required to pay a total of $241,800, including $160,000 in civil penalties and $81,800 restitution for affected clients. Maroun is also permanently prohibited from representing new clients, filing immigration applications, or soliciting legal fees without disclosing and fully explaining the legal processes, available options for clients, and any risks and benefits to his services.

 

Maroun is also required to obtain the client’s consent before undertaking any representation or filing any applications on behalf of the client and is barred from making threats of deportation or other negative immigration consequences in order to collect current or additional legal fees from clients.

 

In his decision, the judge noted that the Supreme Judicial Court and the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers are in a position to decide whether to place restrictions on Maroun’s ability to practice law in the Commonwealth.

 

As part of her office’s ongoing efforts to advocate for the state’s immigrant communities, AG Healey has been informing and protecting residents from fraudulent immigration law practices. The office’s multilingual education campaign, first launched in 2018, provides immigrant communities with information about these predatory practices, and the tools and tips necessary to help protect themselves. The AG’s Office has since relaunched its education materials and outreach after hearing from community partners about unscrupulous lawyers taking advantage of their clients and a widespread scam known as “notario fraud,” or the unauthorized practice of immigration law.

 

The AG’s Office has previously taken action against individuals for exploiting residents seeking immigration services. In 2016, Gerson Barahona, a Waltham man was ordered to pay more than $155,760 in restitution to victims, civil penalties, and attorney’s fees, after posing as an immigration lawyer and unlawfully charging hundreds or thousands of dollars for legal advice and services. The AG’s Office sought and obtained a preliminary injunction in December 2014 that required Barahona to cease providing any services related to immigration matters. 

 

To report an immigration scam, call the AG’s Civil Rights Division at (617) 963-2917. To learn more, please visit www.mass.gov/immigrationscams.

 

This case was handled by Senior Counsel Samantha Shusterman of AG Healey’s Consumer Protection Division, Assistant Attorney General David Ureña of AG Healey’s Civil Rights Division, former Paralegals Marina Bueno and Sneha Pandya and Paralegal Andrew Turnbull of the Consumer Protection Division, and Senior Investigator Ciara Tran of the Civil Investigations Division, with the assistance of State Trial Counsel James Sweeney and former Consumer Protection Division Chief Max Weinstein.

 

To view this press release in Portuguese, click here.

 

To view this press release in Spanish, click here.