陳翟蘇妮通過1萬人支持簽名門檻 正式成為州長候選人

Sonia Chang-Díaz first woman of color to pass signature threshold for MA Governor’s ballot

Campaign collected over 17,000 signatures 

Sonia Chang-Diaz (left) and her campaign policy director
Sam Hyun. (Photo by Chutze Chou)

BOSTON, MA - Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz reached the signature threshold for the Massachusetts Governor’s ballot Thursday, with town clerks reporting over 10,000 certified signatures less than 48 hours after the deadline. In total, the campaign collected over 17,000 signatures and many more are expected to be certified in the coming days. 

This makes the senator the first woman of color in the Commonwealth’s history to pass the signature threshold necessary to make it on the ballot. 

“I want to thank every single volunteer whose commitment and hard work brought us to this moment,” said Chang-Díaz. “You have shown that when working people come together, we can make history. Together, we can turn our Commonwealth into a beacon that we can truly be proud of.” 

Chang-Díaz emerged in the past month as the most progressive candidate in the Democratic primary and was endorsed in early April by Our Revolution Massachusetts. She is the only candidate to reject donations from the fossil fuel industry and to support progressive priorities such as single-payer healthcare, debt-free public college, and a Green New Deal that includes fare-free public transit.

Before officially getting on the ballot, Sonia Chang-Díaz must get 15% of delegates to vote for her at the Democratic Party convention in early June and drop off all certified signatures with the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office. Despite the insider-nature of the convention, the campaign says they are confident that they will be able to clear this threshold. 

麻州州長候選人 Healey 宣佈秋河市政要支持 強調經濟發展很重要

Healey Announces Endorsements and Emphasizes Economic Development in Fall River

File photo by Chutze Chou

FALL RIVER – Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate Maura Healey visited the Fall River City Pier today. In conversations with local elected officials and community leaders, Healey emphasized the need for investments in public transportation and neighborhood revitalization in Gateway Cities to spur equitable economic growth. 

Following the tour, Healey announced the endorsements of several Fall River leaders: Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan, State Representatives Carol Fiola, Pat Haddad, Paul Schmid, and Alan Silvia. 

“The Fall River Pier is a clear example of how we can invest in our Gateway Cities to spur equitable economic growth,” said Healey. “In what was once inaccessible space to the public, we now see the makings of a thriving waterfront neighborhood. That didn’t happen overnight – thanks to the advocacy of Fall River officials and investments in transportation and greenspace, economic development is coming to Fall River. I’m grateful to earn the support of so many of these leaders in our campaign for Governor.”

As Governor, Maura will prioritize expanded public transportation, including West-East Rail and Regional Transit Authorities. Her Climate Agenda called for an increase in investments in port infrastructure to $200 million, a rapid expansion of the offshore wind industry, and support for community greenspaces, particularly in Gateway Cities.

The Fall River Pier is an important example of the kind of economic development Healey will foster across Massachusetts. The city will soon benefit from the expansion of South Coast Rail and the planned redesign of Route 79. The Pier itself is being transformed into a publicly accessible greenspace with parking, where the city plans to host community events. The surrounding neighborhood is poised to become a thriving waterfront business community. Fall River will also benefit from the growth of the offshore wind industry along Massachusetts coastlines.

“Maura has stood up for Fall River as Attorney General by investing in our opioid recovery services, protecting our workers, and advocating for economic development all along the South Coast,” said Mayor Paul Coogan. “I know she is the right person to lead our city and state forward. I’m proud to endorse her for Governor today.”

"Communities along the South Coast have different needs than Boston and Maura understands the kinds of support and resources our region needs in terms of public transportation, economic development, housing, arts, and culture,” said State Representative Carol Fiola. “I know Maura will be a Governor for our entire state and be an advocate for smart, equitable growth.”

“For years, Maura has taken on powerful interests to protect our communities,” said State Representative Pat Haddad. “She’s been a great partner in our fights for reproductive freedom, worker’s rights, and clean energy in Massachusetts, and I know she’s the leader we need for this moment. I’m proud to endorse her for Governor.”

“Through these difficult years of the pandemic, Maura was a strong advocate for public health and protecting our communities,” said State Representative Paul Schmid. “As we look ahead, we need a Governor who will lift up our Gateway Cities, invest in people, and grow our state in an equitable way. That’s why I’m glad to endorse Maura’s campaign for Governor.”

Settlement Reached in Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Class Action Case

 Settlement Reached in Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Class Action Case

 

BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that a settlement has been reached between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit related to the COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home in the spring of 2020.

 

“The COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home was a terrible tragedy. While we know nothing can bring back those who were lost, we hope that this settlement brings a sense of closure to the loved ones of the veterans,” said Governor Charlie Baker.

 

The agreement is subject to approval by the federal district court for Massachusetts and totals $56 million. The terms of the settlement will cover veterans who lived at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home at any time between March 1, 2020 and June 23, 2020 and who became ill or died from COVID during that period.  Former U.S. Attorney Donald K. Stern will serve as the settlement claims administrator and will make awards to participating claimants based on his review of each claimant’s individual circumstances. Estates of deceased veterans would receive a minimum award of $400,000 and veterans who contracted COVID but survived would receive a minimum of $10,000. The fund will also provide for payment of court approved attorneys’ fees for the plaintiffs.

 

This settlement, when approved, will resolve all potential claims relating to the outbreak of COVID-19 during the covered period. Claimants will receive further details on the settlement directly from their attorneys and through a court approved process.

 

Governor Baker plans to file legislation seeking $56 million for the claims fund in the coming weeks.

 

“There is no amount of money that can compensate our clients for the loss of their loved ones.  But our clients are grateful that the Commonwealth has acted to resolve this matter without the need for protracted litigation by agreeing to compensate both the families of those who died of COVID, as well as the veterans who survived.  The settlement is fair and just,” said Plaintiffs’ lawyer Tom Lesser.

 

Since 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration has focused on strengthening the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, and since that time, the Home has passed all required federal inspections. In August 2021, the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke received accreditation from the Joint Commission following the most recent survey of the facility, with no deficiencies cited in the report. The Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke is also certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Annual surveys are conducted by the VA to maintain certification. Holyoke received VA certification in 2021 and is awaiting final certification following its 2022 inspection.

Settlement Reached in Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Class Action Case

 Settlement Reached in Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Class Action Case

 

BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that a settlement has been reached between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit related to the COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home in the spring of 2020.

 

“The COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home was a terrible tragedy. While we know nothing can bring back those who were lost, we hope that this settlement brings a sense of closure to the loved ones of the veterans,” said Governor Charlie Baker.

 

The agreement is subject to approval by the federal district court for Massachusetts and totals $56 million. The terms of the settlement will cover veterans who lived at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home at any time between March 1, 2020 and June 23, 2020 and who became ill or died from COVID during that period.  Former U.S. Attorney Donald K. Stern will serve as the settlement claims administrator and will make awards to participating claimants based on his review of each claimant’s individual circumstances. Estates of deceased veterans would receive a minimum award of $400,000 and veterans who contracted COVID but survived would receive a minimum of $10,000. The fund will also provide for payment of court approved attorneys’ fees for the plaintiffs.

 

This settlement, when approved, will resolve all potential claims relating to the outbreak of COVID-19 during the covered period. Claimants will receive further details on the settlement directly from their attorneys and through a court approved process.

 

Governor Baker plans to file legislation seeking $56 million for the claims fund in the coming weeks.

 

“There is no amount of money that can compensate our clients for the loss of their loved ones.  But our clients are grateful that the Commonwealth has acted to resolve this matter without the need for protracted litigation by agreeing to compensate both the families of those who died of COVID, as well as the veterans who survived.  The settlement is fair and just,” said Plaintiffs’ lawyer Tom Lesser.

 

Since 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration has focused on strengthening the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, and since that time, the Home has passed all required federal inspections. In August 2021, the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke received accreditation from the Joint Commission following the most recent survey of the facility, with no deficiencies cited in the report. The Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke is also certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Annual surveys are conducted by the VA to maintain certification. Holyoke received VA certification in 2021 and is awaiting final certification following its 2022 inspection

波士頓市長吳弭宣佈將斥資20億元翻新公校樓宇、設備

波士頓市長吳弭宣佈20議員學校樓宇翻新計畫。

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 今 (12) 日中午在南端 (South End) 的McKinley小學門前，宣佈20億美元14所學校的「波士頓公校綠色新政」。

 其中歸類為啟動計劃的6億零500萬元，已包括在上個月已宣佈的2023-2027會計年度”資本計畫” 中。

 波士頓市長吳弭以她自己曾多次走訪多所學校的經驗為引，表示波士頓公校的綠色新政誓言要聽取，並重建社區對市政府的信任。他們要採取全新做法及計畫工具，用全新的經費來源，增聘工作人員來為波士頓學校做早就該實施的樓宇、校舍翻新。

 波士頓市營運長 Dion Irish和波士頓公校營運長Indira Alvarez 將和25名新聘員工來執行這學校建築和翻新的計畫，包括項目經理，協調員，以及建築主任等。波士頓市府將使用樓宇儀表板 (Building Dashboard) ，分30個類別的收集波士頓公校所有學校樓宇狀況，也將和Bureau Veritas技術評估公司合作，研究出一套設施狀況評估辦法，來獨立確認學校需要翻修項目的確實性，另外和DLR集團合作，研究一套學校設計研究辦法，以和波士頓公校社區人士合作設計學校樓宇安全，可持續性等的指導原則。這2項辦法預定在12到18個月內設計完成。

波士頓市長吳弭在路上被一名自行車騎士攔下，當街請願。(周菊子攝)

                波士頓公校總監Brenda Cassellius表示，當年她上任後走訪各校，也為波士頓公校地校舍老舊程度大感驚艷，過去幾年間，波士頓公校已為多所學校的校舍設施做了改善，包括新裝了12,000扇窗戶，為許多學校的教室安裝了冷氣，讓老師和學生們在溽暑天時，不必再揮汗上課。吳市長的這大規模翻新計劃的確是波士頓公校福音。

 波士頓教師工會會長唐佳宇也應邀出席宣佈會。她表示，學校老師和學生們的上課、求學環境將因此大幅改善。

 14所將翻修的學校，包括南端的麥金利 (McKinley) 和黑石 (Blackstone) 小學，洛士百利的King K-8學校，東波士頓的PJ Kennedy小學，多徹斯特的科學及健康社區學校 (Community Academy of Science and Health) ，在巴黎街上為Otis 小學蓋新校舍，在洛士百利擴大麥迪遜公園技術職業高中，以及奧斯頓的Jackson Mann學校的校舍，在洛士百利、多徹斯特、麥特潘建小學新校舍，把即將關閉的Irving 中學改為小學，翻新Timilty中學等。

宣佈會在麥金利小學門外舉行。(周菊子攝)

 出席宣佈會的人還包括波士頓學校委員會主席Jeri Robinson。

 即將於6月卸任的波士頓公校總監Brenda Cassellius在宣佈會結束後回應本刊提問時坦言，卸任後要做什麼，她還不知道，決定卸任是因為吳市長想要任用她自己的人選。雖然她在上任前並不認識波士頓市前市長馬丁華殊 (Marty Walsh)，為什麼的問題，恐怕得留給吳市長。

 波士頓教師工會會長唐佳宇在會後回應提問時表示，波士頓公校和波士頓教師工會的新合約還仍然未簽，主要原因之一是約不攏時間。談及近期發生學校，以及學校附近的槍擊事件時，唐佳宇表示，安全的確是學校老師及學生們的一大顧慮，但她們不贊成在每一所學校安插警察，如果警察能在學校外面加強巡邏，學校和警察之間的互動也更即時、更暢通的的話，會更好。

班特利大學收學費將接受加密貨幣

             (Boston Orange 綜合報導) 大專院校的學費可以用數位貨幣繳交? 班特利(Bentley)大學最近宣佈，該校和” 比特幣基地 (Coinbase)”合作，將接受學生以3種加密貨幣繳交學費。

              這3種加密貨幣是比特幣 (Bitcoin)，乙太幣 (Ethereum)，和穩定幣 (stablecoin USD Coin)。

              班特利大學還將接受以加密貨幣給予的禮物或捐款。

              班特利大學校長E. LaBrent Chrite 在聲明中說，為了讓企業領袖擁有能在世界經濟改變中成功的技能與知識，該校是走在了前端。「我們很驕傲能夠擁抱我們的學生們正在學習，很快將改變全球商業景觀的這科技」。

              為防範加密貨幣的價格波動，在班特利和”加密貨幣基地”的協議下，所有付款將自動轉換成美元。該校也將經由「加密貨幣基地」，使用多元素認證，以及其他的安全辦法來防範加密騙局，保護資產安全。

              接受加密貨幣的機構正在增加，似乎給了加密貨幣作為付款或投資形式的 合法性。目前在美國已有賓州大學接受加密貨幣捐款，富達 (Fidelity) 投資早前也宣佈增加比特幣作為雇主的401 (k)退休金選項。紐約市的國王學院 (King’s College)在2014年時，成為全美第一個接受以比特幣繳學費的學校。

              根據「皮優研究中心 (Pew Research Center)」，美國有約佔美國人口的16%的4100萬人，在投資，買賣或使用加密貨幣。「財富商業洞察 (Fortune Business Insights.)」指出，全球的加密貨幣市場規模將加倍，從2021年的9億1030萬元增加到2028年的19億元。

              班特利的學生Alex Kim，從高中就開始投資比特幣，去年在學校成立班特利區塊鍊協會 (Bentley Blockchain Association)，幾個月就有了257名會員，也是美國境內屈指可數，由學生組成的區塊鍊團體之一。他已應邀擔任講者，將到紐約出席NFT.NYC這以非同質代幣 (non-fungible tokens or NFTs)為主題的世界性會議。

吳弭支持Ricardo Arroyo競選薩福克郡地方檢察官 Kevin Hayden反彈

               (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 上週末公開表態，支持波士頓市拉丁裔市議員 Ricardo Arroyo 競選薩福克郡地方檢察官。目前以代理身分出任該職的黑人檢察官Kevin Hayden，毫不客氣地回駁。

              2019年首度當選波士頓市第五區市議員的 Ricardo Arroyo，今年2月就已宣佈，要參選薩福克郡地方檢察官，接下 Rachael Rollins獲拜登總統任命為美國駐麻州檢察官後所遺職缺。

              麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker) 在Rachael Rollins離任後，指派了原任麻州性犯罪登記委員會主席的Kevin Hayden暫代該職，直到今年11月的選舉，產生新檢察官為止。

              吳弭在背書支持的聲明中，對Ricardo Arroyo讚譽有加，她還強調，這是關於可能性，正義，以及人民的選舉，她將在選舉中的每一步都支持Ricardo Arroyo，就像當初Ricardo Arroyo支持她一樣。她稱許Ricardo Arroyo不只是市議員，在市議會中主導重要委員會，作為公辯律師，他也曾是在不正義系統中的最後一道防線。

              Kevin Hayden競選團隊發言人Adam Webster毫不客氣的表示，” 如果吳市長相信一名完全沒有公安經驗的律師新手，應該擔任薩福克郡的最高執法官，那是她的選擇，他們相信選民會不同意。

              吳弭週一再補充表示，「我們希望見到Rachael Rollins當地方檢察官時推動的那種改革，有研究數據顯示，成果包括減少犯罪，療癒及穩定社區，減少累犯。

              Ricardo Arroyo 是Arroyo家族的第3名從政者。他父親Felix D. Arroyo 曾任波士頓市議員，現任薩福克郡遺囑認證登記官，他的哥哥Felix G. Arroyo，曾任波士頓市不分區市議員，競選市長失利後，獲當選市長的馬丁華殊指派為健康及人民服務長，但在涉及性騷擾婦女後，2017年8月被馬丁華殊開除，2020年8月他遞狀控告馬丁華殊不當解雇，求償共約60萬元。

              Ricardo Arroyo和Kevin Hayden都是民主黨籍，將於9月6日的初選中決一勝負。

波士頓慈濟虔誠浴佛 籲各界支持14日愛心蔬食宴

波士頓慈濟浴佛節後合影。(周菊子攝)

浴佛現場。(周菊子攝)

          (Boston Orange) 佛教慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處5月8日近午在位於牛頓市的會址舉行浴佛儀式，兼慶母親節，以「大地和風」等經文，和將近50多名出席者一同祝禱世界和平。

              慈濟委員們穿著藏青色制服，和志工、出席民眾在會場整齊排列，輪番走到擺有多尊晶瑩剔透佛像的供桌前，在祥和音樂聲中，拿起桌上的鮮花，香湯，祝福卡恭敬禮佛，禮佛完畢後，所有出席者分左右兩圈繞行會場的完成儀式。

波士頓慈濟前任負責人吳建發，現任負責人長金滿和嘉賓波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮，
前任波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬。(周菊子攝)

                     儀式結束後，出席者轉到戶外空地，享用素丸菜湯、紅豆湯，烤玉米，烤香菇，烤鳳梨，煎豆腐等美食，還有師姐拿出麻糬零食，請大家品嘗。

                  慈濟波士頓自從開設了波士頓服務站後，交由陳裕逢、李豐負責，在天氣穩定後，現已決定每月舉辦一次掃街活動，期以實際服務，推動波士頓華埠所有民眾、商家一起維護波士頓華埠的街道清潔。他們也鼓勵需要人陪伴，讀信、翻譯，代打電話查詢等社區大眾隨時聯繫，預約服務時間。

                   由於陳彬仁及王淑慧的子女在父母辭世後，把他們收藏多年的一大批藝術精品，捐給了慈濟，其中一部分交給了波士頓慈濟，促使波士頓慈濟將於5月14日在昆士市龍鳳酒樓舉辦歷來第一次的「愛心蔬食宴」，慈濟波士頓負責人長金滿和齊明君、高金花、謝宜芳、鄧淑芳等慈濟人，特地在會後留下來，一邊商討活動流程，一邊分工合作，包裝當天要送給出席者的小禮物。

                   企業家常貴在波士頓華人投資協會創辦人易敏陪同下，這天特地出席浴佛活動，把早前選購的「愛心蔬食宴」拍賣藝品貨款，親自送到。

                 波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮，前任波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬，波士頓經文處洪麗玲領事，波士頓慈濟資深慈誠游勝雄，慈濟波士頓前任負責人吳建發等，這天也都參加了活動。