哈佛商學院今早驚傳炸彈

哈佛商學院驚傳炸彈，校方及警方要求七座樓宇人員撤空。

據悉，哈佛校方今（18）早11:16時，在推特上表示收到炸彈威脅，提醒學生們，警方正派員搜查，並要求人們從Morgan, Esteves, Aldrich, Chao, Tata, Hawes and Batten等七座樓宇中撤出。

警方稍後宣佈，校園內其他樓宇應不受影響，人們可繼續留在樓內。

波士頓警察局發言人表示，大約早上10:38時，收到炸彈威脅。波士頓警察正協助劍橋市警察處理此事。

BPHC Announces Community Listening Sessions

BPHC Announces Community Listening Sessions

Open sessions will connect City to residents who can help identify gaps in trauma resources

BOSTON - Wednesday, May 18, 2016 - The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) will be hosting a series of community listening sessions designed to help the City assess trauma resources and needs in Mattapan, Dorchester, Roxbury, and East Boston.  The sessions will be open to neighborhood residents and community partners and encourage feedback and ideas around how to improve existing resources and engage residents in trauma prevention efforts.  The first session is in Dorchester on Wednesday, May 18, at 5:30 PM.    "We look forward to learning from residents how we can better support individuals and communities who have been victims of trauma," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "I am pleased the Boston Public Health Commission is leading these efforts and working with other City departments and agencies to connect with residents in their neighborhoods. I look forward to learning how the City of Boston can better support residents who have faced trauma, and the lessons we can learn from their resilience." BPHC invites both residents and representatives of community agencies to attend the meetings and to share perspectives on the types of supports their communities would need in the instance of a traumatic event and for longer-term recovery efforts. Leaders will be prompting attendees to share ideas on how the city can help support their neighborhoods, and on the information and education that communities would need in order to offer comfort to neighbors who have been impacted by violence. "Violence never has just one victim, and any single event can impact an entire community," said BPHC Executive Director Monica Valdes Lupi, JD, MPH.  "Residents know their communities best, which is why we turn to them now for guidance in preparing and delivering support response and recovery services for traumatic events."   Through a network of community health centers in Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan and Roxbury, BPHC supports eight trauma recovery teams. The trauma recovery teams are a resource for residents impacted by violent or other traumatic events, with services available on an ongoing basis after short term crisis response needs are met. Residents are encouraged to use this resource regardless of when their traumatic incident took place. BPHC will use information gleaned in these community listening sessions to determine how to improve and continue providing these resources. Meetings are scheduled for the following dates and locations: May 18: Dorchester, First Parish Dorchester, Meetinghouse Hall, 10 Parish St.; 5:30 - 8 p.m. May 24: East Boston, East Boston Social Center, 68 Central Square; 5:30 - 8 p.m. May 25: Roxbury, BCYF Tobin Community Center, 1483 Tremont St.; 5:30 - 8 p.m. May 26: Mattapan, Mattapan Branch, Boston Public Library, 1350 Blue Hill Ave.; 5:30 - 8 p.m. Dinner, childcare and translation services will be provided at all of the meetings. For more information, call 617-534-2382.

BCNC 6/1 邀名人朗讀白蛇傳

Join us for an Exclusive Madame White Snake Reading! Wednesday, June 1, 2016 6:00-7:30 PM BCNC | 38 Ash Street | Boston, MA 02111 (MBTA Accessible: Tufts Medical Center T Stop on Orange Line) Ouroboros Trilogy, a trio of grand operas created by BCNC supporter, Cerise Lim Jacobs, will be premiering at the Cutler Majestic Theatre in September 2016. The trilogy comprises the Pulitzer Prize winning Madame White Snake by Zhou Long, Gilgamesh by Paolo Prestini, and Naga by Scott Wheeler.  As a community partner of Ouroboros Trilogy, BCNC will host a reading of Madame White Snake as a sneak preview of this award winning opera. In addition to the reading, there will be a singing performance, talk-back with the artist, and wine & cheese reception.  Our Readers Liz Cheng - General Manager of Television: WGBH-2, WGBX-44, 'GBH Kids, and WORLD Channel Shirley Leung - Columnist at The Boston Globe Ian So - CEO of Chicken and Rice Guys Geoffrey Why - Member of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky, and Popeo, P.C. This event is free, but space is limited. Please RSVP to reserve your spot by Friday, May 27. We look forward to seeing you there!  ____________________________________________________________________________________________ BCNC is selling advanced tickets at $25 for the following performances:  Madame White Snake - Tuesday, September 13 at 7:30 PM Gilgamesh - Wednesday, September 14 at 7:30 PM Naga - Thursday, September 15 at 7:30 PM Ticket sales will benefit BCNC family-centered programs for children, youth, and adults. Click here to purchase your tickets today!
Category	BCNC Special Events
Where:	BCNC , 38 Ash Street, Boston, MA 02111 (US). Parking There is limited meter parking on Washington Street, Harrison Avenue and Marginal Road. Nearby parking garages include One Nassau Street (entrance on Ash Street), Tufts Medical Center garage, and Doubletree Hotel on Washington Street.
Date:	June 1, 2016
Time:	06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Show Location map

MAYOR WALSH LAUNCHES SPARK BOSTON TO BETTER ENGAGE THE CITY OF BOSTON'S MILLENNIAL POPULATION

MAYOR WALSH LAUNCHES SPARK BOSTON TO BETTER ENGAGE THE CITY OF BOSTON'S MILLENNIAL POPULATION Formerly Known as ONEin3, SPARK Boston Encourages Civic Engagement in Boston's Millennial Population BOSTON - Wednesday, May 18, 2016 - During a celebration Monday evening, Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the strategic rebranding of SPARK Boston, formerly known as the Mayor's ONEin3 initiative, to help draw a larger and more diverse range of Boston's millennials into civic participation. The rebranding is part of a concerted effort by the City of Boston to better engage, communicate and collaborate with residents between the ages of 20-34, a demographic that comprises over a third of the city's overall population. "The City of Boston's vibrant and diverse millennial population is one of our greatest assets," said Mayor Walsh. "We know that our young people care deeply about this city and its future, and we recognize the need for new tools and strategies to interact with them. It is our intention through SPARK Boston to tap into the energy and creativity of our young leaders to encourage them to rethink civic engagement and empower them to have an impact, make a different and spark change in their own communities." SPARK Boston builds on Mayor Walsh's proactive engagement of Boston's young adults by encouraging their active participation in the city's policies and programs. Young adults make up about 45 percent of eligible voters and nearly half of the city's workforce. They are an economic engine, adding $1 billion annually in goods and services to Boston. "Since 2004, ONEin3 has been helping young adults build relationships and strengthen their personal and professional networks here in Boston," said Erin Santhouse, Director of SPARK Boston. "While this remains a vital function of the program, SPARK Boston will focus on engaging the next generation of civic leaders and social entrepreneurs in the work of city government. This will shape how the City designs and develops policies, convenes stakeholders for important initiatives, and works collaboratively with young people to shape Boston's future." The celebration drew over 300 young adults to the TD Garden, including 300 members of the SPARK Council. During the event, Mayor Walsh encouraged attendees to become involved in SPARK Boston and other city programs. Fifteen City of Boston departments and related programs were on-site to showcase their initiatives, distribute informational materials, promote upcoming events, recruit volunteers, register new voters, sign people up for mailing lists and more.  The following departments and programs were in attendance: Greenovate, Renew Boston, Go Boston 2030, Boston Home Center, Mayor's Health Line, Office of Recovery Services, Imagine Boston 2030, Mayor's Housing Innovation Lab, Women Entrepreneurs Boston, Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement, Elections Department, Mayor's Mentoring Movement, City Hall To Go, Boston 311, Department of Innovation and Technology and StartHub. For more information about SPARK Boston, please visit here or follow them on Twitter.

REP. TED LIEU STATEMENT ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF DENUCLEARIZED KOREAN PENINSULA AMENDMENT

REP. TED LIEU STATEMENT ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF DENUCLEARIZED KOREAN PENINSULA AMENDMENT

Washington - Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) issued the following statement in response to House passage of his amendment (Number 328) to the National Defense Authorization Act: To express a sense of Congress that it is the policy of the United States to support a denuclearized Korean peninsula.

“I am pleased that in contrast to the irresponsible, dangerous language of a presumptive nominee for President, the Republican majority in the House has joined with Democrats to unanimously pass my amendment asserting the official policy of the United States to support a denuclearized Korean peninsula.  We cannot allow the proliferation of nuclear weapons on the peninsula.  We must protect stability in the region by reducing nuclear activity—not increasing it.”

WGBH 5/26 慶祝亞裔傳統月

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration

May 26, 2016, 5:30-9pm
WGBH Studios, One Guest Street, Brighton, MA 02135
Free, but RSVP is required

Directions: www.wgbh.org/directions

GET TICKETS

5:30pm Doors Open
6pm Presentation in Yawkey Theater
7:30pm Dinner Reception in the Atrium

Join WGBH for an evening of provocative conversation and great filmmaking from and about the Asian Pacific community.

Documentary filmmaker and writer Ric Burns and editor Li-Shin will share an excerpt from their new film, Chinese Exclusion Act, the first TV examination of America’s attempt to ban a single people from immigrating. In addition indie filmmaker and Guggenheim fellow Ken Eng will present an excerpt of his film My Life in China, which explores his father’s emotional return to his village in China – possibly to live out his life..

For the second part of the event, General Manager of WGBH Television and WORLD Channel Liz Cheng will lead a frank discussion with panelists, who will share their journeys to success despite obstacles and the “bamboo ceiling.”

Panelists include:

•  Michelle Wu, President of the Boston City Council

•  Heidi Yeh, MD, Surgical Director of Pediatric Transplants at  
   Massachusetts General Hospital

•  Jit Saxena, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Netezza

Register for this important event now.

台灣美食廚藝訂5/26 辦晚宴

2016年波士頓地區臺灣美食廚藝巡迴講座晚宴

5/26 6:20PM  龍鳳餐廳二樓

將由台國立高雄餐旅大學，中餐廚藝系技術副教授陳正忠、勇氣廚房負責人兼主廚李建達及龍鳳餐廳大廚一起準備豐盛的晚宴

如果您有興趣來品嚐請電僑教中心 617-965-880 或回

電郵  ocacbostonlib@gmail.com

一人 35 元歡迎大家預定

麻州亞裔企業論壇分享移民創業經驗

前排右起，陳咏梅，倪繼紅，蘇靜恩，周樹昂，余翠梅，Joe Phan，Elisa Choi，梁戰士，Abby Nguyen-Burke。後排右起，曹育倫，東方銀行董事長Bob Rivers ，伍沅媚，SMA區域主任 Bob Nelson。（周菊子攝）

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)東方銀行（Eastern Bank）與聯邦小企業行政局（SBA）為慶祝亞裔傳統月，5月16日首度合作舉辦亞裔小企業論壇， 邀得麻州財政廳長高柏珂（Deb Goldberg），助理企業發展長范文南（Nam Pham）致詞，5名亞裔企業家分享經驗。

麻州財政廳廳長高柏珂強調她很重視少數錊億和女幸的平等工作
機會。（周菊子攝）

            根據麻州大學等機構的統計調查，在2014年時，儘管麻州只有384,642名亞裔，只佔全州約670萬人的5.8%，但綜合購買力已高達192億美元，亞裔企業家人數也已增至26,578，創造了68億美元的營業額，聘用了48,982名員工，對麻州的經濟成長有不可小覷的貢獻。

            東方銀行董事長 Bob Rivers，人力資源執行副董事長Nancy Stager在牛頓市馬利澳酒店舉行的這論壇中向亞裔致意，強調該行尊重族裔文化差異，竭力服務社區，每年收入的10%都用來捐助地方上慈善事業的營運。

麻州財政廳長高柏珂（右起）與東方銀行的陳咏梅，Nancy Stager。
（周菊子攝）

            麻州財政廳廳長高柏珂致詞時指出，企業或機構越多元化，效率及生產力越高。她上任後，特地設立經濟賦權辦公室（Office of Economic Empowerment），要求政府合約商遵循法令，聘用少數族裔及婦女。她到公司參訪時，也往往會毫不客氣的探問該公司員工結構，性別比率。她的辦公室還設立了“婦女金融獎學金”，鼓勵女性跨入金融領域工作。

            大同地產的周樹昂，華林功夫太極學校創辦人余翠梅，JP富士集團創辦人梁戰士，蘇州化工（Suzhou Chem）董事長倪繼紅，Everglory Logistics董事長Joe Phan等五人，在WCVB記者伍沅媚主持中，和不下200明出席者分享經驗。

紐英崙華人歷史協會董事范王柳娥（中）和行政主任甄翠嬿等人在會場
擺攤介紹。（周菊子攝）

        梁戰士坦言，他從19歲起和人合夥開餐廳， 慢慢發展到今日在三個以上城市，開有10家餐廳，還投資經營醫療器材事業，絕對不容易，但他憑著一腔熱血，抱感恩心情，總記掛回饋社區，才一步一腳印走到現在。

梁戰士儘管仍然年青，已經致力提攜後進，不但曾應亞美專業人員協會，亞裔發展基金之邀，大方分享經驗，逢有年輕人提問，也總竭盡所能地回答。16日當天就不斷有人向他請益。

倪繼紅是來自中國大陸的移民，儘管有著和化工無關的高學歷，卻因緣際會開辦起營銷化學材料的公司。剛到美國時，英語不行，卻從找客戶，銷售，送貨，記帳，全得一手包攬，待公司發展得有起色，請員工了，還得學習人事管理，15年做下來，其間的辛酸不足為外人道，但如今公司營運的穩定，頗有規模，卻也讓她欣慰。

紐英崙中華資訊網路協會的高弘負責介紹該會。（周菊子攝）

余翠梅是越南華裔移民，和家人抵達麻州時，還是稚齡兒童。愛上武術的她，有幸得父母成全，進華林派，隨師傅Bob Rosen習武，並成為華林派第一位女師傅。余翠梅坦言，當年創辦華林功夫太極學校，最大挑戰是要贏得別人信任。一來她還年輕，二來她是女生，許多人到學校打個轉就走了，她花了不少心思，才奠定基礎，更發展出武術與學養俱進的教學方法與要求。

周樹昂早年從加拿大移民來美，從經營藥房，拓展進地產業。他強調經營企業者回饋社區的重要。周樹昂這些年來不但在波士頓華埠多個社團擔任董事，目前也是麻州亞美局委員之一。                                 東方銀行舉辦的這場亞裔小企業論壇，幾乎網羅了所有的亞裔社團，包括華美福利會，紐英崙華人歷史協會，新英格蘭台灣商會青年商會，紐英崙中華資訊網路協會，亞美社區發展協會，昆市亞協服務中心等，全都派員出席。 

東方銀行員工慶祝論壇圓滿結束。（周菊子攝）

           

上海交大黨書記率團訪MIT招才

上海交通大学党委书记姜斯宪一行将于5月17日中午在麻省理工学院举办人才招聘宣讲会，欢迎参加。

 

12:00PM, 17th May, 2016

6-120 Main Building, MIT

77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge

SIGNUP HERE: HTTP://GOO.GL/FORMS/6AYJUCI58J

 

在建校120周年之际，上海交通大学面向海内外公开招聘达到世界一流大学助理教授以上水平的优秀青年人才，学校将提供自由的学术环境、良好的工作条件和优厚的薪酬待遇，帮助申报青年千人、青年拔尖、青年长江和国家优青等国家和上海市重要人才计划，依托学科平台和学术声誉优势，为每位青年人才的建功立业提供强有力的支撑和保障。

 

上海交通大学在ESI全球学科排名中，工程、材料、数学、物理、化学、计算机科学、临床医学、分子生物与遗传学、生物与生物化学、药理学与毒物学、神经科学与行为、免疫学、环境与生态学、植物与动物科学、农学、社会科学等16个学科位居全球前1%。

 

在2016年度QS世界大学学科排名中，学校有16个学科进入全球100强，其中9个学科跻身全球50强。学校的国家自然科学基金项目数和经费数已连续六年居全国第一。

 

上海交通大学长期坚持“人才强校”主战略，以制度激励为核心，全面启动终身教职制度改革，着力建设世界一流创新型大学的高水平师资队伍。

STATEMENT FROM THE CITY OF BOSTON ON DIVERSITY DATA

STATEMENT FROM THE CITY OF BOSTON ON DIVERSITY DATA

BOSTON - Tuesday, May 17,  2016 - The following statement can be attributed to Laura Oggeri, Chief Communications Officer for the City of Boston: "The Mayor has championed making diversity data of Boston's employees public, both through the diversity dashboard released this month as well as last year's workforce report. The Boston Globe has always had that data readily available to them. The Mayor's concern continues to be respecting the privacy of city employees who may not wish to have their names attached to their race information in the press."

Reps. Chu and Napolitano Introduce Bill to End Mental Health Stigma in AAPI Community

Reps. Chu and Napolitano Introduce Bill to End Mental Health Stigma in AAPI Community

Washington, D.C. – On Friday, May 13, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), and Rep. Grace Napolitano (CA-32), Chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, introduced legislation to curb mental health stigma in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. H.R.5234, the Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act, instruct the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide outreach and education strategies for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community by partnering with local advocacy and behavioral health organizations that have an established record of serving AAPIs. These strategies will increase awareness of symptoms of mental illness common among AAPI populations, provide linguistically and culturally appropriate interventions, and encourage individuals and communities to use a comprehensive, public health approach when addressing mental and behavioral health.

Today, Reps. Chu and Napolitano co-hosted a briefing on AAPIs and mental health issues as part of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and Mental Health Month to address the lack of federal resources targeted at reducing stigma surrounding mental health in the AAPI community. AAPIs are the fastest growing ethnic minority population in the United States, but According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s National Healthcare Quality Report and the National Healthcare Disparities Report, AAPIs are the least likely to seek out mental health services, contributing to the stigma surrounding mental and behavioral health disorders in the AAPI community. This briefing highlighted the importance of discussing the mental health needs of the AAPI community, and the disparities that currently exist in information

Reps. Chu and Napolitano released the following statements:

“Because of the stigma associated with mental illness, those who suffer do not seek help, and instead suffer in silence. This is exacerbated by the pervasive myth that AAPIs are a ‘model minority’ that do not suffer from mental and behavioral disorders. As a result, there is a lack of accurate information about mental health conditions, symptoms, treatments, and support. We therefore see glaring disparities,” said Rep. Chu. “For instance, Asian American women over the age of 65 have the highest suicide rate among women of the same age in the United States. This is unacceptable. This bill and today’s briefing and panel discussion on the issues of stigma and access to care within the AAPI community are crucial steps towards properly addressing this issue within our community and creating a dialogue about the importance of mental health. Through messaging and outreach that reflect the unique cultural and language needs of our community, we can save lives and get individuals the help they deserve.”

“Mental illness truly knows no boundaries and continues to affect everyone in every segment of society,” Rep. Napolitano said. “We are so grateful to partner with Chairwoman Chu and other members of CAPAC to bring awareness to the needs of the AAPI community and work together to bridge gaps in access and availability to mental health services for all Asian Americans. Together we are bringing visibility to mental health and fighting to end stigma, so those in need know it is always okay to ask for help.”

Briefing participants included

·         Myron Quon, Executive Director, National Asian Pacific American Families Against Substance Abuse,

·         DJ Ida, Executive Director, National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association,  

·         Marla Hendriksson, Director of the Office of Communications of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and

·         Diane Narasaki, Executive Director of Asian Counseling and Referral Service.

The text of H.R. 5234, the Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act, can be found here.

Baker-Polito Administration and Attorney General's Office Launch Statewide Campaign to Highlight Importance of Calling 911 During an Overdose

Baker-Polito Administration and Attorney General's Office Launch Statewide Campaign to Highlight Importance of Calling 911 During an Overdose

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker and Attorney General Maura Healey announced today, a new public information campaign to encourage people to call 911 for emergency medical services at the first signs of a drug overdose.  Along with Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, Department of Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel and members of the law enforcement community, state officials launched the $250,000 Make the Right Call campaign to promote the Massachusetts 911 Good Samaritan Law. 

This law provides protection to individuals seeking medical assistance for themselves or someone else experiencing a drug-related overdose, including opioid-related overdoses, without the risk of charges of possession of a controlled substance.

Governor Baker, Attorney General Healey, Secretary Sudders, Commissioner Bharel, Walpole Chief of Police Carmichael and Caitrin Houlihan

Room 157, Press Briefing Room, Massachusetts State House

May 17, 2016

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Transcription:

GOVERNOR BAKER: Today we're proud to announce, along with the Attorney General, a partnership for a $250,000 campaign to encourage people to call 911 at the first sign of a drug overdose. The Make the Right Call campaign will spread the word about the Massachusetts 911 Good Samaritan Law which was initially signed in 2012.

ATTORNEY GENERAL HEALEY: What the Good Samaritan Law says is that if you see someone overdosing, if you're with someone who is overdosing, call 911. Get them help. And if you do call 911 to save that person's life you will not be prosecuted for drug use or possession.

SECRETARY SUDDERS: Addictions are a disease and just like if we saw someone on the side of the street who had collapsed from a heart attack, we would stop and we would call 911 and that is what this campaign is about.

CHIEF CARMICHAEL: The primary purpose of law enforcement when responding to these calls is to preserve the lives of people that are suffering from these overdoses. We want to be clear that the message today is that we asked people not to hesitate in calling 911 when there's an overdose.

CAITRIN HOULIHAN: I've been arrested, in jail, and a lot in between. I’ve overdosed multiple times and family and friends have called 911 so the first responders could revive me, but I've also had people run away because they were scared. Call 911 saves lives and gives them the opportunity to get into treatment and on a path to recovery. Over three years ago I got into treatment and I stuck with it ever since.

GOVERNOR BAKER This law, this 911 Good Samaritan Law, will reinforce to bystanders and first responders alike, that the most important step to take when someone is having an overdose is to save their life and that someone shouldn't face legal consequences for taking that step.

Yes for a Better Boston campaign officially launches in support of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) for the City of Boston

Yes for a Better Boston campaign officially launches in support of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) for the City of Boston

Measure will appear on the November 2016 ballot

BOSTON – The Yes for a Better Boston campaign launched officially today, in support of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) for the City of Boston. The campaign comprises a broad range of community-based organizations, unions, business leaders, faith leaders and others, united together to encourage Boston to vote yes in November for a special opportunity to fund historic preservation and park projects, while creating much-needed affordable homes for families, seniors and veterans, and producing jobs. 

CPA is designed to help Massachusetts cities and towns create affordable housing, preserve open space and develop outdoor recreational opportunities, and rehabilitate historic sites. CPA funds are generated by a small surcharge on local property tax bills matched by a statewide trust fund to maximize their impact. The Yes for a Better Boston Committee recommends a 1% property tax surcharge, with exemptions for low-income homeowners, low-and-moderate-income senior homeowners, and for the first $100,000 of residential and business’ property value. The typical Boston homeowner whose home is assessed at $500,000 would pay approximately $24 per year towards this investment, and in turn, the City would generate $20 million or more every year for CPA projects. These new dedicated funds would allow Boston to:

• Develop and improve parks, playgrounds, trails, and gardens
• Acquire land to protect water quality and reduce climate change impacts                         
• Create thousands of new, affordable homes for seniors, families, and veterans
• Restore and preserve historic buildings, and rehabilitate underutilized resources

In February, Boston At-Large City Councilors Michael Flaherty and Andrea Campbell filed An Order Accepting the Provisions of the Massachusetts Community Preservation Act. The Council subsequently held a public hearing and a working session exploring CPA for Boston, and on May 11, the Council voted 12-1 in favor of putting CPA on the November ballot.

On April 27, Mayor Martin J. Walsh endorsed CPA for Boston. In his endorsement, Mayor Walsh shared, “I believe the Community Preservation Act offers a balanced and timely strategy for helping Boston build affordable housing, invest in our parks, and preserve Boston's historic and inclusive character.” His sentiment was echoed by members of the Mayor’s cabinet, including Chief of Housing Sheila Dillon and Chief of Environment, Energy, & Open Space Austin Blackmon. 

If adopted, Boston would exercise local control over its CPA funds. With input from the public, and city boards and agencies, a committee of local residents would determine which projects to recommend to the city for funding each year. CPA expenditures are transparent and accessible to the public.

“Boston needs more homes that families and seniors can afford, which requires new resources,” said Joseph Kriesberg, West Roxbury resident, President of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations, and Chair of the Yes for a Better Boston campaign. “Mayor Walsh has set an ambitious goal in his Housing Boston 2030 Plan, calling for $20 million annually in new city-generated resources for affordable housing. CPA is a direct, achievable and viable way to help make that happen.” 

CPA funds will also address neglected historic resources in Boston neighborhoods. CPA will support the rehabilitation of underutilized and abandoned buildings for new uses, bringing jobs and new revenue while assuring historic buildings are here for the future. CPA-funded projects will stimulate the travel and tourism industry. 

 

“Boston’s economic success and vitality are centered on its unique historic character and blend of old and new. Yet the historic fabric that defines our community, from neighborhood commercial blocks to small theaters and churches, continues to crumble,” said Greg Galer, Executive Director of the Boston Preservation Alliance. “CPA will bring these buildings back to the community and will serve as a catalyst for neighborhood enhancements and private investment.”

CPA’s dedicated revenue can also be used to develop and improve parks, playgrounds, trails, and gardens, and acquire land to protect water quality along beaches and riverfront areas. Investments in outdoor recreation projects would improve quality of life for Boston’s families, and create opportunities for kids to get outside and learn about nature, exercise and play.

“Boston is a city rich with greenspaces, making our City a livable, beautiful destination”, said Elizabeth Vizza, Executive Director of the Friends of the Public Garden and Member of the Boston Park Advocates Steering Committee. “However, our parks are heavily used, and in great need of renovation. The park system must also expand to serve Boston’s growing population. Mayor Walsh’s vision of making Boston’s parks the best in the nation can be met using CPA funds - a proven tool that can guarantee quality parks for every Boston neighborhood, now and for future generations.”

“Too many Boston families are not able to buy a home in the city due to our very high housing prices,” said Thadine Brown, Hyde Park homeowner, board member of the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance, and Treasurer of the YES for a Better Boston campaign. “A YES vote can help create new affordable homeownership opportunities enabling our families to stay in the city.”

Since its creation in 2000, CPA has been adopted by 161 communities including the cities of Cambridge, Fall River, Malden, Medford, New Bedford, Quincy, Salem, Somerville, and Waltham. CPA is popular; no community has ever repealed CPA. Boston voters can learn about the many benefits of the Community Preservation Act by visiting www.YesBetterBoston.org.

The Yes for a Better Boston campaign partner organizations include:

• Allston-Brighton CDC
• Arnold Arboretum Committee
• Arboretum Park Conservancy
• Asian CDC
• Boston Harbor Now
• Boston Park Advocates
• Boston Preservation Alliance
• Boston Tenant Coalition
• Charles River Conservancy
• Charles River Watershed Association
• Citizen Housing and Planning Association
• Community Labor United
• Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corp.
• Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative
• Emerald Necklace Conservancy
• Environmental League of Mass
• Fenway CDC
• Franklin Park Coalition
• Friends of the Public Garden
• Historic Boston, Inc.
• Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion
• Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corp
• Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council
• Mass Affordable Housing Alliance
• Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants 
• Mass Association of Community Development Corp
• Mass Communities Action Network
• Mass League of Environmental Voters
• Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership
• Mission Hill Neighborhood Housing Services
• Neighborhood of Affordable Housing
• Neponset River Watershed Association
• Preservation of Affordable Housing
• Preservation Massachusetts
• South Boston Neighborhood Development Corp
• Southwest Boston CDC
• The Community Builders, Inc.
• The Esplanade Association
• The Trust for Public Land
• The Trustees of Reservations
• Urban Edge
• VietAID

Baker-Polito Administration and Attorney General’s Office Launch Statewide Campaign to Highlight Importance of Calling 911 During an Overdose

Baker-Polito Administration and Attorney General’s Office Launch Statewide Campaign to Highlight Importance of Calling 911 During an Overdose

911 Good Samaritan Law protects people who try to get help

BOSTON -- Today at the State House, Governor Charlie Baker and Attorney General Maura Healey unveiled a new public information campaign to encourage people to call 911 for emergency medical services at the first signs of a drug overdose.  Along with Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, Department of Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel and members of the law enforcement community, state officials launched the $250,000 Make the Right Call campaign to promote the Massachusetts 911 Good Samaritan Law. 

This law provides protection to individuals seeking medical assistance for themselves or someone else experiencing a drug-related overdose, including opioid-related overdoses, without the risk of charges of possession of a controlled substance.

“With nearly four people dying per day from opioid-related overdoses, our administration is pleased to introduce another campaign to raise awareness and help more people get access to the treatment and services they need,”said Governor Baker.  “I am pleased to stand with the Attorney General and members of the law enforcement community to unveil the Make the Right Call campaign as another tool aimed at curbing this horrific public health crisis from our communities.”

The goal of the new campaign is to save lives by increasing the use of 911 in overdose situations.

Make the Right Call targets active users of opioids and their friends and families with a simple message that they shouldn’t be afraid to seek help when they see an overdose. The campaign includes billboards, and advertisements on street furniture and other public environments where overdoses can take place. Viewers are directed to the website for more information on what to say when calling 911, what to do while waiting for help to arrive, and where they can access the overdose reversal tool Naloxone, more commonly called Narcan.

The use of naloxone has risen quickly over the past three years. In 2015, there were over 9,000 incidents during which emergency responders utilized naloxone; up from 5,443 in 2013.

“The Good Samaritan law removes a key barrier that prevents people from seeking help in an overdose emergency,” said Attorney General Maura Healey. “No one should die because a friend or stranger is too afraid to call 911. Our goal is to educate people about this law because nothing is more important than saving a life. We will continue to partner with law enforcement and the Administration to make sure this important message is heard.”

Additionally, the Department of Public Health and the Attorney General’s Office have partnered to produce a special “Roll Call video” which explains the importance of the 911 Good Samaritan Law to members of the law enforcement community, who play such a key role in responding to overdose situations and saving lives. The five-minute video features public safety officials who have seen the positive impact of the Massachusetts 911 Good Samaritan Law, and also includes the compelling testimony of one Massachusetts resident whose life was saved because of a 911 call – and who is now in long-term recovery. The Roll Call Video will be shared with public safety partners in every police department in Massachusetts.

"Opioid abuse is a medical disease, and an epidemic,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “As such, we must treat it like an illness with prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery options for everyone. The Good Samaritan law plays a critical role in allowing people to treat an overdose as they would another sudden medical illness---by calling for medical help when it is needed most.”

Make the Right Call also includes a grass-roots component to spread the word. Posters which feature the campaign messaging can be ordered at no charge by municipal agencies, community organizations, churches, businesses and others by visiting the Massachusetts Health Promotion Clearinghouse.

"The opioid epidemic continues to impact families, friends, and neighbors in every corner of Massachusetts," said Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Monica Bharel. "We must continue to do everything in our power to save lives, and stem the rate of opioid deaths."

Campaign advertising will run through the end of June. More information aboutMake the Right Call can be found at the Make the Right Call website.

Governor Baker Announces Five Year $1.1 Billion Investment in Housing Production and Preservation for Working Families

Governor Baker Announces Five Year $1.1 Billion Investment in Housing Production and Preservation for Working Families

Upcoming capital budget includes 18% increase for housing opportunities for mixed incomes, homeless and middle-income families, individuals with disabilities, seniors

BOSTON -- Governor Charlie Baker announced today that the Baker-Polito Administration’s upcoming five-year capital budget will devote $1.1 billion to affordable and workforce housing development and preservation. The funding will maintain support for existing programs for high-needs populations, increase support for local public housing communities and finance new initiatives to preserve at-risk affordable housing and boost mixed-income housing production across Massachusetts.

Investments in public and affordable housing will be up 8% in Fiscal Year 2017 and 18% over the course of the plan. These investments support local housing authorities that serve over 80,000 residents, spur private construction of affordable and workforce housing, and initiate several new programs that will preserve or create approximately 5,000 affordable units over the course of the plan.

“Advancing a strong, vibrant and inclusive Commonwealth requires addressing the housing challenges facing working families and at-risk residents and engaging the private market to increase community development and housing production for all incomes," said Governor Baker. "Our capital plan undertakes a significant effort to preserve thousands of affordable housing units and boost the production of new affordable units that will provide housing security for our state’s most vulnerable residents, including homeless families."

Governor Baker made the announcement at the Urban Land Institute’s Housing Opportunity 2016 Conference, a gathering of national housing development and preservation leaders. The Administration’s full five-year capital budget will be released later this month.

“I am proud that our capital budget engages communities to support the needs of low-income senior citizens and working families,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “These new capital investments will help unlock economic growth and prosperity across the Commonwealth.”

"By strategically targeting resources  through the Administration's capital investment plan, we will be able to maintain and modernize existing housing and develop new affordable and workforce units,"  said Secretary of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, Kristen Lepore. "This is a great example of leveraging our resources to support low and middle income families across the Commonwealth."

Housing Investments in the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2017-2021 Capital Plan:

·       $50 million in new funding to preserve privately-owned affordable housing units with expiring affordability restrictions, to be matched with $50 million in new preservation funds from MassHousing;

·       $25 million in new funding for the development of supportive housing for homeless families and individuals with disabilities;

·       $34 million in new funding to advance mixed-income housing development;

·       $25.5 million in new funding to accelerate the preservation and redevelopment of local public housing communities through public-private partnerships;

·       $14 million in new funding to local affordable housing funds, and advance small-scale affordable housing development in communities;

·       $12 million in additional capacity for capital projects at state-supported public housing communities.

“This capital plan supports our ongoing work to advance housing production, and increase private investment in mixed-income housing development,” said Undersecretary of Housing and Community Development Chrystal Kornegay. “By steering new resources to public-private partnerships in housing production and affordable housing preservation, we will deepen income security, and harness housing production as a driver of community development.”

The increased capital support for housing and community development is in addition to a new $100 million workforce housing development fund established at MassHousing, the state’s quasi-public housing finance agency. Governor Baker and MassHousing Executive Director Tim Sullivan announced the $100 million workforce housing development fund in Lynn last week to support the creation of 1,000 new units of moderately-priced housing.

波士頓公共圖書館 5/19日宣佈館長候選人

PUBLIC INTERVIEW DATE SET FOR BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FINALISTS

Candidates will be interviewed by BPL Board of Trustees;

Public invited to attend and observe

May 16, 2016 - Today, the Boston Public Library Presidential Search Committee announced they will present three candidates to be interviewed for the position of BPL President to the Library Board of Trustees on Saturday, May 21. The interviews are open to the public and will be held in the Commonwealth Salon at the Central Library in Copley Square beginning at 8 a.m. The candidate finalists will be announced on Thursday, May 19.

“The Search Committee has conducted a transparent and open process, and I commend them for that,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “Now the BPL Board of Trustees has the task of selecting the candidate who demonstrates the leadership most suited to head the Boston Public Library, one of the oldest library systems in the nation.”

“The BPL Presidential Search Committee has held seven public listening sessions since November and had numerous conversations with Library leadership, staff, friends groups, and other committed stakeholders to determine the qualities they wanted to see in the next BPL president,” said John Palfrey, Chair of the Presidential Search Committee. “Thanks to the assistance of executive search firm, Spencer Stuart, the committee was able to narrow down an expansive field of potential candidates to three very qualified applicants.”

“The BPL Board of Trustees is eager to hear from the candidates the Search Committee will present,” said Robert Gallery, Chair of the BPL Board of Trustees. “We’re preparing interview questions that will dive deep into each candidate’s interest in the position and how that individual’s experience aligns with the mission of the Boston Public Library.”

The three candidate interviews will be conducted in succession by the BPL Board of Trustees beginning at 8 a.m. on May 21. Each interview will be one hour and 15 minutes in length, followed by a brief break between interviews. At the conclusion of the three interviews, the Trustees will vote to extend an offer of employment as President of the Boston Public Library to the selected finalist.

The public is invited to observe the interviews and may submit suggested interview questions prior to the meeting via the email address SearchChair@bpl.org.