網頁

星期四, 9月 29, 2016

Beacon Hill Leadership Moves To Rename Brookline Avenue Bridge In Honor Of David Ortiz

Beacon Hill Leadership Moves To Rename Brookline Avenue Bridge In Honor Of David Ortiz
Governor Baker, Senate President Rosenberg, Speaker DeLeo Propose Bridge Naming for the retiring Boston Red Sox legend

BOSTON – Massachusetts took the first official step toward naming a bridge in honor of legendary Red Sox player David Ortiz tonight.

As part of a joint-plan between the House, Senate and Governor’s office, the House Committee on Ways & Means Committee put language out to poll as part of a supplemental budget that would rename the Brookline Avenue bridge, between Lansdowne Street and Newbury Street, and spanning the Massachusetts Turnpike, the “David Ortiz (‘Big Papi’) Bridge.”

The legislation states the honor is “in recognition of his athletic accomplishments during fourteen seasons as a member of the Boston Red Sox, and his personal contributions to the Commonwealth, notably, his charitable commitment to children in New England and the Dominican Republic who do not have access to the critical pediatric services they need, and in helping our city heal in the face of the Boston Marathon bombing tragedy.”

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will place a “suitable marker on the bridge bearing the designation in compliance with the standards of the department.”

“David Ortiz’s accomplishments and heroics on and off the baseball field have made him a living legend, and his heartfelt contributions to the communities here and in his native Dominican Republic have made him an icon,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “As a lifelong Red Sox fan, I am thrilled to be able to help our Commonwealth create a lasting ‘Thank You’ to Big Papi through the renaming of this bridge.”

 “I’m so excited to be part of this process of giving David Ortiz, one of the greatest Red Sox of all time, his proper due by naming a bridge in his honor,” House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop) said. “David has not only been an extraordinary baseball player, he has been an exemplary and inspirational member of our community, most notably after the Boston Marathon bombings. As a fan, I will miss his stride up to the plate followed by a clutch hit and the ballpark exploding into applause.”

“David Ortiz has been a big part of our community both on and off the field,” said Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst).  “Whether is it leading the Red Sox to multiple World Series Championships or all of his charitable work, he has truly been the pride of Boston.  I am proud that we can honor him by naming this bridge after him so his legacy can live on after his playing days have ended.”

 “David Ortiz has meant so much to the City of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and all of Red Sox Nation,” said Representative Brian S. Dempsey, House Chair of the Committee on Ways & Means (D-Haverhill).  “Whether it be his clutch curse breaking hits on the diamond, his now legendary speech to rally the spirits of this city in the aftermath of the Marathon Bombing, or his prodigious charity work, ‘Papi’ has left a lasting impact.  I am proud that we can recognize his efforts and wish him well as he ends his career with what we hope is another memorable playoff run.”

 “As a Red Sox fan, I’m proud that the Commonwealth is taking this step to recognize one of our athletic legends,” said Senator Karen E. Spilka, Senate Chair of the Committee on Ways & Means (D-Ashland). “David Ortiz is a major force in baseball, and he has also made significant contributions to our community over the course of his long career.”

Once the House Ways & Means Committee poll is completed, the House will act on the measure tomorrow. The legislation will then go to the Senate.

星期三, 9月 28, 2016

BPS Celebrates Teens in Print Student Journalists


BPS Celebrates Teens in Print Student Journalists

Caption: New WriteBoston Programming Director Carla Gualdron, a former participant of the program and a graduate of the Boston Public Schools, addresses WriteBoston students

WriteBoston launches new website platform for young people, celebrates latest issue of the Teens in Print youth newspaper, and hires new program director

Boston, MA - Wednesday, September 28, 2016 - The Boston Public Schools celebrated over 60 students for the latest publication of the Teens in Print newspaper. The youth newspaper features 70 articles written by 31 Boston students.

"In Boston, we are preparing the future leaders of tomorrow," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "Thank you to everyone who has played a role in WriteBoston's continued success."

Teens in Print is Boston's only citywide newspaper for and by Boston youth, available online at www.bostontip.com. Through a generous partnership with The Boston Globe, the newspaper is printed and published five times a year. Twenty-thousand copies of each issue are distributed to high schools, libraries, and community centers across the city.

"For 14 years, WriteBoston has been helping young people find their voice, and many students are stronger writers and leaders because of its success," said School Committee Chairperson Michael O'Neill. "The Committee is excited to learn of the many positive changes happening within WriteBoston to improve students' writing and help them communicate effectively - critical skills that will serve them well for life."

The event welcomed teen writers from Boston Public Schools and local charter and parochial schools, youth artists from Artists for Humanity, Boston Public School staff and leadership, and special guests from The Boston Globe and the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority.

"Boston Public Schools' students thrive when they are given supplementary opportunities, such as the experiences provided by Write Boston," said Superintendent Tommy Chang. "We're fortunate to have a graduate of BPS serving as the new WriteBoston Program Director. It is amazing to see students return as alumni and invest in the community that was so integral to their own personal growth and development. Congratulations to everyone involved."

Attendees were treated to ice cream sundaes, an introduction to the recently re-designed Teens in Print website, and the premiere of three new videos produced by youth reporters from the Teens in Print summer program.

Teens in Print also introduced a new Program Director, Carla Gualdron, a former participant of the program and a graduate of the Boston Public Schools. "As I embrace this role, I hope that my "TiPsters" find this year with me as enriching as I did when I was a student," said Gualdron, a graduate of Emerson College and former reporter for the Boston Herald and El Mundo. "My experience with Teens in Print made me realize that, even as a teenager, my voice was one that needed to be heard. It made me realize that it's okay to ask questions, to push the envelope, to explore, be curious, to want to know more about the world."

To close the event, Lydia Ramos, Senior Advisor to Superintendent Tommy Chang, shared remarks on the importance of journalism for Boston youth and how her personal experience as a journalism student shaped her life.

Free and open to any youth resident of Boston, the Teens in Print afterschool and summer program is funded by Linda Walsh and the Walsh family, Blue Hills Bank, the Boston Bruins Foundation, the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, the Summer Fund, and private donors. Teens in Print is supported through partnerships with the Boston Public Schools, The Boston Globe, Northeastern University's School of Journalism, Artists for Humanity, Boston Cares, and AmeriCorps*VISTA.

The Teens in Print after school program is currently recruiting Boston high school students to join the afterschool program, which runs Monday and Wednesday afternoons on the campus of Northeastern. For more information, contact Carla.Gualdron@boston.gov.

鄭慧民報告中國超市租約審查結果

鄭慧民報告中國超市租約審查結果。(周菊子攝)
(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)紐英崙中華公所中國超市租約審查小組927日晚在董事大會中的報告,就簽署過程,內容,提出約8點質疑,指中華公所簽的合約和董事大會討論的合約,條款並不相同。公所現任主席陳家驊請當年簽署合約的前主席黃光野以書面回應作答,當場被拒。
梁永基(左)發言。
社區內議論此事者有人認為,合約審查小組認定黃光野當年未把合約草案最後版本先交給董事大會研議,再投票通過,就自行簽署,如果這一點可容許中華公所否決合約的有效性,要把喜露街
50號改建成可負擔住宅的願景,或可提早實現。
在租約已簽情況下,中華公所若無廢止或修改租約理由,從現在起到2023年,甚至直到20282033年,要把喜露街50號改建成可負擔住宅,恐怕不太容易。
何遠光(右起)和黃光野。
紐英崙中華公所是2012614日,離原約到期還有14個月時,由當年主席黃光野簽字,給了中國超市一紙20年長約,第一期10年,之後可再續10年。
根據中華公所七月份的董事大會會議記錄,公所現任英文書記朱蘇珊做物業小組報告時,指出中國超市的每月租金將按照排定漲幅,從81日起由25,240元漲為25,619元。董事黃光野質疑表示,租金漲幅似應為5%
由於朱蘇珊回應,直到2023年才到期的這份租約,詳列每年租金應漲為多少的金額數目,但未註明漲幅百分比,大約等於1.5%,董事陳仕維因而要求查閱會議記錄與合約內容,以確認中華公所簽署的合約,內容和董事大會討論通過的一樣。
中華公所主席陳家驊於是指派了伍樂仁,鄭慧民,陳文浩等三名董事組成合約審查委員會,擔負起審查重任。
927日晚,合約審查小組委派鄭慧民代表,向董事大會報告了8點審查結果,也唸了得出審查結果的會議記錄段落。
審查結果的第一點,指黃光野在20123月份逼董事大會投票,忽視董事的簽約前審查合約最後版本要求。該要求其實也是黃光野自己在20121月份董事大會提出,並獲通過的簽約5步驟中最後一步。
第二點指中華公所董事以為中華公所可在租約期中的任何時候,給6個月通知,就要求中國超市搬走,但其實是只在合約進入第二期階段,也就是第二個10年的合約開始後,才可以只給6個月通知。
第三點指中國超市新合約是在原合約還有14個月才到期時就簽定了。
第四點是租約長達10年,從201381日到20237月日,每月租金24,500,每年遞增1.5%
第五點,董事大會要求的每月租金是27,000元,不是24,500元。
第六點是,合約租金約為每平方呎19.6元,不在市價的每平方呎22元到27元之間。此外,兩個5年的續約權,居然只是每年漲租2%
第七點是合約沒包括任何修繕要求。
第八點是得查到底有沒維修屋頂及車道,中華公所有沒核准驗收。
中華公所主席陳家驊指出,如果在當年由黃光野簽署的租約上,並未註明承租者必須斥資195000元修繕所承租物業,恐怕現在也無法要求。
中華公所董事黃光野,梁永基在報告之後都做申訴。黃光野表示自己未強迫董事大會投票同意和中國超市續約。梁永基表示自己未誤導董事大會認為,任何時候只要給中國超市六個月通知,就可要收回喜露街50號。

紐英崙中華公所坐擁2000餘萬元資產 有意營運專業化

紐英崙中華公所職員,右起,朱蘇珊,李翠屏,陳家驊,翁宇才,陳文浩等人主持董事大會。(周菊子攝)
朱蘇珊(右)、李翠屏(左)。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊揚言,公所營運必須專業化,建議聘請專業會繼作帳,土地發展應考慮整體社區福祉,已邀其他社團及專業人士組成顧問委員會。
紐英崙中華公所927日晚召開本年度第五次董事大會,會議進行大致順利,主席及合約審查小組的報告,最受矚目。
陳文浩接任中華公所財政,直言資料交接不齊,還無法交出一份財政報告。(周菊子攝)
紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊為這次的董事大會,準備了將近8頁報告,其中包括4頁交給麻州總檢察官辦公室的中華公所營運季度報告,儼然為中華公所營運的公開,透明,樹立範例。
陳家驊的主席報告主要有二項。第一項和喜露街50號未來發展有關,第二項和華埠的清潔,安全有關。
陳家驊說明他和梅伍銀寬,李錦堂,伍樂仁等人,和有興趣參與發展喜露街50號的 Arista公司代表Tom YeeTrinity 金融公司代表 Jim Keefe晤談過。他自己又另外和Davis發展公司總裁 Brian Fallon,以及Winn發展公司, Beacon發展公司代表見過面。他表示,這些發展商都願意和中華公所合作,或者和中華公所及波士頓華人浸信會教堂(BCEC)三方合作,把中華頤養院舊址也包括進來的一起來發展喜露街50號,但最大障礙是中國超市的租約金額比市價低太多。
鄭慧民(立者)代表合約審查小組做報告。(周菊子攝)
在交給麻州總檢察官辦公室的季度報告中,陳家驊還說明了中華公所已聘請David TraggorthPeter Munkenbeck做發展顧問,研究由中華公所自己來發展喜露街50號的可行性,方向有三,一為全部都是可負擔住宅的大樓,一為綜合收入及綜合用途大樓,一為與營利發展商合作。
紐英崙中華公所2016年度第五次董事大會現場。(周菊子攝)
中華公所在五月份的董事大會中,成立了發展喜露街50號顧問委員會,在中華公所物業小組的9人成員之外,另外邀請了亞美社區發展協會(ACDC)行政主任劉安琪,華人經濟發展協會(CEDC)主席蔣宗壬,1983年時代表華埠信託及住宅工作小組,參加中華公所協商團隊的建築師鄭繼良,以及波士頓消防局副局長黃瑞瑜等人加入。
陳家驊也在交給總檢察官辦公室的季度報告中說明,中華公所將在今後五年,攤還2212.720元,給儲備建造可負擔住宅經費的SCM大樓戶口。
陳家驊的另一半主席報告,主要說明中華公所和華美福利會的陳美霞,阮陳金鳳,以及華商會的陳文棟,余麗媖等人攜手,和波士頓市政府公共工程局合作,改善華埠清潔,重鋪路面,修繕路燈等。華埠治安巡邏隊將和波士頓警察局合作,在華埠內的13個地點,安裝共27個監視錄像器。估計費用最高七萬元,將要求華埠慈善信託基金從中華公所的欠債金額中扣減這筆款項。
中華公所本屆原任財政黃立輝由於私人事務繁忙,無暇兼顧,已於七月請辭。獲推選接任的董事陳文浩表示,由於資料交接還不齊備,當晚無法交出一份財政報告給中華公所董事大會。
中華公所主席陳家驊指出,中華公所今年換了一家稽核公司,Daniel Dennis & Company,這才發現中華公所過去記錄往來帳目時,有許多作法不符專業會計規定。他認為中華公所現在是個擁有2000餘萬元資產,每年營運費用逾100萬元的機構,處理事務應該專業化。他建議聘請專業會計來為中華公所做帳。(9月29日更新標題)

科倫集團來波士頓招聘 美中藥協承辦

科倫製藥研究院副院長王利春(左一)做教授。SAPANE會長龍江(右一)和
田曉宇(左二)等人承辦活動。(周菊子攝)
科倫藥物研究院常務副院長王立春等一行四人代表團,927日晚在麻省理工學院史隆管理學院教室,介紹中國醫藥業及該公司發展,坦言亟需人才,盼能在波士頓,新澤西,聖地牙哥等三個地方,至少各聘一名企業發展總監。
美中生物醫藥開發協會紐英崙分會(SAPANE)承辦這場活動,有近百人出席。
科倫製藥研究院副院長王利春(右一)。
根據科倫公司的介紹,該集團創立於1996年,如今已是一家在海內外擁有90餘家下屬企業的現代化藥業集團,麾下的科倫醫貿,科倫藥業在中國醫藥流通業和製造業分別排名前10。去年的2015年,該集團營業收入超過390億元。
科倫集團招聘活動,出席踴躍。
該集團現有900多名藥物研發人員,除了大本營成都外,另在蘇州,天津設有研究分院。在美國的新澤西及聖地牙哥,也設有分支機構。未來5年,計畫推出45-50個藥物。此行來美招聘,除了為在美分支機構增聘人手,更希望能吸引更多人才回中國加入行列。
科倫集團研究院的副院長王利春,商務拓展部部長李雯佳,美國生物大分子負責人王學平,美國分院院長譚強等人,27日晚都在會場與出席者交流。
 SAPANE會長龍江,以及活動主席田曉宇表示,科倫招聘團隊在波士頓將共停留三天,在929日前有意與該公司洽談者,可發電郵到john.tan@kluspharma.com hr@kluspharma.com
查詢美中醫藥開發協會詳情可上網http://sapa-neweb.org



Baker-Polito Administration Awards $350,000 to Urban Agriculture Projects

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $350,000 to Urban Agriculture Projects

BOSTON – September 28, 2016 – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced over $350,000 in grantsthrough the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ (MDAR) Urban Agriculture Program to support the growth of the emergent urban agriculture sector and provide city residents access to fresh food. The purpose of MDAR’s Urban Agriculture Program, funded by the 2014 Massachusetts Five-Year Capital Plan, is to advance policies, leverage collective resources and support commercial projects designed to increase the production, processing, and marketing of produce grown in urban centers across the Commonwealth.

“Our administration recognizes the impact farming entrepreneurs make in our cities,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The recipients of Urban Agriculture Program funding continue to create opportunities for local economic impact through food production, as they increase ready access to nutritious food for their communities.”

“A priority of our administration is to increase access to fresh, nutritious food in underserved urban communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “The communities and entrepreneurs receiving these grants are at the forefront of this effort and are providing opportunities for economic impact and youth engagement while encouraging healthier local food systems.”

MDAR launched an Urban Agriculture Program to support the emerging urban agriculture sector in early 2014. As of today, the Urban Agriculture Program has released four rounds of funding which have provided support for 41 urban agriculture projects and facilitated four state-wide urban agriculture conferences, attracting hundreds of practitioners, advocates, and policy makers.

“Investing in the cultivation of fresh food in urban settings provides opportunities for job training and youth engagement,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton.  “Through the Urban Agriculture Program, the Baker-Polito Administration will continue to promote opportunities for healthier local food systems in more communities across the Commonwealth.”

“I am proud of the Urban Agriculture Program at MDAR, as it has helped to strengthen local neighborhoods by leveraging opportunities through the production, processing, marketing and sale of fresh food at the local level,” said MDAR Commissioner John Lebeaux.

Urban agriculture ranges from traditional in-ground growing and rooftop farms, to aquaponics, greenhouses and freight farms.  The local food movement is taking root in neighborhoods, especially where vacant land or buildings are available and fresh food is hard to find.  Past funded projects have reached communities including Holyoke, Springfield, Lowell, Lawrence, Salem, Boston and Somerville.

The successful demonstration of these projects has ranged from expanding production space, creation of innovative aquaponics and hydroponics facilities and investment in market opportunities within under-served communities.

The current awardees’ listing is as follows:

CommonWealth Kitchen, Dorchester, MA - $70,000
CommonWealth Kitchen will use the grant funding to purchase specialized manufacturing equipment needed to improve our ability to affordably and efficiently provide small-batch, value added production services for local urban farms. The equipment will also expand their capacity to take larger processing work focused on farm-to-school and farm-to-institution initiatives.

The Food Project, Dorchester, MA - $56,385
The Food Project will use the grant funding to perform necessary repairs and refurbishments to the Dudley Greenhouse, the anchor of their operations. The refurbishment will extend the list of the greenhouse, generate more revenue, improve energy efficiency and contribute to greater fertile vegetable production.

Gardening the Community, Springfield, MA - $55,000
Gardening the Community will use the grant funding to continue the transformation of the first community-controlled urban agriculture site in Springfield. This is phase two of infrastructure improvements, which include soil regeneration, an irrigation system and its instillation. The investment will add to the permanent farm site designed to provide locally grown produce directly to low income urban residents.

NUBIA, Roxbury, MA - $7,540
NUBIA will use the grant funding to acquire a walk-in storage cooler to use for their fresh produce.  As the organization has grown and their commercial food production has increased, this additional infrastructure will be key to keeping their produce at the highest quality.

Shape Up Somerville, Somerville, MA - $23,656
Shape-Up Somerville will use the grant funding to implement the next phase of “ARTFarm”,    a 2.2 acre former waste transfer station that is in the midst of being transformed into Somerville’s community art and commercial urban growing center. The grant will be used to purchase outdoor walk-in cooler, materials for a 50’ X 20’ raised bed, as well as the instillation of both.

Urban Farming Institute, Dorchester MA - $12,733
The Urban Farming Institute will use the grant funding to upgrade their tools and purchase equipment to increase the productivity on their farms. Their urban farmers will also teach trainees how to use equipment and become more efficient in their farming practice.

New Entry Sustainable Farm Project, Lowell, MA - $30,016
New Entry will use their grant funding to purchase Food Hub Aggregation and distribution management software re-usable crates and ice packs for their produce distribution and packing needs as well as marketing materials. The equipment and infrastructure improvements are projected to increase CSA participation by 20% in food insecure communities on the North Shore.

UMass Lowell, Lowell, MA - $40,000
UMass Lowell, in partnership with Mill City Grows, will use the grant funding to invest in capital infrastructure with the purchase and installation of commercial greenhouse.  The establishment of the greenhouse will provide opportunities for work study programs as well as expanding the food production capacity of Mill City Grows with this year-round facility.

Haley House, Roxbury, MA - $19,600
Haley House will use the grant funding to improve the production space of the Thornton Street farm with additional soil and drip irrigation infrastructure, purchase and utilize low tunnels for season extension and will farm equipment. This award will also be used for the removal of several large invasive trees to increase productive growing space on the farm. 

The Trust for Public Land (TPL), Boston, MA - $35,500
TPL will use the grant funding to acquire a pre-fabricated greenhouse, a perimeter fence, as well as the installation of the perimeter fence and greenhouse. The addition of the Greenhouse will increase agricultural production and enable a more efficient supply to the significant demand of locally grown food through TPL’s partnership with the Urban Farming Institute.

“Our non-profits and institutions of learning provide our residents with access to healthy food, stimulate our local economy with farmers’ markets, and create innovative solutions to the agricultural challenges facing our Commonwealth,” stated Representative Thomas A. Golden, Jr. (D-Lowell), Chairman of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy.  “I thank the administration for their support and congratulate the New Entry Sustainable Farm Project and UMass Lowell, in partnership with Mill City Grows, not only for their accomplishments to date, but also for the great work they will continue to do to nourish our communities.”

“These urban agriculture grants will support key initiatives that will provide fresh and organic products to families facing food insecurity in urban areas throughout the Commonwealth,” said State Senator Eileen Donoghue (D-Lowell). “Promoting nutritional health is an essential tool in reducing health related issues, such as obesity and diabetes, while also reinforcing a hearty lifestyle. I would like to congratulate the New Entry Sustainable Farm Project and the University of Massachusetts Lowell for being awarded funding to encourage food sustainability throughout the City of Lowell.”

“Get out your broccoli recipes, Boston!” said State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz (D-Boston). “In all seriousness, these projects play a crucial role in developing the state’s green economy, and yield immense benefits for both residents of Boston and the Commonwealth at large. When we invest in urban agriculture, we provide many Massachusetts citizens a sustainable, innovative pathway to nourishment – regardless of location or socioeconomic status.”

MDAR’s goals have been to increase and sustain the capacity of urban agriculture to provide tangible, measurable benefits to residents in urban centers which include:  increased access to healthy fresh food, improved public health, entrepreneurial opportunities, job training & youth employment, and community revitalization.

NATIONAL COMPANY PAYS $1.4 MILLION, STRENGTHENS POLICIES OVER ABUSIVE DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES

NATIONAL COMPANY PAYS $1.4 MILLION, STRENGTHENS POLICIES OVER ABUSIVE DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES
Conduct Allegedly Affected More 5,000 Accounts in Massachusetts; Allegations Include Making High Volume Collection Calls, Failure to Provide Debt Validation Notices

BOSTON – A national mortgage servicer has paid $1.4 million and agreed to strengthen its policies over its alleged abusive debt collection practices that affected more 5,000 borrower accounts in Massachusetts, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.
Pursuant to the assurance of discontinuance filed in Suffolk Superior Court, Ditech Financial, LLC, previously GreenTree Servicing, LLC, agreed to change its practices to comply with state debt collection and consumer protection laws.
The assurance of discontinuance requires that Ditech stop making excessive debt collection calls to consumers and provide written notice regarding the borrowers’ right to receive detailed information about any debts that Ditech sought to collect, as required by law.
            “Our state laws protect borrowers from being harassed and threatened by debt collectors,” said AG Healey. “This settlement is a message to all debt collectors that our office will continue to aggressively pursue those who engage in abusive collection practices in Massachusetts.”
Ditech is a servicer of residential mortgage loans across the country including thousands of loans in Massachusetts.
The AG’s Office investigated Ditech’s debt collection practices in Massachusetts and alleges that, since 2012, Ditech routinely violated the AG’s regulations governing debt collection.
Ditech employees allegedly called borrowers far in excess of the number of calls permitted by state law, sometimes calling the same borrower up to 12 times in a single day. 
The AG’s Office also found that Ditech failed to notify borrowers of their right to seek detailed information regarding their mortgage debt. Under state law, mortgage borrowers have the right to verify the amounts owed on a debt in collection and to confirm that the party seeking to collect on the debt has the legal right to do so.
Particularly where mortgage loans are frequently transferred from servicer to servicer and sold from party to party, state law protects the rights of consumers to access information relating to their debt. Ditech’s alleged failure to issue required debt validation notices deprived consumers of their rights and their opportunity to seek information regarding their own mortgage loans.
According the terms of the settlement, Ditech will change its procedures to prohibit calls in excess of the number permitted by the debt collection regulations and will implement technological controls to restrict outgoing collection calls when the call limit is reached. Ditech will also ensure that all borrower accounts receive timely and compliant debt validation notices going forward.
The payment of $1.4 million from Ditech will be used to address the negative effects of foreclosure, debt collection or other consumer protection issues in Massachusetts. 
Consumers with questions or concerns about deceptive or abusive debt collection practices can call the Attorney General’s consumer hotline at 617-727-8400 or file a complaint with the office.

The AG’s Office is dedicated to going after abusive debt collection practices. In December 2015, AG Healeysued one of the largest debt collection law firms in Massachusetts and its two owners, alleging that the firm repeatedly sued consumers for debts they did not owe or debts that were inaccurate.

Yesterday, AG Healey announced that two medical companies agreed to write off more than $1 million in alleged debts owed by Massachusetts consumers, cease all collection actions against them and pay restitution to consumers to resolve allegations of unlawful billing and debt collection practices.

Last week, the AG’s Office and the Massachusetts Division of Banks held a listening session seeking input on the current state of debt collection and debt collection regulation in Massachusetts. Written comments will be accepted until Oct. 21. For more information, please click here.

            This matter was handled by Assistant Attorneys General Justin J. Lowe and Lisa R. Dyen of Attorney General Healey’s Consumer Protection Division, with assistance from Ciara Tran of AG Healey’s Civil Investigations Division and Assistant Attorney General Michael Lecaroz of the Consumer Advocacy and Response Division.

Governor Baker Nominates Two to Massachusetts District Court

Governor Baker Nominates Two to Massachusetts District Court

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker has nominated Daniel W. O’Malley, a former District Court judge, and Edward H. Sharkansky, a Brockton attorney, to serve as judges in the Massachusetts District Court.

“I am confident attorneys O'Malley and Sharkansky will bring outstanding judgement and common sense to the bench and serve the Commonwealth's citizens well with their decades of experience in the District Court,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Mr. O'Malley will draw not only from his years of private criminal practice, but also from his six years of prior service on the District Court, while Mr. Sharkansky's background as a prosecutor and defense counsel will provide balance and perspective making him an asset to the Commonwealth. I am pleased to recommend both to the Governor's Council for their consideration."

Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito said, “I have no doubt, that the qualities these two distinguished attorneys have will bring honor and credit to the Bar, the Bench and the Commonwealth if confirmed by the Council.”

Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Statewide Judicial Nominating Commission and recommended to the Governor. All judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council.

For more information about the District Court, visit http://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/trial-court/dc/.

About Daniel W. O'Malley

Daniel W. O'Malley, who has thirty years of legal experience, returned to private practice in 2004 after six years on the District Court. A graduate of University of Massachusetts Boston in 1980 and Suffolk University School of Law in 1985, he has spent more than a decade in different law offices focusing on criminal, personal injury, and real estate law. In 1998, Governor Paul Cellucci appointed O'Malley to the District Court, where he presided over criminal and civil sessions in courts throughout Eastern Massachusetts, including seven months as acting First Justice of the Fall River District Court. During his tenure on the bench, he presided over mental health hearings at Bridgewater State Hospital and Taunton State Hospital. Attorney O'Malley grew up in Quincy and currently resides in Milton where he and his wife raised their six children.

About Edward H. Sharkansky

Edward H. Sharkansky is a 1990 graduate of The George Washington University and a 1994 graduate of The Northeastern University School of Law.  Upon graduating from law school, he served as an Assistant District Attorney in Plymouth County for 2 years.  In 1997, Sharkansky opened his law office concentrating in criminal, civil and family litigation.  He currently serves as Vice President of the Plymouth County Bar Association, serves on the Advisory Board to the Criminal Justice Section at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical School and Chairs the Management Committee of the Old Colony YMCA Stoughton Branch. Attorney Sharkansky has also served as Town Moderator since 2015 in the Town of Easton where he lives with his wife and two children.