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星期四, 9月 01, 2016

Governor Baker Breaks Ground on the Parkway at Union Point

Governor Baker Breaks Ground on the Parkway at Union Point

Infrastructure improvements will enable the construction of up to 3,900 housing units and 6 million square feet of commercial and retail space

Weymouth – September 1, 2016 – Today, Governor Charlie Baker joined Congressman Stephen F. Lynch, Representative Ronald Mariano, officials from the towns of Abington, Rockland, and Weymouth, and the real estate development firm LStar Communities to break ground on the Parkway at Union Point. The $6.7 million roadway will unlock the $2 billion redevelopment of the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station, by connecting Route 18 in Weymouth to the Bill Delahunt Parkway, which links the eastern portion of the former base to Rockland.

“For nearly two decades, the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station has been one of the largest, and most promising, economic development opportunities in Massachusetts,” said Governor Baker. “This infrastructure investment will finally deliver on the redevelopment project’s full promise, enabling the private sector to create thousands of jobs, and thousands of new housing units, in the region.”

“This milestone is the result of close collaboration with our legislative partners, the municipalities of Abington, Rockland, and Weymouth, and Union Point’s developer, LStar Communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Complex projects like Union Point require strong vision and strong partnerships with local stakeholders to invest successfully in infrastructure, jobs and new housing opportunities.”

The new parkway infrastructure allows for the construction of 800 new units of transit-oriented housing, as well as the construction of Union Point’s mixed-use town center district. The parkway extension is a necessary component to achieving the full buildout of Union Point, which will contain up to 3,900 housing units, and up to 6 million square feet of commercial and retail space, when complete.

“I am pleased that the Parkway extension is underway as it will connect the Bill Delahunt Parkway with the South Weymouth MBTA Station, improving access for commuters throughout the South Shore,” said Congressman Stephen F. Lynch. “By connecting Route 3 with Route 18, the Parkway will run from Rockland to Weymouth bridging surrounding communities and driving traffic to Union Point. I applaud Governor Baker, Mayor Hedlund, and our local elected officials for working closely with LStar Communities to ensure the development is transit-oriented and meets the needs of residents of Weymouth, Abington, and Rockland.”

The former South Weymouth Naval Air Station is currently only partially served by adequate roadway infrastructure. The 1.8-mile long Bill Delahunt Parkway, opened by the Commonwealth in 2013, links the eastern portion of development site to Route 3, through the Town of Rockland. However, the Delahunt Parkway stopped short of running across the entirety of the former base. As a result, there is no connectivity between the area surrounding the South Weymouth MBTA commuter rail station, where much of the Union Point development will be concentrated, and the Delahunt Parkway.

“This new roadway opens up opportunities for the public today and for generations to come,” said Transportation Secretary and MassDOT CEO Stephanie Pollack. “Through a public-private partnership with LStar Communities, this important infrastructure investment was able to break ground quickly and help catalyze a faster build-out of Union Point.”

“Union Point showcases our commitment to unlocking dynamic regional economic development opportunities across Massachusetts,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “By completing this parkway, and linking the existing Delahunt Parkway to the South Weymouth commuter rail station and Union Point’s future town center district, we are spurring the creation of new transit-oriented housing, restaurants, shops, and employment opportunities for the South Shore.”

Governor Baker broke ground on a half-mile-long parkway extension that will connect Union Point development parcels around the South Weymouth commuter rail station to the Delahunt Parkway. The $6.7 million parkway extension, financed by MassDOT, will also provide roadway frontage for Union Point’s future mixed-use town center.

“This is a significant day in the long history of this project,” said Representative Ronald Mariano. “I have always felt that it would be a recipe for success for this development to have the ability to connect to both Route 3 and Route 18 on the other side. The completion of the roadway with this investment of state money will make that connection a reality and allow the vision and potential for this site to take hold. I want to commend Governor Baker and his administration for seeing the value of this investment, and understanding the potential that many of us local officials have long believed in.”

“As a Weymouth Town Councilor for the past eleven years, I have seen the South Weymouth Naval Air Station transform into what is already a growing, modern community,” said Senator Patrick O’Connor. “The progress being made at Union Point has been remarkable. The construction and completion of this portion of the parkway through Union Point will allow this development to reach its full potential by creating both homes and jobs for the residents of the South Shore and Metro Boston.”

“This expansion will allow construction to move forward on this vital project which will serve as an economic engine for our entire region for many years to come," said Representative James Murphy. “I want to thank the Governor, his administration, as well as my colleagues for supporting this important investment."

“The Parkway extension represents the latest important milestone in fulfilling the goals of Union Point,” said Weymouth Mayor Robert L. Hedlund. “I appreciate all who were involved to make this possible, with special thanks to the Baker-Polito Administration, the Weymouth Town Council, our legislative delegation, our partners in Abington and Rockland, and the SouthField Redevelopment Authority Board. This was truly a collaborative effort that is a key part to the success at Union Point.”

“Today we are celebrating the model for how government and private enterprise can work together to boost our economy and create new opportunities for an entire region,”said Kyle Corkum, managing partner of LStar Communities. “This new road, which could not have been built without the advocacy of our political leaders, will be a major factor in the growth of Union Point and the economic growth of the region. We've already signed new commercial and residential developments as a result of this important parkway, and we look forward to sharing some exciting announcements in the weeks to come.”

The parkway extension is expected to be substantially completed in November 2016.

CVS PHARMACY TO STRENGTHEN POLICIES AROUND DISPENSING OPIOIDS AND REQUIRE USE OF PRESCRIPTION MONITORING PROGRAM IN GROUNDBREAKING SETTLEMENT

CVS PHARMACY TO STRENGTHEN POLICIES AROUND DISPENSING OPIOIDS AND REQUIRE USE OF PRESCRIPTION MONITORING PROGRAM IN GROUNDBREAKING SETTLEMENT
Pharmacy Chain to Pay Total of $795,000; AG’s Office to Direct $500,000 of Settlement to Address Opioid Dependence and Addiction

BOSTON – In a first-in-the-nation settlement with the largest pharmacy chain in the country, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today that CVS Pharmacy, Inc. (CVS) will strengthen its policies and procedures around the dispensing of opioids and will require its Massachusetts pharmacy staff to check the state’s Prescription Monitoring Program before filling prescriptions for commonly misused opioids.

The assurance of discontinuance, filed today in Suffolk Superior Court, along with a separate settlement agreement between CVS and AG Healey’s Office, resolves allegations that CVS failed to provide its Massachusetts pharmacists with a way to access the Massachusetts Online Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) prior to March 2013. The PMP provides the prescription history of a patient that can help identify drug-seeking behavior.
The assurance and settlement agreement also resolve allegations that certain CVS pharmacies in Massachusetts failed to monitor drug use patterns or use sound professional judgment when dispensing controlled substances, particularly opioids.

            “To effectively combat the opioid epidemic that is claiming lives and devastating families and communities across our state, we must work together to use all tools at our disposal,” said AG Healey. “Through this groundbreaking settlement, these pharmacists will be better equipped to responsibly dispense opioids and will be required to use the Prescription Monitoring Program, which is a vital resource in preventing the misuse of opioids.”

“This is an important first step in enforcing critical prevention measures needed to address the opioid crisis in our communities across the Commonwealth and our country,” said Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, President and CEO of The Dimock Center. “As a community healthcare provider and leader in substance abuse treatment, we are committed to providing comprehensive services that are vital to people’s success in maintaining long-term sobriety. Prevention and education are essential pieces to ending this epidemic.”

“The opioid crisis is an epidemic – one we must address through smart health interventions across prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery,” said Dr. Monica Bharel, Commissioner of the Department of Public Health (DPH). “MassPAT, the newly redeveloped PMP online system, is one of the most essential tools prescribers and pharmacists have at their disposal.”

AG Healey’s Medicaid Fraud Division conducted an investigation into CVS after a referral from the state’s Medicaid program (MassHealth) relating to the state’s Controlled Substance Management Program (CSMP). A subsequent investigation was conducted by AG Healey’s Consumer Protection Division related to the PMP, where it was discovered that CVS failed to provide sufficient internet connectivity to access the online program.

Many of the more than 350 CVS pharmacies in Massachusetts are MassHealth providers and therefore must comply with all applicable state and federal statutes and regulations governing its participation in the program.

The PMP, a secure website maintained by DPH, collects dispensing information on certain controlled substances, including opioids, dispensed pursuant to a prescription. Through enrollment in and utilization of the PMP, doctors and pharmacists can access patient prescription history information which can be used to assist in clinical decision-making and to prevent or stop the abuse or misuse of controlled substances. The PMP is one component of a larger effort to address the opioid epidemic in Massachusetts.

As a result of today’s agreement, CVS will require its entire Massachusetts pharmacy staff to access the PMP website and review the prescription holder’s prescription history before dispensing certain prescribed drugs.

MassHealth administers the CSMP, a program for its members who use large quantities of prescribed drugs. Except in very limited circumstances, CSMP regulations restrict a CSMP member to obtaining all prescribed medications from a single pharmacy known as the member’s primary pharmacy. The primary pharmacy is required to monitor the prescription use pattern of each CSMP member and use sound professional judgment when dispensing all prescription drugs.

The AG’s investigation found that in certain instances, CVS pharmacies in Massachusetts dispensed controlled substances to MassHealth members enrolled in the CSMP in exchange for an out-of-pocket payment, which the AG’s Office alleges is a violation of state laws and regulations. The AG’s Office further alleges that some of these transactions occurred despite a prior denial by MassHealth of a claim for the same controlled substance on the same day.

Pursuant to the assurance, CVS will update its written policies and procedures and conduct annual training with respect to the responsibilities of primary pharmacies, the restriction on non-primary pharmacies to not dispense to a CSMP member, and concerns about CSMP members who attempt to pay out-of-pocket for prescriptions for controlled substances.

CVS is also required to update its written policies and procedures and conduct annual training to include the requirement that CVS’s Massachusetts pharmacy staff use the state’s Prescription Monitoring Program before dispensing certain prescribed drugs.

As a part of these settlements, CVS has also agreed to make a payment of $795,000 to the state, $500,000 of which will be used to address opioid dependence and addiction in Massachusetts.

This case is one more way AG Healey is working to address the growing addiction crisis in Massachusetts. The AG’s Office is looking at a host of other practices, from marketing by pharmaceutical companies, to pill diversion and drug trafficking by criminal entities, to coverage for substance abuse treatment by insurance companies.
Earlier this year, the AG’s Office announced the formation of the Interagency Group on Illegal Prescribing, a coalition of state and federal agencies to investigate and prosecute prescribers, pharmacists and others who contribute to the opioid epidemic by illegally prescribing or dispensing pills.
The AG’s Office indicted a Ludlow physician and a Hyannis physician for illegally prescribing pain medication to patients with known substance abuse issues.
Changing the culture around the prescribing of opioids is also a significant part of the AG’s efforts. AG Healey sent a letter supporting the CDC for drafting guidelines that will provide much-needed information to primary care providers across the country about when and how opioids should be prescribed for chronic pain – creating a single, nationwide, evidence-based standard. The guidelines proposed by the CDC make clear that addictive opioids should not be the initial treatment for chronic pain and should only be used where their benefits outweigh the risks.
AG Healey also joined 35 attorneys general in sending a letter to the CDC links to PDF file that supports the strong framework for providers and clear guidelines that will provide a foundation for practice, recognizing that doctors will need to adapt them to meet the individual needs of their patients.
The AG’s Office continues to work on solutions that include eliminating barriers to treatment and supporting prevention and education initiatives across the state.
This case was handled by Deputy Division Chief and Chief of Investigations Kevin Ready, Assistant Attorney General Stephany Collamore, and Investigator Chris Cecchini of the AG’s Medicaid Fraud Division, Assistant Attorney General Colleen Nevin of the AG’s Consumer Protection Division, and James O’Hara of the AG’s Investigations Division.

MAYOR MARTIN J. WALSH RECOGNIZES SEPTEMBER AS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

MAYOR MARTIN J. WALSH RECOGNIZES SEPTEMBER AS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH
BOSTON - September 1, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today alerted residentsthat September is recognized as National Preparedness Month. Sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the Department of Homeland Security, National Preparedness Month encourages Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, schools and communities.

"National Preparedness Month provides the ideal opportunity for residents to evaluate individual and family plans in the event of an emergency," said Mayor Walsh. "Resident safety in the City of Boston is non-negotiable and the City encourages all residents to take simple, preventative steps to ensure their safety and preparedness."

The Mayor's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) recommends the following measures for National Preparedness Month:

Make a Plan: Your family might not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to coordinate ahead of time and plan for the following:
  • Create and practice a family communications plan in case you are separated during an emergency.
  • Select a family meeting spot where everyone can go in case you are separated.
  • Learn where the closest emergency shelter is located in your neighborhood. Visit: https://www.boston.gov/departments/emergency-management to access a map of City of Boston Emergency Shelters.
Make a Kit: An emergency supply kit should provide a collection of basic items that household members would need in the event of a disaster. This kit can be used if residents have to leave their homes during an emergency, or in case of an extended power outage.
                                                                                        
Below is a list of recommended items for an emergency supply kit:
  • Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days;
  • Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food;
  • Can opener for food;
  • First aid kit;
  • Battery-powered or hand crank radio;
  • Flashlight with extra batteries;
  • Moist towelettes and garbage bags for personal sanitation;
  • Dust mask to help filter contaminated air;
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities;
  • Supplies for your pets - water, food, leash and collar.
Stay Informed: Reliable and accurate information is essential before, during and after an emergency. Residents are encouraged to connect to the following resources:
OEM is the agency responsible for ensuring the City of Boston has plans to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from all types of emergencies and disasters. During emergencies, OEM operates the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) where City agencies gather to share critical information, respond to resource requests and coordinate response for managing an incident.

New Report Highlights Economic Challenges Facing Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Seniors in New York

New Report Highlights Economic Challenges Facing
Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Seniors in New York

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 1, 2016 – The Asian American Federation, with primary funding support from AARP, released a new report, Asian American Seniors in New York City: An Updated Snapshot, highlighting the demographic changes and economic challenges facing New York City’s fastest-growing senior population. Asian Americans represent 16% of all seniors ages 50 years and older, yet programs and resources available to Asian seniors have failed to keep pace with this growth. When it comes to New York City’s social service funding, for example, only 2.7% went to senior programs focused on Asian seniors.

Jo-Ann Yoo, executive director of the Federation, said, “Since our 2003 report on Asian elders, the size and composition of our senior population have changed dramatically. Our updated report underscores the reality that the current capacity of social services is not nearly enough to meet the needs of this population. What we hope this report offers is some concrete ways in which our city and state leaders can begin to build real infrastructure to serve our seniors.”

“AARP proudly supports the Federation’s report revealing insights into the rapidly-growing community of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders age 50-plus. We hope this report will continue to debunk the model minority myth and be used by individuals, community-based organizations, nonprofit groups, media, funders, and policymakers to build the case for funding, policies, legislation, and advocacy to improve their lives,” stated Daphne Kwok, AARP’s Vice President of Multicultural Leadership, Asian American & Pacific Islander Audience Strategy.

Key findings of this report include:
  • Growth in the Asian senior population in New York City is driven by Asian seniors immigrating late in life and by Asian immigrants aging into senior status.
  • Major shifts in demographics are changing the ethnic mix of the Asian senior population in New York City. South Asian and “Other” Asian groups have senior populations that have more than tripled in size from 2000 to 2014.
  • The high rates of limited English proficiency among Asian seniors contribute to increased social isolation.
  • The diversity of languages spoken in the Asian community makes outreach and provision of services a great challenge.
  • Asian seniors in New York City are less well-educated than Asian seniors nationally and other seniors in New York City. As a consequence, Asian seniors are more likely to be poor and low-income than Asian seniors nationally and other seniors in New York City.
  • Because some Asian seniors immigrated later in life, they are less likely to have health insurance coverage and to receive Social Security benefits than other seniors.

In order to address the increasing needs among Asian seniors, the Federation makes the following recommendations to the City:
  • Increase the resources available for programs serving Asian seniors.
  • Build capacity within Asian-led senior programs, which are more likely to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services for Asians seniors.
  • Ensure that outreach to Asian seniors is conducted in-language and through trusted information sources for each community, including ethnic media and community-based social service organizations.
  • Alleviate poverty by increasing access to social safety nets for more recent arrivals.
  • Increase access to adult literacy and job skills programs for low-income Asian seniors who are still active in the labor force.
  • Offer employment and volunteer opportunities for Asian seniors in order to increase their income and decrease their social isolation.
  • Create affordable senior housing, including culturally-appropriate assisted living facilities.

“We have seen the Asian senior population double since 2000,” said Howard Shih, research and policy director of the Federation.  “With Asian seniors now comprising 16% of New York City’s senior population, we can no longer ignore their needs. We must address their language, health, and housing needs – among all the others – if we hope to support their longevity.”

Beth Finkel, AARP New York State Director, added, “Like the Federation, AARP is fighting to increase funding for transportation services and improve job opportunities and affordable housing for older city residents while combatting social isolation and elder abuse. We need our leaders to acknowledge changing demographics and implement policies that make New York a better place to live, work, play, and age. The City would be wise to heed the recommendations of the Federation’s report.”

New Report Highlights Economic Challenges Facing Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Seniors in New York

New Report Highlights Economic Challenges Facing
Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Seniors in New York

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 1, 2016 – The Asian American Federation, with primary funding support from AARP, released a new report, Asian American Seniors in New York City: An Updated Snapshot, highlighting the demographic changes and economic challenges facing New York City’s fastest-growing senior population. Asian Americans represent 16% of all seniors ages 50 years and older, yet programs and resources available to Asian seniors have failed to keep pace with this growth. When it comes to New York City’s social service funding, for example, only 2.7% went to senior programs focused on Asian seniors.

Jo-Ann Yoo, executive director of the Federation, said, “Since our 2003 report on Asian elders, the size and composition of our senior population have changed dramatically. Our updated report underscores the reality that the current capacity of social services is not nearly enough to meet the needs of this population. What we hope this report offers is some concrete ways in which our city and state leaders can begin to build real infrastructure to serve our seniors.”

“AARP proudly supports the Federation’s report revealing insights into the rapidly-growing community of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders age 50-plus. We hope this report will continue to debunk the model minority myth and be used by individuals, community-based organizations, nonprofit groups, media, funders, and policymakers to build the case for funding, policies, legislation, and advocacy to improve their lives,” stated Daphne Kwok, AARP’s Vice President of Multicultural Leadership, Asian American & Pacific Islander Audience Strategy.

Key findings of this report include:
  • Growth in the Asian senior population in New York City is driven by Asian seniors immigrating late in life and by Asian immigrants aging into senior status.
  • Major shifts in demographics are changing the ethnic mix of the Asian senior population in New York City. South Asian and “Other” Asian groups have senior populations that have more than tripled in size from 2000 to 2014.
  • The high rates of limited English proficiency among Asian seniors contribute to increased social isolation.
  • The diversity of languages spoken in the Asian community makes outreach and provision of services a great challenge.
  • Asian seniors in New York City are less well-educated than Asian seniors nationally and other seniors in New York City. As a consequence, Asian seniors are more likely to be poor and low-income than Asian seniors nationally and other seniors in New York City.
  • Because some Asian seniors immigrated later in life, they are less likely to have health insurance coverage and to receive Social Security benefits than other seniors.

In order to address the increasing needs among Asian seniors, the Federation makes the following recommendations to the City:
  • Increase the resources available for programs serving Asian seniors.
  • Build capacity within Asian-led senior programs, which are more likely to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services for Asians seniors.
  • Ensure that outreach to Asian seniors is conducted in-language and through trusted information sources for each community, including ethnic media and community-based social service organizations.
  • Alleviate poverty by increasing access to social safety nets for more recent arrivals.
  • Increase access to adult literacy and job skills programs for low-income Asian seniors who are still active in the labor force.
  • Offer employment and volunteer opportunities for Asian seniors in order to increase their income and decrease their social isolation.
  • Create affordable senior housing, including culturally-appropriate assisted living facilities.

“We have seen the Asian senior population double since 2000,” said Howard Shih, research and policy director of the Federation.  “With Asian seniors now comprising 16% of New York City’s senior population, we can no longer ignore their needs. We must address their language, health, and housing needs – among all the others – if we hope to support their longevity.”

Beth Finkel, AARP New York State Director, added, “Like the Federation, AARP is fighting to increase funding for transportation services and improve job opportunities and affordable housing for older city residents while combatting social isolation and elder abuse. We need our leaders to acknowledge changing demographics and implement policies that make New York a better place to live, work, play, and age. The City would be wise to heed the recommendations of the Federation’s report.”

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HUNDREDS OF LOCAL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES JOIN POPE FRANCIS AND PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW FOR SEASON OF CREATION

HUNDREDS OF LOCAL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES JOIN POPE FRANCIS AND PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW FOR SEASON OF CREATION

On September 1 Christians churches will come together to celebrate the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and to observe the Season of Creation between that day and October 4 – the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Major Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, and Anglican organizations have joined to encourage the 2.2 billion Christians worldwide to pray and act on ecological issues next month, promoting a new ecumenical website with special resources, SeasonOfCreation.org.

(International, September 1 2016) - Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew released their special messages for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, kicking off the month-long Season of Creation celebrations.  Both leaders used strong language to stress the urgency of the ecological crisis and the need to take action on climate change. Their special messages are available here.

Meanwhile, Christian Churches are organizing and supporting hundreds of events worldwide until the Season of Creation's close on October 4th, by collaborating through the ecumenical website seasonofcreation.org. Nearly 200 events on 6 continents have already been reported and many more are being planned, with lots of them being ecumenical in nature and with participation of local bishops and faith leaders.

The Season of Creation, originally launched by the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople in 1989 has been progressively joined by other Christian churches, with the Pope announcing the Roman Catholic Church's participation last year. Vespers at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican at 5pm this evening presided by the Pope and attended by leaders from other Christian denominations will be the formal launch of the Season.

“We urgently need to make changes,” said Fr Frédéric Fornos, International Director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network. “All the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network is involved in this World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, by prayer and action to preserve our “common home” for future generations. “O Lord, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your Kingdom of justice, peace, love and beauty” (Laudato Si n° 246).

"The global Catholic community joyfully joins Pope Francis and other Christian churches for this important celebration," said Tomás Insua, Global Coordinator of the Global Catholic Climate Movement. "The website SeasonOfCreation.org has proven to be a wonderful tool for Christians worldwide to come together in prayer and action to address the severe ecological crisis of our time".

The Message comes a day before the United States and China will reportedly announce their ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change adopted at the UN conference in Paris last December. The Agreement provides for wide ranging action by governments as from 2020 to prevent the most dangerous impacts of climate change.

“As Christians, we have hope. We believe God does not abandon creation and that we ourselves can become beacons of that hope by sowing the seeds of a different future”, said Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), calling upon Christians worldwide to pray together for “God’s beautiful work”.

In his message, Tveit also noted other actions that can be taken by those who join the prayers. “Let us call on our governments to ratify the Paris agreement; demand for alternative indicators of growth that better measure the health of the communities and the ecosystems. We can divest from fossil fuels and reinvest in sustainable alternatives”, he said.

The convening organizations who are leading the Season of Creation promotion efforts are: World Council of Churches, Anglican Communion Environmental Network, Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (Apostleship of Prayer), the Global Catholic Climate Movement, ACT Alliance and GreenFaith.

SPARK BOSTON TO HOLD "CHIEF CHAT" WITH BOSTON'S CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER AND CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER

SPARK BOSTON TO HOLD "CHIEF CHAT" WITH BOSTON'S CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER AND CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER
BOSTON - Wednesday, August 31, 2016 - On Thursday, September 1st, SPARK Boston will host its second "Chief Chat," focused on how the City of Boston implements digital tools to make City government more welcoming, beautiful and user-friendly.

The Chief Chat will be held at Bill's Bar in Fenway, and moderated by John Gordon, Chief Digital Officer for Current by GE. Boston's Chief Information Officer Jascha Franklin-Hodge and Chief Digital Officer Lauren Lockwood will discuss their work to integrate innovative technology into City government, including launching the new Boston.gov website.

The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to pre-register on EventBrite, but walk-ins are welcome.  

SPARK Boston works to facilitate ongoing conversations between City leadership and Boston's millennial population. Chief Chats are a series of events where City officials and young adult residents come together in a social setting to engage in dialogue about improving our city together. To learn more about the Chief Chat series, visit the SPARK website.

Chief Chats are sponsored by SPARK Boston, a City-led program that fosters engagement between the City of Boston and its millennial population. SPARK Boston works to engage young people in planning Boston's future, setting priorities and addressing City issues.

WHEN:     

Thursday, September 1, 2016
 6:00PM - 8:00PM

WHERE: 

Bill's Bar
Fenway/Kenmore
5 Lansdowne Street, Boston, MA 02215

WHO:   
          
Boston's Chief Information Officer Jascha Franklin-Hodge
Boston's Chief Digital Officer Lauren Lockwood
Chief Digital Officer for Current by GE John Gordon