Governor Baker Nominates Attorney Kathleen Sandman of Springfield to the Probate and Family Court

Governor Baker Nominates Attorney Kathleen Sandman of Springfield to the Probate and Family Court

BOSTON— Today, Governor Charlie Baker nominated Kathleen A. Sandman to serve as an Associate Justice of the Probate and Family Court, Circuit Division. Sandman has 28 years of legal experience and concentrates her practice in family litigation, real estate law and personal injury.

Sandman has been nominated to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of The Honorable Stephen M. Rainaud.

“Attorney Sandman’s knowledge of the law, courtroom experience and temperament make her well suited for the Probate and Family Courts in Western Massachusetts,”said Governor Charlie Baker. “If confirmed, I am confident that her wisdom and commitment to justice will serve the litigants and attorneys in the this court well.”

“I am pleased with the nomination of this intelligent and skilled Springfield attorney,”said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “If confirmed by the Governor’s Council, the Probate and Family Court will benefit greatly from Attorney Sandman’s wisdom and judgment.”

The Probate and Family Court Department has jurisdiction over family-related and probate matters such as divorce, paternity, child support, custody, parenting time, adoption, termination of parental rights, abuse prevention and wills, estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and changes of name.

For more information on the Probate & Family Court, visit: http://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/trial-court/pfc/

Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and recommended to the governor. Governor Baker established the JNC in February, 2015 pursuant to Executive Order 558, a non-partisan, non-political Commission composed of volunteers from a cross-section of the Commonwealth's diverse population to screen judicial applications. Twenty-one members were later appointed to the JNC in April, 2015.

About Kathleen A. Sandman

Kathleen Sandman has served as a sole practitioner since 2009. Sandman began her legal career in 1987 as an associate attorney for the Springfield, MA firm of Odierna & Beaumier and then joined the Wellesley, MA firm of Gould and Gould, LLP. In 1989, she became a partner at Connor, Sandman and Weisser, LLP in Agawam, MA and has concentrated her practice on probate and family litigation, divorce, paternity, guardianship litigation, estate planning and personal injury law. Attorney Sandman is affiliated with several volunteer organizations working to assist litigants in the Probate and Family Court.  From 2000-2004, Attorney Sandman served as a Planning Board Member in the town of Granville, MA. Sandman earned a juris doctor degree from Western New England College School of Law in 1987 and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Siena College as a magna cum laude graduate in 1984, studying political science. She currently lives with her family in Springfield, MA. 

波士頓台大校友夏日野餐70餘人歡聚

波士頓台大校友會會長蕭蔚，住波士頓經文處處長夫婦賴銘琪，雲雯蓁(中)與部分出席校友合影。(波士頓台大校友會提供)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子報導) 波士頓台大校友會7月15日在安多福(Andover)休閒公園舉辦每年一度的夏日野餐會，雖然因為當地政府修改了場地租借辦法，活動改成從早上九點半至下午一點舉行，校友一樣出席踴躍，有70多人到會玩遊戲，搶答趣味問題，共用午餐，遊湖，散步，其樂融融。

波士頓台大校友會會長蕭蔚報告會務。

              波士頓台大校友會今年的會長是1977年社會系的蕭蔚博士。退休前在麻州政府做主管，研究社會階層，分析公共政策，老人長期照護。
                          蕭蔚在聚會中介紹了今年的校友會理事，幹部，包括副會長吳杏玫，財務兼總務王素芬，秘書長賴政宏，資訊網頁莊保羅，聯絡李苡惠等人，以及來自台灣的訪問學者，洪惠敏教授和曾永華教授，以及協助辦野餐會的義工前會長張冕。
                 蕭蔚也簡短報告了該會這半年的活動，如一月的元旦升旗典禮，二月的生涯規畫系列講座，以及其他經文處和僑教中心的活動。另外校友會也更新了四百多名校友的資料，校友會的網頁和臉書。                      

波士頓僑教中心提供

                     蕭蔚匯報完過去這半年來的活動後，台大校友們跟著張越麒跳排舞，搶答江佩蓉準備的與校友會有關趣味問答，享用午餐，冰淇淋，水果。

              駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪和波士頓華僑文教中心主任歐宏偉這天都應邀出席並致詞，感謝台大校友們支持經文處及僑教中心的活動，提醒它們參加今年的雙十遊行，升旗，餐會等各項活動。歐宏偉還鼓勵台大校友們在雙十期間組團回台灣參加慶典，做健康檢查，享受醫美服務。
                            在活動中，賴銘琪處長還送了一個平板電腦給最年輕的校友郭書妤，送出一瓶金車名酒給下屆會長吳杏玫。

              查詢波士頓台大校友會詳情，可上網http://gbaantu.org。(圖片及部分資料由波士頓僑教中心提供)(7 月19日更新版)

MAYOR WALSH LAUNCHES NEW HOUSING POLICIES TO SUPPORT RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

MAYOR WALSH LAUNCHES NEW HOUSING POLICIES TO SUPPORT RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

BOSTON - Wednesday, July 19, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh, joined by members of the Mayor's Disability Housing Task Force, today announced  new accessibility policies that will increase access to housing opportunities for people with disabilities in Boston.  The Task Force spent 18 months outlining challenges and identifying ways to improve housing access, and these new policies are the direct result of that work.   The Task Force's work marks a key deliverable of Mayor Walsh's housing plan, which is committed to "acquire a better understanding of the needs of the disability community, and to establish both production targets and procedures to make it easier for people with disabilities to occupy accessible housing." "When we talk about making our city a fair and equitable place to live, we need to make sure that we are inclusive of all Bostonians, including those with disabilities.," said Mayor Walsh.  "I commend the members of this Task Force for their energy, passion, and willingness to have frank conversations with us about how we could do better.  These new policies will go a long way in making Boston more accessible to all." According to the most recent data from the American Community Survey, approximately 75,000 people - nearly 12 percent of Boston's population - have a disability of one type or another.  Accessible housing is one of the most important needs of people with disabilities, especially Boston's 22,000 non-elderly persons with ambulatory disabilities, 9,800 non-elderly persons with visual disabilities, and 7,400 people with auditory disabilities.   "The housing crisis is very real for people with disabilities in Boston-- every day we work with people seeking those scarce units that are affordable and accessible," said Bill Henning, Director of the Boston Center for Independent Living. "We commend Mayor Walsh for supporting these initiatives as part of a needed, methodical effort to create more housing options for all in Boston." To ensure greater equity and access to housing for people with disabilities, the Task Force outlined three key goals: Increase the supply of accessible housing for persons with disabilities Improve outreach and marketing for available accessible housing units and resources Increase support services to ensure stable housing for persons with disabilities Achieving these goals will require significant collaboration across City agencies, including the Commission for Persons with Disabilities, the Department of Neighborhood Development, the Boston Planning & Development Agency, the City's Inspectional Services Department, the Department of Innovation and Technology, the Office of Housing Stability, and the Boston Home Center. The new accessibility housing policies will be implemented in phases, starting immediately and continuing through the next year. The key initiatives of these policies are outlined below: Affordable Supply: A new set aside policy will increase the number of affordable units designed and marketed to disabled households from five to ten percent in new City-funded elevator buildings.  In addition, the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) will increase the number of accessible income-restricted units produced via the the Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP), requiring that in buildings already creating accessible units, 15 percent of the income-restricted units also be accessible. Funding: Both the BPDA and DND will assess income and asset requirements for prospective renters and homeowners to ensure that persons with disabilities are not deterred from purchasing or renting accessible, affordable homes due to criteria that can be reasonably adjusted. The City will also create a loan fund to assist families developing Accessory Dwelling Units for use by a disabled family member in one of the three pilot neighborhoods planned for expedited zoning and permitting of these units. The Boston Home Center will assess the feasibility of a loan program that provides gap funding for qualified owner-occupants of 1- to 4-family residential properties who do not qualify for the state's already extant HOME Modification Loan Program. This potential new loan product would aid homeowners in making accessibility improvements to their homes for themselves or their  tenants. Navigation: The City will distribute widely a newly-created, detailed resource guide that highlights important housing programs and services available in and around Boston.  Also, the City will begin work to create an online Accessible Housing Portal that captures all housing opportunities for persons with disabilities in one place.   Incentives: The City will assist nonprofit developer partners in applying for Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities loans from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  These loans offer rental subsidies to nonprofit developers of affordable rental housing with supportive services, which will help to defray the cost of constructing new accessible housing.   Stability: The Office of Housing Stability will expand its case management offerings for people with disabilities who are at high risk of homelessness by matching them with caseworkers who can assist them in finding suitable housing, and will more intentionally link people with disabilities to the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development for information on financial empowerment, economic stability, and tax preparation.   Future Development: The Commission for Persons with Disabilities will continue to monitor accessibility in all new construction projects in Boston in collaboration with the BDPA through an updated and expandedArticle 80 Accessibility Checklist. This checklist was implemented two years ago as a requirement of the development approval process, and requires developers to provide detailed information about accessibility throughout each stage of their project.   Members of the Task Force include: Kristen McCosh, Commissioner, Commission for Persons with Disabilities Sheila Dillon, Chief of Housing and Director, Department of Neighborhood Development Bill Henning, Executive Director, Boston Center for Independent Living Sally English, Director of Services, Boston Center for Independent Living Charleen Regan, Housing and Community Development Consultant Valerie Fletcher, Executive Director, Institute for Human Centered Design Remoun Jourdan, IL Outreach Advocate, Multi-Cultural Independent Living Center of Boston Barbara Chandler, Senior Advisor on Civil Rights and Fair Housing, MBHP           Don Bianchi, Senior Policy Advocate, Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations, Rachel Heller, Director of Public Policy, Citizen's Housing and Planning Association Charles Hollins, Director of Advocacy, Bay Cove Patricia Cooper, Vice President Housing Development, Vinfen Kevin Martone, Executive Director, Technical Assistance Collaborative John Winske, Executive Director, Disability Policy Consortium Kristin Craig, Case Worker, Spaulding Rehab Hospital Alexis Buckley, Affirmative Marketing Specialist, Office of Fair Housing and Equity Gabrielle Vacheresse, Home Start Inc Rob Consalvo, Deputy Director, Boston Public Schools Prataap Patrose, Deputy Director for Urban Design, Boston Planning & Development Agency Marc Mallard, Member, National Alliance on Mental Illness Donna Grady, Member, Boston Center for Independent Living Olivia Richard, Member, Boston Center for Independent Living Janice Ward, Advocate, Mass ADAPT Sue White, Director of Affordable Housing, Vinfen

查理貝克再登全美最受歡迎州長寶座

麻州長查理貝克。(左二，州長辦公室提供)

                        (Boston Orange)麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)又當選為全美最受歡迎州長了。民意支持率71%。

晨諮(Morning Consult)公司7月18日公佈，在該公司於4月1日至7月10日間訪問19萬5000名登記選民的結果中，全美50州中，最受歡迎的州長是麻州的查理貝克，以及馬里蘭州的Larry Hogan。最不討人喜歡的是新澤西州的Chris Christie，以及堪薩斯州的Sam Brownback。

有趣的是，最受歡迎和最討人厭的州長，都是共和黨籍。全美50州中民主黨居民佔多數的州，似乎都支持共和黨籍州長，不但全美最受歡迎州長前10名，清一色共和黨籍，其中最受歡迎的兩名州長所帶領的州，也都是藍色大州，麻州及馬里蘭州。

新澤西州州長Chris Christie民調大降的原因之一是，該州最近才因政府關閉而封鎖了一海灘，禁止民眾前往。他卻被人看到帶著家人在那海灘上度假。Sam Brownback 2012年制定政策減稅，聲稱會帶動經濟，結果他的同黨議員卻推翻了他否決加稅的決定。

查理貝克和Larry Hogan都很善於和人達成協議，迴避了大部分的全國性政治議題，也一直不很支持川普，以及美國國會的廢除奧巴馬醫療健保法行動。都打算在2018年競選連任的他們兩人，在民主黨雲集的藍色大州中，依序享有71%，68%的支持率。

波士頓新添玉河舞蹈團 博睿中國風演出討喜

新近成立的玉河舞蹈团7月10日晚上受邀到Stonehill College参加美国博睿主办的“中国风”演出，三百余名美国、中国师生观看了演出。

玉河舞蹈团的成员皆是有多年舞蹈实践经验的资深舞者，受教于中国专业舞蹈教师，其舞蹈表演在省、市及全国均斩获不少奖项。玉河舞蹈团志在用舞蹈这一无国界的美丽形式服务社区，服务社团、为丰富多元文化、社区生活、以及社团活动给力（857-234-6696）

刘国玉(领舞)、程俭和牛江河表演中国特色“斗牛舞”

为了在有限的时间内，让观者更好地了解中国艺术，玉河舞蹈团以声乐、器乐和舞蹈这三种不同的形式展现中国风。

声乐出场的是 男女声小合唱“龙船调”，早在上世纪八十年代，《龙船调》就被联合国科教文组织评为世界25首优秀民歌之一和《中国民歌40首大联唱》优秀民歌。那一女声娇问“妹娃要过河，哪个来推我吗”，男声回应“我来推你嘛”相当的有民族味道。

蔡-格桑梅朵 Grace Cai弹奏“山丹丹开花红艳艳”

在中国特色的乐器中，杨琴可谓独树一帜。蔡-格桑梅朵 Grace Cai弹奏“山丹丹开花红艳艳”，和“梁祝”时，音色明亮，如叮咚的山泉，音色也清脆，如大珠小珠落玉盘。不少观众当场就喜爱上了这种中国乐器，以及中华民族伟大的音乐作品“梁祝”。

由刘国玉(领舞)、程俭和牛江河表演的中国特色“斗牛舞” 沿用了西班牙斗牛舞曲，但在舞蹈的设计编排以及表现风格上渲染了浓重的中国元素。于是在阳刚、雄壯的音乐中，观众欣赏到了一支“洋为中用”“中西结合”的，兼具东西方风情的优美舞蹈。

 

除了热烈的掌声外，听众慷慨地给了每个节目大量的口哨声、尖叫声（老外特色），他们很兴奋，很高兴这样愉快地走进中国文化。(圖與文:玉河舞蹈團提供)

BCNC Giles Li Named Barr Foundation Fellow

BCNC Giles Li Named Barr Foundation Fellow

In recognition of his leadership and impact at Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC) and within the Greater Boston community, Giles Li has been named a Barr Foundation Fellow.

As one of 12 members selected for the 2017 Class of Barr Fellows, Li will participate in a two-year program that includes a group learning journey, a three-month sabbatical, and facilitated retreats. BCNC will also receive a grant of up to $100,000 from the Foundation to support Li’s participation in the Fellowship, leadership and organizational development and exploration of new ideas.

“This fellowship is a recognition of this dedicated and talented staff team that I just happen to lead. They are the ones that have made BCNC the impactful and sound organization it is today. I am so grateful to the Barr Foundation for this opportunity, and for investing in the leadership of the entire sector, “said Giles Li.  

“The Barr Foundation is committed to investing in effective, visionary, and collaborative leaders. It is our privilege to recognize and support this exceptional group of leaders,” said Roger Nozaki, Barr Foundation Vice President. “Since the Foundation inaugurated the Barr Fellowship in 2005, these leaders have built a remarkable legacy of service and impact in Boston and beyond. We look forward to working with and investing in this newest class and their organizations, and seeing the impact of their individual and collective leadership.”

Each new class of Fellows is nominated through a confidential process. There is no application. This year’s process began in January, with confidential nominations invited from over 200 individuals, including Foundation staff, alumni of the Barr Fellowship network, and others who have strong knowledge of the diverse leaders working in Greater Boston.  After confirming the eligibility of nominees, those nominators were invited to review and provide input on eligible candidates. An eight-member selection committee, including three Foundation trustees and five civic leaders, then determined finalists.

For more information about the Barr Fellowship, including bios of the Class of 2017, visit:www.barrfoundation.org/fellows

國泰銀行基金捐款 支持青年學習服務

The Cathay Bank Foundation Grants BCNC $10,000 in support of Youth Center

國泰銀行基金捐款   支持青年學習服務

From Left Dong Mai 麥東玲, Cathay Bank AVP and Branch Manager; Giles Li 李隆華, BCNC Executive Director; and

Grant Pattison 白勝德, Cathay Bank First Vice President & Manager, Commercial Lending.

Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC) has received a grant of $10,000 from the Cathay Bank Foundation in support of its youth programs. The Youth Center provides youth ages 13-18 year-round youth development, college access, and leadership programs where youth develop 21st century skills needed to thrive in college and the workforce.