星期日, 9月 16, 2018
星期六, 9月 15, 2018
AG HEALEY OFFERS RESOURCES AND ADVICE TO RESIDENTS IN THE AFTERMATH OF GAS EXPLOSIONS
BOSTON – As communities in the Merrimack Valley cope with the aftermath of the devastating fires and explosions yesterday, Attorney General Maura Healey is offering resources and advice to residents in need of support.
“The state’s first priority is to ensure the safety of the Merrimack Valley, assist fire victims, and restore power and gas to residents,” AG Healey said. “While state and federal safety regulators determine the cause of these explosions, my office will serve as a resource for homeowners, renters, and all residents trying to rebuild and recover from this disaster.”
Residents are being reminded to contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy & Response Division for help and is offering guidance on smart charitable giving to assist victims.
Tips for Homeowners Who Suffered Damage
- If your home has been damaged or destroyed, it is important that you make a list as soon as possible of valuable items in your home (furniture, jewelry, electronics, cash, etc.). This will help complete claims paperwork later.
- Keep all receipts for any money you spend related to this emergency, such as hotel bills, monies paid to hospitals, replacement clothing or baby supplies, etc.
- If possible, document any damage with pictures or videos and do not dispose of any damaged items unless instructed otherwise.
- Use reasonable means to save and preserve property that has not already been destroyed. For example, if possible, board or tarp open areas exposed to the elements to prevent water damage.
- Public adjusters may attempt to contact you and offer to handle your insurance claim on your behalf. Public adjusters are supposed to act as your representative in dealing with an insurance company in exchange for a percentage of your insurance settlement. There is no requirement that you hire a public adjuster to handle your claim, but if you decide to enter into an agreement with a public adjuster, please read the contract carefully before signing it.
Tips for Displaced Renters
- Many renters in the region may be unable to safely occupy their homes for days or weeks, depending upon the extent of the damage. Some housing may be permanently uninhabitable.
- Renters should contact their landlord and notify them in writing about the extent of damage to rental units.
- Residents may want to document damage with photographs from their unit, if the unit can be entered safely.
- If units are uninhabitable, renters should discuss alternate housing that the landlord can provide or withholding rent while the renter finds other housing.
- Renters should review the terms of their leases to hold informed conversations.
- All rental housing in Massachusetts must meet state standards for health and safety.
Make Smart, Safe Charitable Contributions to Support Victims
- Never give to a charity you know nothing about. Well-established charities with experience in disaster relief, community foundations, or organizations established with support from government agencies are generally a good choice. One example is the Lawrence Emergency Fund of the Essex County Community Foundation.
- If you are contributing over the internet, make sure that the website you are visiting belongs to a legitimate and established charity.
- Most crowdfunding sites are not charities and many typically take a percentage of your donation as a fee.
- Ask lots of questions. How much of the money goes to the charity and how much to a professional fundraiser? Ask if your contribution is tax deductible and what the charity intends to do with any excess contributions that might remain after the victims’ needs are addressed.
- Beware of social media posts or emails soliciting donations to copycat organizations or fake websites.
- Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone soliciting money.
- Never pay by cash. Pay by check or credit card and make a check out directly to the charity, not the fundraiser or any other individual. Specify, on the check and in writing, whenever possible, the purpose of your donation.
- Visit the Donating to a Charity page on the AG’s website.
For more information or assistance, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy & Response Division’s Consumer Hotline at 617-727-8400. They are open from Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
波士頓榮光會徵求雙十遊行支援
波士頓榮光聯誼會緊急徵召中華民國退徐役軍,警,憲,國民兵及認同中華民國之僑民加入波士頓榮光聯誼會支援波士頓區民國107(2018) 年度愛國遊行活動:
十月六日雙十國慶千人大遊行: 由波士區傳统僑社,郊區社團,各學校及廣大僑民共襄盛舉. 由中國城牌樓集合(9:30)行經市區後舉行昇旗典禮. 並有各式舞龍, 獅, 武術表演等文化活動
十一月十一日波士頓區美國退伍軍人大遊行: 由本區美退伍軍人組織辦理. 歷年本會係唯一受邀請之外國單位. 本區各退伍軍人單位均組隊参閱,另有各現役軍人及預備軍官團支援. 環遊市區中心後在市府廣場集合. 本會隊伍著印有中華民國國旗之本會背心及國徽船形帽在中美两國國旗引導下展示國威並向主流社會增取認同.
有意者請聯絡: 馮臺甲
781-380-3903 Email: taichiafng@gmail.com
石家孝 508-366-2024 Email: ray_shih2011@yahoo.com
星期五, 9月 14, 2018
MASSACHUSETTS LEAD IN DRINKING WATER PROGRAM RECOGNIZED BY EPA FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENTS
The Children’s Health Award Recognizes a Multi-Agency Partnership to Encourage Lead and Copper Testing in Public Schools
BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust’s Lead in Drinking Water Assistance Program received the Children’s Health Award from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The award recognizes the programs efforts to encourage more public schools and day care centers to test for lead and copper in their school drinking water.
“We are honored to receive this award from the EPA recognizing the hard work done to ensure safe drinking water for our students,” said Treasurer Goldberg, chair of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. “I am proud to work collaboratively to provide our schools and day care centers the funds they need to test water in their buildings.”
“It is an honor to receive this environmental merit award on behalf of the Baker-Polito Administration from EPA recognizing the important work that has been accomplished to protect the health of thousands of students and school staff,” said MassDEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg. “This program has been a success thanks to the collaborative efforts of our partners at the Clean Water Trust, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the Departments of Elementary and Secondary Education and Early Education and Care, and the Department of Public Health.”
The program is designed to encourage more schools to perform lead and copper testing with the help of experts at MassDEP. Under current federal laws, testing in schools is voluntary and this program is designed to help schools implement effective testing programs and take water samples and to educate them about how to address elevated levels.
The testing program was funded last year with $2.75 million made available by the Baker-Polito Administration and Treasurer Goldberg through the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust.
Since the launch of the program, more than 150 communities received technical assistance and more than 800 school buildings had plans to map out all fixtures to be tested. In addition, nearly 56,000 water samples were collected from about 32,000 faucets, fountains and other fixtures in schools.
The EPA's Environmental Merit Awards Program has honored teachers, citizen activists, business leaders, scientists, public officials and others who have made outstanding contributions on behalf of the region's public health and natural environment. The Massachusetts Lead in Drinking Water Team were among 28 recipients across New England honored for their work to protect New England's environment.
MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES 2019 MAYOR'S YOUTH COUNCIL MEMBERS
| MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES 2019 MAYOR'S YOUTH COUNCIL MEMBERS |
BOSTON - Friday, September 14, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the members of the 2019 Mayor's Youth Council, a group of 85 high school-aged youth committed to improving their communities and empowering other young people in the City. The Mayor's Youth Council (MYC) advises Mayor Walsh and members of his administration on policy and programming and were selected following an extensive application and interview process.
"I'm pleased to welcome our newest members of the Youth Council," said Mayor Walsh. "Boston's young people have a unique voice and perspective in our City and I look forward to gaining the feedback and advice of our youngest advisors."
Members of the MYC come from all across Boston and attend a variety of public, parochial, private and alternative schools. The MYC is a year-round commitment, and members devote eight to 13 hours a month to meetings, impact and service projects and engagement. The number of youth representing each neighborhood is based upon census data that indicates where young people live in Boston.
"Youth have the potential to be powerful agents of change," said Chief of Health and Human Services, Marty Martinez. "Through the Mayor's Youth Council, our young people will amplify the voice of Boston's youth and catalyze positive change throughout the community."
MYC representatives form issue-centric subcommittees based on input from youth and Mayor Walsh's cabinet structure. The current committees include: Arts & Culture, Education & Youth Lead the Change, Civic Engagement, Workforce & Economic Development, and Public Health & Safety. Twelve directors and deputy directors were voted in by their peers to lead the Council's committees.
"I feel very privileged to serve on the council because it gives me the opportunity to share my ideas and opinions on how to improve Boston," said Donna Gee, 16, of the South End. "I'm also meeting new people, and working on projects and developing a plan to involve the community."
In the past year, members of the MYC have worked on a variety of issues related to public safety, participatory budgeting, and civic engagement. The MYC provided feedback to the MBTA on their 5-year transportation plan and to the City's Go Boston 2030 transportation plan; guided the community input process for how the City of Boston spends $1 million of the City budget through "Youth Lead the Change"participatory budgeting; and led many discussions around current issues and events.
"I'm really excited to be serving again," said Matthew Wang, 17, of Dorchester. "I didn't know what to expect last year but I learned that we have a power that I didn't know we had. I'm excited to work on issues important to me like exploring pushing back school start times and creating more after school programs for schools."
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科技部政次許有進率北中南三科學園區訪波士頓招商
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左起，華府經文處科技組組長曾東澤、科技部產學司副司長涂君怡、
新竹科學園區局長王永壯、科技部次長許有進、波士頓經文處處長
徐佑典、南部科學園區管理局局長林威呈、中部科學園區副局長
施文芳。(周菊子攝)
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(Boston
Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)台灣科技部次長許有進率北中南三個科學園區首長訪美招商，13日抵達波士頓，在凱悅酒店向近百人闡述台灣願景，希望吸引海外優秀創意與軟體設計，結合台灣享譽世界的生產，製造能力，把台灣的科技業與國力帶上新高峰。
台灣自從設立科技部，原任台大學術副校長的陳良基出任部長以來，科技部頻仍出訪取經，為招聘人才，橋接技術，建立合作關係，在短短二年間，前前後後訪問波士頓已不下三次。
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| 科技部政務次長許有進(中)和，左起，科技部產學司副司長涂君怡， 竹科局長王永壯，南科局長林威呈，中科副局長施文芳會末回答提問。 (周菊子攝) |
自己曾兩度成功創業，也是半導體專家的科技部政務次長許有進，這次率團訪美，邀集台灣三大科學園區首長同行，讓海外廠商有機會近距離和新竹的王永壯，南部的林威呈，中部的副局長施文芳直接交流，更精準說明各園區重心，加強「台灣科學園區招商及行銷說明會」的效率。
其中一名隨團出訪者透露，到台灣創辦科技公司的人會發現，做研發或製造產品所需要的上下游廠商，全在2小時車程內可以找齊，此外，台灣人才豐富，可培養度極高這些優勢，全世界沒有哪幾個國家可以比得上。
這場說明會，除了介紹台灣北中南三個科學園區的特色與發展方向之外，還特地安排了三段見證講談。
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| 科技部政務次長許有進(中)和兩名創業家Origin Wireless主席李政鋒(右)， 上騰生技顧問蔡秀娟(左)。(周菊子攝) |
上智生技創投旗下上騰生技顧問的國際事務資深顧問蔡秀娟，暢談”從美國角度看台灣創新的發展與機會”。她指出台灣在全世界百大科技群聚點中，台北排名第40，台南及高雄排名第87，台灣的科技實力絕對比很多人想像的要好很多。
Origin
Wireless主席暨營運長李政峰則是闡述智慧無線電波的應用，將改變整個社會，家庭的生活模式，以及台灣吸引該公司到竹科設分支機構的原因。
麻州國際貿易及發展辦公室主任馬克蘇利文(Mark Sullivan)也應邀出席，從他曾在台灣工作，負責架設電訊塔台的經驗，談到麻州與台灣的相似之處，以及麻州在創新上全美排名第一，雙方有很多進一步合作機會。
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| 麻州國際貿易及投資辦公室主任蘇利文(Mark F. Sullivan)。(周菊子攝) |
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| 李政鋒(中)和他的創業投資人，EGI創投合夥人黃筑鈞(右)，許恒源(左)。 (周菊子攝) |
許有進在波士頓舉行的記者會中指出，台灣從1976年開始創辦科學園區，帶動科技發展，也使台灣成為全球的半導體龍頭，近年擴大，分別在中部，南部也設立了科學園區，分別以精準機械，生物醫療為重點發展方向。2017年的科技產值達2046兆台幣，比2016年增長了3%，2018年和2017年的前六個月相比，成長更高，約為8.5%，其中半導體，精密機械，生物醫療等三個領域的成長幅度，都在10%以上，可見科技業又重新爆發能量。科技部此行率團出訪，旨在向海外各界介紹台灣科技實力與發展方向，希望吸引海外創意與優秀的軟體設計到台灣，結合台灣的生產，製造優勢，把整個行業帶上新高峰。人工智慧應用，創新創意發展，都是重點。
科技部指出，在台灣歷史中，這還是第一次由科技部率三個科學園區往訪國外招商，希望為海內外合作播下種子。該部預定明年一月組團訪日本。
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| 新英格蘭台灣商會會長歐陽露(右一)和前會長王本仁(左一)， 為籌備中的會議邀請，右起，EGI創投合夥人黃筑鈞，許恒源， 玉山科協前會長李政欣等人做評審。(周菊子攝) |
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| 波克萊台灣商會會長楊羅東(右二)與理事們，右起， 徐小玲，陳玉瑛，郭競儒，劉秀春出席支持科技部 招商活動。(周菊子攝) |
星期四, 9月 13, 2018
Art and Innovation: Disrupting the Status Quo 9/14 – 10/14
Art and Innovation:
Disrupting the Status Quo
September 14 – October
14, 2018
Malden,
Massachusetts - September 13, 2018
- The Gallery in Malden located at 480 Main
Street, is pleased to announce the opening of the exhibition “Art and
Innovation” on Friday, September 14, 2018 at 6:30pm. The show features artwork
from nine artists working with diverse mediums brought together by a call for art
that disrupts the status quo.
By process, subject matter, and ideas, the works on display
represent the compelling edge many artists drive toward – to challenge what has
been done before and to help viewers to expand thinking about life and art.
Participating artists are Deborah Ann Corleto, Cathy Granese, Bob Greene, Siena
Hancock, Sand T Kalloch, Lindsy Elizabeth Marshall, Betsy Rodman, Fay Shaw, and
Allison Tanenhaus.
The show will be
available for viewing through October 14, 2018 at The Gallery in Malden, 480
Main Street during gallery hours: Tuesdays-Sundays 11am to 7pm. For more information about this exhibition and
The Gallery, please visit thegalleryinc.com or email info@thegalleryinc.com
MAYOR WALSH PURSUES LITIGATION AGAINST THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
| MAYOR WALSH PURSUES LITIGATION AGAINST THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY |
City seeks to recover damages to bolster recovery efforts in Boston and address the growing opioid epidemic
BOSTON - Thursday, September 13, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the City of Boston has filed a complaint in Suffolk Superior Court against 13 opioid manufacturers, four distributors, and one local doctor that have contributed to the local opioid epidemic through misleading marketing and reckless dissemination of opioids that has led to the deaths of more than 723 Boston residents since 2013. As part of the litigation, the City is seeking to recover both past and future damages and injunctive relief associated with addressing the opioid epidemic in Boston.
"Boston has reached a breaking point in the fight against the opioid epidemic," said Mayor Walsh. "We have a public health crisis on our hands that has steadily gotten worse in recent years and even though we have been increasing access to critical treatments and supports, we can't fight this alone. It's time to hold accountable the companies that created and fostered this crisis and pursue remedies to stop its harmful marketing tactics."
The litigation focuses on several pharmaceutical companies that irresponsibly saturated the market with opioids, knowingly putting consumers at risk for addiction. The defendants manufacture, market, and sell prescription opioid pain medications, including the brand-name drugs OxyContin and Percocet, and generic drugs such as oxycodone.
In addition, the suit alleges opioid drugs have been marketed in a misleading, deceptive and dangerous way, which helped give rise to the opioid epidemic in the City of Boston and throughout the country. Between 2010 and 2016, an average of 457 mg of oxycodone were dispersed per Boston resident, which is double the state average and nearly three times over the national average.
"My first experience with opioids came with an emergency room prescription for a minor injury when I was 14," said Jared Owen, an individual in long-term recovery who now works for the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery (MOAR). "I fell in love with the way they made me feel. I remember stealing OxyContin that my dad had been prescribed when I was in high school, and getting it from some dealers when I was in graduate school at MIT. They were expensive, so like many other people, I turned to heroin."
The City asserts that the increased dissemination of opioids correlates directly to skyrocketing addiction, overdose and death; black markets for diverted prescriptions opioids; and an accompanying rise in heroin and fentanyl abuse by individuals who could no longer legally acquire or afford prescription opioids. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified addiction to prescription pain medication as the strongest risk factor for heroin addiction.
"The opioid epidemic has inflicted unprecedented suffering on the people of Boston," said Michael Botticelli, executive director of the Grayken Center for Addiction Medicine. "Boston Medical Center sees its impact on a daily basis in the people brought to our emergency room, inpatient beds, and those seeking treatment services. The Grayken Center is proud to support the Mayor in his efforts to bring this suffering to an end and to show our support for his actions today to hold opioid manufacturers responsible for their role in creating this epidemic."
"At The Dimock Center, our number one priority is patient care, especially as we face the ongoing unprecedented opioid epidemic," said Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, President and CEO of The Dimock Center. "The opioid epidemic touches everyone, regardless of race, socioeconomic status and geographic locations. And we have all been touched by it personally and/or via family and friends. Dimock's integrated services model and continuum of care remains committed to breaking down barriers to provide the help that is needed. In response to this immediate need, we have increased our capacity to include 40 beds thus reaching 4,000 patients annually, welcoming men and women from our neighborhood and across the Commonwealth to begin their road to recovery."
"I am happy to stand with Mayor Walsh and support his efforts to seek damages associated with the opioid epidemic here in Boston," said City Councilor Frank Baker. "The crisis we are in today is due in large part to deceptive practices within the pharmaceutical industry. Despite our best efforts to combat this crisis, it continues to get worse. It is my hope we can use the funding from this litigation to help build a real recovery campus on Long Island."
The City is seeking relief to recover approximately $64 million spent to combat the opioid epidemic, plus the necessary funds to abate the crisis, in addition to future damages the City will incur as the epidemic progresses. Almost all City departments have been impacted, including the Boston Fire Department, Boston Police Department, Boston Public Health Commission, Boston Emergency Medical Services, Boston Public Library, Boston Parks and Recreation Department, Inspectional Services Department, Property Management, and Boston Public Schools.
Having been in recovery for over 20 years, Mayor Walsh understands firsthand how easily addiction can take hold and how difficult it can be to recover. In his first term, Mayor Walsh made expanding access to recovery services in Boston a priority by creating the Office of Recovery Services to study substance use in Boston and lead the city's strategy around substance use disorders, addiction and recovery. This is the first and only municipal recovery office in the nation.
In addition, Mayor Walsh mandated the life-saving medication naloxone (Narcan) be carried in every public safety vehicle in the city in his first two weeks in office and launched a new 24/7 hotline through 311 to help people struggling with addiction access all levels of recovery services.
Continuing these efforts into his second term, Mayor Walsh announced in his inaugural speech that his Administration will rebuild the Long Island Bridge and invest in a comprehensive, long-term recovery facility on Long Island. These new services will offer a continuum of care, from harm reduction, to detox, to residential treatment, to transitional housing and ongoing peer support, and equip people with the opportunity to rebuild a life.
The City retained Motley Rice in June 2018 to represent the City of Boston in litigation against the pharmaceutical industry for their role in the opioid crisis, following a Request for Information to inform the City's approach for developing a potential legal strategy. Motley Rice is one of the nation's largest and most successful plaintiffs' firms and is playing a leading role in helping state and local governments across the country address the opioid crisis by investigating and litigating against pharmaceutical companies and seeking to hold them accountable for misconduct that helped give rise to the opioid crisis.
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