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星期二, 8月 04, 2020

第二屆波士頓台灣影展帶觀眾尋找台灣的美好



2020波士頓臺灣線上影展
8月起每月一檔 帶領觀眾尋回遺失的美好

波士頓臺灣影展今年邁入第二屆,從8月起到年底,每月一檔線上播映經典臺灣電影,並邀請導演或演員參與映後座談會。影展策展人Andrew Lin指出,回首2020上半年的疫情與世界巨變,全世界的人們都正在經歷失去,同時學習珍惜,因此本屆主題是「Lost & Found」,透過電影的啟發帶領觀眾尋回遺失的美好,修復重建對於人生的期待與意義。

打頭陣的是1967年台語片傳奇導演辛奇的《三八新娘憨子婿》(Foolish Bride, Naive Bridegroom),及2019年新銳導演梁秀紅拍攝的劇情短片《前世情人的情人》(Like Father, Like Daughter),兩部片將於美東時間87日中午12時至89日中午12時於線上播映。梁秀紅導演則將於88日晚上8時現身線上映後座談會,與觀眾分享拍片心得。

劇照海報。
《三八新娘憨子婿》描述一對天真可愛的情侶因自由戀愛卻遭到雙方父母阻礙,他們不屈不撓克服困難,最終皆大歡喜的逗趣愛情喜劇。該片擺脫了臺語片中常見的家庭倫理悲情戲,以女追男的劇情,積極提倡自由戀愛的觀點,在當時保守的年代可說是相當難能可貴。

導演辛奇從1950年代投身電影製作,是推動台灣電影的關鍵人物,20年來拍出至少52部電影,可惜現在僅存8部。《三》片由國家電影及視聽文化中心(前身為國家電影中心)2019年數位修復完畢,原始底片膠卷因酸化嚴重,經過專業人員費心修復,才得以最佳的影像狀態重現在影迷面前。

新銳導演梁秀紅的《前世情人的情人》,劇情除取材自《三》片之外,加上2019年臺灣同志婚姻合法化的時代背景,講述年輕時曾追求自由戀愛的爸爸,發現女兒愛上的是另一名女孩的故事。兩部片從自由戀愛到同志平權,傳達出導演向時代致敬的涵意。梁秀紅導演曾說:「現在的我們,看到爭取自由戀愛的情節可能會覺得老套。但願在未來,大家看到爭取同志權益也會笑它老套。」

紐約臺北文化中心表示,這是首次與波士頓臺灣影展合作,影展選片主題性強且相當多元,每個月配合時令播片,也反映出台灣電影的當代多樣性。8月份臺灣父親節從愛情探討父女關係,9月份國際失智症日時選映《老大人》(Dad’s Suit),探討老年照護問題;10月份以臺灣超馬選手陳彥博紀錄片《出發》(Run For Dream)為他加油出賽第35界摩洛哥撒哈拉沙漠250km超馬;11月份選映《滿月酒》(Baby Steps)呼應臺灣同志遊行,探討多元成家、傳宗接代以及代理孕母議題。

更多影展內容及相關購票資訊,請上波士頓台灣影展官網:https://www.taiwanfilmfest.org/查詢。購票鏈接: Buy ticket https://rb.gy/5zeq78

《三八新娘憨子婿》Foolish Bride, Naive Bridegroom

臺灣│1967出品、2019數位修復│101分鐘│黑白│中英字幕
導演:辛奇
演員:石軍、金玫

文德和桂枝是一對年輕情侶,英俊的文德極富女人緣,上門追求的女子絡繹不絕,寡父阿狗為防堵兒子被勾引,設下天羅地網;桂枝嬌俏外向,其寡母亦嚴格禁止桂枝自由戀愛。這對小情侶屢次偷偷幽會,終於被阿狗發現,在桂枝的哭求下答應上門提親。

想不到提親當日,阿狗發現桂枝母親竟是多年前拋棄自己嫁別人的那個她,這下親家結不成反變冤家。文德與桂枝決定私奔同居,然而相愛容易相處難,兩人為了家計大吵一架後,又嚷嚷著要回家找爸媽。這樣的小情侶,真能有幸福美滿的未來嗎?

《前世情人的情人》Like Father, Like Daughter

臺灣│2019│21分鐘│黑白│中英字幕
導演:梁秀紅
演員:吳朋奉、江沂宸、林映唯

曾捍衛自由戀愛的兒子文德,現在成了父親。擋不住三姑六婆的糾纏,他被逼得上門關心女兒的情事,卻意外遇上同婚專法通過的日子。家中女兒和女友正為求婚成功而慶祝,文德該如何面對新世代愛情觀的挑戰?
(紐約臺北文化中心新聞稿)

星期一, 8月 03, 2020

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES FREE POP-UP COVID-19 TESTING IN SOUTH BOSTON


MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES FREE POP-UP COVID-19 TESTING IN SOUTH BOSTON
The 10-day pop-up site is in partnership with the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center





BOSTON - Monday, August 3, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that the City of Boston's pop-up COVID-19 testing site, in partnership with the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, will now be offering COVID-19 testing in South Boston. This COVID-19 testing initiative will be available starting tomorrow, Tuesday, August 4 to Saturday, August 15 at Moakley Park on Old Colony Avenue near 1187 Columbia Road in South Boston. Testing will be available at no cost for both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals by walk-up only. No appointment needed but registration is required for individuals to receive test results. For a quicker testing experience, residents are encouraged to pre-register at (617) 568-4500.

"Testing is one of the best tools we have to stop the spread and reopen safely, and we're going to keep making sure it's widely available here in Boston," said Mayor Walsh. "If you think you might be sick, or if you've been in a group without distancing or masks, get tested. Thank you to the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center for your partnership in making COVID-19 testing more accessible for more residents."

The dates and hours of operation at Moakley Park on Old Colony Avenue near 1187 Columbia Road in South Boston are: 

Tuesday, August 4th to Friday, August 7th: 2:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. 
Saturday, August 8th: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 
Tuesday, August 11th to Friday, August 14th: 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 
Saturday, August 15th: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

The pop-up testing initiative was announced by Mayor Walsh back in May as a way to help fill any gaps in testing availability, prioritizing neighborhoods and populations that need dedicated testing efforts to create equitable access to testing. The site was located at the Washington Park Mall in Roxbury in June and most recently at the BCYF Jackson Mann Community Center in Allston. In Allston, over the course of 10 days, there were 3,205 COVID-19 tests conducted. Of 2,504 results received so far, approximately 1% tested positive for COVID-19. 

"We are glad to be partnering with the City of Boston to provide pop-up testing sites throughout the city," said East Boston Neighborhood Health Center president and CEO Manny Lopes. "Testing is one of the ways that we can mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and by offering accessible testing at sites in Boston, we are able to minimize the spread especially among our most vulnerable populations. For 50 years, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center has served residents of Boston regardless of status and we will continue to do so, even in the face of new challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic."

In addition to the City's pop-up and mobile testing sites, COVID-19 testing is available at over 20 locations across the city. Mobile testing sites also continue to be available at select locations, prioritizing neighborhoods and populations that need dedicated testing efforts to create equitable access to testing. Individuals can call the Mayor's Health Line with any questions using 617-534-5050. For a complete list of all testing sites, visit here

The City of Boston has been partnering with community health centers to increase access to testing, particularly in neighborhoods experiencing higher rates of COVID-19. As of July 27, 2020, there were 115,712 COVID-19 tests of Boston residents. Of 115,712 total tests of Boston residents, 12.5 percent have tested positive, which is down from 13.3 percent reported through July 20. The latest numbers of cases by Boston neighborhoods are available here.

Mayor Walsh and the Boston Resiliency Fund Steering Committee have dedicated over $1,720,000 to expand COVID-19 testing and conduct culturally appropriate outreach and education to community health centers across City of Boston neighborhoods, including Bowdoin Street Community Health Center, Codman Square Community Health Center, The Dimock Center, DotHouse Health, Mattapan Community Health Center, Uphams Corner Community Health Center, Whittier Street Community Health Center, Charles River Community Health, Fenway Health, Greater Roslindale Medical & Dental Center, Harbor Health, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center, Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center, South Boston Community Health Center, NEW Health Charlestown, South End Community Health Center, and Brookside Community Health Center. The Fund has also supported telehealth services and equipment at those community health centers as well to connect testing to safe treatment options at home.
 
Resources and information about COVID-19 are available online. Resources available on boston.gov and through City departments include support for renters and homeowners; small businesses; free meals for Boston students; free toiletries for Boston students; support for older residents; information on homeless shelters; resources for those in recovery or those who have a substance use disorder; and mental health resources. More information on Boston's reopening can be found at boston.gov/reopening.

For additional questions or programs, please visit our coronavirus website or call 3-1-1, Boston's 24-hour constituent hotline. Text BOSCOVID to 888-777 to receive text alerts on a regular basis, available in 11 languages.

###


星期六, 8月 01, 2020

趙小蘭、趙錫成和ILF會長、學員分享一生傳奇

趙錫成博士及特別嘉賓爐邊談話
和逾百名國際領袖基金會學員及顧問分享在病毒大流行期間如何因應

趙錫成、美國交通部部長趙小蘭父女和ILF及各分會會長。
(ILF提供)
 (紐約訊)-202081日星期六這天,趙錫成博士以及一位非常特別的嘉賓——美國第18任交通部部長趙小蘭和逾百名來自全美各地的國際領袖基金會與會者晤談。趙博士談及他一生中面對的挑戰,他年輕時經的病毒大流行,以及他在這些困難時期是如何懷抱希望、態度樂觀面對命運的傳奇故事。

趙錫成、美國交通部部長趙小蘭父女和ILF公共事務學員。
(ILF提供)
趙博士:剛到美國時,我面對許多挑戰。沒有親戚和朋友,太太與三個年幼的女兒都留在亞洲。我和其他的中國交換學生住在同一間公寓。我甚至負擔不起有個自己獨立的房間,只租得起居室的一半。

我想要有些作為,但沒人相信我。抵達美國後沒多久,我接到父親過世的消息。我最後一次見他還是1949年離開中國大陸時。我幾乎崩潰得倒在街上。但是想到我太太和三個女兒,我必須堅持下去。我告訴自己,不能放棄,我必須照顧她們。

趙博士還忠告年輕人,千萬不要怕求助。我剛到美國時,不懂美國的文化或傳統,但我觀察、聆聽,並找出那些肯教我,給我資訊的人。找專家求助很重要。在困難時期,鼓勵你自己,懷抱希望、態度樂觀很重要。

趙錫成博士的一生都奉獻給了海洋事業,以及幫助他人的慈善活動。他是以正直、可靠及服務周到聞名的美國船運公司——福茂集團的創辦人兼榮譽主席。他在江蘇省一個小農村的知識份子家庭中長大。在職業生涯早期,趙博士晉升很快,年僅29歲就成為最年輕的遠洋船長之一。他參加了全國船長牌照考試,並取得有史以來的最高分。這個成就給了他在美國進修的機會。

1964年從紐約市聖約翰大學取得企業管理碩士學位後,趙博士創辦了福茂航運公司,後來擴展成現在的福茂集團。很早開始,福茂集團就用綠色科技把省油設計和科技整合進船隊,使之成為世界最環保散貨船隊之一。由於他對海洋事業的貢獻,在2004年,趙博士被選列入聯合國國際海事名人堂。

趙博士和他已辭世的太太,趙朱木蘭女士一生致力推廣教育及慈善。他們基金會的獎學金造福了數以千計的莘莘學子。為紀念趙朱木蘭女士一生的信仰、家庭及慈善,他們慷慨捐贈創立了許多機構,包括哈佛大學的趙朱木蘭中心,這是哈佛大學384歷史中第一個以亞裔姓名,更是第一個以女性姓名命名的獨立大樓。

趙錫成博士獲有包括美國最高法院Horatio Alger傑出美國人獎、愛麗斯島榮譽勳章在內的無數榮譽與,兼有美國國土安全局表彰趙博士為傑出美國人 (Outstanding American by Choice)”。他獲有多所大學的榮譽博士學位,包括聖約翰大學、Niagara大學、Nyack大學、輔仁大學、國立交通大學、國立台灣海洋大學,以及麻州海洋學院。另外有美東華人學術聯誼會所頒傑出終生成就獎;中美教育信託會所頒領袖及成就獎,以表彰趙博士作為一名鼓舞人心的領袖,為他的社區、國家和世界所作出的巨大貢獻。麻州海洋學院頒給他首屆海軍上將傑出服務獎,表揚他啟發人心的領導力以及對世界的卓越貢獻。 美國中國工程師協會也因他在船隻設計上採用省油及環保科技的領導力而頒發百年獎章給他。趙博士還獲頒哥倫比亞大學首屆EPIC就獎;倫敦勞埃德船舶日報終生成就獎等殊榮。最近,趙博士是最暢銷自傳逆風無畏(FEARLESS AGAINST THE WIND)”的主題人物,這本書也是他妻子趙朱木蘭自傳淡定自(CALM AMIDST THE STORMS)”的補充。

和趙錫成博士一起出席本次活還有一位非常特別的嘉賓——小蘭部長當趙小蘭宣誓成為美國勞工部部長時她成為了美國歷史上第一位被指派進入總統內閣的亞裔女性現在她正出任第二個閣職位榮任美國交通部部長

趙部長8歲時來美就像她的父母一樣從未忘記她的文化傳統部長一生致力為亞裔增加機會在她擔任勞工部部長期間有史以來第一次美國勞工部有了亞裔美國人類別並每月記錄亞裔美國人的就業數據

在當上勞工部部長之前趙部長曾任聯合慈善基金會United Way of America董事長暨執行長以及和平工作團(Peace Corps) 主任每個職位上她總是第一個被任命的亞裔美國人披荊斬棘更多亞裔美國人在美國崛起開闢道路

趙部長獲有哈佛大學商學院企業管理碩士學位以及37個榮譽博士學位她是趙錫成博士和趙朱木蘭女士六個女兒中的長女

國際領袖基金會是501( C ) 3非牟利組織,推廣亞太裔社區的公民意識,公共服務,以及經濟繁榮。查詢更多資料請上網 www.ilfnational.org(ILF提供)

波士頓市議員Ed Flynn介紹A-1區新警長Ciccolo 聆聽華埠民聲

波士頓市議員愛德華費林(Ed Flynn)介紹新上任警長。(周菊子攝)
               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)遇狀況,撥打311?波士頓華埠民眾、商家感謝波士頓市議員愛德華費林(Ed Flynn)介紹新上任的A-1區警長Robert Cioccolo與民晤談的心意,但期盼各界匡助,在311之外,找出不讓流浪漢盤據街頭,店面,逢人索要的更有效方法。
A-1區警長的Robert Ciccolo (左起)和新到任華裔警員Steven Chen,
街道外展小組組長
Michael Stratton,向波士頓華商會共同會長陳文棟
等華埠民眾說明他認為維護治安和讓人感覺安全都很重要的理念。
(周菊子攝)
               波士頓華商會日前召開線上會議,徵詢店家在麻州進入第三階段開放,可利用街邊人行道擺設桌椅,增加生意之際,有無任何可彼此互助,或請政府協助的地方。有與會商家坦言華埠巷弄窄小,街道不夠清潔,佔用人行道或路邊停車位來增加餐飲座位,能吸引的客人其實有限。最讓人困擾的,還是越來越多流浪漢在華埠街頭流連,或站在餐館門前,向進店顧客乞討,不但影響觀瞻,還常常把顧客嚇跑了,讓他們生意更難做。
               波士頓市第二區議員愛德華費林(Ed Flynn)因應波士頓華商會共同會長蔡倩婷,陳文棟,財政余麗媖等人的申訴,731日邀波士頓警察及市府相關人士在華埠牌樓前與民眾晤談,傳達他協助轄區民眾改善生活品質,維護治安的心意。
紐英崙中華公所主席鄭慧民(左),前主席陳家驊(右),
都希望新到任的華裔警員Steve Chen能協助維護華埠
治安。(周菊子攝)
               出席者包括因梅志強(Ken Fong)退休,722日前後接替他出任A-1區警長的Robert Ciccolo,以及6月才調到A-1區服務的華裔警員Steve Chen(陳冠元),街道外展組組長Michael Stratton等警員,市長助理Kim Thai,以及綠路(Greenway)EMS等工作人員。
               透過助理盧善柔的廣東話翻譯,愛德華費林向華埠民眾介紹新上任的A-1區警長等人,直言他的任務就是幫助民眾,希望能藉著促進警方和民眾的聯繫,改善地方環境。他也強調,他辦公室的4名員工,大都是雙語或三語人才,可以直接和市民溝通。
               Robert Cioccolo表示,他在波士頓警察局服務37年,其中4年半擔任北區夜間指揮,其中包括A-1區,因此他對華埠並不陌生。他希望大家知道,他的原則是維護地方安全,還要讓人感覺安全。除了警察報告之外,每天早上他都親自審閱來自311電話的市民抱怨。他指出,311電話會有後續追蹤,社區服務警員會進一步的了解問題詳情。
華埠治安巡邏隊資深隊員謝中之(右)向市議員Ed Flynn描述經歷。
(周菊子攝)
               負責街道外展工作,包括處理流浪漢問題的Michael Stratton坦言,警察局人力有限,希望市民在遇到緊急狀況時才撥打911,其他事故,撥打311比較適合。關於流浪漢,警方能做的也只是盡量令到這些流浪漢不舒服,以促使他們不在某一地點滯留。
               這天出席的波士頓華埠社區組織首長,商家眾多,包括紐英崙中華公所的主席鄭慧民,前主席陳家驊,波士頓華商會共同會長陳文棟,原任昆士高中校長,去年七月又回到波士頓公校總部的張可仁,SBA新英格蘭地區公共事務專員伍少武,喜臨門老闆梁國忠,珍寶樓老闆梅華少,以及肥牛火鍋老闆等人。
波士頓市議員Ed Flynn的介紹警員,聆聽民聲活動,在華埠牌樓前
有數十人出席。(周菊子攝)
               中華公所華埠治安巡邏隊的謝中之更趁機直接陳情,敘述他巡邏多年的經歷,希望能和新任警察保持密切聯繫,一同為維護華埠治安努力。
                        住在乞臣街上的華埠居民會執委Arturo Gossage,店面就在華埠牌樓旁的珍寶樓老闆梅華少都表示,近來流浪漢人數多時,甚至有廿、三十人,的確讓華埠牌樓一帶的居民及來往行人非常頭痛,卻迄今仍莫可奈何。
            731日愛德華費林和警察們和華埠民眾晤談後,還一起從愛丁堡羅街繞過好事福街的走了一圈巡視。不少出席者事後表示,非常希望這樣的接觸能有實際效果,而不是流於形式。(更新版)
喜臨門老闆梁國忠(右),波士頓驊商會財政余麗媖(前)都出席聆聽。
(周菊子攝)



星期五, 7月 31, 2020

White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders hosted Young Leaders Summit




White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI) hosted the AAPI Young Leaders Summit 2020 & the President’s Advisory Commission led an AAPI Young Leaders Roundtable Discussion
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On July 20th, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders hosted their first virtual AAPI Young Leaders Summit. The Summit took place over four days, July 20th – July 23rd, and brought together influential speakers from the AAPI community to address mentorship, community outreach, public service, and entrepreneurship. The Honorable Elaine L. Chao, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, provided special remarks to commence the four-day Summit in which she encouraged young AAPIs to “learn, observe, and listen.”
“We Asian Americans have a wonderful cultural heritage and values. Most of us have wonderful families behind us, supporting us. We have so much to share with mainstream America. Our country is increasingly diverse, so people with diverse backgrounds increasingly have an advantage,” Secretary Chao said as she encouraged college students and interns to “keep learning and remember to always help others along the way.”
“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are vital not only to American culture, but to our economic prosperity and growth as a Nation” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Co-Chair of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. “It is essential that young leaders within the AAPI community work to integrate their cultural perspectives and values into their current work and future careers. America is a nation that celebrates diversity of thought and experience, therefore we must continue to encourage young AAPI leaders to succeed.”
Secretary Chao was joined by Commissioner Chiling Tong (Maryland) of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (PAC-AAPI), who moderated a
WHITE HOUSE INITIATIVE ON ASIAN AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS 1401 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC 20230 www.commerce.gov/whiaapi
lively panel discussion with AAPI leaders in business, civics, and law to provide advice on mentorship and how to grow one’s network, even during a time of social distancing. This was followed by a professional development segment on how to maximize working from home and utilizing social media platforms to find a job.
The following day was co-hosted by both the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service (DOJ-CRS) and PAC-AAPI, with the Chair of the Commission, Dr. Paul Hsu of Florida, joining and presiding over a Roundtable Discussion with young AAPIs. Commissioners Herman Martir of Texas, Grace Lee of Michigan, and Doris Flores Brooks of Guam were also in attendance and expressed their support for the presentation by DOJ-CRS on the topic of growing anti-AAPI sentiment due to the current health pandemic. This was followed by a panel discussion amongst federal partners, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California and the U.S. Department of Education to address concerns of anti-AAPI bias and hate in the workplace, classroom, and community. Immediately following the panel, the Commissioners provided an opportunity for young AAPIs to voice their concerns to the PAC-AAPI as their input is critical for Commissioners to advise the President and the Secretaries of Commerce and Transportation on issues that affect the AAPI community.
WHIAAPI also provided an opportunity for participants to hear directly from AAPI appointees from the Trump Administration. Each provided encouragement and advice as young AAPIs consider going into public service. Included in the “Speaker Spotlight Series” was Derek Kan, Acting Deputy Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget as well as Victorino G. Mercado, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities, US Department of Defense, and Keiko Matsudo Orrall, who is also a Commissioner on PAC-AAPI. Attendees also had the privilege of hearing from Joseph Lai, former Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs in the White House; Maya M. Noronha, Principal Policy Advisor to the Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and Joyce Yoon, Deputy White House Liaison, U.S. Department of Transportation. The event ended with a presentation by Ali Ahmad, Associate Director of Communications at the U.S. Census Bureau, on how Census 2020 has been strategically reaching out to AAPIs across the country.
The Summit concluded with a day on Entrepreneurship hosted by the U.S Small Business Administration (SBA) and WHIAAPI featuring two panels, one on “Starting Your Own Business” and another on “Doing Business with the Government.”. Director of the Los Angeles District SBA office, Ben Raju, who is also WHIAAPI’s Regional Network (RN) Co-lead, was joined by Van Tran, Deputy Associate Administrator for the SBA’s Office of Business Development and Tony Yang of Asian, Inc., which is the operator of Minority Business Centers on behalf of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA).
The AAPI Young Leaders Summit focused on the next generation and addressed the importance of building the pipeline of future public servants, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. It was a tremendous opportunity to engage young AAPIs with federal government leaders as well as
successful AAPIs in both the private and public sectors. Along with federal partners, WHIAAPI will continue to work across the federal government and with the AAPI community to advance the economic empowerment and workforce development of AAPIs.

兩大發展計畫上路 紐英崙中華公所將成華埠大地主

(Boston Orange周菊子波士頓報導) 紐英崙中華公所728日晚一口氣通過30項提案,包括將展延至2021年開工的大同村南停車場蓋樓項目;以6個月為期,將和Pennrose協商發展計畫的喜露街50號,中華公所名下未來將有至少四處物業,營運專業化已成迫在眉睫的需求。
在三分之一董事出席,三分之二網上參加的這次特殊形式會議中,中華公所追認或將推動的議案,竟有30個之多。大同村南停車場,喜露街50號,都將在未來510年成為中華公所旗下物業,管理,營運都將更形複雜,董事中也傳出中華公所需要聘用更多專業人士聲音。
中華公所行政主任朱蘇珊以英文做長達9頁的報告,財政余陳寶愛做報告,幾乎全程用英文,也透露著中華公所正在轉型的趨勢。
當晚會議由中華公所主席鄭慧民點名,確認出席人數後,並介紹新董事,代表青年會(YMCA)Patricia Barnwell後召開。鄭慧民也簡潔報告了,二月份時,他應波士頓僑教中心主任之邀,到加州參加全美中華會館大會,還在那兒遇到也從波士頓去的美國安良工商會總理陳仕維,紐英崙中華總會代表余麗媖。在疫情期間,中華公所籌款,另比照撥款,共動用5萬餘元購買口罩,捐贈給第一線醫療人員。
根據行政主任朱蘇珊的報告,華人經濟發展協會(CEDC)原本和紐英崙中華公所洽商,借款300萬元,以完成購買泰勒街78號施工的計畫,但中華公所為此事聘請的Mintz律師樓發信給華經會,卻一直未獲回覆,然後據悉華經會已於4月完成這筆交易。華經會董事長蔣宗壬當晚遠程與會。他証實該會已從其他管道取得所需資金,不需要再向中華公所借了。
中華公所其他物業或發展計畫的概況分別為:
喜露街(Herald)50號已由中華公所物業小組建議和Pennrose以六個月為期,協商合作發展條件。2016年成立的喜露街顧問委員會也有變動,亞美社區發展協會(ACDC),華經會的代表,黃瑞瑜和建築師鄭繼良為原有的等4名成員。但鄭繼良因參與大同村南停車場發展計畫退出。再另增加代表中華耆英會的梅伍銀寬,華埠土地信託會的駱理德,以及華埠居民會的Arturo Gossage
華福樓有3家金融機構洽請中華公所辦理重新貸款,需要修理外牆,消防警報系統,請董事大會授權5名職員和物業,財政小組,以及行政主任處理相關事宜。
大同村有Accurate會計,Vogo沙龍,Tang’s花店,雷醫師診所,以及華埠餐廳等商戶須更新租約,請董事大會確認條件。另批准優惠從大同村建成開始,租用至今的雷醫師診所。
大同村南停車場發展計畫做小幅度修改,已於513日獲波士頓市政府區域規劃局批准。礙於疫情,現預計2021年中開工。
為發展大同村南停車場,追認成立中華公所夏利臣地出租人責任有限公司(CCBA Harrison Ground Lessor LLC)CCBA貸方公司(CCBA Harrison Lender LLC)CCBA會員公司(CCBA Harrison Member LLC)。同時批准中華公所和這些機構達成營運協議等等。另外授權中華公所主席代表中華公所及中華公所大同村管理公司把南停車場地塊分割出來,地契交給CCBA夏利臣地出租人責任有限公司,同時代表這家公司和波士頓市政府協商。
關於中華公所及泰勒街90號的營運,朱蘇珊在報告中說明,由於麻州州長在318日下達的緊急令,直到8月中,人們都難以隨意進出,建議所有租戶租金免收。今年的中秋節聯歡會也取消。在麻州全面重新開放前,中華公所會議將在網上舉行,現場出席人數限14人以下。
在通過上次會議記錄環節,代表安良工商會的陳仕維指出,錯別字等可忽略,但若要通過會議記錄,需更正主席及行政主任必須同時簽名。已經簽了的文件,可以追認,但往後必須有兩個人的簽名。
代表華人商會的梁添光表示,他不同意會議記錄中有關世界廣東同鄉會的描述,反對通過該一會議記錄。
在報告環節中,代表港澳之友社的謝中之質問,早年中華公所曾發給參與華埠治安巡邏人員每日50元酬勞,為何現在編列的經費只有每月300元。財政余陳寶愛及主席鄭慧民都表示,該費用額度是根據收到的糕餅店帳單評估的,將來可視實際情況調整。
關於中華公所英文書記阮鴻燦兼任華埠治安巡邏隊隊長可能有利益衝突一節,經阮鴻燦向其任職單位查詢,已確認沒有衝突,可繼續出任這一職務。
代表黃氏宗親會的黃國威輕聲提問,指中華公所有財政,與開設銀行戶口,簽發支票有關的動議第1718項,應由中華公所主席及財政來執行,而非中華公所雇員的行政主任。
代表協勝工會,曾任中華公所財政的余麗媖在提出中華公所財務應由財政處理之外,另要求行政主任與物業小組就華福樓重新貸款的利弊與利率做分析,比較,再列表向董事大會提出建議。代表至德三德公所的翁宇才表示,只要利率差距3%以上,就可以做重貸。朱蘇珊說明,八年前中華公所的華福樓貸款利率是8%,後來重新貸款,把利率降到5%,現在有3家金融機構和中華公所接洽,想要提供3%利率的貸款,但是中華公所以前簽署的貸款合約有提前還款須賠償的條款,所以得先計算清楚,是否划算,將和物業小組商討後,再回報董事大會。
根據余陳寶愛的財政報告,中華公所在五,六這兩個月,收入112,919.73元,支出47,092.55元。六月底時,營運戶口節餘266.087.75元。中華公所申請得到43,320元的聯邦薪資保護計畫(PPP)款項。迄今收到的各項補助、捐款共計336,889.02元。
會中另通過了阮謝少珍加入公所核數張青梅所率領的稽核小組。