吳弭參選波士頓市長造勢 2天籌款10萬元

 

李超榮(左)在大同村介紹吳弭。(周菊子攝)

          (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)僅只2天，2300人捐10萬美元，支持吳弭參選波士頓市長，推動改變的力量，匯聚，累積得頗有聲勢。 

          這聲勢，原本可以更大，但是波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)在9月7日搶先向外界透露，吳弭已親口告訴他，將參選波士頓市長；波士頓市的媒體，市民認為吳弭會參選波士頓市長的揣測，也早就在坊間流傳超過1、2年，於是吳弭的參選，並沒有掀起波浪。

                 吳弭是2013年首度當選波士頓市不分區市議員，連任迄今已在位快7年。她當選時，打破歷史紀錄，成為波士頓市首名台裔，亞裔市議員。2016到2017年，她當上波士頓市議會議長，再成為波士頓市自1630年建市以來的首名女性有色人種市議長。

吳弭(右)和支持者張麗儀，何厚臻夫婦在大同村合影。(周菊子攝)

          1985年出生，今年35歲的吳弭，在伊利諾州的芝加哥長大，從小就是學霸，Barrington高中畢業時，代表畢業生致詞，還榮獲美國總統學者獎，擔任全國青少年古典聯盟會長。她和波士頓市結緣是來哈佛念大學，後來又拿了個哈佛法律博士學位(J. D.) 

          9月15日吳弭宣佈參選後，安排了一連五日的競選活動。在她的第一場支持者家庭聚會中，她說自己小時候從來沒想過要從政，但是上大學時，突然接到母親精神出狀況的電話，趕回芝加哥後，她就成了一家之主，照顧生病的母親，安排弟妹上學，家裡大大小小所有事，全落在她肩上。就是這時候，她從自己和政府打交道的過程中深切體會到，政府政策的一點小改變，對人民的生活，可以有那麼大的影響。

在波士頓市議員的這7年任期內，做為不分區市議員，她深入各個社區，和各種背景的人打交道，也抱著要讓所有人都能在波士頓市內生活得更好這理想，默默努力。

               吳弭宣佈參選的視頻有英文，西班牙文，中文三種版本。她想要讓所有人都有參與感，想要推動，鼓勵每一個社區裏的居民自己組織起來，關心自己身邊的事物，提出意見，攜手設想改善辦法。

                           從9月15日宣佈參選起，吳弭競選團隊安排了一連五天的競選活動。從洛士百利(Roxbury)的Nubian車站到奧斯頓/布萊頓(Allston/Brighton)，從海德公園(Hyde Park)到波士頓華埠，從東波士頓的社區花園到Maverick車站，從森林丘(Forest Hills)車站到牙買加平原，再分別和有色千禧年代晤談，邀社區支持者同騎自行車，到遊樂場和小家庭聚會。

                          9月16日到波士頓華埠拜會時，吳弭在麻州論壇(Massachusetts Seminar)主任李超榮，大同藥房老闆周樹昂陪同下，到大同村晤見居民，拜會溫莎麵包，華埠餐廳等小企業，關切商家在新冠病毒大流行期間營業狀況。華裔支持者郭慧民，張麗儀，何厚臻等人，也都特地趕到現場。

                            9月22日，吳弭競選團隊正式亮相。曾為聯邦參議員沃倫(Elizabeth Warren)參選美國總統打選戰的Mary Lou Akai Ferguson出任競選經理，Anthony Davis Jr.擔任組織主任，原本在吳弭辦公室工作的Jessicah Pierre負責新聞，Vicki Dzindzichashvili負責總務，Anshi Moreno負責草根籌款。

           吳弭的競選網站，已經列出可負擔住宅，教育平等，彌平族裔財富落差，計畫及發展，小企業，公共衛生，公共安全，經濟正義及工人權益，氣候正義等十大政見。

           吳弭強調，她參選波士頓市長是要透過建造社區，攜手合作，帶出大膽的，系統性的改變，解決人們面對的最深層挑戰，把波士頓市變成一個真正的每一個人的城市。

波士頓市公佈11月3日大選籌備概況

 

CITY OF BOSTON ANNOUNCES PREPARATIONS AHEAD OF  NOVEMBER 3 STATE ELECTION   Voting options include in-person early voting at 21 locations around the City of Boston, including Fenway Park; 17 dropboxes to return vote-by-mail ballots; in-person voting on

 

BOSTON - Thursday, September 24, 2020 - Boston's Board of Election Commissioners today certified the City of Boston's plan for early voting sites and ballot dropbox locations for the November 3, 2020 State Election. The election includes races for: Senator in Congress, Representative in Congress, Governor's Councillors, Senator in General Court, Representative in General Court, Register of Probate, and Office of the President of the United States.  In addition to the races, there are two ballot questions: Law Proposed by Initiative Petition Motor Vehicle Mechanical Data & Law Proposed by Initiative Petition Ranked-Choice Voting, and two public policy questions in State Representative Districts 11, 15, 17 and 18.  The Election Department is reminding residents that Saturday, October 24 is the last day to register to vote and Wednesday, October 28 is the last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot.  Registering to vote Individuals can register to vote in person, by mail, online or through the Registry of Motor Vehicles by Saturday, October 24, 2020 to vote in the November 3 State Election. To be eligible to vote, an individual must be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen. If planning to register to vote in person, residents are advised the Boston Election Department is open to the public by appointment on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at City Hall, Room 241.  Voting early  Any registered Boston voter can vote at any early voting location from Saturday, October 17, 2020 through Friday, October 30, 2020. No excuse is required to vote early. Hours and locations for early voting can be found below. Due to COVID-19, the Election Department is implementing health and safety protocols for in-person voting during the early voting period and on Election Day. All poll workers will receive face shields, face masks, gloves, disinfectant wipes, disinfectant spray and hand sanitizer. Cleaning will take place at each site every two to three hours. Voters waiting in line will be instructed to stand six feet away from others and wear a face covering. More information about COVID-19 safety at the polls can be found here.    Location Address Dates and times BCYF Paris Street (Gymnasium) 112 Paris Street,  East Boston, MA 02128 Saturday, October 17: 11am-7pm; Sunday, October 18: 11 am-7pm Josiah Quincy Elementary School 885 Washington Street,  Boston, MA 02111 Saturday, October 17: 11am-7pm; Sunday, October 18: 11 am-7pm District Hall 75 Northern Avenue,  Boston, MA 02210 Saturday, October 17: 11am-7pm; Sunday, October 18: 11 am-7pm Richard J. Murphy K-8 School (Cafeteria) 1 Worrell Street,  Dorchester, MA 02122 Saturday, October 17: 11am-7pm; Sunday, October 18: 11 am-7pm Thelma D. Burns Building 575 Warren Street,  Roxbury, MA 02121 Saturday, October 17: 11am-7pm; Sunday, October 18: 11 am-7pm Another Course to College (Cafeteria) 612 Metropolitan Avenue,  Hyde Park, MA 02136 Saturday, October 17: 11am-7pm; Sunday, October 18: 11 am-7pm BCYF Roche (Gymnasium) 1716 Centre Street,  West Roxbury, MA 02132 Saturday, October 17: 11am-7pm; Sunday, October 18: 11 am-7pm The Dewitt Center 122 Dewitt Drive,  Roxbury, MA 02120 Saturday, October 17: 11am-7pm; Sunday, October 18: 11 am-7pm Fenway Park (Gate A entrance) 4 Jersey Street,  Boston, MA 02215 Saturday, October 17: 11am-7pm; Sunday, October 18: 11 am-7pm BCYF Jackson/Mann  (Auditorium) 500 Cambridge Street,  Allston, MA 02134 Saturday, October 17: 11am-7pm; Sunday, October 18: 11 am-7pm Boston City Hall 1 City Hall Square,  Boston, MA 02201 Monday, October 19 9am-5pm; Tuesday, October 20: 9am-8pm; Wednesday, October 21: 9am-5pm; Thursday, October 22: 9am-8pm; Friday, October 23: 9am-5pm Monday, October 26: 9am-5pm; Tuesday, October 27: 9am-8pm; Wednesday, October 28: 9am-5pm; Thursday, October 29: 9am-8pm; Friday, October 30: 9am-5pm Harvard/Kent Elementary School (Gymnasium) 50 Bunker Hill Street, Charlestown, MA 02129 Saturday, October 24: 11am-7pm; Sunday, October 25: 11 am-7pm James F. Condon School (Cafeteria) 200 D Street,  South Boston, MA 02127 Saturday, October 24: 11am-7pm; Sunday, October 25: 11 am-7pm BCYF Perkins (Gymnasium) 155 Talbot Avenue,  Dorchester, MA 02124 Saturday, October 24: 11am-7pm; Sunday, October 25: 11 am-7pm Mildred Avenue K-8 (Gymnasium) 5 Mildred Avenue,  Mattapan, MA 02126 Saturday, October 24: 11am-7pm; Sunday, October 25: 11 am-7pm Saint Nectarios Greek Church (Banquet Hall) 39 Belgrade Avenue,  Roslindale, MA 02131 Saturday, October 24: 11am-7pm; Sunday, October 25: 11 am-7pm Margarita Muñiz Academy (Gymnasium) 20 Child Street,  Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 Saturday, October 24: 11am-7pm; Sunday, October 25: 11 am-7pm BCYF Shelburne (Gymnasium) 2730 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA 02119 Saturday, October 24: 11am-7pm; Sunday, October 25: 11 am-7pm The Salvation Army Kroc Center  650 Dudley Street,  Dorchester, MA 02125 Saturday, October 24: 11am-7pm; Sunday, October 25: 11 am-7pm Boston Public Library- Central Branch (McKim Building) 700 Boylston Street, Back Bay, MA 02116 Saturday, October 24: 11am-7pm; Sunday, October 25: 11 am-7pm Honan - Allston Branch Library (Community Room) 300 North Harvard Street, Boston, MA 02134 Saturday, October 24: 11am-7pm; Sunday, October 25: 11 am-7pm   Voting by mail    All Massachusetts registered voters have received a vote-by-mail application in their mail boxes for the State Primary and the State Election. The application is in a postcard format. To receive a ballot, voters must first complete, sign and return the prepaid postcard application to the Election Department by Wednesday, October 28, 2020.    If residents never received or lost this application, they can request a new ballot application by completing this form here and return it to the City of Boston's Election Department, via mail, email, fax or by dropping it off in person at Boston City Hall room 241, or in the drop box on the third floor entrance of City Hall.   Email: absenteevoter@boston.gov Fax: 617-635-4483   Massachusetts voters can now apply for a vote-by-mail ballot online and track their ballot request, whether requested by mail or online, through trackmyballotMA.com. The Boston Election Department will start mailing out ballots by early October and will continue to mail ballots as applications arrive, until the application deadline of October 28, 2020.    Returning completed ballots   Once a voter receives their ballot, they are encouraged to complete and return it to the Election Department as soon as possible. Completed ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by November 3, 2020 and received by November 6, 2020.   Voters may also return their ballot using one of the 17 dropboxes across the City through 8 p.m. on November 3, 2020, as well as at an early voting location during the early voting period. Voters may additionally return their ballot to City Hall, which is currently open to the public on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.    Dropboxes will be available seven days a week for Boston voters to return their completed ballots at the following locations:  Boston City Hall, 1 City Hall Square, Boston (City Hall Plaza entrance, third floor) Boston City Hall, 1 City Hall Square, Boston (Congress Street entrance, first floor) East Boston Branch of the Boston Public Library, 365 Bremen St, East Boston Charlestown Branch of the Boston Public Library, 179 Main St, Charlestown South Boston Branch of the Boston Public Library, 646 East Broadway, South Boston Central Library of the Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston Street, Boston Honan-Allston Branch of the Boston Public Library, 300 North Harvard St, Allston Brighton Branch of the Boston Public Library, 40 Academy Hill Rd, Brighton Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library, 149 Dudley Street, Roxbury Fields Corner Branch of the Boston Public Library, 1520 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library, 30 South Street, Jamaica Plain Mattapan Branch of the Boston Public Library, 1350 Blue Hill Ave, Mattapan West Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library, 1961 Centre St, West Roxbury Hyde Park Branch of the Boston Public Library, 35 Harvard Ave, Hyde Park Parker Hill Branch of the Boston Public Library, 1497 Tremont St, Roxbury BCYF Menino, 125 Brookway Rd, Roslindale  Grove Hall Branch of the Boston Public Library,  41 Geneva Ave, Dorchester Voting in person on Election Day    Voters are reminded there are 20 precinct polling location changes this cycle that can be found here. Polling locations will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Individuals can find their polling location for Election Day here.   For more information on how to participate in this year's elections, please visit boston.gov/election.    ###

波士頓第四區市議員Andrea Campbell 宣佈參選市長

 

波士頓市第四區市議員Andrea Campbell。(市議會網站圖片)

                Campbell在波士頓市的洛士百利(Roxbury)及南端(South End)長大，畢業於波士頓拉丁學校，普林斯頓大學，加州大學洛杉磯分校法學院。她和丈夫住在麥特潘，有2個兒子，一個3歲，一個9個月大。當選波士頓市議員之前，她曾任麻州前州長派屈克(Deval Patrick)的副法律顧問。

               在宣佈參選時，Campbell指出，她當初決定從政，是因為29歲的攣生兄弟在等待出庭時死於獄中。

               今年年初，Campbell的哥哥Alvin Campbell Jr.,被控強暴婦女。幾個月之後，檢察官又控告他在2017年到2019年間性騷擾7名婦女，如果罪刑確認，他將面對終身監禁命運。

Campbell上任以來，一直強調波士頓市內族裔待遇有差異，呼籲成立市民評議委員會，要求對警察的不當行為做獨立調查。

               今年六月時，馬丁華殊重新分配警察局預算，她也公開聲稱那不夠好。今年七月時，馬丁華殊提出的下年度預算，在8票對5票的通過中，她和吳弭都投了反對票。

               今年稍早，她還要求學校部人員公佈存在於學生家中數位鴻溝(digital divide)的相關數據，以讓人看見學校系統在採取什麼步驟來確保學生在病毒大流行期間有一樣的學習機會。

               GBH的一次近期調查發現，46%的受訪者大概會支持馬丁華殊竟連任，23%會支持吳弭，4%會支持Campel。

               根據麻州州政府的資料，截至8月底，Campbell的競選財庫有28萬5000元。馬丁華殊有550萬元，吳弭則有35萬元。吳弭的競選團隊日前宣佈，吳弭在宣佈參選後，2日之內又募得10萬元。

               波士頓市現在已是55%人口為少數族裔的城市，但還從未選出一名非白人市長，從1949年迄今，也從無在位市長參選連任失敗過。

               馬丁華殊還未宣佈是否競選連任。坊間許多人猜測，一旦民主黨的拜登(Joe Biden)當選美國總統，馬丁華殊就會進華府出任高職，所以波士頓市長選戰局勢，現在還難說得很。

波士頓市餐館同桌用餐人數限制 維持6人

 

波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)利用機會提醒市民填報人口普查表。(周菊子攝)

          (Boston Orange 整理報導) 麻州放寬規定每桌可坐10人，波士頓市目前維持6人。波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)在9月23日的新冠病毒疫情會報中表示，波士頓市就快踏入”紅色”警戒區，餐館內同桌用餐人數，暫不放寬。

麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)在9月23日一早到羅爾市舉行的疫情匯報中表示，麻州有多個市鎮幾乎從一開始迄今，都沒有新冠感染個案，全州疫情也都在不斷改善中，為對餐館業者聊有助益，將把同桌共餐人數限於6人以下的規定，放寬為10人。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊同日下午在市政府大樓前匯報疫情時指出，麻州政府把新冠病毒疫情，分為紅黃綠白四個顏色，每週三公佈全州各市鎮的顏色圖，其中在2週之內，每10萬人每天有8宗以上新確診個案的紅色分類最危險，波士頓市幾乎就要跨入紅色區，必須小心點。

上週有南特基(Nantucket)，平原村(Plainville)，索格斯(Saugus)， 廷斯博洛夫(Tyngsborough)， 屋斯特(Worcester)，倫特罕(Wrentham)，雀喜(Chelsea)，德罕(Dedham)，艾佛瑞(Everett)，傅萊明罕(Framingham)，羅倫斯(Lawrence)，林市(Lynn)，林菲爾德(Lynnfield)，孟森(Monson)，新貝福(New Bedford)，瑞維爾(Revere)，溫卓普(Winthrop)都進入高危區。

波士頓市在9月23日的疫情數據為新增確診個案63宗，累計16,766，過去3日新增2人死亡，累計761人。麻州則為新增新冠確診個案542宗，累計126,408。新增17人死亡累計9,135人。全美因染患新冠病毒死亡的人數已超過20萬人。

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Third Annual Statewide STEM Week

 Baker-Polito Administration Announces Third Annual Statewide STEM Week

 

BOSTON – Today, The Baker-Polito Administration announced that the third annual STEM Week will take place this year from October 19-23 through a mix of virtual and in-person events, lessons, speaker panels, and design challenges, all adapted for the new school and work environments as the Commonwealth continues to combat the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Administration encourages teachers and employers to develop new and creative ways to host STEM Week events to highlight opportunities that exist in science, technology, engineering and math. 

 

“This year made it abundantly clear how important STEM professions are to all our lives, and we hope that more young people will explore the opportunities that exist in STEM fields and pursue those careers that benefit us all,” said Governor Charlie Baker.

 

“Across our Commonwealth, nurses and doctors are saving lives, scientists are working furiously to develop a vaccine, and advanced manufacturers quickly shifted gears to produce personal protective equipment,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Co-Chair of the STEM Advisory Council. “Battling COVID-19 highlighted how crucial the need is for young people to study science, technology, engineering and math, and our administration remains committed to paving pathways to STEM careers and education for students in and out of the classroom.”

 

STEM Week is a collaborative effort between the Executive Office of Education; the STEM Advisory Council, which works to generate interest and support from the business community for STEM Week activities and is co-chaired by Lt. Governor Polito, Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Executive Chairman Jeffrey Leiden; and the Commonwealth’s nine Regional STEM Networks, which plan and coordinate activities with local school communities, community leaders and business partners.

 

“Since the Baker-Polito Administration launched STEM Week two years ago, tens of thousands of students of all ages in every region of the Commonwealth have participated in engaging, challenging, and fun learning experiences to help get them hooked on STEM,” said Secretary of Education James Peyser. “Notwithstanding this year’s unique circumstances, the STEM Council and STEM educators are committed to sustaining the momentum with exciting activities, both online and in-person.” 

 

“Getting kids hooked on science is all about creating fun, hands-on experiences where they can explore these topics in the real world alongside scientists and mentors,” said Jeffrey Leiden, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Chairman of Vertex. “Those experiences might look different during a pandemic, but as leaders and educators, we have an opportunity to innovate in how we deliver them to students. At Vertex, we created an all-virtual summer internship experience for our Boston Public School partners, and we’ll continue to work with the community to ensure students – particularly women and those who are underrepresented in STEM – have the opportunities they need to succeed.”

 

“Rebuilding our economy, health care system and society in the wake of this pandemic will require a new generation of workers with experience in STEM fields,” said Congressman Joe Kennedy III. “Students in virtual or physical STEM classrooms today will lead our recovery in the months and years ahead, and we need to support them in any way possible.”

 

Strengthening STEM education in the Commonwealth’s K-12 schools is a priority of the Baker-Polito Administration. The STEM Advisory Council is appointed by the Governor and includes education and business leaders in STEM industries that work to promote STEM education, partnerships among industries and schools, and internships for students.

 

In Massachusetts, more than 40 percent of all employment revolves around STEM innovation industries such as clean energy, information technology, defense and advanced manufacturing.

 

This year, the STEM Advisory Council is coordinating with seven organizations across the state to offer options for STEM-focused Design Challenges. Design Challenges include:

 

Kids In Tech: Cybersecurity - Keeping Our Networks Secure Challenge: A STEM Week Challenge for students in grades K-5, 6-8, and high school, Kids in Tech asks students to think their way through standards-based activities to consider how the internet works and how they can use the internet safely. By participating in puzzle-solving games, students will explore how individuals can use the internet to obtain information and how they can make sure their personal information is safe.                

           

Museum of Science - Supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals: To allow educators and students to see themselves in STEM, the Museum of Science, and EiE, an award-winning leader in Pre-K-8 curriculum, have developed three engineering design challenges to share with educators and students across Massachusetts. These activities engage learners in standards-based design challenges to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (https://sdgs.un.org/goals).

 

Gale Force Education - Power Grid Explorations: This challenge will bring the excitement of power engineering to  high school students, wherever they are. Life may not seem normal right now, but electricity is flowing and the lights are on—thanks to the power grid. Students will explore the grid and how it works through a hands-on design challenge designing generators, model houses and a mini power grid.                      

                                                      

FitMoney - STEM Business Plan Challenge: STEM and financial literacy are critical components of a quality education as today’s students prepare to become the innovators, entrepreneurs and job-creators of tomorrow. The FitMoney team has created a design challenge that gives middle school students the opportunity to think critically and create solutions to address issues students face today. Through a socially conscious lens, students will design a product, and produce, market and sell their product, learning the critical elements to starting a business venture.             

 

MIND Research Institute in partnership with STMath - Math Maker Project - Play, Create, Share: This STEM Week Challenge was developed by the New England Aquarium, One8 Foundation and Mass STEM Hub, and MIND Research Institute, creators of ST Math! Students in grades K-5 will promote math learning and connect with families virtually. The entire project is built around games and stories with historical significance and is designed to develop students’ creative problem-solving capacity as they create their own math game – one that drives math knowledge and meaningful connections.

 

WPI STEM Education Center - I Am STEM, STEM I Am!: This challenge (for PK-5 students) focuses on solving problems in books and is designed to empower students to become proud problem solvers. All lessons are aligned with grade-level ELA and math/STE standards, can be done in the classroom or remotely, and use every-day & recyclable materials. Free online professional development sessions are available between 9/8 – 10/17, guiding teachers on the problem-solving process, online tools, and trying out a lesson with colleagues. The I am STEM lesson library will be available to all educators before, during, and after STEM Week.

                       

Wade Institute for Science Ed - National Marine Life Center - Survivor Island Challenge: The Survivor Island Challenge will provide students with a unique experience that integrates science concepts and the engineering design process in an exciting way. The Challenge? “You have been stranded on a deserted island and the only source of freshwater is quite a distance from your encampment.  You must find a way to move water to the encampment and then filter it to make it safe to drink.” Teachers will receive a curriculum guide and support from the three sponsoring organizations. Students will have an opportunity to participate in a virtual “challenge showcase” on the last day of STEM week. Teachers participating in the pre-challenge teacher workshop will receive a kit of materials to help their students “See themselves in STEM.”           

 

During STEM Week, members of the Baker-Polito Administration and the STEM Advisory Council will virtually visit classrooms and other school and business-related STEM activities that showcase successful programs and raise awareness about developments in STEM education and the STEM workforce. Last October, the Administration held the second annual STEM Week in collaboration with schools, non-profit organizations, colleges, museums, and business partners, where more than 1,000 events took place that engaged over 10,000 students from pre-kindergarten through college.

 

Learn more about regional events managed by the Regional STEM Networks across the Commonwealth in collaboration with local museums, non-profit organizations, schools, and local business partners at www.massstemweek.org.