大學沙龍11月28日談"美國契約的破裂與重建"

 

波士頓市撥款22萬7500元資助65家托兒所

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES NEW FUNDING THROUGH CHILDCARE ENTREPRENEUR FUND  The Childcare Entrepreneur Fund has previously supported 65 childcare businesses with a total of $227,500 in funding   BOSTON - Tuesday, November 24, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the Mayor's Offices of Women's Advancement, Economic Development, and the City of Boston's Economic Mobility Lab announced the third funding round of the Childcare Entrepreneur Fund to support home-based family childcare businesses with grant funding, coaching, and technical assistance, to support early educators in sharpening their entrepreneurial skills. Businesses may apply for $3,500 of flexible grant funding to stabilize and maintain family childcare businesses until December 4, 2020.  "The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our economy and society in innumerable ways. Now more than ever, we depend on childcare to function as a society," said Mayor Walsh. "Supporting our families has been our number one priority, and we continue to work hard to support access to high quality, affordable childcare for all working families, as well as living wages and good work conditions for our early education workforce." Yesterday, 65 previous grantees were recognized in the 2020 Childcare Entrepreneur Fund Graduation. The Childcare Entrepreneur Fund is part of the City's approach to making high-quality affordable childcare an accessible component of working families' lives. As part of the selection process, priority will be given to businesses owned by women (WBEs) and people of color (MBEs) and businesses operating in Boston Housing Authority (BHA) units to serve families using childcare vouchers. Interested participants can watch informational workshops on the application process here. A new study commissioned by the Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement, "Too Much and Not Enough: Family Stresses and childcare Preferences in Boston During COVID-19," examines the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on working families with childcare needs. The study drew three important conclusions: Boston's families are balancing competing fears (COVID-19, job loss, and lack of positive growth and development for their children); flexibility in the workplace is not enough to alleviate increased stress at home; and the childcare options available to families do not yet reflect their preferences.  "These findings clearly demonstrate how families have reached their 'breaking points'--they are stressed, exhausted, and scared," said study authors Dr. Kimberly D. Lucas and Dr. Wendy Wagner Robeson. "At the same time, the findings point to very clear and concrete actions that the City of Boston and its partners can continue--as well as adopt--to better support Boston's families in the near- and long-terms." The City's scope of childcare initiatives includes empowering parents, childcare industry workers, and community organizations to improve childcare accessibility for working families. The City of Boston collected data on childcare arrangements and preferences of working parents through its Census Childcare Survey in 2019. Most recently, the City contributed $25,000 to Community Labor United's Care That Works program to expand childcare access during nonstandard hours to support families who work outside of conventional working hours.  This is coupled with funding opportunities through the Boston Resiliency Fund, which has directly provided $950,000 in funding to Boston emergency childcare programs to ensure that families of essential workers had childcare options. Boston Public Schools works with community organizations to explore the creative use of spaces and places outside of school to provide students and families with enriching learning experiences. Mayor Walsh has advocated in support of the Childcare is Essential Act, to fund childcare businesses that weren't included in other federal relief efforts during COVID-19. Since its launch in 2019, the Childcare Entrepreneur Fund has already supported more than 65 childcare businesses with a total of $227,500 in funding. To learn more about the program, including information session workshop dates and times, visit boston.gov/childcare-fund. To learn more about the Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement's childcare initiatives, visit here.

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Expansion of Greening the Gateway Cities Program

 Baker-Polito Administration Announces Expansion of Greening the Gateway Cities Program

Grants Also Awarded to Support Tree Planting in Urban Communities

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced the expansion of the Greening the Gateway Cities Program (GGCP) to the cities of Fitchburg, Lowell, Salem, and Westfield, and awarded $370,000 in grants to 11 cities and 10 non-profits to support tree planting in urban communities through the program. Through GGCP, the Department of Conservation and Recreation works with 18 Gateway Cities throughout the Commonwealth to increase tree canopy cover in urban residential areas, especially Environmental Justice neighborhoods.

“The Greening the Gateway Cities Program serves as an excellent example of a strong partnership between state government, local municipalities, and dedicated organizations working together to benefit Massachusetts residents for generations to come,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Increasing tree cover in our Gateway Cities helps to both address climate change and create a healthier environment for urban residents, and we are proud to add these four cities to this program.”

“By adding the cities of Fitchburg, Lowell, Salem, and Westfield into the Greening the Gateway Cities Program, our Administration continues to invest in the future of these cities and further enhance our environmental resources,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We look forward to working with these cities to plant thousands of trees, delivering significant benefits to residents in these communities and helping the Commonwealth make progress toward its long-term climate goals.”

The Greening the Gateway Cities Program seeks to reduce energy use, reducing flooding from stormwater runoff, and improve the quality of life in these cities, especially during the increasingly hot summers in Massachusetts, through the planting of thousands of trees. Trees have the ability to cool neighborhoods and reduce the “urban heat island” effect where large areas of pavement cause significantly hotter living conditions.

The plantings will be focused in Environmental Justice neighborhoods, which include areas with over 25% of residents who are low income, minority or non-English speaking. DCR foresters will work with neighborhood non-profit organizations to help with outreach and community support.

“With the expansion of the Greening the Gateway Cities Program, we are improving equity in communities with significantly less greenery and shade, improving the quality of life for residents by providing cooler neighborhoods and lowering energy bills,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “A significant expansion in trees also means cleaner air, less flooding, more beautiful neighborhoods, and a boost to the local economy by creating jobs at local nurseries and within the neighborhoods for tree planting.”

To support the GGCP, the state will invest over $5 million over the next year in state capital and energy efficiency funds to plant over 8,000 trees averaging six feet in height within the 18 Gateway Cities. The program will train crews in proper tree planting and care, and many employees find permanent work in the landscaping industry. The GGCP is expected to yield more than twice the investment made by the Administration as the trees mature.

The announcement also includes the launch of two new grant programs, the Greening the Gateway City Municipal Grant Program and Greening the Gateway City Non-Profit Grant Program, which make funds available to Gateway Cities and local non-profits for program assistance. By lessening local costs, municipal grants give public works resources they need to plant in collaboration with DCR.

“The Department of Conservation and Recreation is proud to support this worthwhile program by partnering with cities throughout the Commonwealth, including our new partners in Fitchburg, Lowell, Salem, and Westfield,” said DCR Commissioner Jim Montgomery. “This program stands as a wonderful example of the Baker-Polito Administration’s dedication to developing the necessary tools to effectively implement an urban forestry plan and protect our environment.”

The Administration is awarding grants to 10 local non-profits in the Gateway Cities to support outreach and tree care, and to 11 municipalities to support public tree planting with the removal of pavement and other impervious material, and the addition of soils and permeable material. Cities and non-profits are also working on locating and restoring vacant lots to ready them for tree planting. 

The following awards are being announced today:

Greening the Gateway City Municipal Grant Program

Municipality	Project Name	Total Grant Request
Chelsea	Public Tree Planting Support	$20,000
Fitchburg	Public Tree Planting Support	$20,000
Haverhill	Public Tree Planting Support	$20,000
Holyoke	Public Tree Planting Support	$20,000
Lowell	Public Tree Planting Support	$20,000
Lynn	Public Tree Planting Support	$20,000
Pittsfield	Public Tree Planting Support	$20,000
Quincy	Public Tree Planting Support	$20,000
Revere	Public Tree Planting Support	$20,000
Salem	Public Tree Planting Support	$20,000
Westfield	Public Tree Planting Support	$20,000
Total		$220,000

Greening the Gateway City Non-Profit Grant Program

Municipality	Project Name	Total Grant Request
Downtown Pittsfield Inc. and Berkshire Environmental Action Team	Outreach, Tree Education and Care	$15,000
Fall River Tree Planting Committee	Outreach, Tree Education and Care	$15,000
Groundwork Lawrence - Haverhill	Outreach, Tree Education and Care	$15,000
Groundwork South Coast – New Bedford	Outreach, Tree Education and Care	$15,000
Growing Places - Leominster	Outreach, Tree Education and Care	$15,000
Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust	Outreach, Tree Education and Care	$15,000
Making Opportunities Count - Fitchburg	Outreach, Tree Education and Care	$15,000
Salem Sound Coastwatch	Outreach, Tree Education and Care	$15,000
Valley Opportunities Council	Outreach, Tree Education and Care	$15,000
Wildlands Trust Inc.	Outreach, Tree Education and Care	$15,000
Total		$150,000

With a defined goal to increase the urban tree canopy to 5-10 percent in select neighborhoods in each Gateway City, the program is expected to reduce heating and cooling costs by approximately $230 a year for an average household, once the trees reach maturity. To date, the program has planted over 27,000 trees in 14 Gateway Cities – the equivalent of adding 550 acres, or nearly one square mile, of new forest to these cities. Planting will continue in those cities in addition to the new cities being added this fall. Residents who sign-up for the GGCP will be provided planted trees at no cost as long as they commit to water the trees for two years. 

In Chelsea, over 2,200 trees have been planted so far with over 8,195 residents living within 50 feet of these trees. Recent interviews with nearly 200 residents in six cities who are caring for trees planted in their yards have found over 90% are very happy about their trees and value the beauty, shade and birds trees bring to neighborhoods.  More than two thirds of the residents have reached out to neighbors to encourage them to join the tree planting program.

“Over the past several years Salem’s commitment to our public trees has grown substantially,” said Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll. “From major increases in our tree planting and maintenance budgets, to the comprehensive tree ordinance and Tree Commission, to our grant-funded city-wide tree inventory and maintenance plan, we are committed to keeping our community green as an important measure to address air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being, energy use, and protection against extreme heat and flooding. I am grateful to the Baker-Polito Administration for this grant so we can continue that dedication to expanding our urban tree canopy.”

 

“I’m incredibly grateful that the expansion of the Greening the Gateway Cities Program will allow Salem to create a greener, more beautiful city for all who live there,” said Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem). “The planting of trees will certainly lead to better air quality and less flooding, but it will also help to create jobs at a time when many are looking for work. I also know that Salem Sound Coastwatch will be an excellent partner as it continues its work to protect Salem’s coastline and watersheds.”

 

“I commend and thank the Baker-Polito Administration for this grant which will not only enhance the streetscape in Salem, but will help our environment for generations to come,” said Representative Paul Tucker (D-Salem). “These resources allow Salem to beautify our city and complement the historic nature of our neighborhoods.”

波士頓市長通訊長換人 Nick Martin訂12月14日上任

MAYOR WALSH APPOINTS NICK MARTIN AS CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

 

BOSTON - Monday, November 23, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced today that he is appointing Nick Martin to be the administration's new Chief Communications Officer, effective Monday, December 14. Martin, who is currently the Director of Public Affairs and Communications for Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, is a veteran city hall aide, having previously worked in the Walsh and Menino administrations for a combined eight and a half years. "During his previous time working for the City of Boston, Nick established a reputation for being a strategic thinker that brings his colleagues together to tell the story of all that the city is doing to support and advance the lives of people in Boston," said Mayor Walsh. "He's continued to develop these skills in the private sector, and I am pleased to have him re-join my administration as Chief Communications Officer and lead the collaboration with the communications staff from every city agency and department." Martin has spent the last four years working for the Coca-Cola system in the Northeast, first for The Coca-Cola Company and currently for the independent franchise bottler Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast. In addition to managing public policy issues for the company across its seven-state territory, Martin also oversees internal communications and has led several initiatives to improve employee engagement for the 3,400-person organization. He launched and oversees the company's diversity, equity and inclusion steering committee and coordinated multiple companywide engagement surveys to solicit feedback from employees. "In many ways, this feels like a homecoming for me," said Martin. "I started as a press assistant in the Mayor's Office in 2008, and it is truly the honor of my career to have the opportunity to lead the communications team 12 years later. I'm beyond eager to support Mayor Walsh in communicating his ambitious agenda for all the people of Boston, and I'm ready to hit the ground running next month." Prior to joining Coca-Cola, Martin was the Communications Director for the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA), where he helped manage an initiative to re-envision the agency previously known as the Boston Redevelopment Authority. He also served as the Communications Director for the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) during a severe flu season in 2013 and in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings, when the agency provided a variety of trauma support and relief services. He started his city hall career in the Mayor's Press Office in 2008, and later spent two years as Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff before serving the BPDA and BPHC. Martin has volunteer roles with several community organizations in Boston, including Save the Harbor Save the Bay, where he's a board member and treasurer for the nonprofit, as well as the youth literacy organization WriteBoston, where he also serves on the board. He is also an advisory member to The BASE, which helps student-athletes achieve their full potential both on and off the field. Martin holds an undergraduate degree in government from Dartmouth College. He and his wife Lyndsey, a clinical psychologist, reside in South Boston with their dog Stanley.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF REIMAGINE BOSTON MAIN STREETS PROGRAM

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF REIMAGINE BOSTON MAIN STREETS PROGRAM  Join Mayor Walsh, Office of Economic Development for a virtual kick-off community event on Monday, November 23    BOSTON - Monday, November 23, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the launch of Reimagine Boston Main Streets, a community engagement process designed to strengthen the future of Boston Main Streets program through a deep and comprehensive analysis of the program's existing systems and resources, uses, and gaps that impact local economic growth. The goal of the program is to embed equity into our Main Streets Program, particularly as our local economy feels the impact of COVID-19, and help close the racial wealth gap by supporting new and existing businesses to enhance the local economic development in our neighborhoods and create more jobs. On Monday, November 23 at 6:00 PM, Mayor Walsh will join the Office of Economic Development for the Reimagine Boston Main Streets virtual community kick-off event, launching discussions with members of the community together with Main Streets Directors, the Main Streets Foundation Board Members, and the Reimagine Boston Main Streets Advisory Group. Registration is required for this virtual event and participants may register here.  "We are facing a pivotal moment in the history of Boston - a moment of opportunity to reshape our urban neighborhoods and their businesses," said Mayor Walsh. "Our small businesses add to the vibrancy and character of each of our neighborhood commercial districts, and I look forward to working alongside our communities to reimagine their future." Boston was the first city in the United States to create a neighborhood Main Streets program, established in Roslindale in 1983. Today, Boston's 20 neighborhood Main Street Organizations work with business and community members to create, build, and sustain healthy commercial districts. Over the last 24 years, each Main Streets district has had varied success, with some demonstrating difficulties in establishing thriving economic commercial efforts. Through the Reimagine Boston Main Streets process, the City of Boston hopes to expand the Main Streets Program into a more equitable tool for community development and transformation across all of Boston's neighborhood commercial districts. The public engagement from this process will shape the vision for the Boston Main Streets program.  Following a public Request for Proposals (RFP) process, in May, the Office of Economic Development chose Boston-based Strategy Matters and CJ Strategies as the consultants to lead the Reimagine Boston Main Streets effort, which includes Archipelago Strategy Group (ASG) as subcontractors.  Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Boston has been steadfast in its commitment to supporting the small business community. Nearly $6.7 million in debt-free grants have been distributed to over 1,850 small businesses in every neighborhood across the City of Boston through the Office of Economic Development's Small Business Relief Fund. Earlier this month, the City launched three new funds totaling $6.3 million that will support small businesses in Boston that have been affected by COVID-19, focusing on commercial rent relief, supporting certified women, minority, and veteran owned small businesses, and restaurant relief. And to further assist the City's small businesses, the City of Boston has created a list of suppliers to help businesses source the personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies required to ensure the safety of employees and customers as industries reopen.  It was also recently announced that the City, as a part of a thorough Request for Proposals (RFP) review process, selected a partnership between Colette Phillips Communications, the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Proverb to create a Visit Boston campaign that will promote a safe and equitable economic recovery. The goal of Visit Boston is to assemble a local tourism campaign to draw local and regional tourists to take advantage of all that Boston has to offer, as the City safely responds to the impact of COVID-19 and supports its hardest hit industries, including small businesses. Highlights from the Reimagine Boston Main Streets event will be recorded and posted to www.facebook.com/econdevboston/videos. Sign up for the weekly small business newsletter to stay up-to-date on future Reimagine Boston Main Streets engagement activities and more by emailing: smallbiz@boston.gov.

麻州新冠病毒累計確診人數11月22日破20萬大關

             (Boston Orange 編譯)麻州新冠病毒(COVID-19)累計確診人數在11月22日這天，打破20萬大關，新增個案2,721宗。新增24人死亡，累計已10, 281人辭世。

            麻州公共衛生廳今(22)日再度籲請人們在感恩節假日期間提醒警覺，注意防疫。

            尚莫維爾(Somerville)市長Joseph A. Curtatone也在一份聲明中表示，抗疫需要採取新步驟。他說，證據顯示，必須採取額外方法來控制疫情散佈。

            根據麻州公共衛生人員的資料，在11月19日麻州疫情地圖上，州內已有62個社區屬於高危社區。

            波士頓學院全球公共衛生及公共利益主任Philip J. Landrigan表示，他對麻州的新冠疫情的數據走向，十分擔心。如果人們下個月不注意，疫情很可能爆炸性的擴大。

            週日下午向市長們及地方首長匯報的本地大學、醫院的公共衛生專家們警告道，麻州的新冠病毒新個案及住院人數正不斷增加。

            今(22)日共有2,721宗新增確診個案，使得麻州的累計確診人數高達200,050。

            目前麻州有39,073宗個案仍在治療中，比一天之前增加了1,745宗。因為新冠病毒而住院的有891人，住在重症病房的有192人，插管的有88人。

            因為新冠病毒而住院的7天平均人數，截至上週五為872人，比6月26日時的874人略佳。最低紀錄是8月26日時的155人。

            7天平均確診率在星期六時為3%。

            根據約翰霍普金斯大學的統計數據，截至11月22日晚間，美國已有256,741人死於新型冠狀病毒，累計確診人數已高達1222萬4,322。

            麻州布里吉罕及婦女醫院暨哈佛大學醫學院醫生Abraar Karan在推特上發了一連串貼文，反對人們在感恩節期間出門。他說，要知道，在家裡待上幾天，和你平常沒見的家人聚再一起，是非常糟糕的想法。

            Philip J. Landrigan等公共衛生專家們警告是鎮長們，麻州內有幾個病毒大流行更糟糕了的跡象，包括每日新增個案數及住院人數不斷增加，在廢水中追查到有新型冠狀病毒，也顯示著新冠病毒再繼續擴散。