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星期二, 8月 03, 2021

AG HEALEY CALLS ON CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION TO SAFEGUARD DEMOCRACY

AG HEALEY CALLS ON CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION TO SAFEGUARD DEMOCRACY

Multistate Letter Urges Congress to Protect Against Voter Suppression and Election Subversion

BOSTON – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey today joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in calling on Congress to immediately act to safeguard democracy by passing legislation to protect against voter suppression and election subversion and, if necessary, reforming the filibuster.

“Our democracy is at risk as more and more Republican-led legislatures push forward with dangerous legislation aimed at restricting voting access for communities of color,” AG Healey said. “These discriminatory policies are ripped from the same playbook as Jim Crow. Voting rights is the most important issue of our time, and it’s on us, as elected officials, to stand up and do what’s needed to ensure the right to vote. Congress must act now.”

In today’s letter to Congressional leadership, the attorneys general describe how their offices worked to ensure that the 2020 general election was conducted freely, fairly, and with integrity. According to the letter, several factors contributed to the failure of former President Trump to overturn the election’s democratic outcome including that the legal arguments used “were generally so extraordinarily weak that they did not have even the veneer of legitimacy. Certain election officials—both Republican and Democratic—refused to buckle under pressure at critical points, placing election integrity and our democracy, ahead of partisanship. And the attack on the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, while dangerous, was inept.” The attorneys general argue for robust federal protections to protect the will of the voters and ensure that we are not left relying on the hope that future subverters will be similarly incompetent.

Eighteen states have already passed laws that create new barriers to voting or make it easier to overturn election results. In a statement issued on June 1, more than 100 democracy scholars explain, “[W]e have watched with deep concern as Republican-led state legislatures across the country have in recent months proposed or implemented what we consider radical changes to core electoral procedures in response to unproven and intentionally destructive allegations of a stolen election.” The statement argues that laws being passed in “large key electoral battleground states are dangerously politicizing the process of electoral administration” and seek to restrict access to the ballot. The scholars warn that these laws could enable “some state legislators or partisan election officials to do what they failed to do in 2020: reverse the outcome of a free and fair election.”

The attorneys general argue in the letter that “the profound challenges confronting our democracy demand that Congress act to prevent voter suppression and election subversion. Irrespective of one’s views on the value of the filibuster in general, it must not be allowed to stop Congress from addressing these issues so fundamental to our Constitution and democracy.”

            Joining AG Healey in sending today’s letter are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin

Chamber’s Statement in Support of Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

 Chamber’s Statement in Support of Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

After months of negotiations, a bipartisan infrastructure bill is moving forward in the Senate. This $1 trillion bill, which represents bold collaboration and leadership, will rebuild and revitalize our infrastructure systems that connect all of us. Our country and the people of the Commonwealth need and deserve this critical investment in our roads, bridges, and public transportation. While the Chamber supports many of the proposals included in President Biden’s “human infrastructure” plan, debate around the second package should not slow progress on this necessary investment in our physical infrastructure.  Our Chamber’s transportation policy agenda has long recognized and advocated for these investments that will benefit and grow our economy. This agenda outlines the major projects with extensive impact, including unbudgeted upgrades to our existing systems as well as the MBTA’s Red-Blue Connector, East-West Commuter Rail, and Cape Cod bridges.  The transformative power of this bill cannot and should not be underestimated. It will solidify the rebuilding of our country, ensuring that every state- including Massachusetts - can boldly step into an equitable recovery with new infrastructure expansions and repairs that give a better quality of life to every resident.  Let’s get it done.

 

James E. Rooney

President & CEO

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

星期一, 8月 02, 2021

Merrymount Park Master Plan Implementation Continues

Merrymount Park Master Plan Implementation Continues

QUINCY, MA – August 2, 2021 Mayor Thomas Koch announced that work is continuing on improvements to Merrymount Park with the installation of a decorative wrought-iron fence at Adams Walk in Upper Merrymount Park. The handsome wrought-iron fence was crafted by WovenSteel in East Boston and will match the design of the original entry gate installed more than two decades ago. The original Adams Walk concept was designed by Herbert Kellaway in 1937. Kellaway was an Associate in the landscape architecture firm started by Frederick Law Olmsted. The City updated Kellaway’s Master Plan for Merrymount Park in 1997 and again in 2014. Long-considered the “Father of Landscape Architecture” Olmsted corresponded regularly about the park with his dear friend Charles Francis Adams II, who bequeathed Merrymount Park to Quincy. Olmsted himself could not develop a plan for the park but his Associates Charles Elliot and Kellaway contributed to designs for the park and surrounding areas. Coming later in 2021, is the improvement of Merrymount Parkway (Rt. 3A) which bisects the park. Plans are in place to improve the roadway and sidewalks. Historic lighting and a landscaped traffic island will be added to provide a parkway-feel to this busy roadway. The first phase of utility burial has taken place and will commence with the roadway improvement phase. Also in the design and permitting phase is the replacement of the Rt. 3A bridge across Black’s Creek. The bridge has been deemed in need of replacement by the Commonwealth. The bridge project is tentatively scheduled for 2022. “We are blessed to have such a beautiful and historic centerpiece to our city,” said Mayor Koch. “Merrymount Park contains incredible vistas, ecological diversity, interesting history, and some of the best recreational facilities in Massachusetts. We continue to honor the history of the park and our city through the implementation of the visions of some of the greatest landscape architects in history. A park like this adds tremendously to our quality of life.

翁來『向貝多芬致敬』音樂會 把觀眾帶進另一個世界

翁來謝幕。(中華表演藝術基金會提供)
             (Boston Orange) 中華表演藝術基金會的翁來『向貝多芬致敬』音樂會,724日晚在波士頓伊莎貝拉美術館(Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum) Calderwood大廳,「把觀眾帶進另一個音樂世界,和他一同歌唱」。

             翁來是2016年伊麗莎白國際鋼琴大賽的決賽入圍者,2019年紐約音樂家協會全球音樂甄試冠軍。他應中華表演藝術基金會之邀,舉辦音樂會,選定『向貝多芬致敬』這主題,但卻演奏深受貝多芬影響作曲家們的經典作品,顯示貝多芬的影響力有多深遠。

             這晚的曲目有舒曼,舒伯特,克里亞諾(Corigliano),及布拉姆斯等人的經典作品,包括多位音樂界名師,名指揮家,共約150人到現場欣賞。

             其中一名觀眾Eldridge,會後有感,做了一首詩,大意為『不論白天我們是如何過的,今晚我們都被他的手指,笑容,動作...帶領進入他的音樂世界,和他一同歌唱』。

              中華表演藝術基金會徵得作者同意,已經該文上載該會官網:http://www.chineseperformingarts.net/contents/season/20210724/index.html

               波士頓音樂雜誌(The Boston Musical Intelligencer) 資深樂評,專門評寫鍵盤音樂已50多年的David Moran,以『和藹可親的翁來描述片段的歷史』為題,稱讚翁來『琴藝高超,有強力,有低沈,有多彩的音色。關注到結構的細緻及和諧。如一串閃閃發光的珍珠,激動卻連接無縫無痕,是少見的青年藝術家』。不過他對翁來曲目的選擇及詮釋,甚至連安可曲的安排都有不同的意見和看法。不過他也指出,以貝多芬對他那年代及後世的影響之深遠而言,想要在一場短短的音樂會中,包羅最具代表性的所有作曲家及作品是有相當難度的。每個人都可能有不同看法也可理解。

中華表演基金會會長譚嘉陵表示,這場演出的全場錄影,將放在該會的YouTube頻道上 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUDuiQiOzZI_M7iDNXWXEDA/videos,供愛樂者欣賞。

                     828(週六)8點,中華表演基金會將在同一場地,邀請2017年范克萊本 (Van Cliburn) 國際鋼琴大賽銅牌獎主徐翔(Daniel Hsu)演奏舒曼的童年回憶組曲,貝多芬第31 Op.110 奏鳴曲,及李斯特的B小調奏鳴曲。 音樂會免費公開,但須預約,六歲以下不可進場,門票可在http://www.chineseperformingarts.net/offers/20210828/index.html 登記,歡迎樂捐贊助!

台灣網球名將謝淑瑋 8/2 麻州康可鎮出賽

謝淑薇。(吳杏玫提供)

            (Boston Orange) 臺灣職業網球選手,四座大滿貫女子雙打冠軍得主謝淑薇,將於82日至8日,到麻州康可鎮( Concord)參加第125 Thoreau 網球公開賽。首場賽事82日舉行。

             這場公開賽是女子網球協會(WTA)的巡迴賽之一,在星期一至五之間,球迷可免費進場,觀賞。星期六的準決賽及星期天的決賽則需購買門票進場,成人票及兒童票依序為美金$40$10

                  謝淑薇今年才剛獲得溫布敦女子雙打冠軍,在Thoreau 網球公開賽中是第2種子。她的首場賽事預定於82(星期一)下午一點以後在中央球場舉行,她將和妹妹謝語倢搭檔,迎戰美國的DavisMcHale

                  台灣同鄉吳杏玫表示,對愛好網球的波士頓台灣同鄉們來說,這將是近距離看謝淑薇打球,並為她加油的絕佳機會。

                  在82日排定的賽程上,12場比賽中至少8人有華裔或亞裔姓氏,包括美國隊的Victoria HuSophia ChangGrace Min,瑞士隊的Lulu SunLeonie Kung,中華台北隊的梁恩碩(En-Shuo Liang),謝淑瑋,謝語倢。

                          購票詳情:https://thoreautennisopen.com/tickets/

球賽日程:https://www.wtatennis.com/tournament/2045/concord-125/2021/order-of-play

                         球賽地點:Thoreau Club, 275 Forest Ridge Rd, Concord, MA 01742

(更新版)

星期日, 8月 01, 2021

亞美會慶11週年 推出「生活沙龍」

亞美聯誼會創辦人甄雲龍(中)和現任共同會長曹品慈(右二),潘飛
(左一),以及董事吳皓(右起),陳建立,谷繼成。
       (Boston Orange) 亞美聯誼會今 (1) 日中午在波士頓華埠尼倫街的盛雄莊,慶祝星島日報41週年,亞美聯誼會11週年,以及「生活沙龍」開張。
       亞美聯誼會共同會長曹品慈表示,該會成立10年以來,每年9月第二個星期都舉辦亞美節,近幾年在波士頓廣場舉辦的節慶活動,在各方共襄盛舉中,規模十分龐大,提升了亞裔社區的能見度,只是活動經費都由該會董事及參與活動團體自行籌措,辦理頗為不易,今年決定推出「生活沙龍」,以更為長期的達到在社區推廣文化這宗旨。
右起,甄雲龍,潘飛,曹品慈介紹,「生活沙龍」。
                亞美聯誼會創辦人甄雲龍笑言星島日報今年慶41週年,當年是他把星島日報帶到波士頓的,大家可以把他當作星島日報,所以他今年也41歲。他還記得自己當年來到波士頓,陳建立夫婦是第一個協助他的人,後來華美福利會的舢舨,也是陳建立創辦後,交由他接手當第二任編輯。如今他和社區內熱心人士創辦亞美會,希望能加強推廣亞裔和主流社區之間的文化交流。
左,周文熙應邀出席。
               亞美會的「生活沙龍」將從食衣住行四大方面著手,以設在盛雄莊內新闢出的一個房間,陸續策畫、舉辦許多服務社區活動,包括安排麻州大學資訊科技系畢業的甘渴為開班教耆英善用手機各項功能;伍氏公所主席伍樹俊教易經風水;盛雄莊和原蔘泰這兩家公司提供與吃有關的最佳食材與烹飪作法;世界旗袍會的馮愛卿主持為社區耆英義務表演舞蹈,教跳舞,出售旗袍等活動。該會會員中包括潘飛、王天齊等有多名資深地產業人士,將可為社區內有需要者提供租屋買房方面的相關問題,孜嘎蒼珍( Tammy Tsikar)
孜嘎蒼珍( Tammy Tsikar)(左)介紹世界旗袍會及地產、貸款服務。
還可提供貸款方面的諮詢服務。至於行的方面,將在旅遊,飛機票方面尋覓適當專家及企業來為社區服務。
谷繼成(左)介紹他所發明的納米潤滑油。
           在「生活沙龍」開張儀式中,甘渴為,伍樹俊,孜嘎蒼珍分別簡述了他們提供的服務,亞美會董事谷繼成也示範,介紹了他所發明的納米超級潤滑油。
           曹品慈強調,該會設在盛雄莊內的「生活沙龍」,在早上9點半至下午6點半之間,歡迎所有會員到場品茶,聊天,聽講座,玩音樂,學書法,賞古董。他和亞美會創辦人甄雲龍將長期駐守,與會員交流。該會也將和包括至德三德公所、世界旗袍會、美國威達企業、中華書法會、阿波羅納米超級潤滑油等組織及企業,還有波士頓亞裔社區內的幾十個社團攜手合作,服務社區。
    亞美會成立後,頭三個月就有300多人登記冊為會員,後因管理困難,停止接納登記,改為發展合作夥伴,迄今已有100多個合作夥伴,這些會員及夥伴將自動成為「生活沙龍」的會員,新加入的會員,需繳會費15元,就可享有該會的食衣住行會員優惠。 

波士頓華埠南派舞獅、擺農貿市場吸引人潮 (圖片)











 

「城市投票權」背書支持Kim Janey競選波士頓市長

華人前進會員工及華埠居民以個人名義支持Kim Janey。前左起,余翠
鳳,李素影,Kim Janey,湯建華,以及右三李嘉接。(周菊子攝)
            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 今年的波士頓市長選戰,超多支持者在初選前就選邊站。 由有色社區工薪階層組成的,「城市投票權 (Right to the City Vote,簡稱RTCV) 731日早上在洛士百利的杜爹利餐廳 (Dudley Café) 門外,宣佈支持波士頓代市長Kim Janey

              RCTV在發出的新聞稿中強調,「當Kim Janey贏了,有色社區就贏了」。

Kim Janey致詞。(周菊子攝)
          2021年的這場波士頓市長選戰,在今年二到四月,6名主要候選人逐一出爐後,人們就已知道,波士頓市勢必變天,因為6名候選人全是有色人種,其中包括膚色外貌看來是白人的一名候選人,也聲稱自己是有色人種。

                   根據維基百科,有色人種(People of color)主要用於形容不被認為是白人的人,在美國,這個詞的適用對象包括非洲裔美人,亞裔美人,美國土著,太平洋島民每人,多族裔美人,以及某些拉丁裔美人。所以前述那位候選人給自己劃分的歸類,其實也沒錯。
李素影(右)支持Kim Janey。(周菊子攝)
本地工會26和Kim Janey合影。(周菊子攝)

不過RTCV稱,Kim Janey上任波士頓代市長後,在對抗流離失所,增加取得教育途徑,促進教育上的公平,致力讓警察負起責任等事務上,已有許多改善。該組織經過內部討論後,達成支持Kim Janey的共識。

              RTCV是在20208月成立的全市性政治組織,成員包括全波士頓市各地的工薪階層,移民,以及有色居民。歷經長達4個月的內部流程,成為一個訂有以最公平方式未受影響社區改善生活品質政策為優先的平台。

新聞稿上引述了數名該組織重要成員的支持發言。

前任昆士小學校長李素影表示,,「我和Janey市長共事多年,親眼見到她的熱情,以及她的致力為低收入學生、移民家庭,有特殊需要學生彌平機會差距。她證明了她是如何憑藉自己的生活經驗來做治理決定,她是我們在這個團結城市,以期波士頓市對所有人都更公平的歷史性時刻所需要的人」。

                      華人協選會(CPPA)成員駱理德表示,「Janey市長致力打擊流離失所,而且說到做到的撥出經費。她增撥了比以往多三倍的預算來留住居民,保持樓宇的可負擔。她也把給首次購屋者的援助提高了三倍,推出了社區土地信託基金,誓言在包容性房屋程式中做必要的改變」。

RTCV主席Armani White表示,「當我們談到復甦時,把重心放在族裔評等上很關鍵。Kim Janey在成為波士頓市長候選人之前,就已經在爭取教育平等及族裔正義上行動多年了,而她是能夠統一這個城市的人。她的改革考試學校錄取方式,推動警察問責制,開放經濟機會,都源自她自己的生活經驗,有著很深的社區根源。

731日這天,有三、四十人出席RTCV支持Kim Janey當波士頓市長的宣佈儀式,其中包括以個人身分出席的華人前進會共同主席湯建華,特地自製支持Kim Janey掛牌的華埠居民李家接,以及本地26工會的多名亞裔會員。(更正版)