TECO處長孫儉元投書波士頓環球報 籲理念相同國家支持台灣

           (波士頓經文處訊))新英格蘭地區第一大報「波士頓環球報」10月14日於紙本及網路版(https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/10/14/opinion/like-minded-democracies-send-strong-message-by-uniting-behind-taiwan/?p1=BGSearch_Advanced_Results)同步刊登孫儉元處長投書，標題為「理念相近民主國家共同支持台灣可向中國發出強烈訊息」(Like-minded democracies send strong message by uniting behind Taiwan)。

                    孫處長的投書是呼應「波士頓環球報」於10月6日所發表支持台灣民主自由的社論 (A democracy under siege as China harasses Taiwan )（https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/10/06/opinion/chinese-harassment-taiwan-risks-tragic-miscalculation/?p1=BGSearch_Overlay_Results)。

                 孫處長於文中指出：（一）中國從未放棄武力犯台。其軍機每日入侵台灣防空識別區，已破壞台海及印太地區的和平與穩定。中國不負責任的行為充分證明其魯莽，且無視國際規範；（二）國際對台灣的支持不斷強化。四方安全對話，美日高峰會，美韓高峰會，歐盟日本高峰會，七大工業國集團外長會議，日澳二加二外交國防部長諮商，七大工業國領袖峰會，歐盟美國高峰會，法澳二加二部長諮商及美澳部長級諮商的會後聲明均明確表達對中國意圖破壞區域安全的憂慮，並強調維持台海和平穩定的重要性；（三）作為負責任的利害關係者，台灣對在對等、無預設前提的基礎上進行兩岸對話抱持開放態度。同時，亦決心捍衛得來不易的民主與自由。理念相近民主國家共同支持台灣，將可向中國發出強烈訊息，要求其停止在印太地區的侵擾及破壞行為，此舉亦將有助增進區域和平及穩定。

AG HEALEY JOINS BIPARTISAN, MULTISTATE EFFORT SUPPORTING LOCAL JOURNALISM

 AG HEALEY JOINS BIPARTISAN, MULTISTATE EFFORT SUPPORTING

LOCAL JOURNALISM

Legislation Offers Tax Credits to Subscribers, Businesses, and News Organizations

 

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey joined a bipartisan coalition of 15 attorneys general calling on Congress to pass legislation that supports local journalism by providing tax credits for newspapers, digital publications, television, and radio. Among other benefits, this bill will provide a payroll credit for compensation of local journalists and establish tax credits to incentivize advertising in local news outlets.

 

“Local journalism performs an integral role in our society by keeping our communities informed and holding every level of government accountable – but it’s no secret they are struggling,” said AG Healey. “I am proud to join my colleagues in support of this legislation that will help give local news organizations in Massachusetts the financial boost they need to survive and thrive.”

 

The letter calls on congressional leaders to pass the Local Journalism Sustainability Act of 2021 (H.R. 3940 and S. 2434). The act provides:

• Up to $250 in tax credits to local newspaper subscribers to offset subscription fees;
• Up to $5,000 in tax credits for some local businesses who buy ads in local newspapers, television, and radio; and
• Up to $25,000 for local news organizations to hire journalists.

 

“Local newspapers are responsible for half of our country’s original reporting, although they only account for one-quarter of media outlets. In many rural communities, local news organizations provide the only information and updates about issues impacting the community,” the letter states.

 

It also addresses the importance of journalism in multicultural communities. “Regional journalism is critical, as is journalism by and for Black, Indigenous, and people of color, including ethnic media organizations. These organizations are best positioned to identify, investigate, and report on issues of concern to their respective communities, and Congress should take action to support and strengthen them.”

 

Joining AG Healey in the letter are the attorneys general of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, the District of Columbia and Guam.

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF THE COMMUNITY CLEAN AIR GRANT

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF THE COMMUNITY CLEAN AIR GRANT

BOSTON - Saturday, October 16, 2021 - Today, Mayor Janey announced the selection of two recipients for the Community Clean Air Grants, a program offered by the Environment Department and the Air Pollution Control Commission. The program has awarded two grants totaling $96,134 to Mothers Out Front East Boston and the Home Energy Efficiency Team for their locally-driven projects that will produce meaningful air quality improvements. The City will have an additional funding round  this year for projects that contribute to the City of Boston’s 2019 Climate Action Plan Update and  achieve Boston’s clean air and carbon neutrality goals. “Boston residents know the critical urgency of protecting our environment and mitigating the extent of air pollution in our communities,” said Mayor Janey. “I am proud to award these community-based organizations with the Community Clean Air Grant to continue supporting their crucial work to protect health and quality of life in Boston.” Each round of the Community Clean Air Grant application is open to any individual, non-profit or business seeking to eliminate or address specific sources of air pollution within Boston. Projects may also seek to: Reduce the negative health impacts of air pollution emissions within Boston; Enhance the ability of local communities in Boston to improve local air quality; Have a measurable impact on air quality or carbon emissions within Boston. “Air pollution affects the health of our people and our planet -  from higher rates of cardiovascular and respiratory disease to increasing climate change resulting in higher temperatures and rising seas,” said Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space. “We’re excited that the Community Clean Air Grant can empower community members to take meaningful actions that contribute to our long-term goals and directly benefit their neighbors and communities.” The Mayor has awarded $51,764 to the East Boston Home Daycare Air Purification project, led by Mothers Out Front East Boston, a nonprofit focused on fighting for a livable climate for generations to come. The project focuses on an air quality campaign providing HEPA purifiers to at-home childcare facilities, many of which are run by women of color and vulnerable populations. Mothers Out Front East Boston and the East Boston Social Center, in collaboration with Air Partners/Olin College, will install HEPA purifiers in 27 East Boston home daycares. The objectives are to reduce children’s exposure to ultra fine particulate pollution and to create engagement strategies that both build awareness of pollution and related health implications, and also ensure compliance and success.  "Studies show that 70% of East Boston pollution makes it indoors. 21% of residents in East Boston are children who are especially vulnerable to the many health effects of air pollution,” said Sonja Tengblad and Liliana Arteaga, Mothers Out Front East Boston. “Specific models of HEPA purifiers can reduce their exposure to ultrafine particulate pollution by up to 94%. By supporting the childcare providers who care for our youngest populations, we are helping to protect one of our most vulnerable populations in East Boston. We are grateful to the City of Boston for their generous support."  The Mayor has awarded $39,420 to the project Breathe Easy with Induction Cooking, led by the Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET). This small, local, women-owned nonprofit seeks practical solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while helping people live healthier and less expensive lives. HEET’s project, Breathe Easy with Induction Cooking, works to improve indoor air quality for residents who both have asthma and use a gas stove. The project will provide 100 to 200 electric portable induction cooktops, to offer an alternative, non-emitting method of cooking, to reduce indoor emissions, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy costs. "Studies have shown that homes with inadequately vented natural gas stoves can have nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels that exceed outdoor air pollution standards, and can increase asthma rates in children,” said Molly Fairchild, from HEET.  “This grant will help reduce indoor air emissions for Boston families affected by asthma, by offering clean, safe, fast cooking with induction. We are so grateful to Mayor Janey and the City’s Environment Department for supporting this project.”  The third funding round closes on Friday, January 28th, 2022. To apply for the grant, schedule office hours, or learn more, visit boston.gov/clean-air-grant.

MAYOR JANEY AND BOSTON PARKS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCE ASH TREE CARE PL

 

MAYOR JANEY AND BOSTON PARKS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCE ASH TREE CARE PLAN Emerald Ash Borer a threat to Boston’s Ash Trees

BOSTON - Friday, October 15, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department today announced measures being taken to slow the spread and protect Boston’s public street trees from the Emerald Ash Borer. This invasive beetle lays eggs on the bark of ash trees and upon hatching, the larvae burrow deeper in the tree, killing it. The pest only feeds on ash trees.

Adult Emerald Ash Borer beetle Photo: Debbie Miller, USDA Forest Service

The City of Boston will manage the infestation by treating healthy trees on public property to prevent infection and removing trees that are dead, dying, or significantly damaged. Several hundred street trees will be removed this winter while the trees are dormant, and preventative injections will begin next spring when healthy trees are becoming more active. Sites where trees have been removed will be prioritized for new tree plantings in the next planting season. Managing the Emerald Ash Borer infestation in Boston will take place over several years. “Dead, dying, and damaged trees pose a significant public health and safety threat to Boston’s communities,” said Mayor Janey. “The City Arborist is currently working to determine which public street trees have been infested with the Emerald Ash Borer. It’s crucial that we save as many trees as possible with smart management decisions to protect our City’s green spaces for generations to come.”

Ash tree receiving preventative treatment for Emerald Ash Borer Photo: David Cappaert, Bugwood.org

The Emerald Ash Borer has been spreading since it was first found in the Arnold Arboretum in 2014. The invasive beetle has been identified in the neighborhoods of Allston-Brighton, Dorchester, Fenway-Kenmore, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, Roxbury, Mattapan, and West Roxbury, as well as the Arnold Arboretum, Franklin Park and the Muddy River area. Ash trees around the City are beginning to show outward signs of infestation, which include D-shaped exit holes in the bark of ash trees, ”blonding” from woodpecker feeding, dieback in the upper third of the tree canopy, and sprouting at the base of the trunk.

Emerald ash borer adults chew D-shaped emergence holes to exit from ash trees Photo: Debbie Miller, USDA Forest Service

“Blonding” from bark removed by woodpeckers searching for emerald ash borer larvae and pupae Photo: Steven Katovich, Bugwood.org

Basal sprouting on an ash tree in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston Photo: Max Ford-Diamond

“Understanding canopy loss is the first step in addressing issues affecting Boston’s trees—like climate change, development, pests, and disease—and how those factors intersect,” said Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space. “That’s why the Parks Department is developing a road map to powerful, equity-centered policy changes that will preserve and expand our tree canopy—the City’s first Urban Forest Plan.”  The City’s Urban Forest Plan’s initial phase, a comprehensive tree inventory, was completed in September and revealed that Boston is home to approximately 1,817 public street ash trees, which represent about 4.3% of the city’s total street tree population. The Plan’s recommendations will also include increased funding and staffing for tree care and to more effectively respond to invasive insects like Emerald Ash Borer. “While tree removals are always challenging to witness, they are necessary to protect healthy trees and to stop the spread of Emerald Ash Borer,” said Parks Commissioner Ryan Woods. “Dead trees, with their brittle wood, quickly become a safety hazard.” “Since its introduction into the U.S. Midwest in the 1990’s, the emerald ash borer has killed millions of natural and cultivated ash trees. Spreading to Massachusetts in 2012, it was first detected in Boston here at the Arnold Arboretum through a rigorous monitoring program in partnership with the DCR and the City. The City’s Urban Forest Plan aims to diversify, expand the tree canopy, and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow—a key step toward a more resilient and sustainable urban forest,” said Andrew Gapinski, Head of Horticulture at the Arnold Arboretum and member of the Community Advisory Board for the Urban Forest Plan. “The emerald ash borer is here to stay, and best management practices of surveying the City’s ash trees for signs of the beetle, removal and replacement of trees in decline, and treatment of trees in good health is essential to saving as many ash trees as possible. EAB is just one of many introduced pests that have devastating effects on our forests, landscapes, and communities – and it certainly will not be the last.” The Boston Parks and Recreation Department cares for public street trees and park trees. If you believe you have seen an infested ash tree on a public street or park, contact 311. Private property owners should learn to recognize ash trees, check for signs of infestation, and contact a certified arborist for preventative treatments. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation coordinates the Emerald Ash Borer response at the state level and provides resources on their website. The Parks Department will hold two webinars scheduled for 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on October 28. Additional information on Emerald Ash Borer, and the webinar registration form, can be found at boston.gov/trees.

查理貝克政府宣佈十月為麻州的蔓越莓月

 Baker-Polito Administration Declares October

“Massachusetts Cranberry Month”

 

BOSTON – Continuing the Commonwealth’s support of cranberry farmers and encouraging Massachusetts residents to purchase locally produced cranberry products, Governor Charlie Baker today declared October as “Massachusetts Cranberry Month.” Massachusetts is the oldest cranberry growing region in the country. Today, there are approximately 13,000 acres of commercial cranberry bogs in the state, primarily in Plymouth, Bristol, and Barnstable counties. In 2020, the total value of utilized Massachusetts cranberry production was approximately $64.9 million. Cranberries represent the top commercial crop grown in the Commonwealth, producing nearly 23% of the nation’s cranberry supply.

 

“Recognizing the cranberry as an important crop to the Commonwealth’s history and economy, the Baker-Polito Administration is once again proud to build on our longstanding support of the cranberry growing industry and ensure that the official state berry of Massachusetts continues to thrive for generations to come,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “Aside from it being a delicious and quintessential New England staple, the production of cranberries provides enormous environmental benefits to the Commonwealth and our local growers are true stewards of their land, incorporating the latest in technology and equipment to harvest their fruit in ways that conserves water and protects natural resources.”

 

In August 2020, the Baker-Administration announced $7.75 million in funding to support infrastructure upgrades, including the design, construction, retrofitting and outfitting of enhanced laboratory space, at the UMass Cranberry Station located in Wareham. The funding will be used by the Cranberry Station to modernize and expand its research facilities, improve the environmental profile of the facility, and provide the tools needed to support vigorous research programs in cranberry water, pest, and nutrient management. The Station is a vital outreach and research center charged with the mission of maintaining and enhancing the economic viability of the Massachusetts cranberry industry. While construction for this renovation project is already underway, plans for an official groundbreaking ceremony are planned for later in the month.

 

The Massachusetts’ cranberry industry, through crop production, processing and manufacturing, is a major sector of the state’s agriculture economy. Additionally, increasing the efficiency of water use in cranberry production is key to conserving water, while minimizing off-target movement of nutrients and pesticides, which will help to preserve water quality and ensuring the sustainability of cranberry production in the Commonwealth.

 

“Whether served alongside a Thanksgiving Day dinner, in dried form on top of a salad or consumed in a glass as a beverage, the cranberry is a versatile fruit that has been enjoyed for generations here in Massachusetts and across the country,” said MDAR Commissioner John Lebeaux. “Taking place from late September to early November, the cranberry harvest season coincides with the fall foliage season, providing a double dose of visual splendor and making October the perfect month to celebrate.”

 

“Although our growers are nurturing the native perennial cranberry vines the whole year through, we once again are honored that the Commonwealth has recognized our industry in its most identifiable harvest month, October,” said Brian Wick, Executive Director of the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association, serving growers from all of Massachusetts. “With record rains this past summer, this year’s cranberry crop faces the opposite challenge from last year when there was a drought. Still, the industry has seen strong domestic sales of cranberry products this past year as a result of consumer interest for healthy, immune-boosting products which cranberries naturally deliver.”  

 

Following recommendations from the Administration’s COVID-19 Command Center’s Food Security Task Force, which promotes ongoing efforts to ensure that individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth have access to healthy, local food, the Administration in June 2020 launched a new $36 million Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program to address urgent food insecurity for Massachusetts residents as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since January 2021, through six funding rounds, the Administration awarded over $35.5 million to support over 360 projects to increase food security in the Commonwealth, including four awards to Massachusetts cranberry growers. The administration recently announced a second round of the program, funded at $15 million for FY22. The program is currently accepting applications through October 31, 2021.

 

“I am very grateful for Baker-Polito Administration’s continued support of cranberry growers and the cranberry production industry,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Their longstanding championing of vital programs such as the UMass Cranberry Station and the agricultural cranberry enhancement grants to support growers revitalize cranberry bogs have helped keep this unique industry - critical to Southeastern Massachusetts - thriving and on the cutting edge of agricultural technology.”

 

“Here in the Commonwealth, and especially in the Southeast region, the cranberry is the backbone of our regional agricultural sector,” Dean of the Massachusetts Senate Marc R. Pacheco (D-Taunton). “With over 13,000 acres of commercial cranberry bogs in Massachusetts - primarily throughout Plymouth, Bristol, and Barnstable counties – I am very pleased that we are taking the time to recognize our statewide cranberry industry by officially declaring October ‘Massachusetts Cranberry Month’. Many thanks to all the growers, farmers, and agricultural workers who have helped make the cranberry synonymous with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

 

“The cranberry industry has been of vital importance to agriculture in the Commonwealth and especially here on the south coast,” said State Representative Susan Gifford (R-Wareham). “We are grateful to have an Administration that recognizes the important role cranberries play in our economy and the challenges that face our growers.  I was honored to have served as a member of the Cranberry Revitalization Task Force.”

 

“Cranberries and cranberry growers have been an important part of our regional history and economy for more than 200 years, and with continuing state support, Massachusetts bogs should continue to serve as one of the top producing regions in the world,” said State Representative Bill Straus (D-Mattapoisett), Co-Chair of the Cranberry Station Board of Oversight.

 

In October 2019, the Administration announced $991,837 to 21 cranberry growers for bog renovation projects MDAR’s Massachusetts Cranberry Bog Renovation Enhancement Grant Program to help renovate existing cranberry bogs, providing higher yields and more efficient methods of cranberry production for participating growers. Furthermore, in June 2017, the Massachusetts Cranberry Revitalization Task Force released its final report with recommendations to preserve and strengthen Massachusetts’ cranberry industry. The Task Force, composed of 18 government officials and stakeholders within the cranberry industry, was created by the Legislature in July 2015 to examine the status of the industry and the complex challenges ahead, and to develop a multi-pronged action plan geared toward stabilizing and revitalizing the cranberry industry.

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES SWIM SAFELY PARTNERSHIP, AN INITIATIVE TO INCREASE WATER SAFETY FOR BOSTON RESIDENTS

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES SWIM SAFELY PARTNERSHIP, AN INITIATIVE TO INCREASE WATER SAFETY FOR BOSTON RESIDENTS   The new community partnership will reduce drowning risk while addressing racial and economic inequities

 

 

BOSTON - Wednesday, October 13, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today announced the Swim Safely Partnership, aimed to increase access to swimming lessons, especially for those who have faced historic and economic barriers. Mayor Janey made the announcement today at Roxbury’s YMCA, an organization participating in the multi-part community strategy. This initiative seeks to increase swim safety by offering free YMCA swim lessons for children and adults, expanding the lifeguard workforce through free training, and plans to implement a pilot program that offers free swimming lessons for Boston Public Schools (BPS) students at some schools as part of the curriculum.   “Our beautiful City gems, such as our pools and beaches, should be places people can access with safety and confidence,” said Mayor Kim Janey. “Too often fear of water due to false and negative cultural assumptions, an overall lack of access, and the dearth of swimming caps to properly accommodate Black hair prevent enjoyment of these resources. I applaud all our community partners for expanding access to life-saving swimming skills that will also boost the physical, mental, and social well-being of our City’s residents.”   Swimming accidents are a public health threat. The Commonwealth saw far too many drownings this year, including here in Boston. These tragic accidents coupled with a lifeguard shortage highlight the need for action.    According to the American Red Cross, swimming lessons reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent. To help address this need locally, the YMCA of Greater Boston has emerged as a key partner, offering free swimming lessons, starting on November 1st. The organization will offer 8-week sessions at the Roxbury YMCA, the Dorchester YMCA, and the Menino YMCA (Hyde Park).    “We proudly welcome Mayor Janey to the Roxbury Y,” said James Morton, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Boston. “We appreciate her attention to this much needed swim safety program and for recognizing the Y as a strong partner in this work.”   The YMCA will also help increase the lifeguard workforce by providing free training and certification, in collaboration with BPS high schools. These trainings will provide an excellent opportunity for youth employment in the City, while also ensuring the safety of our pools and waterfront spaces. Boston Public Schools is also planning a pilot program in the winter/spring to explore offering swimming lessons as part of the curriculum for some students.     ​​“It is so important that our children, particularly in communities of color, develop swimming and water safety skills that will stay with them for the rest of their lives,” said BPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius. “The Boston Public Schools recognizes swimming as an important life skill and is excited to work alongside our City and non-profit partners on this critical initiative. All of our students deserve the opportunity to access the wealth of resources and recreational activities a coastal city like ours has to offer.”   Nationwide, drowning is the leading cause of death in children aged one to four and the second leading cause of accidental death in children aged one to fourteen. Black children ages 10-14 are more than seven times more likely to drown than white children of the same age, according to the CDC.    Economic inequities also persist. A 2017 report commissioned by USA Swimming found that in families with an annual household income below $50,000, 79 percent of children have little or no swimming ability.   The Swimming Safely Partnership programming emphasizes cultural competency, including community conversations led by the Save the Harbor Women of Color Coalition and the provision of Soul Caps, specially designed swim caps for natural hair, to program participants.   “The Boston Harbor Women of Color Coalition is overjoyed to be part of this initiative and to host culturally informed community conversations that will provide an extra level of comfort for our community members of color to confidently support their children and families in, around, and after swimming in pools and any of the amazing blue spaces Boston has to offer,” said Maya Smith, Partnerships & Program Development Director at Save the Harbor Boston and co-founder of their Women of Color Coalition. “Mayor Janey is helping to ensure that our communities will have safe and equitable access to swimming and waterways including the incredible resource that is Boston Harbor, and we are proud to share that mission.”   Additional partners who have joined this important initiative include the Boston Triathlon, which will be developing more youth competition in the City and exposing young athletes to the sport of swimming.   “The Boston Triathlon is committed to helping organize and provide additional swim clinics throughout the year in the City of Boston. Together with USA Swimming and USA Triathlon we will continue to grow our ‘Splash and Dash’ so children across the City have access. We want to increase accessibility and remove barriers for people of color to our sport,” said Michael O’Neil, President of the Boston Triathlon.    The financing of this initiative will come from various sources, including an investment from Mayor Janey’s Joy Agenda, which was matched by a philanthropic contribution from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.    “Blue Cross is committed to the health of children and families in our communities,” said Jeff Bellows, Vice President of Corporate Citizenship and Public Affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. “We’re proud to partner with the City to ensure that all kids, and especially those living in under-resourced neighborhoods, learn how to swim by providing free swim lessons and water safety classes to Boston’s youth.”   This new program builds off of the City’s existing water safety efforts including swim lessons and other aquatics programs offered by Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF).   For more information about the Swim Safely Partnership, to receive swim lesson sign-up information, or to learn more about lifeguard training, please email swim@boston.gov.   ###