春假來臨 麻州政府提醒人們打疫苗加強暨

 Baker-Polito Administration Encourages COVID-19 Vaccination and Boosters at Family-Friendly Events During April School Vacation Week 

 

Local Massachusetts businesses to offer giveaways, COVID-19 vaccines 

 

BOSTON (April 13, 2022) – The Baker-Polito Administration is partnering with local businesses across the state to host free, family-friendly COVID-19 vaccination clinics and offer giveaways for getting vaccinated during April school vacation week, April 18-22.  With the support of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), these clinics will be held in 10 cities and towns at various locations, including trampoline parks, zoos, bowling alleys, and the Six Flags New England amusement park, to encourage a family-friendly atmosphere in which eligible individuals of all ages can get vaccinated and boosted.  

 

The clinics build on the success of vaccination clinics held earlier this year during February school vacation week, when more than 2,000 vaccinations were administered to children and adults in communities most disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

 

The clinics are part of DPH’s Vaccine Equity Initiative to increase awareness and access to the COVID-19 vaccine and mitigate the impacts of the pandemic among the hardest-hit populations and communities. 

 

“The best protection from COVID-19 infection remains vaccination and staying updated on all of the vaccine doses you are eligible for,” said Public Health Commissioner Margret Cooke. “These events are a convenient way for the whole family to get up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, and we thank the businesses and local partners for joining us to offer vaccination at these family-friendly locations.”

 

At participating locations, individuals receiving a first or second vaccine or a booster dose will receive a giveaway such as free admission tickets or an hour of trampoline or bowling time, depending on the specific location. In a special partnership with Six Flags, any Massachusetts resident who gets vaccinated at the Six Flags clinic will receive two admission tickets, free parking, and a meal. 

 

April Vacation Family Clinics:

 

Municipality	Location	Schedule	Giveaway
Everett	Everett City Clean Up Day @ Rivergreen Park	April 23	$25 gift card
Lawrence/ Methuen	1 Broadway Street, Methuen	April 21-April 24	$25 gift card, prizes and ice cream
Malden	Mixer eSports Cafe	April 22-24	1 hour of free game play
Swansea/ Fall River	Get Air Trampoline Park (Parking Lot)	April 21-23	1 hour of free jumping
New Bedford	Buttonwood Park Zoo (Parking lot)	April 23 and 24	2 free entry passes
New Bedford	Wonder Bowl	April 22 and 23	1 hour of free bowling
Springfield	Eastfield Mall	April 20	$25 grocery gift card, free food, music and games
Springfield	Bounce! Trampoline Park	April 21	1 hour of free jumping
Springfield	Interskate 91	April 22	1 hour of free skating
Agawam and Western MA	Six Flags	April 22, 23, and 24	2 free entry passes + free parking and 1 free meal, snack, and drink (MA residents only)
Brockton	FunZ Trampoline Park	April 21-23	1 hour of free jumping
Brockton	Arnone School	April 19-22	$25 grocery gift card
Lowell	Khmer New Year Celebration, Clemente Park	April 23	$25 grocery gift card
Lowell	Nibbana Café	April 23 and 24	$25 Nibbana gift card
Chelsea	Playground and Archery Games@ Boston Playground	April 20, 21, and 22	1 hour of free play voucher

 

 

Massachusetts leads the nation in COVID-19 vaccine administration, with over 82% of eligible residents (5+) fully vaccinated, and over 53% of eligible residents (12+) having received a booster.  The best way to protect against severe illness from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated and boosted and remain up to date on shots.

 

To see a full list of these special clinics and giveaways, visit www.mass.gov/KidsClinic. 

波士頓新年度預算擬撥款100萬資助華裔工人雕像計畫

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)在出發前，說明此行意圖。(周菊子攝)

              (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓藝術家曾文棣的華埠工人雕像計畫，有望在波士頓市府的2023年度營運預算中，獲得100萬元經費。

              波士頓文化藝術局在3月31日那天，邀請波士頓市長和社區民眾在波士頓華埠走了一圈，巡視華埠內的8個壁畫，公共裝置等藝術作品。

時信市場大樓前的壁畫。(周菊子攝)

              今 (4月13)日，波士頓市藝術文化長 Kara Elliott-Ortega在波士頓市府每年一度的預算早餐會中報告，該局在新年度預算中從美國援救計劃法 (ARPA)撥給波士頓市的經費中，獲得2000萬元，用於鄰里場所營造，重振城中區，以及提升黑人、土著，有色人種的文化錨定，以及支持社區參與，研討，評論的工作人員，聘用一名市府廣場主任。另外有100萬元預留給華埠工人雕像計畫。

             在3月31日那天，波士頓文化藝術局的公共藝術主任Karin Goodfellow邀請在華埠製作公共藝術作品的機構代表，藝術家等人，為波士頓市上任甫4個月的市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)沿路解說在街頭、牆上的公共藝術作品。

曾文棣說明他的銅製華裔工人雕像計畫。(周菊子攝)

              在夏利臣街的時信市場壁畫前，波士頓華埠社區中心的發展及通訊主任Christine Nguyen解釋，那是由Shaina Lu及 Yvonne Ng創作的「千絲萬縷」，把華埠一代曾經歷火車軌道拆遷，婦女在縫衣廠工作，餐廳裡賣點心，華埠民眾爭取消滅紅燈區，要求還我家園的遊行抗議等歷史，都畫了進去。

曾文棣臨摹董其昌「谷中青天」的壁畫。(周菊子攝)

              益士石街(Essex) 79號的好彩麵廠外牆，是泰國藝術家暨景觀建築師Ponnapa Prakkamakul和雅美社區發展協會 (ACDC)2k7 A-VOYCE青少年合作完成，由Oxford 物業集團支持的「歸屬，歸宿 (Where We Belong)」。

波士頓市長吳弭和市議會議長Ed Flynn，以及藝術家Ponnapa Prakkamakul自拍留影。
(周菊子攝)

 y4              在好事福街10號，屬於華人經濟發展協會小公園旁一棟樓的外牆上，有一幅曾文棣早年臨摹，放大許多倍的董其昌「谷中青天 (Travelers in Autumn)」這幅山水畫。曾文棣在解說該巨幅壁畫的典故後，還抓住機會說明在華埠土地信託會支持下，他已爭取到一些新英格蘭藝術基金會的”空間的公共藝術”獎助款，正在籌備製作一系列4件真人尺寸的銅製華埠工人雕像，包括洗衣工，餐館工，縫衣工，以及一名照顧小孩的祖母，藉以填補在許多公共藝術中缺失的那一塊。

波士頓市長吳弭(中)和部分陪同巡視者合影。(圖片來自推特)。

             在華埠牌樓那兒，綠路保護會的代表說明那兒有Daneil Heung畫的福狗，舢舨，May Sun的象棋廣場，以及黄颖梓和Vent Stack製作的虎年。綠路保護會說明，該會還在籌備增加綠路上的公共藝術作品，歡迎民眾提建議。

              在乞臣街的空置地皮上，有Ang Li創作的聚會地點，以及Gianna Stewart製作的”盪鞦韆，說故事”。

              在泰勒街上，有紐英崙至孝篤親公所出資，Bryan Beyung繪製的古代花瓶，波士頓青年清潔隊製作的華人醫務中心的管制菸草壁畫。在屋街西邊和所物街(Shawnut)有Ali Kazim製作的無名信徒系列。在天滿街及馬津尼路 (Marginal)上也有一些壁畫。

             這天波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn，華人土地信託會主任駱理德，包氏文藝中心主任胡善怡 (Cynthia Woo)，波士頓華商會的陳仕維，余麗媖，陳文珊，羅燕玲，燒酒餐廳老闆梅沛傑，藝術家吳友雯，梅宇國，波士頓音樂計畫主任Christopher Schroeder，有許多人陪同巡視。

在泰勒街和夏利臣街中間停車場旁樓房外牆上的古代花瓶壁畫。

今天早上在市政府預算早餐會上的投影片。

波士頓文化藝術長Kara Elliott-Ortega今早在市政府報告預算。(周菊子攝)

AG HEALEY SECURES MORE THAN $930,000 IN DEBT RELIEF AND RESTITUTION IN ILLEGAL DOG LEASING CASE

AG HEALEY SECURES MORE THAN $930,000 IN DEBT RELIEF AND RESTITUTION IN ILLEGAL DOG LEASING CASE   

Settlement Includes Refunds and Debt Cancelations; Finance Company to Transfer Full Ownership of Dogs to Consumers  

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey announced today that a finance company has agreed to provide more than $930,000 in debt relief and restitution to resolve allegations that it was illegally leasing dogs in Massachusetts. The settlement includes waiving outstanding debt held by consumers, providing payments to eligible consumers, and transferring full ownership of the dogs to hundreds of Massachusetts residents. 

The assurance of discontinuance with California-based company Monterey Financial Services, LLC, filed in Suffolk Superior Court, settles allegations that the company violated Massachusetts consumer protection laws by purchasing and collecting on leases for dogs, which is illegal in the state. The settlement also alleges that the company had engaged in illegal collection practices to collect outstanding balances on the leases.   

 “Families in Massachusetts looking to get a dog should not be trapped in leasing agreements that are harmful, expensive, and illegal,” said AG Healey. “We will take action to stop this exploitive practice of using dogs as emotional leverage, and are pleased to get results for pet owners involved with these finance companies.” 

Dog leases are illegal in Massachusetts and are often an expensive way to purchase a dog. These transactions can carry high finance charges, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the lease term and dog purchase price. 

Under pet leasing arrangements, the consumer must make monthly payments to the finance company involved for the duration of the lease. If the consumer wants to purchase the dog at the end of the lease, the consumer must make an additional payment to the financial company to finally own the dog. However, if the consumer misses a payment, the dog can be repossessed by the company, just like a leased car.

The AG’s Office has been conducting investigations into financial companies that originated or purchased dog leases. The AG’s Office learned of Monterey’s illegal dog leasing practices while it was investigating another financial company, Nevada-based Credova Financial. Under a settlement reached with the AG’s Office, Credova agreed to waive balances totaling more than $126,000 for consumers who wanted to purchase dogs from retailers. 

Under the terms of today’s settlement, Monterey Financial has agreed to stop collecting on any active leases involving dogs in Massachusetts and transfer full ownerships of the dogs to the consumers. Monterey Financial has also agreed to cancel any outstanding amount owed on the leases, totaling approximately $700,000. The company will also provide $175,000 in restitution to consumers and will be required to pay $50,000 to the state.  

Consumers who have been victims of dog leases are encouraged to contact the AG’s Insurance and Financial Services Division at 1-888-830-6277 or file a complaint at www.mass.gov/ago. 

            This matter was handled in the AG’s Office by staff of the AG’s Insurance and Financial Services Division, including Assistant Attorney General Michael Sugar and Legal Analyst Maggie Wallace, with the assistance of Ciara Tran of the AG’s Civil Investigations Division.

吳弭上任波士頓市長的首個預算提案 約40億元

               (Boston Orange綜合編譯) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 上任後提出的第一份行政營運預算，2023會計年度39億9000萬元。

吳弭市長在4月11日發給市議會一封信，提前預告她計畫動用波士頓市政府所收到，數以億計聯邦美國援救計畫(ARPA)的新冠病毒復甦款，每一筆款項用途，都彰顯她為所制訂政策所做的努力。

4月13日，她將在波士頓市府傳統的預算早餐會上詳細解釋。

在制訂這份預算前，波士頓市政府曾經長達一個月的舉辦公聽會，進入多個社區，廣邀民眾參與預算制定，以其政府支出符合民意。

今年也是第一年，波士頓市議會對於市府預算如何用，有更多置喙發言權。

吳弭打算花2億1600萬元，在住宅，環保，以及支持小企業，擴大人力發展等議題上。她還要把錢用在成立新辦公室，幫助婦女及少數族裔爭取市府合約。

吳弭也打算靠這筆只有一次的新冠紓困款，來推動一輩子只有一次，必須能創造長期影響的轉型投資。

聯邦紓困款還剩下的3億5000萬元，吳弭提議在氣候方面花3100萬元，在早期教育及托兒服務上花1500萬元。至於2億零600萬元則適用於各種住宅相關政策上，包括第一代購屋者補助，更新公屋單位等。吳弭還希望跨部門合作，來為波士頓市民提供公平，能因應氣候，有工作機會及健康的波士頓新綠化政策。ˇ

一度支持刪減警察局預算10%的吳弭，後來強調警察局的全面改革更重要，現在的預算提案，她提議把波士頓警察局預算從2022會計年度的4億元，刪減1%到2023會計年度3億9600萬元。她還打算在警察局的人事服務方面減少1000萬元開支，但在其他方面增加預算。

              吳弭的預算提案還包括資助她新成立的辦公室，諸如黑人男子進步辦公室(Office of Black Male Advancement)120萬元，LGBTQ+進步辦公室29萬5000元。平等辦公室的經費預算則是從去年的430萬元減少為140萬元，婦女進步辦公室的預算也比2022會計年度少40萬元。

              波士頓市府的平等及包容內閣的營運預算，將從2022會計年度的1070萬元減少到2023會計年度的1020萬元。

以往，波士頓市議會只能贊成或反對市長提議的預算案，而且只能在市長要求時，才能更轉移經費，但去年通過的選票問題，卻讓波士頓市議會在不超過市長所提預算額度中，有修訂預算的權力。

民間組織呼籲波士頓市長吳弭支持民選學校委員會委員

Bostonians for an Elected School Committee: Where is Mayor Wu on the plan supported by 99,000 voters?

Bostonians for an Elected School Committee today called on Mayor Michelle Wu to join in restoring democratic control and accountability to the Boston Public Schools.

We are a coalition of organizations from across the city. Our November 2021 ballot question for an elected School Committee won 99,000+ votes, more than any elected leader in the city—including Mayor Wu. The ballot question won in every single precinct in every single ward, the first in history to do so!

Since the election, we have repeatedly requested to meet with Mayor Wu to discuss her position. She has yet to respond.

Today’s city council hearing marked a critical moment in the effort to move forward with delivering on the mandate expressed by Boston voters for an elected school committee. The petition filed by District 5 Councilor Ricardo Arroyo and Councilor-at-large Julia Mejia must be supported by the Council and the Mayor.

Mayor Wu has taken a very public position in opposition to receivership, arguing that democracy and local control must rule. That same argument must hold to abide by the wishes of the voters in Boston. A hybrid model would only water down the power of the voters. We should have the right to elect our own decision makers to our School Committee—just like every other municipality in MA. By her lack of transparency and refusal to engage on this issue that so many residents support, she is proving the importance of a fully elected, fully accountable School Committee. 

Past mayors have hidden behind their appointees, pulling the strings on key school decisions affecting thousands of students but avoiding responsibility. Mayor Wu ran on a platform of social justice and change and held herself up as a champion of democracy. On this critical issue, which directly affects 50,000 children and their families and indirectly affects every resident of the city, Mayor Wu is not walking the walk.

Both the Council and the Mayor must approve the home rule petition before it can go to the legislature. We call on Mayor Wu not to stand in the way of the 99,000 voters who want real accountability from their School Committee.

Bostonians for an Elected School Committee

 

Our Testimony from Toiday's City Council Hearings

· Afternoon Hearing on Elected School Committee Home Rule Petition

· Morning Hearing on Receivership

 

Our Member Organizations

· Black Educators’ Alliance of Mass

· Black Teachers Matter

· Boston Coalition for Education Equity

· Boston Education Justice Alliance

· Boston Teachers Union

· Citizens for Public Schools

· Collaborative Parent Leadership Action Network

· Healthy Food for Boston Schools Action Network

· Jamaica Plain Progressives

· Mass Asian American Educators Association

· Mijente Boston Asamblea

· NAACP Boston Branch

· QUEST (Quality Education for Every Student)

地鐵藍線從機場到Bowdoin 4/25-5/8暫停服務 有免費渡輪

4月18日起 費城再次規定室內戴口罩

             (Boston Orange編譯) 路透社4月11日報導，因為新一波的病毒傳染，費城(Philadelphia)又開始要求民眾從下星期起，在餐館，學校，以及企業等的室內公眾場合戴口罩了。

             費城這新規定將於4月18日開始生效。一旦開始，費城將是美國境內第一個重新規定民眾戴口罩的城市。

             人口150萬的費城，新感染個案增加快速，和四月剛開始時比，增加了50%，費城公共衛生局長Cheryl Bettigole在新聞簡報中表示，這情況促使市府採取預防措施。新冠病毒的住院率，目前持穩。

             費城最近的感染個案數，平均每日140多宗，住院的少於50人。

             根據路透社統計，賓州的感染個案在一週之內增加了70%，擠進了成為全美傳染最快的前10州。

             由於奧米克戎(Omicron)次級變種BA.2的傳染力更強，美國全國的新增感染率上週上升了10%。奧米克戎現在是美國及其他地方的主要病毒。