Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Mitchell Cheste passed away

Governor Baker Statement On The Passing Of Commissioner Mitchell Chester

BOSTON - Today, Governor Charlie Baker released the following statement regarding the passing of Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Mitchell Chester:

“On behalf of the entire administration, Lt. Governor Polito and I extend our deepest condolences to Commissioner Chester’s family, friends and colleagues at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education during this difficult time. Commissioner Chester was a dedicated educator and accomplished public servant. His leadership improved the lives of thousands of the Commonwealth’s students and helped make our public school system a national leader.  He will be terribly missed by all.”

Statement from Superintendent Chang on passing of Education Commissioner Chester

Today, Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Tommy Chang released the following statement on the passing of Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Mitchell Chester: “On behalf of the Boston Public Schools, I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mitchell Chester. Mitchell was a true professional who cared deeply about improving public education for students across the Commonwealth and here in Boston. His commitment and dedication to high standards will leave a lasting legacy for students and educational leaders alike. He will be missed.”

藥老闆汙染藥害死數十人判刑9年

      (Boston Orange)把汙染了的藥品運到全美各地，導致60人死亡，數百人生病的傅萊明罕鎮製藥公司首席藥劑師暨前東主Barry J. Cadden，今(26)日在波士頓地區法院被判刑9年。

      這家公司的名稱是新英格蘭複合中心。生病的受害人和失去親人的家屬，今日在庭上作證時情緒都很激動。

在緩慢，不時停頓的聲明中，Barry J. Cadden表示，他對這些人的損失深感抱歉。他將為自己的所作所為終生揹負包袱。他預定於8月7日報到入獄。

Barry J. Cadden是在今年三月十，因為運送被汙染了的藥到全美各地，導致真菌性腦膜炎爆發，60人死亡，數以百計人生病而被控詐欺及敲詐勒索罪，但豁免了二級謀殺罪。

美國地區法院法官Richard Stearns公佈判決前表示，他讀了600多頁的受害者聲明。

      宣判時，法院裡有20多名受害者，幾乎都想要為真菌性腦膜炎爆發，對他們的親人所發生的影響。

      其中的Rachelle Shuff表示，她將因此而死，希望還能活兩年。一名因為此藥失去母親者表示，Cadden躲過了謀殺罪。

      一位腦膜炎倖存者要求法官判Cadden最重的刑罰，或者給他倆劑他自己的類固醇。另一人說她得忍受的痛楚，甚至讓她祈禱自己能死去。她也希望Cadden被判最重刑罰

Cadden的律師承認Cadden不是沒有錯，但指出Cadden並沒有面對謀殺罪。聯邦檢控官要求判Cadden入獄30年，辯護律師則邀情入獄3年。

South Cove Community Health Center Breaks Ground in Malden

Monday, June 26, 2017

Mayor Gary Christenson, City Council President Peg Crowe and members of the Malden community participated in a groundbreaking for South Cove Community Health Center as they officially begin the remodeling of their new clinic at 277 Commercial Street, the location of the former Malden Evening News. South Cove Community Health Center has been exploring the possibility of opening a clinic in Malden for some time. Having the third largest Asian population after Boston and Quincy, South Cove aims to offer valuable services to existing patients, as well as reach out to others who will benefit from the accessible and affordable quality healthcare provided by a local community health center.   

When complete, the remodeled one-story clinic will have over 14,000 square feet, and will offer 76 parking spaces. It will provide internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology services, pediatrics, optometry services and laboratory care, along with a team of social services staff whose primary job function will be to help patients obtain federal and/or state health coverage. The facility is being designed by Beacon Architectural Associates and construction work has been contracted to Bond Construction. South Cove Community Health Center is aiming for a December 2017 opening.

South Cove Community Health Center is a federally funded community health center with four locations in Boston and Quincy serving over 32,000 patients. Founded in 1972, South Cove Community Health Center is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of all medically underserved in Massachusetts, with a special focus on Asian Americans. This mission is accomplished by providing high quality, community-based health care and programs, which are accessible, affordable, as well as linguistically and culturally competent for these populations. 

For more information about South Cove Community Health Center, please visit www.scchc.org.

(From Malden Mayor's office)

Governor Baker Nominates Massachusetts Appeals Court Chief Justice Scott Kafker to Supreme Judicial Court

Governor Baker Nominates Massachusetts Appeals Court Chief Justice Scott Kafker to Supreme Judicial Court

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito today announced the nomination of Massachusetts Appeals Court Chief Justice Scott Kafker to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC). The nomination is Governor Baker’s fifth to the Commonwealth’s highest court. If confirmed by the Governor’s Council, Chief Justice Kafker will replace retiring Justice Geraldine Hines. 

“We have been honored and humbled by the responsibility of nominating five justices to the Supreme Judicial Court.  We are confident that, if confirmed, Chief Justice Kafker’s nearly three decades of service and his knowledge and commitment to the law will be a welcome addition to one of the nation’s appellate leading courts,” said Governor Baker. “We thank Justice Hines for her service and wish her well in her retirement.”

Justice Kafker was joined by family, friends and colleagues for the formal announcement today at the State House with the Governor and Lt. Governor. 

“As a member of the Appeals Court for the last sixteen years, and most recently as its Chief, Justice Kafker has proven to be a distinguished and highly experienced judge who will bring those skills to the Supreme Judicial Court,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “The Commonwealth is grateful for his service and that of Justice Hines and we look forward to the Governor’s Council’s consideration of Justice Kafker’s intellect, thoughtfulness and impartial dedication to justice and the people of Massachusetts.”

The Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) is the Commonwealth's highest appellate court, consisting of the Chief Justice and six Associate Justices. The seven Justices hear appeals on a broad range of criminal and civil cases from September through May and issue written opinions that are posted online. 

For more information about the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, visithttp://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/sjc/. 

In February of 2016, Governor Baker named a statewide 12-member Supreme Judicial     Nominating Commission (SJC-NC) to recruit, screen and recommend applicants to fill an unprecedented number of upcoming vacancies on the Commonwealth’s highest court. The process was re-opened last October with the pending retirements of Justice Margo Botsford and Justice Geraldine Hines. All judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council.

Associate Justices Kimberly Budd, Frank Gaziano and David Lowy joined the SJC last summer following their nomination by Governor Baker.  Associate Justice Elspeth Cyper was nominated by the Governor this past February. All four nominees received unanimous approvals by the Governor’s Council. 

About The Honorable Scott Kafker:

The Honorable Scott L. Kafker was appointed to the Massachusetts Appeals Court in 2001 by Governor Paul Cellucci and now serves as Chief Justice, appointed by Governor Charlie Baker in 2015. In this capacity, he leads the court with state-wide jurisdiction over all civil and criminal appeals.

Prior to joining the Appeals Court, Justice Kafker served as Chief Legal Counsel for the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) where he was responsible for all legal, insurance, and collective bargaining matters of Massport which operates Logan International Airport, regional airports and the Seaport of Boston. He provided legal advice and litigation support for the multi-billion dollar modernization of Logan Airport.

He served in the Weld Administration as Deputy Legal Counsel and Deputy Chief Legal Counsel from 1991 to 1993. From 1987 to 1991, Justice Kafker worked as an Associate at Foley, Hoag & Elliot. Upon graduation from law school, Justice Kafker clerked for Justice Charles L. Levin of the Michigan Supreme Court and Judge Mark L. Wolf of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. He also taught state constitutional law at Boston College Law School from 2009 to 2015 and served on the Supreme Judicial Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Civil and Appellate Procedure from 2008 to 2015. He graduated from Amherst College in 1981 and obtained his law degree from the University of Chicago Law School in 1985, where he was an editor on the law review.

7/23起 今夏3週日 Newbury 街變身行人徒步區

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES 2017 OPEN NEWBURY STREET SERIES

BOSTON - Monday, June 26, 2017- Building on the success of last year's Open Newbury Street event, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that "Open Newbury Street" will continue this year over a series of three Sundays this summer. From 10:00 a.m. to 6:00p.m. on July 23rd, August 13th, and September 10th, Newbury Street will become a pedestrian-only walkway, closing to vehicles to allow pedestrians the opportunity use the full width of the street. Newbury Street will be pedestrian-only from Arlington Street to Massachusetts Avenue. "Last year, Open Newbury Street was overwhelmingly positive for visitors and businesses alike, bringing thousands of people to the Back Bay neighborhood," said Mayor Walsh.  "We're excited to bring the idea back this year, so residents and visitors from all over can again enjoy Newbury Street for an afternoon, free of cars. We look forward to working with businesses and residents to make this year's Open Newbury another success." "We thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to experience Newbury Street as a pedestrian zone for a day last year and found it enhanced our business," said Sam Sokol, owner of Dirty Water Dough Company. "We set up tables on the street so customers could enjoy our food al fresco, which fostered a greater sense of community by allowing us to interact with more patrons and introduce them to our business. I look forward to the concept returning for three dates this summer and fall." Parking will once again be restricted beginning at 8:00 a.m., and signs will be posted informing drivers of the change. All businesses will be encouraged to promote the event on social media using #OpenNewbury and make customers aware of car-free day ahead of time. The public is encouraged to utilize the several different MBTA routes that service the area in addition to bicycling and walking. Last month, Mayor Walsh announced that Boston will celebrate  "Open Canal Street" on Saturday, July 8, 2017. For the afternoon, the West End's two-block Canal Street will shut down to vehicles, and open up for pedestrians, who will be able to shop, dine and enjoy the atmosphere of Boston's West End.

美國小城市會議頒獎表揚牛頓市長保護環境、氣候

Mayor Setti Warren Awarded Top Prize for Small City at U.S. Conference of Mayors 2017 Mayors’ Climate Protection Awards

Newton – At the 85^th Annual USCM Meeting, Newton Mayor Setti Warren and Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia received first place awards in the 2017 Mayors’ Climate Protection Awards, for small and large city respectively.

Mayor Warren received the award for the Newton Community Share Solar Initiative, a groundbreaking partnership to provide solar credits to low-income households in Newton. This unique program provides modest economic benefits to over 900 low- income Newton households by sharing solar credits from the City’s solar development projects. It also reduces the City’s carbon footprint, increasing the amount of clean, renewable energy in the community.

“Mayors Setti Warren and Robert Garcia are national climate leaders, taking us into the next decade of mayoral climate leadership and demonstrating how action helps our cities and the nation,” said Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director of The U.S. Conference of Mayors. “Mayors continue to be the first responders in our global climate battle, and the innovative programs underway in Newton and Long Beach will help inspire actions by other cities here in the U.S. and throughout the world.”

“Newton has made sustainability through solar energy a priority, as well as reducing inequality. This project came out of our desire to marry these two priorities in a way that is efficient, innovative, and inclusive and share the benefits of solar technology with lower income households," said Mayor Warren. "We are honored to receive this reward from Walmart and The U.S. Conference of Mayors and appreciate their ongoing support of mayors’ work to address the climate challenges before all of us.”

This award program recognizes and honors mayors for their outstanding and innovative practices that increase energy efficiency, expand renewable energy and/or reduce carbon emissions. For this achievement, Newton has been awarded $15,000 to continue working towards sustainability goals.

邦克丘學院獲10萬元支持查理市高中生深造

Bunker Hill Community College Awarded $100,000 for C-Town Business Pathways Program

BOSTON, June 26, 2017— Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) received a $100,000 grant from Cummings Foundation’s $100K for 100 program in support of the C-Town Business Pathways program.

A pilot program for students at Charlestown High School, the C-Town Business Pathways Program is a collaboration between BHCC, BUILD, Charlestown High and the Boston Private Industry Council. The program provides high school students the opportunity to earn up to 30 college credits–at no cost to the student–toward an associate degree in business.

Through this partnership, Charlestown students enroll in a four-year business pathway program, while also earning college credit as early as the 10th grade. Along with college credits, C-Town Business students participate in experiential learning activities such as job-shadowing and internships and benefit from additional mentoring, advising and tutoring. The students graduate high school with the opportunity to immediately enter the workforce, complete their associate degree at BHCC or major in business at a four-year college or university.

The Cummings Foundation grant supports the 9th and 10th grade components, focused on the BUILD entrepreneurship training program, which is paired with the BHCC Business curriculum. Through BUILD, students learn all the basics of entrepreneurship and launch real, licensed businesses by the end of ninth grade. Launched in 1999–with the Greater Boston branch opening its doors in 2011–BUILD has a strong partnership with Boston Public Schools, which provides space for mentoring sessions and its entrepreneurship course. In addition to Charlestown High, partner schools include Another Course to College, Community Academy of Science and Health (CASH), Jeremiah E. Burke High School, Dearborn STEM Academy and Madison Park Regional Vocational High School.

The methods of BUILD’s programming are proven by the success of its graduates. Ninety-seven percent of BUILD students complete high school on time and are accepted to college. The majority of those acceptances are to four-year programs. Locally, BUILD Boston alumni attend Bentley University, Bryn Mawr College, Howard University, University of New Hampshire, Suffolk University and many more. “Unlike most other college access programs, we’re reaching out to the students who are most at risk of failing or dropping out right here in our own community of Charlestown,” said BHCC President Pam Eddinger. “BUILD students develop their own business ideas, write business plans, pitch to funders and launch their own licensed businesses. It’s this real-world experience that makes school relevant and motivates students to succeed.”

Four-year graduation rates at Charlestown High School are among some of the lowest in the state, and almost all of its students are from low-income households. In line with BUILD’s mission to target low-income students attending under-resourced schools, the C-Town Business Pathways Program is designed to address key reasons why many students struggle in their transition to post-secondary education, such as tuition costs,  not having a clear pathway to a degree and not being prepared for college level course work.

The $100k for 100 program supports nonprofits that are not only based in but also primarily serve Middlesex, Essex and Suffolk counties. This year, the program is benefiting 35 different cities and towns within the Commonwealth.

Through this place-based initiative, Cummings Foundation aims to give back in the area where it owns commercial buildings, all of which are managed at no cost to the Foundation by its affiliate Cummings Properties. Founded in 1970 by Bill Cummings of Winchester, the Woburn-based commercial real estate firm leases and manages more than 10 million square feet of space, the majority of which exclusively benefits the Foundation.

BHCC was one of 100 organizations chosen from a total of 549 applicants, during a competitive review process. Grant recipients represent a wide variety of causes, including homelessness prevention and affordable housing, education, violence prevention and food insecurity. The complete list of winners is available at CummingsFoundation.org.