網頁

星期六, 6月 28, 2014

三名獨立黨派麻州州長候選人各有意見

非牟利團體麻州公司(MassInc)昨(廿七)日在麻州律師協會大樓舉行獨立黨派候選人論壇,讓人見到民眾可以有的其他三個麻州州長選擇,也聽到些頗為不同的政見。
            今年的麻州州長選舉,民主,共和兩黨,依序將有三人,兩人在九月九日初選時角逐。獨立黨派的候選人,可以直接參加十一月四日的大選,但須在七月廿九日前,遞交出一萬份以上的有效支持簽名,才有資格列名選票,和代表民主,共和兩黨的候選人,競爭麻州州長一職。
參選麻州州長一職的三名獨立候選人,曾任醫療界高管,現年四十四歲,住在牛頓市的費爾全(Evan Falchuk);風險資本家,現年五十二歲,住在波士頓市的麥闊彌(Jeffrey McCormick),曾是律師,現為牧師,住在春田市的萊福利(Scott Lively),昨日和論壇主持人,麻州公司(MassInc)的麻州雜誌(Commonwealth Magazine)主編Bruce Mohi互動回答時,至少有一點意見相同。
他們都認為,民主,共和兩黨讓人不滿意,以致麻州選民,有一半以上未登記黨派歸屬。萊福利更指稱,共和黨也好,民主黨也好,即使有兩黨,其實等於一個黨,都講究精英治理,是新封建主義。
六月廿三日時宣佈已確定可名列麻州州長選票上的費爾確(Evan Falchuk指出,麻州選民約有53%未登記黨派,58%希望出現新政黨。目前他已組織聯合獨立黨(United Independent Party),如果十一月的麻州大選,他得到3%的選票,聯合獨立黨將正式成為麻州的新政黨。
談到超級協定(Super PAC)時,費爾全和麥闊爾意見大相逕庭。費爾全認為超級協定破壞了民主體制,讓社會倒退回十九世紀,應該修憲,禁止組成這樣的政治團體。他坦言自己拒絕了該組織的支持。他也批評麥闊爾聘請現有的政治圈內人助選,不應該算作獨立黨派人士。
麥闊爾卻認為,要做事就得團結所有人,不可能只靠那些未登記黨派的人。組成超級協定的那些人,雖然有些人側身於目前的民主,共和兩黨之內,但都是真正關心現有體制已支離破碎,想要推動改變的人。
萊福利認為超級協定的問題在於金錢與選舉,那些人只關心他們自己的議題,並不做全面考量。他強調自己希望把聖經世界觀點(biblical worldview)帶進麻州,指費爾全一旦組黨,會和其他黨沒有什麼不同。
談到醫療保險時,費爾確顯然有更深入的認識與了解。他直指麻州醫療保險費用高居全美之冠,部分原因就在於醫療護理機構併購,壟斷市場。他也批評麻州總檢察長柯克莉(Martha Coakley)的批准夥伴醫療保險公司(Partners HealthCare System併購南岸醫院(South Shore Hospital),將讓麻州人民付出巨大代價。他指出,要降低麻州的醫療保險費用,同時保持醫療品質,不是做不到的事,但在位領導者必須有誠意,去研究,採行新方法。
談及稅務時,麥闊爾表示自己不會承諾不加稅,因為無論改善教育或交通,沒錢就難辦事。費爾全認為麻州憲法的單一稅制(flat tax)太過老舊,不合時宜。州政府應該制定新稅制,並調整州府預算編撥。他指出,在麻州學童的午餐項目經費短缺之際,州政府卻花九百萬元來翻修州長辦公室;英代爾(Intel)在赫遜市(Hudson)的一家工廠早晚要關門,州政府卻花三億元來挽救,州內的道路,橋樑破損不堪,卻無錢維修,顯然是州政府制定預算時,搞不清楚人民的優先順序。

圖片說明:


            參選麻州州長的三名獨立候選人,右起,麥闊彌(Jeffrey McCormick),費爾全(Evan Falchuk);萊福利(Scott Lively)。(菊子攝)

波士頓市府表揚主街計劃年度商家,義工

波士頓市主街計劃廿六日晚在河岸劇院(Strand Theatre)舉行年度頒獎禮。華埠主街的皇冠餅家店東Michael Ng獲年度商家獎,十七歲昆士高中生梁家偉獲年度義工獎。
            波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh),鄰里發展局(DND)主任狄倫(Sheila Dillon)親自出席,把獎牌一一交給廿個主街計劃的得獎者手中。
            波士頓主基金會董事會主席Joel Sklar在頒獎儀式之後致詞,指出該基金會是為支持各主街計劃振興地方經濟而成立的組織,去年共發出十六項獎助款,過去十四個月內共發出十一萬元。現在他們正在進行第二輪籌款活動。
            他指出,波士頓市長早於今年四月已宣佈,增撥四十萬元給波士頓主街,比去年增加了30%,也讓市內的每一個主街計劃都可從市政府領得一年七萬五千元經費。
            波士頓市府的主街計劃將和市長辦公室的新市區機械(New Urban Mechanics),以及鄰里發展局(DND)合作,在社區內推動創新孵化器空間,並以“眾尋(crowdsourcing)“等方式,來找出社區的需要,幫助民眾因應在取得資金,利用空置店面上所面對的挑戰。
            波士頓主街在節目冊上形容,Michael Ng經常有改善華埠企業,華埠主街區域的點子,還身體力行。他也經常捐贈美味糕餅給華埠主街的活動。Michael Ng當晚並未出席領獎。
        梁家偉十四歲時,就已開始為華埠主街做義工。他說,起初是因為母親Melinda Wong和華埠主街經理是好朋友,後來自己也覺得有意思,一晃就做了三年,做過很多不同的事。

圖片說明:

            梁家偉獲華埠主街年度義工獎。(菊子攝)


            波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)(左),鄰里發展局(DND)主任狄倫(Sheila Dillon)(右)和獲華埠主街年度義工獎的梁家偉(中)合影。(菊子攝)

Mayor Walsh to Kick-Off Boston’s 33rd Harborfest


Opening Ceremony to take place in historic
Faneuil Hall Marketplace

BOSTON– Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the City of Boston will kick-off the 33rd annual Boston Harborfest at Faneuil Hall Marketplace on Thursday, July 2 at 12:00 PM. Boston Harborfest is a five-day festival with over 200 events celebrating American Independence and honoring the city’s colonial roots.

“The Fourth of July holiday week is a special time for the City of Boston. We are excited to kick-off Harborfest and invite everyone to enjoy the sites and sounds of the 2014 festival,” said Mayor Walsh. “It’s fitting to host the opening ceremony at Faneuil Hall - the cradle of liberty – with its more than 200 years of history right here in Boston.”

Mayor Walsh will be joined by Rear Admiral Linda Fagan, Commander First Coast Guard District; Commander Sean Kearns, Captain, USS Constitution; Commander Bryan Carmichael, Captain, USS Oak Hill (LSD 51); Carol Troxell, President of Faneuil Hall Marketplace Merchants Association; and Nina Zannieri, Executive Director, Paul Revere Memorial Association/Paul Revere House, during the celebration to kick-off the festival.

Residents, visitors, and businesses are invited to participate in the patriotic opening ceremony, which will feature the United States Navy Band Rhode Island Sound, US Navy Band Northeast vocalist Musician Second Class Laura Carey, who will lead the crowd in singing the National Anthem, and the ceremonial cutting of the Harborfest cake made by the world famous Montilio’s Baking Company. Mayor Walsh and Navy Rear Admiral Fagan will use a cutglass (sword) to cut the cake, provided by Faneuil Hall Marketplace, for everyone to enjoy. National Park Service Park Rangers and Freedom Trail Players, dressed in 18th-century costume, will be on hand to offer historical information about Faneuil Hall and other historic sites along the Freedom Trail. In addition, a special guest appearance by New England Aquarium’s penguin “Roast Beef” will delight young and old, and The Jukebox Dancers will round out the ceremony’s activities.

Held from July 2 through July 6, Harborfest celebrates the colonial and maritime heritage of America’s independence in Boston. Over the years, Harborfest has grown from a local event to a national celebration. In 1982 there were 35 activities over the course of three days. Now in its 33rd year, Harborfest is considered to be the largest patriotic celebration in the nation.

For more Harborfest information and a list of activities, please visit www.Harborfest.com

星期五, 6月 27, 2014

GOVERNOR PATRICK KICKS OFF NEXT PHASE OF FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND CARBON NEUTRAL AIRPORT PROGRAM

GOVERNOR PATRICK KICKS OFF NEXT PHASE OF FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND CARBON NEUTRAL AIRPORT PROGRAM
Nantucket Memorial Airport to be country’s first airport to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions
NANTUCKET – Friday, June 27, 2014 – Governor Deval Patrick today launched the next phase of work to make Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK) the first and only airport in the country to entirely eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from its airport-controlled operations. The implementation phase announced today includes execution of energy conservation measures and renewable energy installations that will reduce ACK’s reliance on external energy sources and eliminate nearly 1,000 metric tons of carbon emissions each year at the airport.
“Massachusetts is a leader in clean energy, clean technology and clean air,” said Governor Patrick. “This airport project is not only a win for the island of Nantucket, but for the Commonwealth as a whole as we continue the progress we’ve made to protect our environment and leave it better for the next generation.”

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Aeronautics Division and Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe) began a pilot program in October 2012 to create the first ever airport with "carbon neutral" ground operations in the United States. The Carbon Neutral Airport Pilot Program will assist the Nantucket Airport in implementing measures that dramatically reduce fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The program will identify lessons learned and best practices to assist other general aviation and large commercial service airports in Massachusetts and across the country attain carbon-neutral status.
“I am proud that Nantucket Memorial Airport is set to advance with the next stage toward becoming our nation’s first carbon-neutral airport,” said Congressman William Keating. “This project demonstrates the success that can be found when the public and private sectors come together to promote energy efficiency and reduce our carbon output, and there is no better place to achieve this important goal than Massachusetts, which has already seen so many advancements in this field. Further, as one of the most heavily traveled airports in the Northeast, I cannot think of a more applicable use of resources and energy to continue to the elimination of greenhouse gas emissions.”
"At MassDOT we are committed to innovation in transportation," said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard Davey. “As one of the largest contributors of greenhouse gas emissions, we have a moral responsibility to think creatively about how we reduce our impact. This project is a shining example of that thinking and will set the bar for airports across the country.”
Phase One of the project, completed this past spring, included data collection, inventory and the selection of Honeywell Building Solutions of Canton, an Energy Service Company (ESCO), which conducted a comprehensive energy audit that allowed the airport to identify improvements to save energy.
Phase Two, launched today, will implement over 25 Energy Conservation Measures to achieve carbon neutrality and include elements such as arrays of solar photovoltaic panels between 1.5 megawatts (MW) and 2.1 MW, as well as a suite of new building equipment including both indoor and outdoor LED lighting, retro commissioning of major mechanical systems including energy recovery ventilators, building envelope improvements, solar thermal development to provide a renewable source of hot water heating, an integrated building management platform, highly efficient infrared garage heating and boiler burner replacements.
The Carbon Neutral project includes $805,000 in MassDOT Aeronautics funding along with other expected local and federal funding sources.
“I am pleased to see Massachusetts continue to stride towards the greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets we set in our Global Warming Solutions Act through this carbon-neutral airport program,” said State Senator Marc R. Pacheco. “This first-in-the-nation program is yet another example of Massachusetts’ leadership on initiatives that promote public health, protect the environment, and produce cost savings through energy efficiency.”
“We on Nantucket are very proud of our airport and its decision to pursue the goal of becoming carbon neutral,” said Representative Timothy Madden. “The airport plays a vital role in the community, not just as an economic engine for tourism, but at times, our only access to the mainland. I know we are all excited to see phase two of the project roll out today and look forward to the airport getting its official designation, becoming the first airport in the country to do so.”
The project supports the MassDOT "GreenDOT" sustainability implementation plan and the 2010 Massachusetts Statewide Airport System Plan, which includes six statewide system goals and more than 50 performance measures designed to help the Aeronautics Division monitor airport performance. Among the six goals the Carbon Neutral project supports is Environmental Compliance and Stewardship, requiring airports to pursue sustainability practices to protect the natural environment and quality of life for airport employees and neighbors, and promote the economic development potential of the airport.
“The transportation sector accounts for about one-third of the greenhouse gases emitted in Massachusetts, so this project is an important step toward helping the Commonwealth achieve our ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett.

The Clean Energy and Climate Plan, created under the Global Warming Solutions Act, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. Emissions have dropped by 16 percent since 1990. The Patrick Administration’s initiatives have made Massachusetts a leader in energy efficiency. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has named Massachusetts number one for three years running. The clean energy revolution is yielding economic benefits for the Commonwealth as well, with 11.8 percent job growth in the last year and 24 percent growth in the last two years; nearly 80,000 people are employed at 5,500 clean tech firms across Massachusetts.

波士頓市長七月一日辦第二場看世界杯球賽派對

Mayor Walsh, with support of New England Revolution, will host his second World Cup viewing party on City Hall Plaza
USA vs. Belgium

WHEN: Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at 3:30PM

WHERE: City Hall Plaza, One City Hall Square, Boston, MA, 02201

WHAT: Mayor Walsh, with support of the New England Revolution, will host his second World Cup viewing party for the 'Round of 16' game featuring team USA against Belgium. The Revolution street team, the Battalion, will be on site with give-a-ways and fun activities for fans. Slyde, their Mascot, will join the the Rev Girls in spreading enthusiasm throughout the audience. 

昆士市市長亞裔顧問委員會最新報告


MAAAC update – June 2014 (MAAAC for Mayor's Asian American Advisory Committee)
 
1. Constituent Services:
In addition to the usual business such as issues relating to trash/recycling collection, water/ property bills/ tax abatement/ questions, tree trimming, potholes, sidewalk/street light repairs, neighborhood disputes, civic education ... etc., the City's Constituent Service Office has also been helping in the relocation project in N. Quincy and the drain pipe jobs in both N. Quincy and Quincy Center areas. 

The decision to partner with the Quincy Historical Society and the Mayor's Asian American Advisory Committee to host another "Sightseeing on Wheels Tour" has been confirmed. The date is set to Sunday, August 17, 2014, the same date as the Annual August Moon Festival of which the organizer is the Quincy Asian Resources, INC.

For this year, the Sightseeing on Wheels is on the "Tour of the NEW Quincy". The loop begins at Quincy City Hall. Other stops include the Coddington Hall (new), Quincy High School (new), the Faxon Field (new), the South Shore YMCA (new), the Quincy Police Station, the Pageant Field, the Stadium, the water fountain park (relatively new), the Central Middle School (new), the Quincy Chamber of Commerce Office (new), the Old Central Middle School, the Quincy Historical Society, the Quincy Center T Station and then back to Quincy City Hall.

A small photo display on "Quincy Asians" is being planned also. Details of the plan will be announced soon onwww.QuincyAsian.org
 
2. "The Eye on Quincy TV Show" 
(live broadcast on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of every month at 7pm on QATV) 
For July and August, the Show begins at 7pm and ends at 7:45pm. Our next LIVE broadcast will be on Mon., July 7, 2014. Everyone is welcome to visit or join the crew. For more INFO: http://www.quincyasian.org or on facebook: Eye on Quincy. Thank you all viewers for your feedback including Mayor Koch’s.  
 
3. Recent Quincy News Headlines:
on Quincy Sun: http://www.thequincySun.com & on the City’s Web: http://www.quincyma.gov
* Mayor Plans Expanded Mosquito Control
  http://www.quincyma.gov/Utilities/news.cfm?news_story_id=548
* Meetings set for Quincy Housing Authority Residents
* Cantonese INFO line 617-984-8914
 
4. The "Photo Exhibit" or "Asian History" project
We will be ready for a small photo display on August 17, 2010. This photo display will be a joint event with the"Sightseeing on Wheels - Tour of the NEW Quincy" Project. A tent will be set up outside of Quincy City Hall on the lawn which is the first stop of the Tour. While tour participants are waiting to hop on to the van provided by the City's Council on Aging for the Tour, participants can view the display boards under the tent that showcase the demographics changes in the City, the Asian program development and its evolution, some important milestones ... etc. 

Although this display is in small scale, it is still in line of the theme: "From the Pioneering Beginning until Now, a Retrospect of the Asian American Development in Quincy" Sample collected materials: (Some info needs to be verified.)
1. The first Chinese restaurant in 1949 vs. now in 2014: a total of over 60 Asian restaurants
2. The first Church that started Chinese ministry: about in the 80s i.e. the Chinese Baptist Church of Greater Boston at 69 Washington Street vs now: over 7 religious groups
3. The 1st Chinese/ English bilingual leadership conference: Dec 8, 1990 at N. Quincy High
4. The first and only Cantonese broadcast at WJDA Radio at 29 Brackett St, Quincy (1992 - 2006)
5. The 1st Chinese American ran for political office: Edward Lee for School Committee in 1991
6. The 1st bank that began outreach to Asians: Quincy Savings Bank
7. The 1st Annual Lunar New Year Celebration - ~ 1988
8. The 1st August Moon Festival - ~ 1987
9. Other themes

Interns/ volunteers are needed as always. Interested individuals please contact Betty Yau (byau@quincyma.gov) for details. Requirements: some art work background, bilingual and biliterate in Chinese/English preferred

5. The "Quincy Monthly Luncheon" The “Quincy Monthly Luncheon” is a self-pay luncheon which was started in Quincy by a group of Asian community workers in the early 1990s. Some "new comers" joined the informal social gathering lately and enjoyed it. To request an evite to the luncheon to meet new and old friends, feel free to write an email to Betty Yau at Kfyau@aol.com or byau@quincyma.gov
 
Until next time.
Respectfully submitted,
Betty Yau, (member)
co-writer: Tom Fabrizio of the City of Quincy
on behalf of
Attorney John Downey & Fire Inspector Jimmy Wong (co-chairs)

Mayor's Asian American Advisory Committee
(producer of the "Eye on Quincy" TV Show:)
Vision:
to help create a unified community environment.
Mission:
to provide a bridge between the City and the Asian American residents
Who we are:
We are a dedicated volunteer group. Many of us are Chinese Americans and long time Quincy residents. Our enthusiasm on community matters makes us realize that civil responsibilities are as equally important as civil rights.
http://www.quincyasian.org
facebook: eye on quincy
617-376-1298

數以千計民眾圍聚波市府廣場同看世界杯球賽

數以成百上千計的世界杯球迷,昨(廿六)日中午幾乎全都臉上畫著,身上披著紅白藍的美國國旗或顏色,擠在波士頓市府廣場,聲勢浩大的加油,把美國隊送進了下一輪淘汰賽。
            昨日在巴西舉行的世界杯足球賽分組晉級賽,美國隊和曾贏過三次世界杯的德國隊上陣對壘。喜愛看球,但工作忙,抓不出時間,沒看幾場球的波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh),索性和新英格蘭革命隊(New England Revolution)合作,昨日中午在市政府廣場前舉行看球派對(party)。他自己還特地穿上一件紅藍白的球衣,以示和球迷站在同一陣線。
            馬丁華殊在歡迎群眾時強調,只要大家加油力度夠大,美國隊一定會晉級,大家就可以再到波士頓市府廣場,繼續為美國隊加油。
            昨日在巴西舉行的這場G組分組比賽,結果德國以一比零打敗美國隊,葡萄牙隊以二比一打敗加納(Ghana)隊,美國得分差距較大,在分組比賽中排名第二,得以晉級入淘汰賽。美國隊教練Jurgen Klinsmann說,能夠在小組賽中脫穎而出,打進淘汰賽,對美國隊來說,顯然是很大的成就。
            美國隊將在下一輪的淘汰賽中和H組的德勝者對壘,很可能是比利時隊。
        美國和葡萄牙在上一場比賽對壘那一役,觀賽人數打破記錄。波士頓市長和新英格蘭革命隊合作辦看球派對的事,雖然是幾天前才決定,昨日趕到波士頓市府廣場的人,卻多到有如國慶日時辦周打魚湯節那麼熱鬧。
        許多世界杯球迷,十一點半時就已趕到現場,搶佔大螢幕前的位置。波士頓馬拉松爆炸案中的英雄Carlos Arredondo也夾在看球人群中。
            在昨日到波士頓市政府廣場前看球的人中,放眼看不見幾個老中。一名趁著中午用餐時間,坐進波市府廣場湊熱鬧的華裔觀眾表示,原因之一大概是中國隊今年沒打進世界杯吧。不過愛看球的人,對世界杯還是很發燒,分別在社區媒體上發表,交流各人的看球感想。
 
圖片說明:

        波士頓市長馬丁華殊穿著特製球衣,在波士頓市府廣場前向球迷們說,只要美國隊打進淘汰賽,大家就可到這再次聚會看球。(菊子攝)

            波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)(右)昨日和新英格蘭革命隊代表一起歡迎世界杯球迷,為美國對加油。(菊子攝)

            一名華裔老人湊熱鬧,在球迷們為開賽唱美國國歌撫心示意時,站到波士頓市長馬丁華殊(中)旁邊。(菊子攝)

            波士頓市府廣場前,昨日中午人頭湧湧。(菊子攝)

            從加州來波士頓大學就讀,父親是來自香港移民的Alexa Tom(左)是昨日在波士頓市府廣場前看球的極少數華人之一,也來張和市長馬丁華殊(右)的合照。(菊子攝)


            這位小朋友的媽媽是世界杯迷,剪頭髮時在他頭上,右邊剪出USA,左邊剪出智利,兩邊加油。充分展現移民心態。(菊子攝)