Local

Fighting to uphold the Constitutional right to vote, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas urged the Board of Supervisors to oppose the Trump Administration’s cost-cutting efforts at the United States Postal Service, calling it a brazen attack on Americans’ ability to vote by mail.

Acting on his motion, Board Chair Pro Tem Hilda Solis issued an Executive Order authorizing County Counsel to join litigation as amicus curiae (friend-of-the-court). The Board is expected to ratify the Executive Order when it reconvenes on September 1^st.

“We’ve fought too hard to have our voices heard on Election Day, and we cannot allow the Postmaster General to suppress our right to vote by mail and undermine a pillar of our democracy,” Supervisor Ridley-Thomas said. “It is imperative that we take a stand so voters can cast their ballots without having go to a polling station during a pandemic.”

US Rep. Karen Bass, who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, expressed support for the motion during a Facebook Live conversation with Supervisor Ridley-Thomas on leadership and community organizing. She is among the leading Congressional representatives calling for the resignation of the US Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy, and for the Trump Administration to cease any “operational initiatives” that will have an impact on election mail.

“My father was a letter carrier for more than 30 years here in Los Angeles,” Rep. Bass said. “The US Postal Service is not only vital to our election, but also to the livelihood of so many in our communities. The Post Office is one of the largest employers of veterans. We must continue to do all that we can to protect this institution from those who are looking to destroy it.”

Supervisor Ridley-Thomas has fought for voting rights for decades. He founded the African American Voter Registration, Education, and Participation (AAVREP) in 2002, the largest organized effort to register African American and urban voters in California. This after a decade of service as the Executive Director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, whose national organization was founded by the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

More recently, Supervisor Ridley-Thomas has worked with Susan Burton, founder of the nonprofit A New Way of Life, to support L.A. Free the Vote, aimed at increasing the civic engagement of people in the justice system.

“As a formerly incarcerated person, I know that my vote matters. I depend on the Post Office to deliver my vote to the County Registrar Recorder’s Office,” Burton said. “We are appalled at the Trump administration’s attempt to disrupt the United States Postal Service during such a critical time.” A New Way of Life helps formerly incarcerated women successfully reenter society by connecting them to supportive services. It works to restore the civil rights of formerly incarcerated people, including their right to vote.

The USPS has always played a central role in the functioning of American democracy but has become even more critical amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people rely on mail not only to cast ballots but also to receive life-saving medications and other supplies during a time when it is incredibly risky to gather in one place, stand in line, and touch the same election machinery. 

Despite that, Postmaster General DeJoy recently, and just months before the November 3rdGeneral Election, decided to implement changes at the USPS without first seeking authority from the Postal Commission, and despite acknowledging that the service reductions would result in “mail left behind.” DeJoy, a Republican Party and Trump campaign donor, later canceled some of the changes after a public outcry. The USPS, however, has already removed many mailboxes from service across several states.

The Attorneys General of Washington, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin have all filed lawsuits opposing the changes. The Attorneys General of Pennsylvania, with California, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, and New York, are also expected to the challenge the changes in court.

SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is urging residents in fire-stricken regions and surrounding areas to be aware of poor air quality and the effect it can have on their health. Air quality in many parts of the state may be unhealthy due to the increasing number of wildfires.

“Smoke doesn’t know borders or boundaries, and regions that are miles away from fires can have poor air quality,” said Acting CDPH Director Sandra Shewry. “We urge Californians to stay indoors as much as possible when air quality is poor. This is especially critical for children, women who are pregnant, older adults, and people with existing lung and heart conditions who may be particularly sensitive to changes in air quality.”

While cloth face coverings offer protection against COVID-19 virus spread, they do not provide protection against smoke particles. People who must be outdoors for long periods, in areas with heavy smoke, or where ash is disturbed, may want to wear an N95 respirator mask. Those with existing respiratory, lung or heart conditions should limit their exposure by staying indoors. Since wearing a respirator can make it harder to breathe, those with lung or heart conditions should check with their doctor before using one.

The best way to protect against the potentially harmful effects of wildfire smoke is to reduce wildfire smoke exposure, for example, by seeking cleaner air spaces and shelters. Californians can find current air quality conditions by visiting www.airnow.gov and entering their zip code.

Residents should monitor children and check in on others who may be more susceptible to the health impacts of wildfire smoke. Seek immediate medical care if someone is experiencing chest pain, chest tightness, or shortness of breath.

The following tips can help Californians reduce smoke inhalation during wildfires:

Stay Indoors: Stay inside with the doors and windows closed to reduce exposure to smoky air. If you have power, run an air conditioner if you have one. If the air conditioner has a recirculate option, use it. Smoke levels can change throughout the day, so try to stay indoors during smokier times.

Remember that gathering with others indoors increases the risk of COVID-19 transmission. To reduce the risk of transmission when indoors, physically distance yourself 6 feet from individuals outside your immediate family, wash your hands frequently and wear a cloth face covering.

Reduce Activity: Reduce physical activity to reduce inhalation of smoky air. During exercise, people can increase their air intake as much as 20 times from their resting level.

Be Prepared: Monitor wildfire activity in your area and be prepared to evacuate if advised. Make sure you have all prescribed medications, including inhalers.

For information on air quality in your area and how to protect your health during wildfires, please visit the CDPH website.

The Transformative Climate Communities and Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities grants will fund integrated and sustainable transit, affordable housing, and urban greening in the Eastside Community.

RIVERSIDE, CA— The California Strategic Growth Council awards $31.2 million to the City of Riverside for the Eastside Climate Collaborate project, which will fund affordable housing, sustainable transportation infrastructure, transit rail access (including bus stops and solar walkways), free bus passes, solar power installation, urban greening projects, community engagement, displacement avoidance, and various workforce development initiatives.

The grants were the result of community-based efforts to empower Riverside’s Eastside neighborhood by creating new economic opportunities and improve the health and well-being of the neighborhood residents through cross-sector collaboration and community engagement led by Riverside Community Health Foundation (RCHF) through the Eastside Healthy Eating, Active Living or HEAL Zone (EHZ) and the Chicago-Linden Project. As a part of the multi-level stakeholder engagement, RCHF’s role through the EHZ is to encourage, support, and foster the community voice in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the proposed projects in the Eastside Climate Collaborative project.

The Eastside HEAL Zone was established in 2012 with a vision of a community driven effort towards social, cultural, and physical environmental changes that would shift the community towards healthy eating and active living as a way of life. Over the years, the resident led initiative has trained over 40 residents in community advocacy through the Riverside Leadership Academy, facilitated the conversion of 4 corner stores into healthy food markets, helped improve 4 parks, initiated 2 community gardens, and facilitated nearly 30 community improvement projects, which included the clean-up of alleyways and safe paths for children to walk to school.

The grant applications had significant community input from the Residents of Eastside Active in Leadership (REAL) Group, Healthy Living Project, Eastside Faith Collaborative, Eastside Think Tank, and Lincoln Park Community Group.

“Congratulations to the residents of the of the Eastside who have been so passionate and who have been working so hard to create a healthy community in the Eastside area,” said Dr. Shené Bowie-Hussey, Vice President of Health Strategies and Chief Strategic Officer. “We are getting ready to embark on a pretty large initiative, but it’s nothing you haven’t already done before! This is just another step in creating a healthy community.”

Community engagement activities during the course of the grant will take the form of workshops, monthly meetings, community participation in large project-related events, and recruitment of organizations and networks to assist in data collection and dissemination of information and notices. Community Settlement Association, an affiliate of RCHF, will act as a liaison for Eastside residents and small business and lead activities in displacement avoidance while providing information, training, and workforce development.

Additional partners in the TCC and AHSC grant applications include the County of Riverside Economic Development Agency, University of California, Riverside Center for Environmental Research and Technology, Riverside Community Health Foundation, Riverside Unified School District, GRID Alternatives, Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation, Riverside Transit Agency, Community Settlement Association, Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA), WRCOG, Tree People, and Eastside community groups and community members.

“[We are] optimistic that this grant will enhance the City of Riverside’s Eastside neighborhood and will help elevate the quality of life for the residents of that community,” said Rick Bishop, Executive Director of Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG). “In light of the grant awards, it is WRCOG’s hope that this success will set the pace for jurisdictions, agencies and the private sector to pursue Public-Private Partnerships and multi-agency/jurisdictional collaborations in grant program efforts.”

The collective grant of $31.2 million is the largest amount the City of Riverside has ever been awarded and marks a new historic high.

For more information about the Eastside HEAL Zone or activities, please visit www.rchf.org/ehz. For more information on the TCC and AHSC grant programs, visit https://sgc.ca.gov/programs/tcc/ or https://sgc.ca.gov/programs/ahsc/ or visit the City’s Grant homepage at www.riversideca.gov/eastside.

Additional officers from the San Bernardino Police Department will be out on patrol on Thursday, August 15, 2020 from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the San Bernardino Police Department is committed to keeping the public safe when they need to run essential errands, “Safety is paramount, but especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Sergeant Jeff Harvey said. “We are all in this together and want everyone to be as safe as possible when they are out. One way to do that is by not driving impaired.”

The San Bernardino Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving or” operating heavy machinery,” which includes driving a car. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

If you plan on drinking or taking medications that may impact your ability to drive safely, plan on staying at home. Driving sober is your safest bet. Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI will pay a stiff price: an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

The San Bernardino Police Department will have additional officers on patrol on Friday, August 14, 2020 from 06:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m. making sure drivers and passengers are wearing their safety belt. Drivers and passengers who do not have a safety belt on will be stopped and ticketed. This also includes drivers who do not secure children in child safety seats.

In California, the fine for a safety belt violation is $162. The fine for not securing a child in a child safety seat is $490. In 2016, 426 people killed in crashes across the state were unrestrained.

Under California law, children under two years old who weigh under 40 pounds or are under 40 inches tall must ride in a rear-facing car seat. Children under the age of eight or under 4’ 9” tall must be secured in a car or booster seat.

Meals Now Available for Pickup from 8 to 11 a.m.

San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) will continue to provide free Grab and Go Meals to students on Mondays and Wednesdays.

All SBCUSD students, regardless of family income, are eligible for free Grab and Go Meals. Both breakfast and lunch to-go meals are available for pick up Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 to 11 a.m. Distribution ends at 11 a.m. to protect families from heat-related health issues and to prevent food from spoiling in high temperatures. However, students will be provided with multiple meals at a time. Families are encouraged to refrigerate those meals to maintain food safely.

“Originally, meal distribution was scheduled to start at 9 a.m., but due to overwhelming requests by families that meal distribution start earlier, our Nutrition Services team responded quickly to add an hour and start distribution at 8 a.m.,” said Executive Director of Community Engagement Ginger Ontiveros. “We believe that parent and student input is vital to school success, and we continue to do our best to meet the needs of our families in these unpredictable and unprecedented circumstances.”

Families will be required to provide the name and school of each child for which they are picking up meals. Every student is eligible to receive five days worth of meals each week.

Grab and Go Meal distribution is at the following locations:

Cajon High School, 1200 West Hill Drive, San Bernardino

Del Vallejo Leadership & STEAM Academy, 1885 East Lynwood Drive, San Bernardino

H. Frank Dominguez Elementary School, 135 S. Allen Street, San Bernardino

Golden Valley Middle School, 3800 North Waterman Avenue, San Bernardino

Indian Springs High School, 650 North Del Rosa Drive, San Bernardino

Juanita Blakely Jones Elementary School, 700 North F Street, San Bernardino

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, 1250 Medical Center Drive, San Bernardino

Muscoy Elementary School, 2119 West Blake Street, San Bernardino

Pacific High School, 1020 Pacific Street, San Bernardino

Richardson PREP HI Middle School, 455 South K Street, San Bernardino

San Bernardino High School, 1850 North E Street, San Bernardino

San Gorgonio High School, 2299 Pacific Street, San Bernardino

Serrano Middle School, 3131 Piedmont Drive, Highland

Thompson Elementary School, 7401 Church Avenue, Highland

Vermont Elementary School, 3695 Vermont Street, San Bernardino

As of August 3, Chavez Middle School is no longer a Grab and Go Meal distribution site.

A map of Grab and Go Meal distribution sites is available on the District’s website. For more information, call (909) 381-1224.

Stacy Augustine, a husband, father and 31-year resident of Rialto, believes that moving here in 1989 was one of the best decisions he’s ever made. Not only for himself but for his children as well who have grown to become successful adults with their own families.

Regarding his City of residence, Stacy states: “I have observed many positive changes occurring throughout Rialto and as a constituent, I believe in the advancement of this great City. As a council member, I want to address the homelessness, lack of livable wage jobs, work with the Rialto Police Department to reduce crime and ensure our senior population has access to City services.”

Stacy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of Atlanta. For the past 15 years, he has been the Operations Manager for a large food-manufacturing corporation located here in Rialto. He currently oversees eight (8) supervisors, eight (8) managers and over 300 employees. In total, Stacy has over 40 years of experience in food and beverage manufacturing. He also owns his own electrical contracting business and a brand new up and coming restaurant in Downtown Rialto called “Jack’s Grill and Billiards.” Stacy is no stranger to management and entrepreneurship as his ambition was sparked many years ago while managing his family-owned restaurant “Bar None Bar B Que” in Los Angeles, CA.

Stacy has played a key role in enhancing Rialto’s critical infrastructure by serving as Chairman of Rialto’s Budget Advisory Committee and as a Transportation Commissioner. He also served on the Board of the Rialto Chamber of Commerce from 2005-2010. Stacy has always been a natural born leader with the desire to serve others. With his proven leadership and business experience, Stacy will be a promising addition to the Rialto City Council. He believes that all problems are solvable with the right mindset, correct initiative and creativity. Stacy’s values, integrity and decision-making skill set will assist him as your next Rialto City Council Member!

Stacy Augustine’s campaign office is looking for volunteers and donations. For more information, visit ElectStacyAugustine.com and his social media at Facebook: Stacy Augustine Instagram: elect_stacy_augustine and Twitter: stacyaugustine12

The San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) Board of Education promoted two longtime, highly qualified administrators to key executive positions during its meeting on Tuesday, August 4.

Dr. Sandra Rodriguez, a passionate advocate for providing high-quality education for all students, is the new assistant superintendent of Student Services. The division oversees a variety of programs aimed at student support and enrichment, including the Family Engagement Office and CAPS. Dr. Marcus Funchess, a former elementary school principal and Human Resources director in SBCUSD, was promoted to assistant superintendent of Human Resources. The Human Resources Division oversees the hiring and development of District employees.

Dr.  Rodriguez is attuned to the needs of the community. She is a San Bernardino resident and a 1990 graduate of Cajon High School. She has devoted her entire educational career to serving the students of San Bernardino and Highland. She has worked for SBCUSD for more than 20 years, dedicating her career to ensuring each child graduates from high school ready for college and career. While pursuing that goal, she has worked in varying roles in education, including as a classified employee, a high school Special Education teacher, and an assistant principal. She was the principal of San Bernardino High School from 2006 to 2015. Most recently, Dr. Rodriguez served as the director of Employee Relations, where she was responsible for ensuring good communication among different employee groups and maintaining effective labor relations.

Dr. Rodriguez earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University. Her passion for student advocacy, diversity, and academic progress drives everything that she does.

“I believe that when teachers and staff know every student in their school by name and need, we can tailor their educational experience to bring out the best in them,” Dr. Rodriguez said of her philosophy of fostering student success.

As assistant superintendent of Human Resources, Dr. Funchess will guide the hiring of the region’s best teachers and support personnel. With more than 8,000 teaching and non-teaching employees, SBCUSD is one of the largest employers in San Bernardino County and the ninth-largest school district in California.

In 2014, Funchess earned his doctorate in Leadership for Educational Justice from the University of Redlands. In 2016, he joined SBCUSD’s Human Resources Division where he has managed day-to-day operations and been involved in hiring more than 200 teachers and other certificated employees to make sure schools are fully staffed. Dr. Funchess collaboratively developed the Aspiring Administrator program to grow and develop aspiring SBCUSD leaders from within the District’s own ranks. His focus on creating opportunities for advancement within SBCUSD doesn’t just include current employees. Dr. Funchess developed the Golden Bell Award-winning Grow Our Own initiative to educate and hire the next generation of educators from within the community. Current SBCUSD students who are interested in careers in education are encouraged to pursue their dreams with support from the District, even after leaving high school, and return to SBCUSD to share their knowledge and experience.

“My goal is to build an empowered workforce for the San Bernardino City Unified community,” Dr. Funchesssaid.

Prior to his role with Human Resources, Dr. Funchess served as the principal at Henry and Thompson Elementary Schools and was an elementary school teacher.

Funchess and Rodriguez are a testament to the quality of leadership within the District, said Interim Superintendent Dr. Harold J. Vollkommer.

“Sandra and Marcus are proven leaders with extensive experience serving all levels of our school system,” Vollkommer said. “Both have a successful track record of implementing meaningful programs, with results that were evident across our school district. We look forward to introducing them to stakeholders in the coming weeks.”

The District also announced the promotion of SBCUSD graduate Dorie Stratton, who was promoted to principal of San Andreas High School. She has worked for the District for 18 years, most recently as assistant principal at San Andreas since 2017. The award-winning alternative high school serves students who are deficient in credits necessary to graduate. 

Written from the Desk of Joseph Williams

I am grateful for the trust and keenly aware of the responsibility to serve our community college students at a time of historical challenges, but great possibilities. 

I am humbled that Governor Gavin Newsom understands the importance of regional inclusion and elevating the Inland Empire into the statewide conversation as it relates to higher education. 

The Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges sets policy and provides guidance for the 73 districts and 115 colleges that constitute the system.

The Board of Governors also selects a chancellor for the system. The chancellor brings recommendations to the board, which has the legislatively granted authority to develop and implement policy for the colleges. In addition, the Board of Governors serves as the Board of Trustees for the California Online Community College District.

I look forward to my service on the California Community Colleges Board of Governors, continuing my work on the San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees, and collaborating with everyone who are passionate about helping students succeed.

This is a State appointment; however, I appreciate the local and regional support from my constituents, whom I will continue to represent through tenacity and honor. 

I got you!

Downtown Crenshaw, the broad coalition that secured the support of over 280 community organizations and leaders, and over 10,000 signatures to stop the sale of the Crenshaw Mall to CIM Group, is hosting a half-day community design workshop as a part of its community-driven process of asking stakeholders what they want in the redevelopment of the iconic Black community asset. Downtown Crenshaw seeks to acquire the Crenshaw Mall to stabilize the existing merchants, and reimagine/redevelop the property using the principles of community wealth building and neighborhood sustainability.

WHEN: Saturday, August 15, 10 am – 2 pm

WHERE: Online. Participants must register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0lce6srjwqH9FFR_DOwyuOqLhmvFpJ5v3m

WHAT: Hundreds of mostly Black and Brown residents, merchants and stakeholders, coming together to reimagine a Black community icon. There will be presentations from national and local leaders in urban planning, and breakout sessions.

Dwayne Wyatt, a retired L.A. City Planner, who is a leader in the Downtown Crenshaw project said: “Typically, developers come into communities like Crenshaw with a preconceived plan to make their investors a lot of money and push out and ignore the existing stakeholders. At best their community engagement is performative. Saturday’s workshop will give the community the time and space to discuss what the Crenshaw Mall reimagined as Downtown Crenshaw – a mixed-use center of the Black community – can be that serves the interests of the community.”

“It is time someone asked the people what we actually want and need. And it’s time the community actually be given the chance to make that happen. This Downtown Crenshaw process is about self-determination, collective work and responsibility, and community control,” said Jackie Ryan, past president of the Leimert Park Village Merchants Association.

“There are a lot of big developers out there who are trying to buy our mall and have their bad ideas for our community,” said Damien Goodmon, executive director of the Crenshaw Subway Coalition and, founder of the newly established Liberty Community Land Trust. “They don’t seek to build for the Crenshaw community. They seek to push out our long-time residents and seniors. By the community taking ownership of the process, and eventually the mall itself, we are establishing a new paradigm. The key principle of this effort is community control. The community is going to own the mall at every stage of the process and that begins with planning.” 

“The Downtown Crenshaw effort is the most positively transformative community planning process I’ve witnessed in all my years,” said former 8th District City Councilmember Robert Farrell.

Deacon Floyd James McIver, born on April 19, 1940, in Sanford, North Carolina, passed from this life, and returned to his heavenly home on July 25, 2020. His firm belief in God and his devotion to his family was the center of his life.

Floyd was born to the late Henry Frank McIver and Alice Elizabeth Cross McIver. Floyd was the youngest of four siblings:  Bertha Mae, Shirley Viola, and Audrey Lee. Floyd was immersed in the Christian community and accepted Christ at an early age at McQueens Chapel United Methodist Episcopal Church in Sanford, North Carolina. He graduated from W.B. Wicker High School, formally Lee High School, where he was salutatorian of his senior class. After high school, he enrolled in North Carolina Agricultural and Technical (A&T) State University, where he received an academic scholarship and played the trombone in the Aggies marching band. Later he would graduate from San Bernardino Valley College with a degree in business administration.  

It was at March Air Force Base in Riverside, CA, where he would meet his love and best friend, Joyce Ann France. On July 21, 1962, in San Bernardino, CA, Floyd married Joyce and was her loving and devoted husband for 58 years. Born to this union were four children:  Rhonda, Robin, Rhea, and James. Floyd was a hard-working husband and father. From the very beginning, he dedicated his children to the Lord and raised them to love God and family.  He would often say, “Put God first, and everything else will fall into place.” 

Floyd began his career in the United States Air Force in 1960 and remained on active duty status until 1964 in the position of Military Police. Immediately following active duty, he joined the Air Force Reserves to continue his service and retired from the military with an honorable discharge in 2000 with the rank of Master Sargent after serving a total of 39 years. He began working at Bethlehem Steel in 1964 and was later employed at Kaiser Steel Mill and retired from California Steel in 2007 as a Logistics Supervisor. His career in the steel industry spanned 42 years. He received many accolades, honors, and recognitions throughout his career. 

Floyd was a faithful member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, San Bernardino, CA, since 1963. In 1985, he became an ordained deacon and served faithfully for 35 years. Floyd loved to sing!  He was a former charter member of the Celestial Choir and loved to sing on Men’s Day and Couple’s Sunday. Floyd was characterized as kind, considerate, loving, and wise. Floyd was known as a powerful prayer warrior and spoke on many special occasion programs at the church. Floyd never met a stranger. He loved everyone, and everyone loved him.

His parents and two of his siblings preceded Floyd in death.  He is survived by his wife, Joyce; sister, Bertha Sightler, of Cerritos, CA; daughters, Rhonda McIver-Jackson of San Bernardino, CA; Dr. Robin McIver-Brown (Jimmie) of Fontana, CA; Dr. Rhea McIver-Gibbs (Dr. Samuel) of San Bernardino, CA; son, James T.E. McIver (Carlvette) of Rancho Cucamonga, CA.  Floyd was a loving grandfather (Papa) to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A host of extended family and friends will honor his memory.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

-(2 Timothy 4:7, NIV)