By Dale Hunter | California Black Media 

Edgar G. Dymally is a senior environmental specialist with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, a water wholesaler that delivers water to 26 member agencies that serve 19 million people across Southern California.

Prior to starting with Metropolitan in 1992, Dymally was a staff engineer with the state’s Office of Drinking Water. He is chairman of the Water Quality Committee of the Association of California Water Agencies, and an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Water Works Association, and TreePeople.

Dymally earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Long Beach State University, and he is the nephew of former California Lt. Gov. and Congressman Mervyn Dymally. 

I spoke with him about his role at the Metropolitan Water District, the safety of our water supply during the COVID-19 pandemic, careers in the state water industry and more.  

What is your role at Metropolitan Water District of Southern California?

There is an extraordinary number of state and federal regulations to ensure the safety of our drinking water. My job for the past 25 years has been tracking and evaluating the impacts of these regulations on Metropolitan and other water utilities, providing input to regulatory agencies and lawmakers, and coordinating with staff to ensure compliance. Above all, my job, along with many others in the industry, is to protect public health. 

Should people trust that their tap water is safe to drink?

Drinking water faces more regulations and safeguards than virtually any other resource, whether it’s air, water, soil, or food of any type. Probably the shining example of public health protection in our country has been the regulation of drinking water over the past 50 years. Our drinking water is safe.

What sometimes frustrates water professionals is even with all the regulations and drinking water standards, even though billions of dollars have been invested to upgrade treatment facilities and protect source water quality, even though drinking water has never been safer, some people still don’t drink it.

I recommend people drink plenty of water, and tap water provides the best value for every consumer.

Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected drinking water?

No. The virus that causes COVID-19 does not present a threat to the safety of treated drinking water. Water treatment plants, including Metropolitan’s, use a multi-step process of filters and disinfectants to remove or kill bacteria and viruses, including the virus that causes COVID-19. Water agencies throughout the state are working hard to educate residents that their drinking water is not affected by the pandemic.

Why is it important for residents to know which agency provides their drinking water?

Your local water provider – who you or your landlord pays the water bill to – is the best source to speak to about your drinking water quality. They can tell you the steps to keep your water safe and address any concerns you have. If there is a problem, they are responsible for fixing it.

To better understand the source and quality of your water, you should talk to your water provider or review their annual Water Quality Report. Water agencies are required to regularly monitor and test for a host of chemical contaminants. If they discover a contaminant above the level set by the state, they are required to disclose it in their Water Quality Report and address the contaminant. For example, you may have heard recently about perchlorate or one of the PFAS chemicals, which are now being monitored.

Your water provider can also tell you about incentives or product rebates to help you use water more efficiently. With the challenges of climate change facing our water supplies, we all need to do our part to use water as efficiently as possible. Your water agency is your partner in that effort.

How did you get your start in the water industry?

It was total serendipity. I had just finished my undergraduate degree in civil engineering at Long Beach State. My plan was to go into the Navy, but I didn’t qualify medically. So, I was on campus with no job and I ran into the dean of student services. He told about an entry position with the state’s drinking water program. I took the job for the summer, loved it, and never looked back.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in the water industry?

Explore all the different kinds of opportunities. You could go into academia, the private sector or work for a non-profit or non-government organization. You could do something in agriculture or wastewater. There are so many different facets to water. If you’re fortunate like me and get to work for an agency like Metropolitan, you would never regret it. But there are many other opportunities as well. 

About the Author 

Dale Hunter is Executive Director of the California African American Water Education Foundation (CAAWEF).  It is a nonprofit water education organization focused on the African American community in California. Formed in 2019, CAAWEF is based in Sacramento. 

 The information in this article is brought to you in partnership with the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), a non-profit statewide association of public water agencies whose more than 450 members are responsible for about 90 % of the water deliveries in California.

By Dana Givens

Debt collectors will have more access to you next year.

Consumer Reports reported that a new rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) will allow debt collectors to contact consumers by email, text message, and social media platforms. The ruling would permit collectors to place up to seven debt-collection phone calls per week with an unlimited number of attempts through messaging platforms as well as email.

“The rule clarifies how debt collectors can use email, text messages, social media, and other contemporary methods to communicate with consumers,” wrote Kathleen L. Kraninger, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director, in a post for the bureau. “And our rule will allow consumers, if they prefer, to limit the ability of debt collectors to communicate with them through these newer communication methods.”

This can pose a threat to marginalized communities that have more debt. Data shows that 45% of people who live in predominantly Black or Hispanic areas have debt currently in collections, compared to 27% of people living in predominantly White areas.  A 2017 survey by CFPB also showed that over 20% more borrowers of color were continuously contacted about their debt as opposed to 29% of White borrowers.

Critics also worry that the ruling doesn’t enforce collectors to verify the debt to the consumer, which can allow for more harassment for debt consumers may not be legally responsible for.

“Debt collectors are notorious for hounding consumers and filing lawsuits about debts that have already been paid off or were never owed in the first place,” said Suzanne Martindale, who works on financial issues  Consumer Reports.“The CFPB’s new rule does nothing about this egregious practice, and fails to ensure that debt collectors can prove that money is actually owed and they have the legal right to pursue the debt.”

A spokesperson for Facebook and Instagram said the company is currently “in the process of reviewing this new rule and will work with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over the coming months to understand its effect on people who use our services,” according to Consumer Reports. Twitter has yet to publicly comment on the new rule.

By Quinci LeGardye | California Black Media 

California’s unofficial 2020 proposition results have shown an electorate that is fairly moderate, supportive of business interests and concerned about issues affecting older citizens.

It also showed that there is limited support for progressive policies. Initiatives a majority of African Americans and young Californians supported such as affirmative action and rent control also fell short. 

Prop 16, the ballot initiative to reinstate affirmative action programs in California, failed with 56 % of voters voting no. The proposition would have allowed public universities and state and local governments to consider race, sex, ethnicity and national origin in their hiring, contracting or admission decisions. Although supporters of the proposition argued that it would increase racial equity in the state, it faced heavy opposition. With the no vote, affirmative action is still banned in California.

The most recent attempt at rent control also failed, with 60 % of voters rejecting Prop 21. The initiative would have allowed local governments to enact rent control on housing built over 15 years ago, while exempting landlords who own no more than two properties. Instead, California’s statewide ban on new forms of rent control will stay in effect, at a time when millions of Americans are struggling with rent or facing eviction due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After months of high spending and heated debate, Proposition 22 passed with over eight million yes votes, as of Nov. 8. Gig economy companies including Uber, Lyft and DoorDash are now exempt from AB 5, the California law that classifies workers. The companies will be allowed to continue classifying their drivers as independent contractors.

The Yes on 22 campaign received over $202 million in contributions, making Prop 22 the most expensive ballot initiative campaign in California history. According to Ballotpedia, the top five donors for Yes on 22 were Uber, DoorDash, Lyft, InstaCart and Postmates, with Uber and Lyft spending over $50 million each.

Voters also struck down Prop 23, which would have required dialysis clinics to have at least one licensed physician on site during treatment. Opponents of the proposition had argued that the ballot initiative’s passage would force multiple clinics to reduce hours or shut down due to the increased hiring costs.

Voters said no to rolling back previous criminal justice reforms, rejecting Prop 20 by the widest margin, with 62 percent of voters voting no on upgrading several crimes to violent felonies and upgrading some theft crimes to be chargeable as either misdemeanors or felonies.

Voters also rejected replacing money bail with a risk assessment system, with 55 % voting no on Prop 25. Although it was billed as an attempt at serious bail reform, multiple social justice groups had concerns that the risk assessment system would lead to increased racial profiling against Black and Brown suspects awaiting trial.

Two propositions this year focused on voter rights. Prop 17 passed with 59 % of yes votes, giving parolees the right to vote upon release from incarceration. With Prop 17’s passage, tens of thousands of predominately Black and Brown parolees have regained their voting rights. However, Prop 18 fell short, with 55 % of voters saying no to allowing 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they turn eighteen by the next general election.

In both of this year’s propositions related to property taxes, voters resisted tax increases. Prop 15, which proposed an increase on property taxes for commercial properties to fund education and local governments, failed by a margin of about 425,000 votes as of Nov. 8. Prop 19 passed, with 51 % of the vote approving tax breaks for property tax assessment transfers for homeowners over 55 years old, people with severe disabilities and victims of natural disasters.

Voters approved Prop 24, to strengthen the California Consumer Privacy Act and establish and limit the use of sensitive consumer data among businesses. Also, Prop 14 passed, approving the issue of $5.5 billion in state bonds to fund stem cell and other medical research.

RIVERSIDE, CA— The Community Wellness Transportation Program is looking for Canvassers in the Riverside County Area. Immediate positions are available, Monday through Friday, 5 hours a day. Bi-lingual in Spanish is a plus. Email your resume to Robert@RiversideCountyBCC.org or call (951) 877-0167 to schedule an interview. 

The Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Flagstar Bank to keep their promise and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion to the members and communities they serve by giving $1 million in grants to help small businesses owned by Black, Indigenous and people of color whose operating expenses are impacted by COVID-19.

Qualifying small minority businesses can submit applications now through November 20 for grants of $5,000. Flagstar has partnered with BIPOC nonprofits in its key banking markets to vet and administer the grants. Qualifications include (1) diverse ownership (2) revenues of no more than $1 million (3) located within Flagstar Bank’s footprint of San Bernardino County area including Barstow, Victorville, Adelanto, Hesperia and Apple Valley, California. Additional qualifications, grant uses, and other information are available in the application.

 We hope to combat the narrative that there is no assistance for minority-owned businesses. The Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce is committed to serve the entrepreneurs that are facing hardships during this pandemic. We are honored to team up with Flagstar Bank to help these businesses survive, thrive, and enhance the vitality of our communities. Businesses owned by people of color have been especially hard hit by COVID-19, with nearly half of black-owned businesses shuttered by the pandemic. 

 “We have a commitment to our communities and to keeping our promises to them,” said Alessandro DiNello, CEO of Flagstar Bank. “Reversing decades of systemic inequities is a marathon, and we are in it to the finish. These grants are an important milestone along the way to making our communities and our company better and more equitable for all.” 

By Ben Jealous

After four exhausting years of President Donald Trump and four excruciating days of vote counting, the election was called for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Saturday. Hallelujah! 

Those days of counting felt agonizingly slow to many of us, but the momentum was always on our side: Democratic voters—mostly Black voters—in and around Philadelphia, Detroit, Milwaukee and Atlanta delivered the battleground state votes needed to deny Trump a second term. In Nevada and Arizona, Latino and Native American voters provided crucial votes. 

News that Pennsylvania put Biden over the top sparked dancing in the streets and tears of joy in many households. So did the sight of Kamala Harris making her historic appearance as our next vice president—the first woman, first Black woman, first South Asian woman, to be elected to the White House.

In his speech Saturday night, Joe Biden made it clear that he understands how much he owes to Black folks. “The African American community stood up again for me,” he said. “They always have my back, and I’ll have yours.”

We will all need to help Biden make good on that commitment with policies that address our communities’ needs. There’s a lot to do. 

We need a more effective response to COVID-19 pandemic and its particularly hard impact on the health and economic well-being of people of color. 

We need a vision and a plan for an economy that does not leave Black communities behind, an economy where opportunity is widely available and prosperity is widely shared—not one that strips wealth out of middle-class and lower-income families and funnels it to the richest people in the world.

We need to eliminate voter suppression strategies—and resist ongoing efforts by Trump and his allies to delegitimize and overturn his decisive defeat.

We need to confront the systemic racism that leads to police killings of Black men, women, and children—killings for which justice far too often is delayed and denied.

We need to address the corruption of our federal court system by Trump and Senate Republicans and the hard-right judges they have spent four years packing into our federal courts, which we can no longer count on to uphold our constitutional and civil rights. 

All those jobs will be made so much harder if Republicans maintain control of the Senate. The unprincipled obstructionist Republican leader Mitch McConnell has turned that half of Congress into a graveyard for legislation the American people need to advance the vision of a more just society for which we just voted.

So, we have work to do, right now, in Georgia, where two U.S. Senate races are headed for runoffs in early January. Both races feature corrupt, Trump-enabling Republicans who represent the worst kind of politician. Both are being challenged by smart, progressive Democrats who will help Biden and Harris achieve good things for the American people. 

Those victories in Georgia are achievable, largely in part to the brilliant organizing work of my dear friend Stacey Abrams. She responded to her own unjust defeat in Georgia’s race for governor in 2018 by leading a coalition that registered hundreds of thousands of new voters and turned the state blue this year. 

She believes Democrats can absolutely win the Senate runoffs, and that the outcome of those races will help determine whether we have access to health care and access to justice in the U.S. The excellent Democratic candidates, Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, need and deserve all the support we can give them.

Defeating Trump and electing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris was a huge victory. Let’s celebrate, get a good night’s sleep or a long nap, and get back to work.

R & R Breakfast Spot, 5460 Philadelphia St., Chino (One light North of the 60 at Central) is paying for your “trip to taste” their fabulous breakfast and lunch cuisine, with a 15% discount on your purchase! Rhonda Dennis, the owner, made the offer during her interview with Wallace Allen on past Sunday’s “Empire Talks Back” radio talk show. The discount is good through Sunday November 15th. Claim your “Trip to Taste” discount by saying “Wallace from Empire Talks Back radio sent me”!  Open daily, except Monday, from 7 to 3 pm… 909-548-0014… Pick up, Delivery (limited) and Patio Dining available!  

One of gospel biggest icons passed on October 31. 71-year-old Rance Allen, leader of The Rance Allen Group died recently while recovering from a “medical condition” at Heartland ProMedica in Sylvania, Ohio.

Discovered by a Stax Records promotion man, Rance Allen and his brothers Thomas and Steve were signed after appearing in a Detroit talent show. He co-founded the Rance Allen Group with his brothers in Detroit in 1969. He was the lead vocalist and was known for his powerful voice.

An eight-time Grammy nominee, Allen had grown up in the shadow of Motown, recorded for Stax and been influenced by Chuck Berry, but his songs were always a deeply profound and fervent expression of his religious faith.

The Rance Allen Group combined rock and soul with gospel music to create a crossover sound. They had a top 30 R&B hit in 1978 with “I Belong to You.” And “Ain’t No Need of Crying” was one of their most successful and popular hits. In 1998, the Rance Allen Group were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Allen was nominated for a Grammy in 2009 for best gospel performance for the song “I Understand,” which featured Mariah Carey and Bebe Winans. He sang at the White House in 2015 for President Barack Obama.

Allen born in Monroe, Michigan was a longtime Toledo, Ohio resident and most recently bishop for Church of God in Christ for the Michigan Northwestern Harvest Jurisdiction.

Rance Allen is survived by his wife of 49 years Ellen Allen. They had no children together.

Discovered by a Stax Records promotion man, Rance Allen and his brothers Thomas and Steve were signed after appearing in a Detroit talent show. He co-founded the Rance Allen Group with his brothers in Detroit in 1969. He was the lead vocalist and was known for his powerful voice.

An eight-time Grammy nominee, Allen had grown up in the shadow of Motown, recorded for Stax and been influenced by Chuck Berry, but his songs were always a deeply profound and fervent expression of his religious faith.

The Rance Allen Group combined rock and soul with gospel music to create a crossover sound. They had a top 30 R&B hit in 1978 with “I Belong to You.” And “Ain’t No Need of Crying” was one of their most successful and popular hits. In 1998, the Rance Allen Group were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Allen was nominated for a Grammy in 2009 for best gospel performance for the song “I Understand,” which featured Mariah Carey and Bebe Winans. He sang at the White House in 2015 for President Barack Obama.

Allen born in Monroe, Michigan was a longtime Toledo, Ohio resident and most recently bishop for Church of God in Christ for the Michigan Northwestern Harvest Jurisdiction.

Rance Allen is survived by his wife of 49 years Ellen Allen. They had no children together.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— We wish you and your family nothing but the BEST this Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season. Just a reminder, for those that have an itch to give back this season, Community Action Partnership, San Bernardino Valley College and the Young Visionaries are still in need of volunteers for their Turkey Giveaway on Saturday, November 21. They will provide each volunteer with PPE (mask or shields, hand sanitizer, and gloves).

To volunteer, please fill out the form below:

You can also email Yoselyn Aldama for more information at yaldama@yvyla-ie.org or call or text (909) 513-4316. 

Grounded Self-Care studio offers meditation, yoga and other self care practices for inner healing.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— On Sunday, November 8, Grounded held its grand opening in the heart of Downtown San Bernardino. The Black Chamber of Commerce Inland Cities assisted with the promotion and support of the ribbon cutting, along with Assemblymember Eloise Reyes. Below are a few words that the founder, Destinee Frye, stated about her purpose and mission with Grounded:

It was all a dream. Chasing purpose is an interesting experience. My husband thought I was crazy, I thought I was crazy, but God said it was time, so I moved.

Yesterday, I saw people moved to tears, to laughter, breathing a little bit easier because they experienced a breakthrough, they didn’t know they needed.

All a reminder that all of the sacrifice was worth it. I chose my purpose over emotions, over expectations, over opinions, over logic, over common sense, over comfort, and I’ll keep choosing it over and over again. 

Thank you to everyone who has believed in the process, new believers, and the ones that have been rocking with me since the beginning. WE did it! And we’re just getting started! 

Grounded Self-Care Studio is located at 381 N E Street in San Bernardino.