Vol. 48 No. 33
December 7, 2017 - December 13, 2017
This publication is a Certified DBE/ SBE / MBE in the State of California CUCP #43264 Metro File #7074 & State of Texas File #802505971
The San Bernardino American News Has A New Website: www.issuu.com\sanbernardinoamericannews “If you can control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his action. When you determine what a man shall think you do not have to concern yourself about what he will do. If you make a man feel that he is inferior, you do not have to compel him to accept an inferior status, for he will seek it himself. If you make a man think that he is justly an outcast, you do not have to order him to the back door. He will go without being told; and if there is no back door, his very nature will demand one.” Carter G. Woodson, The Mis-Education of the Negro
Editor in Chief’s Corner Email: sbamericannews@gmail.com Clifton Harris Publisher of The San Bernardino AMERICAN News
CBC Members Met with FBI Director Christopher Wray about the FBI’s Controversial ‘Black Identity Extremists’ Report. This Is What They Learned By Stacy M. Brown (NNPA Newswire Contributor)
Obama Is a ‘Flea,’ Should Be Arrested for Making Fun of Trump, Says Fox Business Anchor “I mean, he should be brought back by the Marshals,” according to Fox’s Lou Dobbs By Kaitlyn D'Onofrio / December 4, 2017 CBC Chairman Cedric Richmond (D-La.) and a group of CBC members met with FBI Director Christopher Wray about the “Black Identity Extremists” report. This photo was taken during a recent ceremonial swearing-in event for the 115th Congress in Washington, D.C. (Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA)
REUTERS A member of the Fox family has once again attacked former President Barack Obama, this time calling him an insect that should be sent to jail for a comment directed at President Donald Trump. Lou Dobbs, anchor of “Lou Dobbs Tonight” on Fox Business, made the comments on his show on Friday. According to Dobbs, Obama was “railing against” Trump during a leadership summit in India. “How nice that the President of the United States has all of these, I don’t know, fleas just trying to scratch anywhere they can,” Dobbs said. Later he said: “I think U.S. Marshals should follow him, and any times he wants to go follow the president like he is, and behave — I mean, this is just bad manners, it’s boorish, it’s absurd. He doesn’t realize how foolish he looks. I mean, he should be brought back by the Marshals. Isn’t there some law that says presidents shouldn’t be attacking sitting presidents?” Dobbs’ guest, Steve Forbes — editor-in-chief of his family’s namesake magazine — said that Obama is irrelevant. “What he hasn’t gotten used to is he doesn’t matter anymore,” Forbes said, saying Obama can achieve “publicity” but not create “policy.” For his part, Forbes was an unsuccessful candidate for president during the Republican primaries in 1996 and 2000. He never quite made it to the Oval Office. Obama, who spent two terms in the White House, over the weekend wrapped up a five-day world tour, during which he made several speeches and met with other leaders from around the world. During a stop in New Delhi, India, the former president addressed a remark that his wife, Michelle, had made at an event in Toronto earlier in the week. Both Obamas referenced Trump, but
neither mentioned the current president by name. The former first lady said during the speech in Canada (which was “a sold-out few-thousandperson throng,” according to Page Six) that it is “never a good idea” to “tweet from bed” — an apparent dig at Trump’s late night and early morning Twitter habit. And her husband quipped while in New Delhi, “I actually have more [Twitter followers] than other people who use it more often.” “Don’t say the first thing that pops into your head, just have a little bit of an edit function, that’s wise for life generally,” Obama also advised. “You see people getting in all kinds of trouble because they just send out some tweet and then they’re trying to erase it afterwards but somebody’s screenshot[ted] it and they’re embarrassed.” The Chicago Tribune described Obama’s international trip as part of “a longstanding tradition” where former presidents journey around the world, meeting with foreign leaders and raising money and awareness for various causes and foundations. In Obama’s case, there may be a bit more work involved when making such trips. “But Obama’s trip may garner particular attention, given that many foreign countries are still uncertain about Trump’s foreign policy and may look to his predecessor to help explain America’s current direction,” the publication noted. During his excursion, the former president also met with the Dalai Lama. According to The Washington Post, a spokesperson for the Dalai Lama reported that the religious leader of Tibet said to Obama, “You are not only a former U.S. president but you are a Nobel laureate, you are young and you can do a lot. We should fulfill our as-
piration for world peace. Maybe my generation will not see the results, but your generation will definitely see the results.” Dobbs, meanwhile, throughout the weekend continued his comments, which he said were “a joke.” Joe Walsh, a Republican former congressman and current conservative talk radio host, said on Twitter that while he “can’t stand Obama,” Dobbs’ remarks were “just plain dangerous.” Joe Walsh @WalshFreedom Look, I can't stand Obama, but for @LouDobbs to suggest Obama should be ARRESTED for criticizing Trump is just plain dangerous. It's called free speech. Don't be a cupcake Lou. https:// www.washingtonpost.com/ news/the-fix/wp/2017/12/02/ obama-should-be-arrested-forimplying-trump-needs-a-filterfox-business-host-suggests/ ?hpid=hp_hp-top-tablemain_obama-trump620pm%3Ahomepage%2Fst ory&utm_term=.cf1bd232cfcc … 12:43 PM - Dec 3, 2017 Analysis | Obama should be arrested for implying Trump needs a filter, Fox Business host suggests Lou Dobbs said Obama crossed a line when he criticized Trump's tweeting habits. washingtonpost.com 245 Replies 70 Retweets 205 likes “if you can’t take a joke, Joe, you might work on your sense of humor. if you have one,” Dobbs retaliated. Lou Dobbs @LouDobbs if you can’t take a joke, Joe, you might work on your sense of humor. if you have one. https:// twitter.com/walshfreedom/status/ 937422129364127745 … 12:59 PM - Dec 3, 2017
484 Replies 560 Retweets 2,306 likes But to call for a former president’s arrest can hardly be considered a joke, Walsh noted in a responding tweet. Joe Walsh @WalshFreedom I'm a fan of yours Lou, but given your complete adoration of Trump, I didn't think it was a joke. Plenty of others didn't either. All the best. https://twitter.com/ l o u d o b b s / s t a t u s / 937426038711357441 … 1:14 PM - Dec 3, 2017 26 Replies 5 Retweets 38 likes Obama has largely stayed out of the public eye since his departure from the White House earlier this year. He has made several criticisms of Trump but has rarely referenced the current president specifically by name. The same cannot be said for other former presidents who have attacked Trump — but no one appeared to call for their arrests. Both former Presidents George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush have taken specific, pointed jabs against Trump. In “The Last Republicans,” a new book by historian Mark Updegrove, H.W. Bush called Trump “a blowhard.” “This guy doesn’t know what it means to be president,” the elder Bush added. According to CNN, Bush also said to Updegrove in May 2016, “I don’t like him. I don’t know much about him, but I know he’s a blowhard. And I’m not too excited about him being a leader.” George W. Bush, Bush’s son, similarly told the historian, “As you know from looking at my family, [humility] is a certain heritage. That’s what they expect, and we’re not seeing that [in Trump].” The younger Bush also publicly said that he did not vote for Trump.
FBI Director Christopher A. Wray failed to explain why the agency he leads changed the name of a domestic terrorism designation from “Black Separatist Extremists” to “Black Identity Extremist,” during a recent meeting with a group of Congressional Black Caucus members about a leaked FBI document. Wray also refused to acknowledge that Black activists, including Black Lives Matter organizers, are being monitored by the FBI, according to CBC members present at the meeting. The leaked FBI document, titled “Black Identity Extremists Likely Motivated to Target Law Enforcement Officers,” sparked a wave of controversy and sharp criticism of the FBI. At least one CBC member called the leaked document “COINTELPRO 2.0,” while another said that the report “calls for open season on Black activists.” The document was shared widely with local law enforcement agencies across the country. According to Newsweek, following the “fatal attacks on police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 2016, the bureau expressed concerns about ‘the threat of copycat attacks against law enforcement’ at the Republican and Democratic national conventions.” Newsweek reported that other documents showed that “the FBI has monitored Black Lives Matter protesters.” Those documents were released, because of a lawsuit to expose the surveillance filed by the Center for Constitutional Rights and the civil rights group
Color of Change. On Wednesday, November 29, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Cedric Richmond (D-La.) and 2nd Vice Chair Karen Bass (D-Calif.), provided an overview of their meeting with Wray in a teleconference with National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis; NNPA National Chairman Dorothy Leavell, and a group of Black publishers, editors and reporters. CBC members who are also members of the House Committee on Homeland Security, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Committee on the Judiciary were present at the meeting. “Listening to [Wray], especially considering meetings and discussions we’ve had with Attorney General [Jeff] Sessions, he appeared to be a breath of fresh air,” Bass said. According to Bass, Wray said the “Black Identity Extremists” report was completed prior to his taking the post, but he acknowledged that he “owns the document” now. Wray also said that no one would be investigated or targeted, unless they met three points of criteria: there had to be credible evidence of federal crimes; a credible threat of force or violence; and both of those points had to exist in furtherance of a social or political goal. Bass said the FBI uses that criteria to categorize people as domestic terrorists and, according to the leaked document, “Black Identity Extremists” fall into the (continued on page 5)
Also in this issue -Page 2 -Young, Gifted and Black. What No one Told Me About Being “First” to Go To College -Page 4 -Two African American Entrepreneur Sisters Launch Online Platform That Makes Healthcare Less Complicated And Easier To Understand -Page 7-Trump’s Literally Sickening Subsidy Scheme for Coal and Uranium
Our Values, Mission, & Vision Statement Our Values: Treat all people with care, respect, honor, and dignity. Tell it as it is with love, truth and integrity. Promote the interests of advertisers and sponsors along their strategic interest for the betterment of the community and beyond. Speak truth to power. Our Mission: To continuously improve communication between all people of the world. Our Vision: To be the best community newspaper in our region and the nation. Provider of: A voice for the poor, the underserved, those that are marginalized, Positive and edifying news about people, places and businesses. Keep San Bernardino, Riverside, and Los Angeles Counties informed about global trends while retaining the consciousness of local events and processes. Memberships and Associations: The San Bernardino American Newspaper is a member of the California Newspaper Publishers Association, National Newspaper Association and addociated with California Black Media.
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PAGE 2
December 7, 2017
COMMUNITY/EDUCATION/ADVERTISING
Retired Educator Feeds the Community with Books — “Philanthropy in its most practical, yet sustainable, form” —
Amid China Shoplifting Suspension, LaVar Ball Pulls Son LiAngelo From UCLA To Train For The NBA Is the UCLA outcast player good enough for the NBA?
Community Education News
Written By Bruce C.T. Wright
Dr. Lynda Jones-Mubarak Fort Worth, TX — Dr. Lynda Jones-Mubarak, a retired special education teacher, facilitator, and U.S. Army veteran has formed an alliance with Community Food Bank in Fort Worth, Texas. This alliance was forged in an effort to end hunger in the North Texas region. Community Food Bank’s mission serves to fight hunger by providing food, education, and resources to hungry families in a dignified, personal and timely manner. They operate as a food pantry and as a food bank; without zip code restrictions. As a longtime supporter of the food bank and other community based organizations, Dr. Mubarak saw fit to donate 15% of all proceeds from her newly published children’s book entitled Carver Park to Community Food Bank. Carver Park is an area that was designated for African-Americans when segregation prevailed as law and as a dominant force in social life in Waco, Texas. Dr. Mubarak recounts her times in Carver Park and gives readers a perspective of one child who
found the vibrancy of life through the harshness of society’s circumstances during that time. The storyline affirms that choice people in our lives provide us with the knowledge and support needed to learn, survive, and progress during a time of great social unrest and historical change, similar to what many marginalized communities may be facing today. What is especially important about the collaboration between Dr. Mubarak and Community Food Bank is the subtle reminder that one person can make a difference, even in the most modest of ways. Being a champion of early literacy initiatives and tackling hunger in the community in which one lives is a true blueprint for happier, safer, and more vibrant communities. More information about the Community Food Bank and the partnership with Dr. Lynda Jones-Mubarak can be found at www.foodbank.org. Carver Park is available for purchase at www.melaninorigins.com/books.
JOB OPENING: SECURITY MANAGER POSITIONS:
The college basketball player at the center of a shoplifting scandal in China last month has begun training to compete on the professional level after removing himself as a student at UCLA, according to a new report. There’s just one problem – LiAngelo Ball has never actually been projected to be drafted into the NBA. Ball’s famous father, LaVar Ball, pulled his son from UCLA amid an indefinite suspension from the team following an admitted role in stealing sunglasses from highend retailer in China, ESPN Jeff Goodman tweeted Monday afternoon. Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN LaVar Ball told ESPN he has pulled LiAngelo Ball from UCLA. "We are exploring other options with Gelo," LaVar said. "He's out of there." 12:23 PM - Dec 4, 2017 465 465 Replies 2,239 2,239 Retweets 3,216 3,216 likes LaVar, ever defiant, suggested he didn’t owe UCLA the courtesy of even informing the school that LiAngelo wound’t return. Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN
• Ability to read, listen and communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. • Must have strong security knowledge and experience. • Ability to work independently and complete duties and projects with little direct supervision. • Ability to accurately work under pressure in meeting deadlines. • At least some facility manager experience.
CSUSB’S Fall Commencement Ceremonies Set For Dec. 9 Community Education News
Cal State San Bernardino will celebrate its 17th December commencement with three graduation ceremonies at the university’s 3,500-seat Coussoulis Arena on Saturday, Dec. 9. This year, of the more than 2,270 students eligible to graduate in December, about 1,090 are expected to participate in the ceremonies. The first ceremony will be at 9 a.m. for the College of Arts and Letters and the College of Natural Sciences. The second ceremony will be at 1 p.m. for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The third and final ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. for the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration and the College of Education. This year, the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences has the largest number of students (351) registered to participate in the fall ceremony, followed by the Jack Brown College of Business and Public Administration (294), the College of Arts and Letters (204), the College of Natural Sciences (199), and the College of Education (46). Overflow seating will be available in three locations: the Health and Physical Education Building, room 124 (except for the 9 a.m. ceremony), the College of Education Building, room 105 and the Jack H. Brown College of Business
and Public Administration, room 102. Guests will be able to watch the ceremonies live via television. The commencement ceremonies also will be webcast live at the CSUSB Office of Strategic Communication Live Webcast page at https://advancement.csusb.edu/ strategic-communication/campus-services/live-webcast. Parking on campus for the ceremonies will be complimentary. For the 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ceremonies, parking will be available in Lot N. For the 1 p.m. ceremony, parking will be available in Lots G/H. Parking for the disabled will be available in Parking Structure East for all three ceremonies. Due to ongoing construction in the parking lots, trams will not be available for commencement. Visitors can learn more on the “Parking, Shuttles and Directions” webpage at http:// commencement.csusb.edu/ parkingShuttlesDirections.html. The December commencement has grown in popularity especially with out-of-state and international students who have completed their studies in the fall and are likely unable to return for the traditional June graduation, which usually averages about 3,000 graduating students. For more information about the ceremonies, visit the Commencement webpage at http:// commencement.csusb.edu/.
But when the topic turned to LiAngelo looking for another college to continue playing, LaVar cleared things up quickly, according to another tweet from Goodman. Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN LaVar Ball: "He's not transferring to another school," he told ESPN. "The plan is now to get Gelo ready for the NBA Draft." The plan was always for LiAngelo to spend one season at UCLA and then leave, regardless
Young, Gifted, and Black. What No one Told Me About Being "First" to Go To College As college application season looms, here is some advice for first time college attendees By Brandon Terrell
NEW HOPE CHURCH is accepting applications for a fulltime Security Manager position at the New Hope Family Life Center, San Bernardino, CA. Applications are available at the New Hope Church Office. For additional information, please contact the Church Office at (909) 887-2526. The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.
LaVar Ball also said that he has yet to inform the UCLA coaching staff that he is pulling LiAngelo. "I haven't told any of those guys,"Lavar told ESPN. "They didn't tell me anything, so why am I gonna tell them." 1:31 PM - Dec 4, 2017 74 74 Replies 113 113 Retweets 221 221 likes
Brandon Terrell I was reared and schooled in Detroit, where poverty and oppression eloquently danced while violence and crime serenaded the communities. The crime and oppression in my neighborhood drove me to submit a college application that changed my life's trajectory. I wasn't going to college to become an adult; I faced mature challenges and struggles long before filling out my college applications. For me, higher education represented an escape from adult struggles. But, I couldn't escape the financial challenges. For first-generation college students like me, the responsibilities designed for mature adults were often delegated to us adolescents. Now that I'm in graduate school, I have some distance and perspective on what first-gens really need to thrive at a four-year college. And, despite some model programs at universities, I fear the current political climate and threatened budget cuts will only make it harder for first-gens to obtain a four-year degree. I know from experience my journey as a first-gen and non-traditional undergraduate college student is devastatingly common. No one in high school or college spoke to me about the financial realities of being a student who couldn't rely on family for support. FASFA, Pell Grants and loans were foreign concepts. The conversations I had growing up rarely involved college. We talked about who was buying dinner that night or who needed to get a job to help pay bills. Survival was the goal. By the time I applied to college, I had already tangled with life and boxed with oppression, discrimination, stereotypical beliefs, and negative ideologies, all while juggling school, plus a job or two. Life had prepared me for college. But the challenges never stopped coming.
Even as I struggled to pay tuition and buy meals when the food courts closed for the weekends, I often got calls from relatives who needed help buying groceries. Relief started with me. I had no safety net - I WAS the safety net. Completing college required a survival balancing act-maintaining my GPA, bridging gaps back at home, and navigating collegiate bureaucracies while carefully responding to microaggressions and prejudice in majority white spaces. Spectators would classify the underlying factor of our motivation as "grit" or "determination," but for many first gens, our motivation is simply survival. We have no choice. Missing an assignment, being too tired to attend a bio lecture after working more than 30 hours a week, failing a 300 level course, or even missing a tuition payment created a slippery slope back to the environment that suffocated dreams. But we are a population colleges cannot afford to lose, as we represented 36 percent of students seeking a four-year degree nationwide in 2012. Politicians, educators, social workers, counselors, and administrators must address the intersecting social and cultural challenges that precede our applications, accompany us to college, and follow us even after securing a degree. Access to college and financial aid is not enough to secure a better quality of life for students coming from low-income backgrounds. The gap is widening with only 14 percent of the most economically disadvantaged students earning a bachelor's degree, according to a 2015 federal study. We need a different support system to thrive in college-mentors, help with living expenses, travel costs, tutors, flexible schedules, and emotional support from other students who feel isolated, but are coping with similar struggles. We need to stop talking about college attainment in simplistic ways. It takes so much more than grit. Brandon Terrell is currently attending graduate school at East(continued in next 2 columns)
of whether he was projected to be drafted. 1:15 PM - Dec 4, 2017 189 189 Replies 472 472 Retweets 774 774 likes With LiAngelo no longer enrolled in UCLA, LaVar has now pulled two off his sons from their schools this year. LaMelo Ball, a 16-year-old junior, was yanked from his high school in October in favor of home schooling to allow more time to train for a future in the NBA. Shortly after Monday’s announcement, LiAngelo Ball’s name was nowhere to be found out of the top 100 players listed on NBADraft.net, a website that reliably predicting the NBA future of amateur basketball. That could be an indication that LiAngelo, who was already billed as being the third-best player out of his older and younger brothers, may not be selected by one of the 30
NBA teams next June. However, to hear LaVar tell it, that’s exactly what he’s wanted all along. “All my boys are gonna be oneand-done. Gelo [LiAngelo] is going [to] be one-and-done whether he’s good or bad,” LaVar, referring to the trend of jumping to the pros after playing just one season in college, told ESPN in June. “I’m going to put him in the draft, hope they don’t take him. Bring him into the Lakers as a free agent, let him wind up with his brother and watch how good they play together.” LaVar’s oldest son Lonzo is currently a rookie for the Los Angeles Lakers. LiAngelo and three of his fellow freshmen teammates at UCLA were arrested by Chinese police on suspicion of shoplifting from a Louis Vuitton store on November 11 in southeastern China. The team, which was there to play its season opener against Georgia Tech, eventually returned to the U.S. without the three players who were still on hotel arrest. President Donald Trump took credit for securing their release, and the university suspended them shortly after their arrival on campus. When trump demanded the players thank him, LaVar intervened, sparking a war of words on between the two.
Young, Gifted, and Black. What No one Told Me About Being "First" to Go To College...continued ern Michigan University, after graduating there in 2015 with a bachelor's in psychology. He also
works at the University of Michigan as a program assistant for the community health department.
YAL Student group sues UC-Berkeley for refusing to recognize them Educational News WASHINGTON, D.C. – Young Americans for Liberty (YAL), the largest pro-liberty student organization in the country, filed a federal lawsuit against University of California at Berkeley officials for refusing to officially recognize the group on campus. Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys representing YAL contend that the school’s decision explicitly discriminates against YAL on the basis of its pro-liberty views. Young Americans for Liberty is a national network (900 college chapters) of students who share a mutual respect for freedom, the U.S. Constitution, and the natural rights of life, liberty, and property. YAL aims to promote and defend the principles of liberty– –such as the principle of open discourse and free speech. Because UC-Berkeley has excluded Young Americans for Liberty from Registered Student Organization status and all the benefits that accompany it, the group cannot reserve space, invite speakers, or access the pool of funds their tuition covers. "It is absurd to think that other Berkeley groups are lighting the campus on fire and throwing rocks through windows, but YAL's efforts to peaceably promote the message of liberty are being shunned by university administrators. This incident is exactly why Young Americans for Liberty launched the national Fight for Free Speech campaign. All students, regardless of ideology, should be guaranteed their First Amendment right to Free Speech." said Cliff Maloney
President of YAL. “Public universities are supposed to be a ‘marketplace of ideas’ for students, but that can’t happen when administrators are allowed to pick and choose which student organizations will be recognized based on the students’ views,” said ADF Legal Counsel Caleb Dalton. “By leaving decisions on whether a student group is ‘too similar’ to another club in the hands of a university official who isn’t required to follow any viewpoint-neutral standards, UCBerkeley has allowed for unconstitutional discrimination.” Michael L. Renberg of the Fresno law firm Parichan, Renberg & Crossman is serving as local counsel in the case, Young Americans for Liberty at University of California, Berkeley v. Napolitano, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Oakland Division. ****YAL President Cliff Maloney is available to speak with accredited media about YAL efforts taking place at UC Berkeley and on college campuses around the country. Please send media inquiries HERE.*** Young Americans for Liberty is the largest, most active, and fastest-growing libertarian and conservative organization on America's college campuses, with a network of more than 900 chapters nationwide. YAL seeks to identify, educate, train, and mobilize students on the ideals of individual liberty and the U.S. Constitution. Learn more at www.YALiberty.org.
The San Bernardino AMERICAN News Staff Samuel Martin Sr.-Founder Clifton Harris/Editor in Chief/Investigative Reporter Mary Martin-Harris/Editor Clifton B. Harris/Audio Engineering Editor Legal /Display Advertising & Sales (909) 889-7677 The San Bernardino American News was established May 8,1969. A legally adjudicated newspaper of general circulation on September 30, 1971, case number 153913 by the Superior Court, of San Bernardino County. The San Bernardino AMERICAN News, a division of Don Roberto Group, Inc. is published every Thursday by Mary MartinHarris and Clifton Harris P.O. Box 837 Victorville, CA 92393, Telephone (909)8897677, Emails: samerisam1@earthlink.net., sbamericannews@gmail.com The San Bernardino AMERICAN News subscription rate is $58.00 per year. The San Bernardino AMERICAN New is committed to serving its readers by presenting news, unbiased and objective, trusting in the mature judgment of the readers and, in so doing strive to achieve a united community. News releases appearing in the San Bernardino AMERICAN News do not necessarily express the policy nor the opinion of the publishers. The San Bernardino AMERICAN News reserves the right to edit or rewrite all news releases.
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December 7, 2017
GOVERNMENT/BUSINESS/ADVERTISING
OP-ED: If Black Lives Really Matter to Black People, then It’s Time to Stop Watching the NFL By Chris B. Bennett (The Seattle Medium/NNPA Member)
Chris Bennett, the co-publisher of The Seattle Medium, challenges the Black community to support Colin Kaepernick (pictured) and current NFL players that continue to protest police brutality. This photo was taken during the San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers game at Lambeau Field on September 9, 2012. (Mike Morbeck/Wikimedia Commons) For years, the African American community has been asking and insisting that our professional athletes do more for our community. We ask them to give money towards initiatives and good causes, we ask them to be role models, and we ask them to stand up, speak up and speak out on issues affecting our community. And yet, as you read this article today, there are pro football players that have taken a stance against oppression, police brutality and the killing of Black people by law enforcement officers all across this country. Yet, these athletes are under attack by the media, by “fans” who claim that they have ruined the game of football, because they will not stand during the national anthem…and yes, the players have even come under attack by the 45th occupant of the White House. The Black Lives Matter move-
ment and the many of the NFL players are standing up (or kneeling) for justice and “just us.” We are demanding justice for things that happen to just us. We demand justice for the racial profiling that happens to just us. We demand justice for the excessive force that is used against just us. And we are demanding justice, on behalf of millions of voiceless African Americans all across the country, for the lives that have been lost as a result of law enforcement officers shooting us (unarmed, Black Americans) at alarming rates. Numbers don’t lie, and videos don’t lie either. Black men are killed by police officers in extrajudicial shootings at much higher rates that far outweigh the rate of that White men are shot and killed by police officers, which indicates to me that these killings repeatedly happen to just us; and
think about the number of videos that we have seen that show Black people gunned down, choked out, manhandled and beaten; while at the same time we see videos of Whites blatantly disrespecting police officers and daring them to do something to them, and those suspects are able to walk away unharmed. In protesting these atrocities, Colin Kaepernick chose to take a knee during the national anthem, because he didn’t want to stand up for the flag of a country that oppresses Black people and people of color. In fact, Kaepernick was quoted as saying, “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.” For taking such a stance, Kaepernick is no longer em-
Rethinking Black Poverty, Power and Justice Justice Initiative International There is an old adage that says, "when the Lion begins to write his own history, the hunter will no longer be the hero". By William Small November 29, 2017 It is impossible to find a serious history of Africa or of African descendent people that does not describe the resources of the Continent of Africa and the talents of African people as exceptional. Even today, while much of the African Diaspora wrestles with images of itself that are generally associated with poverty, as popularly defined, the African Continent continues to virtually serve as a treasure trove of resources for some of the richest and most powerful nations on the face of the earth. Without the resources of Africa and the contributions to western culture and high civilization that have been made by African resources and African people "at home and abroad", the world as we know it would simply not exist. There is an old adage that says, "when the Lion begins to write his own history, the hunter will no longer be the hero". Unfortunately, the images of the Lion are still being defined by the hunter and all too thoroughly digested by the Lion. Popular media, the IMF, the World Bank, USAID, Afri-Com, and an unending list of government and non-governmental agencies continue to create crisis after crisis and "resolve them" in a way that reinforces the concept of Africa as inept, unprepared and poor. Similarly, but very much related to that myth are the global images of African descendent people that are spawned within the borders of powerful nations which support the same negativity on the international screen. The psychological and political consequences of these persistent practices are profound. Africa becomes demeaned, while European and now Asian patterns and practices of exploitation become exalted. Black folks as a people or the world as a civilization cannot understand "Black Poverty" unless we understand the direct and lingering consequences of over five hundred years of this kind of social and psychological conditioning. In this confusion we find the wisdom of one of Americas most under-heralded historians, Dr. Carter
G. Woodson, whom I loosely quote "condition a person to seek entry through the back door, and even if there is no back door, that person will demand that one be constructed". This statement is but one more example of the Lion, eagerly digesting the hunter's interpretation of what is fitting and deserving for the Lion. My intent in addressing this topic is not to reinforce the popular perceptions of African disfunction or to blame the prevailing political and social conditions in the African Diaspora on Europeans and others. That might prove to be a very productive discussion and analysis of our condition at another time. My intent here is to draw some attention to the extent and degree to which the practices complained of here, have been internalized by us, Black People, to include our leaders, thus contributing to self- diminishing patterns of thought and action which serve to "defang" the Lion. The Lion therefore becomes little more than a pathetic character in a 21st century, real life version of the "Wizard of OZ". The question for black leadership, in this stage and phase of our struggle is "how do we reclaim our "Lionness?" How do we recommit to value the principles of solidarity and accountability to our people and our Communities? Today, it is sad to admit, too many African descendent people harbor an insufficient regard for Africa and an equally paralyzing insufficient regard for each other. Arguably, we have lost our capacity to identify and pursue our collective self-interest. More troubling, I contend, we have lost our concern with the necessity to develop an agenda to correct this deficiency as a pre-condition to repair ourselves. This condition is the "Poverty" from which we as Black people suffer the most. It is also, in my opinion, the condition that we must first address. If Black people, anywhere in the world today, have any illusion of participating in a meaningful way in a political process which is about creating collective oppor-
tunity, collective wealth, and the power to once again become a collectively influential and selfdetermining people - we must first break the bonds of this "psychological poverty" and reclaim ourselves. We cannot continue to be more loyal to money, political party, individual celebrity, artificial political boundaries and the transitory trappings of this world and expect to render the essential degree of service and security to each other that real change and re-empowerment will require. Real change and sustainable progress will require more than the kind of symbolic participation that our politics have become. Voting cannot continue to be "a duty". Voting must evolve to become "a strategy" for our global liberation and empowerment. We must once again learn how to roar responsibly, in our own collective self-interest, like a full-throated Lion. We can neither gain nor retain the respect of our oppressors while purring like the Lion that is "just glad to be in the room". Today, we have more "Lions in the room" than we have ever had in the modern political history: Heads of State, United Nations officials, Military General Officers and Corporate Executives. We should and we have rightly applauded their success. However, to a perilously large degree, their success has been permitted to remain "too" individual. Can we actually say that after eight years of the American government lead by an African American President that African American people or African people in the Diaspora are, in any way, collectively better off? Can we actually say that our response was responsible and appropriate when, after the election of the first African American President, the racist elements in our society circled the wagons and publicly announced their intention to restrict his effectiveness as a human being, as an African American, and as a world and national leader? Can we say that the US Justice Department today - independent of the ethnicity, (continued on page 7)
ployed as an NFL player. We hear all the excuses about why he does not have a job as a quarterback in the NFL. You can believe the excuses if you want, but I would challenge you to answer this question: Do you honestly want to see Colin Kaepernick playing quarterback against your favorite team on Sunday? Your honest answer would probably be “No,” because despite any flaws or inconsistencies that he may have in his game, Colin Kaepernick is a game changer. He is a legitimate dual threat quarterback, who can find his way to the end zone anytime he touches the ball. So, why is he unemployed? You can answer that question for yourself. As a result of what many believe was the blackballing of Kaepernick by the NFL, many people across this country, many of them Black women, decided to boycott the NFL this season; and the boycott is and was successful, so much so that the NFL, mainstream media and the 45th occupant led people to believe that the low ratings of NFL games this season were a result of White men not watching the NFL, because Black players were protesting that national anthem. Then, the 45th occupant of the White House, in his puppeteering ways, stepped forward and said that the NFL should fire anyone, who refuses to stand for the national anthem, and accused those who chose to kneel during the national anthem of disrespecting the flag and being unpatriotic. Black folks took offense and I believe that they decided to watch the games in protest to “45”; I bet the ratings increased, too. Now, fast forward to Dallas
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stating that players on his team, who do not stand for the national anthem will not play, and “45” praises him for doing so. Ironic? I don’t think so. Don’t let them fool you, “45” and NFL owners have been joined at the hip in the process from the very beginning. The 45th occupant of the White House carried the water of the NFL owners, helped sway some sort of public opinion against the players and now the owners feel empowered to bring down their oppressive hammers on the players. The 45th occupant of the White House will take credit for bringing “law and order” to the plantation, and the NFL owners will walk away with little or no blood on their hands. The real story is that a handful of players have stood up for what they feel is right. Now the question is, what is the African American community going to do to support them? Do you have the courage to turn the channel when your favorite team(s) play on Sunday? Do you have the courage to publicly tell people that you support the players who choose to take a knee for justice and not just us? Do you have the courage to proudly wear the jersey of Colin Kaepernick, Michael Bennett or any other player who chooses to kneel or sit during the national anthem? Do you have the courage to start your own personal social media campaign supporting those players who take a knee to say that Black lives matter just as much as any other lives in this country? Are you willing to show your unwavering support for those who are standing tall by taking a knee during the national
anthem? Will you write a letter, email or tweet to the NFL, the 45th occupant of the White House and your congressional delegation expressing your concerns about this issue? Do you have the backbone to stand up and advocate for freedom, justice and equality for those who are no longer here to speak for themselves? For those of you who choose to protest, here is the best way (I believe) to do so: • Turn the channel during the NFL’s big three nights—Monday night, Thursday night and Sunday night football. It’s not enough to just turn your TV off and do some other activity. Turn to a channel owned by African Americans during the games like TV One (Cathy Hughes), Aspire (Magic Johnson) or OWN (Oprah Winfrey). This will send a clear message that African Americans are turning away from football and will not allow anyone to spin that narrative. This not only shows that we are united in this fight, but it will also help these channels leverage our eyeballs into more advertising dollars and be able to bring additional culturally relevant programming to our community. It’s time to change the narrative from just us to justice, and you have the power to do it! Through the eyes of an ink barrel, may peace be unto you. Chris B. Bennett is an awardwinning journalist and co-publisher of The Seattle Medium newspaper. You can follow him on Twitter @The_inkbarrel. The Seattle Medium is a member publication of the National Newspaper Publishers Association. Learn more about becoming a member at www.nnpa.org.
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December 7, 2017
HEALTH/FITNESS NEWS
Whistleblower: Medicaid Managed-Care Firm Improperly Denied Care To Thousands Chad Terhune : California Healthline November 30, 2017
SynerMed headquarters in Monterey Park, Calif. The management firm oversaw care for 1.2 million patients. (Chad Terhune/California Healthline) In early October, an executive at one of the nation’s largest physician-practice management firms handed her bosses the equivalent of a live grenade — a 20-page report that blew up the company and shook the world of managed care for poor patients across California. For years, she wrote, SynerMed, a behind-the-scenes administrator of medical groups and managed-care contracts, had improperly denied care to thousands of patients — most of them on Medicaid — and falsified documents to hide it. The violations were “widespread, systemic in nature,” according to the confidential Oct. 5 report by the company’s senior director of compliance, Christine Babu. And they posed a “serious threat to members’ health and safety,” according to the report, which was obtained by Kaiser Health News. Days later, someone sent the report — labeled as a “draft” — anonymously to California health officials. Within weeks, state regulators had launched an investigation, major health insurers swept in for surprise audits, the company’s chief executive announced the firm would close and doctors’ practices up and down the state braced for a tumultuous transition to new management. Jennifer Kent, California’s health services and Medicaid director, said her agency received the whistleblower’s report Oct. 8 and, working with health plans, confirmed “widespread deficiencies” at SynerMed, which manages the care of at least 650,000 Medicaid recipients in the state. “I think it’s pretty egregious actions on the part of that company,” Kent said in an interview this week. Key dates in the SynerMed case: Sept. 27: SynerMed’s compliance staff learns of falsified documents Oct. 5: Company’s senior compliance director issues investigative report Oct. 8: California health officials receive the report anonymously Nov. 6: SynerMed CEO tells employees the firm is shutting down Nov. 15: California Department of Managed Health Care confirms ongoing investigation Nov. 17: California’s Medicaid program says patients under SynerMed management are in “imminent danger” of not receiving care Sources: Kaiser Health News/California Healthline reporting, SynerMed In a Nov. 17 order issued to insurers, state Medicaid officials said “members are currently in imminent danger of not receiving medically necessary health care services” due to SynerMed’s conduct. The state ordered insurers to determine how many enrollees experienced delayed or unfulfilled services. Consumer advocates expressed
alarm at the whistleblower’s findings and questioned why these problems went undetected for so long. Some said it underscores a lack of accountability among companies involved in Medicaid managed care — which receive billions in taxpayer dollars and have expanded significantly under the Affordable Care Act. Linda Nguy, a policy advocate at the Western Center on Law and Poverty in Sacramento, called the situation “outrageous.” “It raises questions about oversight by the state and the health plans,” she said. Besides managing care for Medicaid patients, SynerMed also oversaw managed care services for people on Medicare and commercial insurance — 1.2 million patients in all. Physician groups it managed have contracts with most of the state’s largest insurers, such as Health Net, Anthem and Blue Shield of California. SynerMed, founded in 2001 and based in the Los Angeles area, served as a key middleman in the managedcare industry between health plans and independent physician practices, and its role only grew after Medicaid was expanded under the ACA. Most, if not all, of the patients whose care it managed were in California. Under Medicaid managed care, the government pays a fixed rate per patient to health plans, whose job is to coordinate patient care effectively and efficiently. In this case, health plans passed a share of their money — along with the financial risk of a fixed budget — to physician practices under SynerMed management. As is typical in the managed-care industry, SynerMed and the physician practices could pocket whatever money they did not spend on patients and other expenses. The whistleblower’s report does not address what the motivation was for falsifying denial letters to patients — except to note that the small team of employees felt intense pressure from their supervisors to clear a backlog of paperwork dating back months. But Babu made clear that this was not a rogue operation. The methods they used were outlined in written training materials and knowledge of the procedures extended at least as high as a senior vice president, she wrote. After her investigation, other top executives were informed of her findings. According to the report, she became aware of the problems in late September when a compliance manager heard about an employee falsifying a patient letter for an upcoming health plan audit. Through interviews with sometimes tearful staffers, Babu wrote, she learned that an overworked team routinely fabricated denial letters without supervision from doctors or others with
clinical training. The report suggested some cases were reviewed by medical personnel, but “staff members who are not clinicians could drastically misrepresent the medical director’s instructions.” Some employees interviewed said they did not know what they did was wrong and said they were fearful of their bosses. One supervisor told Babu that these practices at SynerMed had persisted for many years and “that it had become normal for her,” according to the internal report. Patients in Medicaid managed care and commercial plans are entitled to a written denial notice within two business days of the decision, giving them the ability to appeal to their health plan and then to regulators. Industry-wide, treatment denials were overturned in nearly 70 percent of all medical review cases handled by the state last year. But the compliance department found that affected patients were not properly informed, and the violations “resulted in thousands of members unaware of their appeal rights going back years past. As such, members may experience delays in care, lapse in coverage, delay in access to care and or financial hardship.” The denial letters fabricated by employees to satisfy auditors often were not sent to patients, according to Babu’s internal investigation. Employees also used software to backdate faxes to doctors’ offices to suggest physicians were informed promptly and properly about the denials. The compliance investigation focused on activities at SynerMed and didn’t address what occurred at physician offices, so it is unclear what doctors knew and what patients actually were told when care was not authorized. Babu said that “the severity of the conduct is magnified by the fact that a large number of SynerMed’s patient population is low-income, and likely unable to afford medical services not covered by their insurance.” In her report, Babu said she felt threatened and pressured to drop the matter during conversations with her boss, the general counsel and chief compliance officer. That person is identified elsewhere in the report as Renee Rodriguez. During a meeting in her office on Oct. 3, Babu said “it seemed as if [Rodriguez] was trying to convince me to drop the case.” The following day, Babu wrote “there is a likelihood that they [leadership of SynerMed] would terminate me. … I indicated that I would not stop fighting for what is just, and that I was prepared to involve the authorities as I now felt uneasy about everything.” Babu couldn’t be reached for comment. Rodriguez didn’t return calls. In a Nov. 6 email to employees, SynerMed’s chief executive, James Mason, said the company was shutting down. In a statement Wednesday to Kaiser Health News, apparently in reference to Babu, he said: “It is unfortunate that one of our employees jumped the gun and disclosed confidential information regarding our clients and members.” More Coverage On Medicaid Man-
aged Care Mason said the company suspended “this individual immediately so we could investigate exactly what information was transmitted,” including whether it included confidential patient information. That person and others were later laid off, he said, as health plan auditors stepped in and the company’s operations wound down. He said the company took the allegations seriously and quickly investigated them. In a separate statement, SynerMed’s chief medical officer, Dr. Jorge Weingarten, did not directly address whether rules were broken. Instead he emphasized that the company had protocols in which “all denials on the basis of medical necessity must be made by licensed physician or a licensed health care professional who is competent to evaluate the specific request.” Health plans that contract with SynerMed’s medical groups condemned the alleged wrongdoing and said they were committed to helping any patients who may have been affected. “There was a pattern of deception this organization was willing to engage in that raises integrity questions about the entire operation,” said John Baackes, chief executive of L.A. Care Health Plan. “For them it was better to cheat than follow the rules. We take it extremely seriously, particularly when lives are at stake in terms of getting timely access to care.” Anthem Blue Cross, the nation’s second-largest health insurer, said some physician groups will be terminating their contracts with SynerMed due to the allegations. The company said it’s working closely with state officials and physicians “to ensure a smooth transition for all of our members affected by these changes.” State Medicaid officials said health plans, at their own cost, also must collectively hire an independent firm to monitor activities at SynerMed during its shutdown to ensure an orderly transition and “retention of records.” Nearly 11 million people in California’s Medi-Cal program, or 80 percent, are enrolled in managed-care plans, rather than the traditional feefor-service system. SynerMed billed itself as “one of the largest Medicaid/Medicare management service organizations in the nation.” Given its size and growing stature, insurers, doctors and regulators were caught off guard by the company’s sudden change of fortune. “SynerMed has been at the forefront in how Medicaid expansion has moved forward in California,” said Bill Barcellona, senior vice president for government affairs at CAPG, a national trade group for physician organizations. Unlike in private health insurance and Medicare Advantage, Barcellona said Medicaid managed care is more dependent on smaller physician groups that are less organized. “SynerMed figured out they could create scale to provide some of the necessary infrastructure,” he said. “It has grown tremendously, and this has been a shock and a real setback.”
Senate Passes Bill to take Health Care from Millions of Families and cut funding for the Medicare program to Give Tax Breaks to Millionaires and RUHS Behavioral Health Opens Drop-In Corporations Health/Fitness News
Resource And Support Centers Focused On Transitional Age Youth Health/Fitness News LA QUINTA, Ca. – Older teens and young adults will find a safe environment and resources ready to help them navigate their journey into adulthood at a transitional age youth support center set to open Wednesday (Dec. 6) in La Quinta. The Transitional Age Youth (TAY) Center is the first of three centers that RUHS Behavioral Health plans to open to serve young adults between the ages of 16 and 25. Centers are also on track to open next year in the cities of Perris and Riverside. The centers will offer educational groups, life skills training, family support groups, individual and group therapy, psychiatric and medication services, and fun activities including music, art, and games. Peer-support specialists, clinical therapists, a psychiatrist, nurse, and other professional staff will support the programming. There will be a special focus on identifying and treating first-episode psychosis. “Inside the centers, young adults and their loved ones will find an open,
supportive environment free of stigma and judgment,” said Steve Steinberg, director of RUHS Behavioral Health. “We are creating a safe place to help vulnerable young adults find a path that will prepare them for long-term success.” WHO: Riverside University Health System—Behavioral Health, Riverside County Economic Development Agency and Riverside County 4th District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez WHAT: Grand opening of the Transitional-Age Youth (TAY) Center WHERE: La Quinta
78-140 Calle Tampico,
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. WHY: Bringing support and resources to teens and young adults who are dealing with the complex challenges of transitioning into adulthood
Washington, D.C. – The Senate passed a bill that increases the deficit by $1 trillion, raises health insurance premiums for millions of Americans, takes coverage away from millions more, and harms the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The vote passed along a nearly straight party line. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives. Following is the statement of Frederick Isasi, executive director of Families USA: “Today, in a partisan manner, Republican Senators cast their votes in favor of short term political gains and against the long term interests of people in America. Republican Senators voted against their own principles of fiscal conservatism to pass a bill that increases the nation’s deficit by an astounding $1 trillion and personally enriches the wealthiest few of this nation by attacking the health care of people who need it the most. The result will be a spike in monthly health insurance premiums and more than 13 million people losing coverage. “The legislation is terrible for the people relying on the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Under current law, the legislation would require that next
year Congress cut more than $25 billion from the Medicare program, hurting our nation’s seniors and the disabled. Furthermore, the bill sets the country down a path to even larger cuts in Medicare and Medicaid as well social service programs, all of which are critical to the health and economic security of our nation’s families. “This terrible legislation is only the latest in a series of attacks on America’s health care by President Trump and Republican leaders in Congress, including the failed efforts to repeal the ACA, refusing to pay cost-sharing reductions, shortening the enrollment window for marketplace coverage, and proposing new marketplace rules that water down health plan benefits. As people in this country see their health insurance get more expensive and cover less in the coming year, they can place the blame squarely where it belongs: on President Trump and Republican leaders in Congress. "It is now up to the House of Representatives to prevent Congress from harming millions of people including families and seniors. We urge the House to vote against this harmful health bill masked as a ‘tax plan’.”
Two African American Entrepreneur Sisters Launch Online Platform That Makes Healthcare Less Complicated And Easier To Understand -- The Valmon sisters' exceptional venture of combining healthcare information with an online social media platform enables a diverse population to access medical information, and connect with the right people and professionals. -Health News
Valmon Sisters, co-founders of Healthguv.com Ocean County, NJ (BlackNews.com) -- Connecting millions of people globally to come together and improve the way they learn and share information related to health and medicine, Healthguv.com is driving better health decisions through technology. A brainchild of Gabrielle and Camille Valmon, and their cousin Joseph Creadle, the Healthguv website has revolutionized the way people gain understanding of numerous health-related subjects. The Valmon sisters want to change the gender gap when it comes to women in tech, especially women of color. Although women make up a substantial part of the overall workplace in organizations today, they still represent a small percentage in the tech industry. As of now, there are thousands of people browsing the internet, sifting through page after page looking for specific results, only to end up with irrelevant or incomplete information. It was this very problematic process of picking out the right information from pools of online data that encouraged Gabrielle and Camille to come up with the idea of Healthguv, an idea that would make it possible for people worldwide to precisely find any and all healthcare information they need without getting lost. Not only are people able to find what they are looking for, they are able to connect with people with similar health related information and make friends while doing so. The website is rich with articles, blogs, discussions and visual data about various healthcare topics, anywhere from trends in healthy living to medical conditions. "Our unique venture allows people
all over the world to come together, not just to find information, but to connect and discuss healthcare," said Gabrielle, co-creator of Healthguv. "Camille and I have experienced just how frustrating it is for people, especially women, to get in touch with healthcare information on the internet. We want our users to have healthrelated content, as well as latest reviews on medical professionals and facilities, at their fingertips." The Valmon sisters have an extensive background in business and medicine. Incorporating their expertise into a website that encompasses both informational and social-media-like features, they have enabled not only people, but also healthcare companies to take part in spreading medical knowledge. The Valmon sisters have enabled users faced with difficult healthcare situations to find numerous solutions. Connecting healthcare businesses to healthcare consumers is the other part of the Valmon sisters' technologyplus-healthcare approach. Pharmaceutical companies can reach Healthguv’s users to promote their brands, connect with potential patients for clinical trials, and relay information about advancements in medicine. Continuing where Gabrielle left off, Camille Valmon explained, "Drug companies spend billions over marketing alone, the returns of which are substantially less. No longer will their marketers and medical professionals have to scour clinic and hospital waiting rooms to put up posters and supply brochures. With Healthguv, the process of reaching the right audiences is made simple. All businesses need to do now is visit Healthguv, and directly connect prospects, customers and patients all around the world." Users of Healthguv can share images, videos and blogs, interact with other people's shared content, and read articles of health interest. The website also allows registered users to create a network on their homepage, as well as chat privately with other people to discuss health- related matters.
AMAC: Homelessness among senior citizens is a form of "elder abuse" 'Too many of America's elderly are aging on the streets. They need our help.' Health/Fitness News
WASHINGTON, DC, Dec 1 - Here's a startling statistic from the Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD]: "the homeless population is aging faster than the general population in the United States." Dan Weber, president of the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC], calls it "a shameless embarrassment in a country with a tradition of helping the needy. Growing old is a condition we all have to live with. But too many of America's elderly are aging on the streets. They need our help." Weber points out that there are more than 300,000 seniors who are homeless. It is a daunting number, he says, but it is not hopeless and there may be solutions. He cites University of Pennsylvania Professor Dennis P. Culhane, a recognized expert on the homeless, who is a proponent of Permanent Supportive Housing. "In other words, programs that provide housing assistance can significantly alleviate the impact of homelessness among the elderly. It's a concept with a proven track record, according to HUD. Not only does it deal with the problem of putting a roof over the heads of the homeless but such programs are generally less costly quick fixes and they help deal with the serious health issues associated with chronic homelessness. The good news is that a variety of private sector initiatives are underway to alleviate chronicle homelessness," the AMAC chief notes. For example, numerous private philanthropic organizations such as the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Tipping Point Initiative have set aside tens of millions of dollars in recent years to fund sustainable solutions. Weber believes that a permanent, cost-effective solution in aid of the elderly homeless is a must. He says government cannot do much more than provide Band-Aid approaches to the
homeless emergency the country faces. Shelters and street outreach programs do not deal with the underlying issue-the need for a stable home environment. Weber says "we need to wake up to the fact that more seniors are homeless than ever before and to take to heart the needs of these hapless lost souls. And, we need to focus on their plight and let the truth be told, loud and clear. Everyone needs to pitch in if we are to solve this problem, which only grows bigger with each passing day." He says that homelessness among senior citizens is a form of "elder abuse" and dealing with it needs to become a matter of urgency. "We must expand the availability of housing for low income seniors." Weber says that despite the strides that the economy has made over the past year, many citizens - particularly senior citizens - are still struggling with the impact of the Great Recession. "It is particularly difficult for those who are old because their prospects for recovering lost incomes can be futile. Some reports indicate that as many as 30% of people over 65 years of age in the United States have no retirement income or pensions." Professor Culhane, in an article he wrote for the publication, Aging Today, said that "among the more troubling aspects of contemporary homelessness is that the problem has been concentrated among people born between 1953 and 1965. This was true in 1990 when the peak age of adults who were homeless was 30, as it is today, with a peak age of 55. Adults who are homeless have a much reduced life expectancy compared to their housed peers, and can expect to live to a mere 64 years. That means that advanced aging-related illnesses and disabilities are confronting this population in increasing numbers, and endof-life issues will soon come to the forefront of concerns."
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PAGE 5 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FBN Number: 20170012976 Filing Type: FBN Filing Date Filed: 11/22/2017 Began Transacting Business: N/A Filing Expires On: 11/22/2022 Business is Conducted By: An Individual Fictitious Business Name(s): PLUS 1 WOUND CONSULTING Business Address: 20077 SONOMA RD. APPLE VALLEY, CA 92308 County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Registrant(s)Address: VICTOR J. KOIVISTO 20077 SONOMA RD. APPLE VALLEY, CA 92308 Victor J. Koivisto, Owner, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE - IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published In The San Bernardino American Newspaper December 7, 14, 21, 28, 2017. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20170012615 Date Filed: 11/13/2017 Filing Expires On: 11/13/2022 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): H2O PROS County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 1413 BETTY ST. WRIGHTWOOD, CA 92397 Mailing Address; P.O. BOX 580 WRIGHTWOOD, CA 92397 Name of Individual Registrant: Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./ Org./Reg.: SMITH FUTURES State of Inc./ Org./Reg.: CA Inc./Org./Reg. No.: C4062650 Residence Street Address: 1413 BETTY ST. WRIGHTWOOD, CA 92397 This business is/was conducted by: A Corporation Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Not Applicable Dennis O. Smith,CEO, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE - IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper November 30, December 7, 14, 21, 2017. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FBN Number: 20170012590 Filing Type: FBN Filing Date Filed: 11/09/2017 Began Transacting Business: N/A Filing Expires On: 11/09/2022 Business is Conducted By: An Individual Fictitious Business Name(s): KAYKAY’S SLAY Business Address: 16137 GREEN TREE BLVD. UNIT 5 VICTORVILLE, CA 92395 County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Registrant(s)Address: HAVANA K. BUTLER VALDIVIA 3722 SICILY DRIVE HOUSE A FORT IRWIN, CA 92310 Havana K. Butler Valdivia,declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE - IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published In The San Bernardino American Newspaper November 23, 30, December 7, 14, 2017. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20170012616 Date Filed: 11/13/2017 Filing Expires On: 11/13/2022 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): LONE WOLF CNC County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 888 GREENWOOD AVE. SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92407 Name of Individual Registrant: WILHELM KESTNER Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./ Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./ Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 888 GREENWOOD AVE. SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92307 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A Wilhelm Kestner, Owner, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE - IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper November 30, December 7, 14, 21, 2017. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FBN Number: 20170012938 Filing Type: FBN Filing Date Filed: 11/21/2017 Began Transacting Business: N/A
Filing Expires On: 11/21/2022 Business is Conducted By: A Corporation Fictitious Business Name(s): HART BEE TRANS Business Address: 923 N. CENTRAL AVENUE SUITE #A UPLAND, CA 91786 County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Mailing Address: P.O. BOX 7263 LA VERNE, CA 91750 Registrant(s)Address: HART, INC. 923 A N. CENTRAL AVE. UPLAND, CA 91786 A1#: 4080211 State: CA Mike AlRwais Vice President,declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE - IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published In The San Bernardino American Newspaper November 30, December 7, 14, 21 , 2017. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FBN Number: 20170012366 Filing Type: FBN Filing Date Filed: 11/03/2017 Began Transacting Business: N/A Filing Expires On: 11/03/2022 Business is Conducted By: An Individual Fictitious Business Name(s): NURSING MAMMA/PRECISE PLUS ACCOUNTING Business Address: 5471 CAMBRIDGE ST. MONTCLAIR, CA 91763 County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Mailing Address: 693 SPRUCE AVENUE, APT. B UPLAND, CA 91786 Registrant(s)Address: JOHANNY B. VALIENTE 693 SPRUCE AVENUE, APT. B UPLAND, CA 91786 Johanny B. Valiente,declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE - IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published In The San Bernardino American Newspaper November 30, December 7, 14, 21, 2017. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20170012300 Date Filed: 11/02/2017 Filing Expires On: 11/02/2022 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): B-HUMBLE RENOVATIONS County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 323 E. RALSTON AVE. SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92404 Name of Individual Registrant: RAMON A. RUIZ Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./ Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./ Org./Reg.: Residence Street Address: 323 E. RALSTON AVE. SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92404 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A Ramon A. Ruiz, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE - IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper November 16, 23, 30, December 7, 2017. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT
FBN Number: 20170013255 Filing Type: FBN Filing Date Filed: 11/30/2017 Began Transacting Business: N/A Filing Expires On: 11/30/2022 Business is Conducted By: A Married Couple Fictitious Business Name(s): CITRUS HOME INSPECTION Business Address: 950 W. CLIFTON AVE. REDLANDS, CA 92373 County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Registrant(s)Address: JASON P. AGRE 950 W. CLIFTON AVE. REDLANDS, CA 92373 KATHERINE R. AGRE 950 W. CLIFTON AVE. REDLANDS, CA 92373 Jason P. Agre, Owner, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE - IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published In The San Bernardino American Newspaper December 7, 14, 21, 28 , 2017.
PUBLISH YOUR LEGAL OR CLASSIFIED ADS WITH THE SAN BERNARDINO AMERICAN NEWS CALL TODAY! 909-889-7677
SUMMONS
December 7, 2017
LEGALS/CLASSIFIEDS/NEWS
SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL) NOTICE TO DEFENDANT (AVISO AL. DEMANDADO): BLANCA MARTINEZ; and DOES 1 through 25, Inclusive. YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: (LO ESTA DEMANDADO EL DEMANDANTE): ALEJANDRO RIVERA NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without you being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association.(NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 dias, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su version. Lea la informacion a continuacion. Tiene 30 DIAS CALENDARIO despues de que le entreguen esta citacion y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefonica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y mas informacion en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp/espanol/), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede mas cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentacion, pida al secretario de la corte que le de un formulario de exencion de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podra quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remision a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, ( www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/ espanol/) o poniendose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales.AVISO: Por ley la corte tiene derecho a reclamar los coutas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperacion de $10,000 o mas de valor recibido mediante un acuerdo o una concesion de arbiraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso. CASE NUMBER: CIVDS 1718165 (Numero del Caso): The name and address of the court is: (El nombre y direccion de la corte es): SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA 247 West Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415-0210 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: (El nombre, la direccion y el numero de telefono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es): JOHN L. BENSON, ESQ. SBN 115440 BLOMBERG, BENSON & GARRETT, INC. 10300 FOURTH ST. #150 RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA 91730 (909) 945-5000 Date: September 18, 2017 (Secretario)Clerk, by Charlene Johnson, Deputy (Adjunto) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper December 7, 14, 21, 28, 2017.
Statement of Damages
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO JUSTICE CENTER ALEJANDRO RIVERA Plaintiff (s): vs. BLANCA MARTINEZ Defendant (s): CASE NO.: CIVDS 1718165 STATEMENT OF DAMAGES OF PLAINTIFF: ALEJANDRO RIVERA Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure, Section 425.11, Plaintiff, ALEJANDRO RIVERA, hereby sets forth his Statement of Damages as follows: 1. Plaintiff’s medical expenses: $2,545.00 2. Plaintiff’s future medical expenses: According to proof up to $5,000.00 3. General Damages: $35,000.00
December Half Price Specials!! On Fictitious Business Name Statements Call Today! Limited Time Only! 909-889-2882 or Email: msbamericannews@gmail.com
NOTICE INVITING BIDS NOTICE INVITING BIDS FEDERAL-AID PROJECT NO. ATPL-5441(064) CYCLE 1 ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM CITYWIDE SAFE ROUTE TO SCHOOL PEDESTRIAN FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS City Project No. 801 0063 IN THE CITY OF MORENO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA Bids shall be received electronically only on the City of Moreno Valley Vendor Portal through PlanetBids. Bid deadline is prior to 5:00 p.m., January 11, 2018. The link to register to become a prospective bidder and electronically bid on this project can be found at the following address: http:// w w w. p l a n e t b i d s . c o m / p o r t a l / portal.cfm?CompanyID=24660. Bidding Documents (including City Special Provisions and Project Plans, but not including Standard Plans, Standard Specifications, or Reference Specifications) and Reference Documents may be obtained by downloading electronically from the City of Moreno Valley Vendor Portal through the PlanetBids link listed above. The plans must be purchased online. Cost per set is $75.00. All fees listed are non-refundable. They cannot be purchased or mailed from City Hall. For additional information regarding the purchase of Bidding Documents and Reference Documents, please call the Department of Public Works, Capital Projects Division at 951.413.3130. All RFI’s must be submitted via the City of Moreno Valley Vendor Portal through PlanetBids. RFI deadline is prior to 5:00 p.m., January 4, 2018. Any RFI received after the date and time specified herein will not be considered. PROJECT SPECIFIC SCOPE OF WORK The work to be done consists of furnishing all labor, materials, necessary tools and machinery, supervision, traffic control, regulatory compliance, and all utility and transportation services required for the construction of the Cycle 1 ATP Citywide SRTS Pedestrian Facility Improvements project at five locations that includes but is not limited to: 1. Dracaea Avenue at Burney Pass Drive: Remove: existing dirt path, storm drain pipe and inlet, pavement and weeds. Construct: new storm drain pipe, catch basin, curb and gutter, sidewalk, driveway approach, and pavement, striping, and solar radar speed feedback signs. 2. Elsworth Street south of Dracaea Avenue: Remove: existing dirt path and a section of chain link fence. Construct: new curb and gutter, sidewalk, and pavement. 3. Eucalyptus Avenue at Barbazon Drive: Remove: existing asphalt concrete walk, storm drain pipe, inlets and pavement. Construct: new storm drain pipe, catch basin, curb and gutter, sidewalk, driveway approach, pavement, and striping. 4. Ironwood Avenue west of Kitching Street: Remove: existing concrete driveway, block garden wall, asphalt concrete walk, storm drain inlet, traffic signal poles, and pavement. Construct: new storm drain manhole, retaining wall and fence, curb and gutter, sidewalk, driveway approach, access ramp, traffic signal pole, solar radar speed feedback signs, pavement, and striping. 5. Sandy Glade Avenue west of Davis Street: Remove: dirt, pavement and weeds. Relocate: vinyl fence Construct: new curb and gutter, sidewalk, driveway approach, solar radar speed feedback signs, pavement, and striping. Note: All steel specified as part of this project shall adhere to “Buy America” provisions. All work must be completed within One Hundred Twenty (120) Working Days, after the date of authorization specified in the Notice to Proceed to Fulfill Preconstruction Requirements, except as adjusted by subsequent Contract Change Orders.
Date: 08/21/17
This project is funded with federal grants and subject to all federal-aid regulations and requirements including Disadvantage Business Enterprise (“DBE”) and Buy America requirements.
Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper December 7, 14, 21, 28, 2017.
You must register an assumed name within 40 days of starting to conduct business (which can be different from the date of forming your business entity). For 30 days after registering, you must run a weekly notice in a newspaper of record for the county, and attest this afterwards by affidavit to the Clerk. The registration must be renewed every 5 years, but newspaper publication is not required unless details have changed. Registering a fictitious business name does not create a business entity. The document is actually known as a "statement" and it purely creates a record that gives the general public a way to know who they're dealing with, as well as allowing formal process to reach through a brand name to the legal structure underlying it. Additional statements can be filed to record that the assumed name has now been abandoned, or that a partner has withdrawn from a partnership operating under a fictitious business name, and is no longer to be connected with that name. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME REQUIREMENTS
It is anticipated that further medical expenses will accrue pending the trial of this action, Plaintiff reserves the right to amend or supplement this statement of Damages and/or provide this information in Plaintiff’s pre-trial statement.
LAW OFFICES OF BLOMBERG, BENSON & GARRETT, INC. John L. Benson Attorney for Plaintiff
How To File a Fictitious Business Name in California
Dated: November 27, 2017 Published in The San Bernardino American Newspaper December 7, 2017.
A fictitious business name cannot be the same as a name already in use, or so similar as to confuse or mislead. And while certain legal designations such as "Inc" and "LLC" cannot be used unless you are such an entity, certain unsupported designations such as "Company" or "Ltd" are allowed in California. If you're a self-employed contractor, you're a sole proprietorship by default, and the name of the legal "entity" doing business is you, under your name. You can use a business name that includes your surname without needing to register a fictitious name - for example, "John Doe Cars". But to obscure the name ("JD Cars") or to imply more owners or a different structure ("Doe & Sons", "Doe & Associates", "Doe Company") will require recording the name as an FBN. Frequently a sole proprietorship will do business under a fictitious name for ease of transactions. A partnership is also legally named from its owners' names, and will often make a similar choice. Filing an FBN will usually be necessary before a bank will open a business account under the assumed name. Obviously a business wants to receive payments made out to its trade name - and this is increasingly common with Internet domain-name branding, when many business names have a “DotCom” attached to them. Corporations and LLCs can choose their business name when they file their Articles to form the entity. But frequently they'll want to adopt a different name, or many such names, for branding or trademark reasons. If a company is launching a new product or service, marketing decisions may call for a new brand name. Or, if John Doe Texas wants to expand operations into California and finds John Doe California already in business use, a new fictitious business name will be required. HOW TO REGISTER YOUR FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME State law (California Business And Professions Code Sections 1790017930) requires you to register with the Clerk of the county housing your principal place of business, or with San Bernardino County if you're an out-ofstate company. There's no limit to the number of names you can register, provided they're available and meet relevant criteria. The recording fee is set by law , but individual counties will vary . San Bernardino County, for example, charges $55, and $10 for each additional name in the same filing. Registration forms also vary by county. It's important to check a specific county's requirements with its Clerk's office. For additional information, go to www.sbcounty.gov/arc or call 1-855-RECCLRK(1-855-732-2575)
CBC Members Met with FBI Director Christopher Wray about the FBI’s Controversial ‘Black Identity Extremists’ Report. This Is What They Learned...continued from page 1 category of domestic terrorism. Wray also admitted that the policy wasn’t new, the name simply changed, Bass said. “They used to call it ‘Black Separatist Extremists’ and they changed it to ‘Black Identity Extremists,’” said Bass. “[Wray] didn’t have a lot of rationale for why that change took place, except for the fact that the people that fall under the category ‘Black Identity Extremist’ don’t seem to be separatists in today’s world.” CBC members raised major concerns about the report, one of which was how FBI even crafted the methodology to come up with the category of “Black Identity Extremists.” “[Wray] essentially said that they used ‘open source’ documents, which means news reports,” said Bass. “Lord knows what that means.” Bass said that, based on what she heard from Wray, the methodology seemed “flimsy.” “When we raised our concerns that a new generation of Black activists were being targeted [including the Black Lives Matter movement] for surveillance and harassment, [Wray] said repeatedly that there was no investigation of the Black Lives Matter movement,” said Bass. Bass and the other CBC members let Wray know that they were “completely aware” that some activists in their communities were experiencing surveillance and harassment, even though they didn’t meet the requirements that Wray described that would lead to an investigation. The CBC members asked the FBI to retract the document and issue a new message to local law enforcement agencies. “One of the problems with this document is that it has been widely distributed to law enforcement agencies around the country,” said Bass. “Many of us referenced either our own personal experiences or experiences we were aware of during the ‘COINTELPRO’ years when if you send a document like this out to local law enforcement, in many of our opinions, you can declare open season on Black activists, because then local law enforcement agencies can use the docu-
ment as justification for doing whatever they want to do.” COINTELPRO, or the “Counter Intelligence Program” of the FBI, was designed in part to “expose, disrupt, misdirect, discredit, or otherwise neutralize the activities of the Black nationalists,” during the 1950s and 1970s. Writing for the Huffington Post, G. Flint Taylor, a founding partner of the People’s Law Office in Chicago, said that hundreds of documents were uncovered during a court case in 1976 that revealed that the FBI also plotted to destroy a children’s breakfast program run by the Black Panther Party and “disrupt distribution of the BPP newspaper.” The documents exposed in the 1976 court case also revealed, “massive wiretap overhears, including conversations between BPP members and their attorneys,” Taylor wrote. “The FBI denies they are surveilling (sic) our groups like the Black Lives Matter movement, but we told them that we don’t believe it and our information tells us that” those groups are under surveillance, said Richmond. Richmond said that the CBC members plan to present information to the FBI detailing surveillance and harassment of Black organizers. The FBI director expressed interests in meeting with CBC members regularly because, “We are the eyes and ears on the ground,” and the CBC offers diversity that the agency lacks, said Richmond. Bass asked the Black Press to put the call out to their readers to let lawmakers know if they have experienced harassment or surveillance, a request that Richmond echoed. Chavis, the president and CEO of the NNPA, committed to working with Richmond and other CBC members to uncover stories of unwarranted government surveillance and harassment in the Black community. “People may be more considerate in doing things, if they know that the Black Press will be on their case,” said Leavell, the chairman of the NNPA. “In addition, it certainly shows our strength, if we can have a great impact.”
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PAGE 6
December 7, 2017
LIFESTYLE NEWS/ENTERTAINMENT/RELIGION
Modern Day Slave Trade: Here's What You Should Know About The Sale Of Migrants In Libya
To All You Conniving, Scheming, Think You Are Getting Away with Something Individuals!”
Malaika Jabali
By: Lou Coleman-Yeboah
Lou Coleman-Yeboah
A CNN expose revealing video footage of men being sold at a slave auction in Libya has begun to capture the world’s attention. Here’s what you need to know about the modern slavery crisis confronting the North African country. Modern slavery has been a problem long before the video footage was released. Reports of African migrants and refugees, particularly women and children, being abused and forced into labor and prostitution in Libya made rounds in mainstream media as early as February. However, reports estimate that 89 million people have been forced into some form of modern slavery over the past 5 years. Women and girls are disproportionately affected. They account for 99 percent of the victims of the commercial sex trade and nearly 60 percent of all other sectors that use forced labor. The current slavery crisis in Libya stems from the smuggling of migrants — many who seek refuge and opportunities in Europe — who have paid guides to lead them from their home countries.
However, at transit points along the journey, smugglers have abducted migrants or held them at ransom for thousands of dollars until the migrants’ families pay to complete the journey. Consequently, many people never reach their destination and are either rounded up in detention centers by government authorities or forced into labor or prostitution by human traffickers. Its geography and political instability has made Libya a hotspot for forced labor, trafficking, and abuse. Because of its location on the Mediterranean coast, Tripoli, Libya’s capital, has become a hotspot for migration and human trafficking. While awaiting deportation to their home countries at government detention centers, migrants become vulnerable to looming smugglers and human traffickers. Instability in Libya — brought by America and other western countries toppling Libya’s Prime Minister, Muammar Gaddafi, in 2011 — has made it more difficult to regulate and control this abuse, making the country “vir-
tually lawless.” Where are refugees and migrants being forced to work and why are they being victimized? More than half (while some estimate up to 90 percent) of reported victims of slavery and human trafficking around the globe are forced into private sector work in industries ranging from chocolate farms owned by multinational companies to construction and mining. An estimated 5 million people become victims of prostitution and forced marriages, and some have even been murdered for their organs. Enslaving and subjugating desperate workers and vulnerable women and children provides businesses with cheap or no cost labor, provides wealthier families with cheap domestic labor, and provides an income to traders and traffickers with little to no government regulation. Essentially, the market for slavery will continue to exist as long as a profit motive exists. Why are people migrating to begin with?
The political and economic crises facing many west African countries — like Nigeria, where the stark drop in oil prices have left many residents desperate for work — has spawned a spike in migration. In addition to migrants from Sudan and Zambia, reports show that most of those fleeing to Europe through Libya are from the west African countries of Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, and Gambia. The historical context cannot be lost here. The same European countries that destabilized the economies of African nations and stole their resources through colonization and the trans-Atlantic slave trade are those guarding their borders through tough immigration laws. This has helped facilitate the deadly and dangerous illegitimate migration of west Africans today. While raising awareness of this global crisis and punishing smugglers are important measures, creating policies that can help west African countries secure economic stability and limiting Western military occupation of these countries are even more valuable.
The New Simba: 5 Things To Faith leaders revive MLK’s Poor People’s Know About ‘The Lion King’ Campaign as a national organizing call to end racism, poverty Actor JD McCrary Written by Connie Larkman
Sydney Scott Dec, 05, 2017
Jonas PR
Since the announcement came down that it was in the works, Jon Favreau’s live-action remake of The Lion King has everyone talking. The film’s cast was recently made public and features Donald Glover and Beyoncé as Nala and Simba with James Earl Jones reprising his role as Mufasa and Chiwetel Ejiofor undertaking the role of Scar. JD McCrary, a star on the rise, is tasked with bringing young Simba to life. ESSENCE spoke to McCrary to find out more about the 10-year-old who is taking on an iconic role in animation. Here are five things we learned about the young star. 1. McCrary appeared on Childish Gambino's "Terrified" and NBC's Little Big Shots before landing the role of Young Simba. You can see a clip of McCrary's Little Big Shots performance on YouTube. McCrary is set to appear in The Paynes, a spin-off of Tyler Perry's House of Payne.
2. The 10-year-old received wonderful advice from Pharrell Williams, something many of us can use. "He [Williams] told me to stay how I am, follow my own path, and a lot of just, great motivational things." 3. McCrary says the best part of filming the upcoming live-action movie was meeting everyone and getting the opportunity to work on a Disney film. He adds that filming with VR was pretty cool too because it felt like "I was in pride rock." 4. The actor is a big fan of video games, specifically, Injustice 2. McCrary also adds that if he could play any video game or comic book character in a movie it would be Blue Beetle. 5. And, McCrary, who shares videos of covers on YouTube, is working on an album of his own. The debut is still in its early stages, but, hopefully, fans will get to hear something next year.
On December 4, 1967, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. announced plans for a Poor People's Campaign to organize individuals around the country to action, in a movement to end poverty, racism, and militarism in America. Monday, exactly 50 years later, interfaith leaders came together in Washington, D.C., to launch a revival of that campaign, which was stalled by King's assassination in 1968. The Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival is led by the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, a black minister and civil rights leader from North Carolina, and the Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, a white theologian from Milwaukee, with the full support of a number of religious denominations, including the United Church of Christ. The Rev. Traci Blackmon, a UCC national officer, joined the movement leaders in D.C., to lend her voice to the campaign's launch. During a briefing at the Methodist Building in the shadow of the U. S. Capitol the morning of Dec. 4, Blackmon drew parallels to Advent, a season of waiting for salvation, in her comments about the need for justice to overtake greed. "The prophet Isaiah says … a voice is crying out in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord. In Isaiah's day, I believe that cry was the voice of those who were victimized and villainized by the oppressive and unjust actions of those in power," Blackmon said. "Today, I believe a voice is still crying out. I believe that this Poor People's Campaign, led by Dr. Theo Harris and Dr. Barber, is that voice today. I believe that all of us gathered here to declare a pathway toward justice are that voice. I stand with the full support of The United Church of Christ, a denomination rooted in a history of crying out and standing up for JUSTICE – to declare our commitment to crying out,"
Blackmon continued. "Again – to showing up. Again – to acting with The Poor People's Campaign: A National Call For Moral Revival, for the people, with the people, all the people – until a pathway toward justice is made plain." After the briefing, the group crossed the street to the U.S. Capitol Building, where faith leaders attempted to deliver a letter to Senate Leader Mitch McConnell, and were turned away. They then gathered in the center of the rotunda to pray, with Barber proclaiming, "we have to re-consecrate this as our holy ground. Jesus went in the temple, so we've got to do the same." Barber is the founder of The Moral Monday's movement, which began in North Carolina in 2013 as challenges to legislative issues around redistricting, labor laws, women's rights, LGBT equality and the environment. At the weekly gatherings, hundreds of people were willing to publicly protest and risk arrest, with scores of UCC members and ministers taking part. The new campaign aims to take that model nationwide, using a multi-faith, multiracial movement to break through the nation's polarized politics. During a national tour to muster support for a moral values campaign, The Revival: Time for A Moral Revolution of Values, launched in April 2016, Barber and his allies visited churches and union halls to mobilize thousands of activists and people of faith. Next year, organizers hope to mount large protests across the country on 40 consecutive days, in at least 25 state capitals and other locations, with thousands of people engaged in civil disobedience. According to the campaign, "We aim to shift the distorted moral narrative often promoted by religious extremists in the nation from personal issues like prayer in school, abortion, sexuality, gun rights, property rights to systemic injustices like how our society treats the poor, those on the margins, the least of these, women, children, workers, immigrants and the sick; equality and representation under the law; and the desire for peace, love and harmony within and among nations."
Woe unto you says the Lord, for the day of reckoning is upon you [Hosea 9:7]. You serpents and brood of vipers how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? Don’t you know that the law of sowing and reaping is as true for God’s people as it is for unbelievers! “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” [Galatians 6:7-8]. I tell you, you cannot mock the justice of God. You cannot trifle with God. Sin is the transgression of God’s law, and punishable by death [Romans 6:23]. You need to know that you are walking a very dangerous path. You are playing Russian roulette with a fully loaded gun and you are going to lose everything, because the Russian roulette you are playing is Spiritual and it is more dangerous, more tragic, more condemning, and more deadly than any kind of Russian roulette played with a man-made weapon. And you call yourself a “Christian” but you play with “Sin” like a cat plays with a mouse. You go through life “Claiming ” Christianity but living like the Devil. You “Toy” with God, not considering that your life is even a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. I tell you, playing games with God is a very dangerous situation. Living in and out of sin is a very dangerous situation. Toying with other people’s salvation to justify your own rotten filthiness is a very dangerous situation. Repent you hypocrite! For you are just like Jehoram, who knew the path to take but chose not to walk in it. After all
that he saw, he knowingly chose to follow the ungodly path of the wicked kings of the northern kingdom of Israel. And as a consequence of his choice, his end was the most pathetic and dishonorable of any of the other kings of Judah. You see, the time finally came when God had enough of Jehoram’s unfaithful walk; “And a letter came to him from Elijah the prophet. It was a letter that had all the authority of a word directly from God Himself; and here’s what it said: Thus says the LORD God of your father David: Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, or in the ways of Asa king of Judah, but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and have made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot like the harlotry of the house of Ahab, and also have killed your brothers, those of your father’s household, who were better than yourself, behold, the LORD will strike your people with a serious affliction—your children, your wives, and all your possessions; and you will become very sick with a disease of your intestines, until your intestines come out by reason of the sickness, day by day [2 Chronicles 21: 12-15]. I tell you warning comes before destruction. You’ve been warned! May God help us learn the hard lesson from the life of Jehoram; and choose to walk— all the way to the end—the path that leads to life! “Now therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not refuse it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord; but he who sins against me “wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death.” [Proverbs 8:32-36]
Witness For Justice #870
Rewriting the Story of U.S.-Philippines Relations Derek Duncan Area Executive for East Asia and the Pacific The last stop on President Trump's recent Asia tour was the Philippines, where he engaged in a friendly meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte. In the streets of Manila protestors burned effigies and held signs that decried Trump as an imperialist and Duterte as a fascist. Many criticized President Trump for, as Rep. Jim McGovern described it, "cozying up" to "dictator" Duterte during their bilateral meeting. President Trump's willingness to overlook Duterte's human rights abuses for the sake of U.S. national interest is a step in the wrong direction, and one that reinforces Filipinos' suspicions of their former colonial ruler. The history of U.S.-Philippines relations is close but troubled. When the U.S. tried to make the country a colony in 1898, the Philippines went to war with their erstwhile ally for independence. And while the U.S. helped end Japanese occupation of the archipelago in World War II, it has since treated the Philippines like a client state. The U.S. has a history of supporting dictators like Ferdinand Marcos who use violence and abuse human rights to exert the rights of economic stakeholders over those of the Philippine people. Today the U.S. regards the Philippines as a strategic ally in an important region of the world; using the Philippines to position naval and ground forces around the Pacific Rim to counter China's expanding economic and military presence. Human rights were not high on the agenda during November's bilateral meeting. Instead, Trump affirmed his "great relationship" with Duterte, and assured him of U.S. support, including financial and military, for the Philippine
government's counter-insurgency and anti-terror programs. But the U.S. should not condone Duterte's human rights abuses. Since he was elected in 2016, Duterte has been criticized for his aggressive war on drugs, in which he said he would "be happy to slaughter" as many drug addicts as Hitler did Jews. Many thousands of suspected drug users and traffickers have been summarily executed in extra-judicial killings, a crime under international law. The need to speak out has increased in recent months. Duterte's war on drug users has expanded to include other peaceful groups aligned with students, labor organizers, defenders of indigenous and land rights, and opposition politicians. Since Trump assured him of U.S. support in November, Duterte has increasingly used "anti-terror" laws to legitimize repression and violation of rights of ordinary citizens. The more Duterte abuses human rights, the more the U.S. must refuse to use him cynically for our national and economic interests. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is considering and should advance S. 1055, The Philippine Human Rights Accountability and Counter-Narcotics Act, to clearly repudiate Duterte's human rights violations. December 10 is International Human Rights Day. Rather than follow the familiar script of colonial patron, this should be an occasion for the U.S. to support legislation like this, and begin to rewrite the story of U.S.-Philippines relations, and insist that as partners we must expect and foster mutual respect for human rights of all people.
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December 7, 2017
LOCAL/NATIONAL NEWS/ADVERTISING
Stage 3 Cancer Won’t Slow Darren Parker Down Longtime political activist Darren Parker announces that he’s battling stage 3 esophageal cancer By Jasmyne A. Cannick| California Black Media
Photos of Darren Parker and Darren Parker’s Family. After calling to order a standing room only crowd of Democrats at the Winter meeting of the California Democratic Party’s African American Caucus near San Francisco on the evening of Nov. 18, longtime chair Darren Parker made a startling admission that he was battling stage 3 esophageal cancer. Remarking that many in the room might have noticed his dramatic weight loss since their last meeting, Parker explained that two months ago he began to drop weight and was having issues with that he thought was just acid reflux and indigestion. “What started as a simple doctor’s appointment to pinpoint the problem and find a solution has evolved into a diagnosis of stage 3 esophageal cancer,” he said. Parkersays that immediately after his diagnosis he began to withdraw and had begun to mope around until a colleague said to him, “Don’t cancer know they can’t kick your ass? Don’t cancer know that Parker can kick cancer’s ass?” Parker credits those very words with putting the fight back into him. “It brought me back to I’m from Compton,” he said. “I got in my car and I turned my music back up and I was back to myself because the news had really started to take me out of who I was. And because my friend said that, I was able to put back on my music and it helped to me to change my perspective back into who I was. Being here in San Francisco for the meeting of the African Ameri-
can Caucus was very important to me because it is part of the healing process more than the medication, more than anything else-because I am finishing a journey that the Lord put me on originally. I think that the reason why I’ve been a Party officer for this long is that the Lord gave me a task and my task was to guide and build this Caucus into what it is today.” Parker has been elected to chair the African American Caucus of the California Democratic Party for the past 10 years--5 consecutive terms. He served as an active member in the Communication Workers of America Union--including as their Political Director-during his 30-year career at AT&T. He has worked for three Assembly Speakers during his tenure including John Perez, Toni Atkins and the current Speaker Anthony Rendon. “When I became chair there were literally ten of us in the room and five of us were officers,” Parker remembers. “It was Reggie Jones who said to me that it was my time to step up. Little did I know that when I stepped up that there wasn’t going to be any members and there wasn’t going to be any money. But he had been grooming us to make sure that at anytime we were ready to step up to the opportunity to serve not just the Party but to serve our people in the Party. So when I stepped up and saw that there were 10 people and $29.75 in the account, it inspired me to build as
we’ve done my whole life.” A longtime Antelope Valley resident by way of Compton, Parker says that he got his start in politics at the age of eleven with his brother and three cousins by starting a club in his grandmother’s house in Compton called One Hundred Thousand Students for the Freedom of South Africa. “Very early in life we were creating organizations in the backyard and had meetings about how do we help the students over there that we can’t see and can’t touch but yet want to be a part of stopping the struggle that they’re in.” Parker says that his early organizing to help Black South African students was akin to the struggle he faced coming on as chair of the African American Caucus. “I literally used the things that I had learned back then and in my adult life and which led to inspiration to build the Caucus one member at a time.” Congresswoman Maxine Waters was a huge source of inspiration to Parker in his early days. Remembering a Democratic convention where Waters took the extraordinary step of called a meeting of the African American Caucus during the middle of the convention on the floor during session after no Blacks were on agenda. “She did it for two reasons. One, that she had something to say and this wasn’t right and that we all knew it. And the second reason was to get the attention
of the leadership of the state party.” Parker says that Congresswoman Waters’ bold leadership during that convention showed him that when you have the power of delegates, you have the power of change in the Democratic Party. “So not only did I go out to recruit African Americans but I went out to recruit delegates because I figured if I had one-third or two-thirds of the delegates of the state party--and there’s 3,000 people--if I could get 1,500 or 2,000 people we would ultimately have power no matter who is in charge or what was going on because we could always pull our delegates in and make action happen.” Today the African American Caucus has over 1,300 delegate members under Parker’s leadership and is one of the largest member groups of the California Democratic Party. While he laments that not all of the members of the Caucus are Black he does point out that the state party has not done a good job of reaching out to Blacks at the Assembly Democratic process level to get involved. As word spread throughout California’s Black Democratic community many offered words of praise for Parker and his leadership Los Angeles County Democratic Party Vice-Chair Bobbie Jean Anderson said, “This news is overwhelming for me. I have known Darren and his mother for many years. In fact, he refers to
Rethinking Black Poverty, Power and Justice...continued from page 3 politics or gender of the United States Attorney General - is as effective in protecting and defending the constitutional rights of Black Americans as it has been at times in the relatively recent past? The pain of answering these and other hard questions cannot be ignored by us. To paraphrase Dr. King, "we have been to the mountain top". But this time we left our roar and much of our memory somewhere on the trail. We are just so glad to have been there. We celebrate our victories without unifying to solidify our gains. The struggle has become more about "the leader" or self, than it is about "the collective". Political participation in too many African American communities has become more about the symbol than it is about the substance of "the goal". By most significant standards of measure, Black people the world over are becoming more and more segmented and marginalized. Our institutional structures continue to fall apart. Our schools fail, communities and businesses deteriorate, police assaults proliferate and prisons for profit explode with our youth of both sexes. African resources continue to be devoted to the exploitation of African people. Perhaps more now than ever before, African and African American political leaders eagerly dance to the rhythm of others while ignoring the messages inherent in the rhythm of the drums of the ancestors. The Lion no longer has
the courage to roar. The quest for liberation and empowerment has become too dependent on a political process that has historically opposed the very concept of racial equality. The "participationcool aid", has become the intoxicant; its constant consumption is proving to be as addictive, as debilitating and as destructive as "dope". In the meantime the debate in our community, if there is one at all, is generally about "which end of our Boat is sinking". What I have just described is my view of the seedbed that accounts for and insures the continuing proliferation of "Black Poverty" and its normalization. It is not the absence of wealth or resources that in this century creates the poverty that affects the Black world. That era has long passed. Our poverty, "Black Poverty", has become deeply rooted in "the disconnect" existing between ourselves and the space that has been created between us, as a people, and our history and culture. We have traded the moral compass that once insulated us from the corruptive influences of selfish materialism and self-denigration. In exchange we have accepted a title, a banner or some other symbol that says "the other" has validated us who most often is a certified and well-documented oppressor. It is difficult to imagine that a thinking and once great people could define
and consciously accept a more insignificant set of symbols of individual or collective success. It is at moments like these that I recall conversations with a friend with whom I grew up. He left college became an activist in the struggle for Black and human rights and assumed a leadership position in the Black Panther Party. His commitment, coupled with the Counter Intelligence Program and philosophy of the era, resulted in him spending decades and ultimately dying in prison. During all of the years of our friendship and association, I never saw his spirit broken. I never heard him express a single regret for his sacrifices or contribution to the struggle for our collective empowerment. Through it all he remained totally committed and dedicated to the principles of "The Party" and to the creation of a political order where "Justice for All" was the polestar. There was however, one reservation that he would express, with increasing frequency, in our discussion and written exchanges. My friend became increasingly concerned with what he perceived as the decline in the consciousness and in the spiritual wealth of our people. He was concerned with what he perceived as the erosion of our moral compass and the consequent emergence of an infectious climate of moral impoverishment that would weaken the struggle. On those occasions he would "somewhat" rhetorically
ask the question, "are we turning into a sad and even more powerless People?" The answer to that question, I submit, has never been clearer, or more important to our future conduct as Black People than it is today. I have no reservation that I will never see again, in this season that we call life, the restoration of the greatness and beauty inherent in the struggle that we once waged on the global stage to become a free and self-determining people. I am equally convinced, however, that unless we reconnect with the responsibility to become the "architects of our future" and accept the prophetic phrasing of Bob Marley who said, "only we can free our minds" our progress will be slow and slight if any. If we are more loyal to the political process than we are to the global interests of the African Diaspora, and if we dream more of sports than we do of Reparations, "the cool-aid vendors" will be wealthy and ecstatic, the lion will neither write nor value his own history and the poverty quotient inherent in the Black world will insure the marginalization of future generations. The historical "arc of justice" points to no other end, and without lying, history can tell no other story. ************************************************************************************* Dr. William Small, Jr. is a retired educator, and a former Board Chairman and Trustee at South Carolina State University.
me and Congresswoman Waters as his play moms because of our relationship with his mother and the impact we had on his life. He confided in me about politics and life in general. We have and still work together in Democratic politics. I am a strong supporter of him and he of me. We have served together on the California Democratic Party’s African American Caucus under his outstanding leadership as chair and with the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, for more than twenty years. My prayer is for God's intervention and healing power. I love and respect Darren to the utmost.” “When I was in a black hole suffering from PTSD and ADHD and had just finished spending 13 months being incarcerated for a mistake I made--Darren Parker was the only person to physically take my hand and walk me up the steps of the State Capitol,” shared Basil Kimbrew “He said, ‘let’s do this’ when no else would touch me or work with me back in the day.” Kimbrew continued, “Because of that one day with Darren Parker, I am now where I am today--known as America's Top Chef, feeding homeless veterans because I used to be homeless. Darren Parker made calls for me, got me back in the political game to where I am the largest political e-blast blogger going out to 43 million people every day. That's what Darren Parker did for me. He helped me get my respect and dignity back.” “Darren Parker is a friend, men-
tor, and a central reason as to my involvement in the California Democratic Party's African American Caucus,” added Devin Murphy, Chair of the California Young Democrats' Black Caucus. “He has been there for many of us, and it is time we support him. Darren is a fighter, and I expect that God will bring him to full recovery. We're with you, Darren." Parker maintains that the Caucus will continue on with it’s goals of getting more Blacks involved-including educating and encouraging Black Democrats in traditional and non-traditional Black areas on how to become a delegate. “My biggest challenge now is making sure that the leaders who come behind me continue challenge the Party’s leadership and push back,” Parker reflects. “No one in a race can get elected without the vote of the African American community. No one can win a race without us. It’s time for us to exercise that. The siege that this country is under with 45, if we are not consistent in standing up we will be at the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to fixing things in our community based on what this one president can do with the power of the pen.” The father of 5 and daughters and grandfather is facing a long road ahead of him, including chemotherapy, radiation and invasive surgery to move a portion of the tumor. A Go Fund Me account has been set up to help assist him with the costs of his cancer treatments at gofundme.com/ DemsforDarren.
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Trump's Literally Sickening Subsidy Scheme for Coal and Uranium National News
Costly additional subsidies for coal and uranium underlie a move by Trump's energy secretary, Rick Perry, to cope with an imagined problem of unreliable fuel supplies for electricity. The Trumpian solution also means more people will get asthma and other illnesses, some of whom will die sooner rather than later if this plan goes into effect. We explain what you can do to stop it. DCReport's Sarah Okeson shows that the subsidy
scheme addresses a phony problem. The justification for it is an amazingly infinitesimal imperfection in electricity reliability. This totally unnecessary scheme will take about $25 a year from every family to enhance coal and uranium company profits. Alert your friends after you read our report at www.dcreport.org/2017/ 12/05/rick-perry-wantsto-keep-the-coal-firesburning-and-help-a-bigdonor/
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December 7, 2017