With over 100 local residents, I attended the public meeting this week where the EPA discussed its proposed settlement with billionaire Matty Moroun's Crown Enterprises over the former McLouth Steel site along the Detroit River. While I'm thankful something is being done to finally clean up the site, and I'm fully supportive of a local group of residents who are pushing that the site be cleaned up to federal residential standards rather than industry standards, at least one thing came to light during the hearing that I believe we all need to push harder on, and we only have until September 13th when the comment period closes to do it. The EPA itself acknowledges that highly toxic chemicals, including PCBs and heavy metals, are currently leaching into the Trenton Channel from the McLouth Steel site. Under the proposed settlement and "covenant not to sue" the EPA is giving Crown Enterprises a full 18 months to "assess and report" on what to do about the pollution that's currently going into the river, let alone doing anything about it. Knowing billionaire Matty Moroun, we'll be lucky if anything is ever done about it. Pressed at the hearing about this chief negotiator for the EPA Steve Kaiser admitted that he prioritized the tearing down of the former McLouth Steel buildings over pollution into the river. 18 months is too long to wait before action is taken to stop toxic chemicals from going into the river. The downriver area relies on this river for so much of our livelihood and well-being, toxic chemicals polluting the river from the McLouth steel site should be treated like the emergency that it is. We still have until September 13th to put our comments in. Sign, share, and write a note on this petition before then and I'll make sure your comment gets in before the deadline.

The Trump administration just announced that they plan to end the "Flores Agreement"—the rules that make sure kids can't be jailed for more than 20 days while being held in detention. Without Flores, kids could be jailed in awful conditions for even longer. The Flores Agreement is a vital part of treating everyone in this country like a human being—it sets limits on jailtime and conditions for children. We reject this change and any attempt to modify the rules to keep children in detention longer, or in worse conditions. This change would make the "zero humanity" immigration policies even crueler, further punishing children and their families for fleeing violence. Tell the Trump administration, DHS, and HHS: No kids should be held in jail. Don’t overturn the Flores Agreement.

Aron Wieder is in clear violation of the legislature’s own Social Media Guide, which states, in the section on “Social Media 'Best Practices’ for Elected Officials,” that officials should strive, when posting on social media, to be “honest, straightforward, and respectful”. Aron Wieder has done nothing but the opposite, choosing to harass, make false accusations, and publicly humiliate others for any beliefs or opinions that should differ from his own, via Social Media. He is not fit to to be legislator and should be removed immediately. It is up to the people of Rockland regardless if they are within his district to stand up use your voice it matters. He might be the legislator for District 13 however all of Rockland is feeling his wrath. It is time to act we can either sit back and allow this man to continue to lead the charge, or we can start by signing this petition, sharing it, and understanding this can no longer go on. We need to remind ourselves and this government that "We the people" are in charge and without us they would not be in their ELECTED position(s).

Because it's unfair you can make a dirt bike road legal and it is more comfortable on four wheels and more gas efficient than driving.

The sport of Pickleball is currently the fastest growing sport throughout the country, largely due to the aging "baby boomer" population. Player numbers have increased in our city to the point that the single outdoor venue (four courts) at Bouquet Canyon Park are overcrowded on weekend mornings. At the same time, the single tennis court is severely underutilized. Multiple tennis courts are available at nearby parks and schools, while outdoor Pickleball is available ONLY at Bouquet Canyon Park.

By taking away our devices you're causing an even bigger disservice to the study hall monitors and even other students in the room. Many kids rely on their phones to be able to listen to music because it allows them to focus better, especially when the entire room is talking. So why take away our phones?

If Twitter can ban Alex Jones and Infowars for violating their policy against abusive behavior, it should ban Donald Trump for the same reason.

Human suffering should never be an ingredient in our food. Yet the workers who fish and process the seafood sold by supermarkets like Whole Foods, Stop & Shop, and Giant are working in appalling and unsafe conditions. They work long hours, but earn poverty wages, with women suffering the most and being denied the same basic human rights as men. As some of the biggest supermarkets in the country, Whole Foods, Stop & Shop, and Giant have a responsibility to act. Because we are their customers, we have the power to demand the people behind the food in their stores are treated humanely. Act now to help end the human suffering behind our food. Learn more at www.behindthebarcodes.org

Representation is important, particularly in the development of young minds. It is imperative that teachers at Hartford Public Schools more accurately and proportionately represent the population of students that the school system serves.

for world peace

The bond measure helps create an urban park for community activities and events. The plan includes a Cafe in a restored old Arco station along San Pablo Dam Road to help fund maintenance and adds security, a gardener, a fence containing two locking gates, an elevated boardwalk to prevent direct access to the creek and protect a restored habitat and improved water quality. This property provides the only point of connection for the public from the road to a future boardwalk along the creek extending to Wildcat Canyon Trail and gives cyclists a safer route from 30,000 racing vehicles daily along San Pablo Dam Rd with no bike lanes. The project improves livability and jumpstarts a revitalization for downtown El Sobrante.

Improvements