Tag Archives: Metropolitan Water District

A Shakedown of the Metropolitan Water District’s Priorities

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My guests for the full hour are two water activists who’ve been monitoring consequential infrastructure decisions over the decades: Sierra Club Water Committee Chair and Vice Chair of Environmental and Social Justice Charming Evelyn; and Conner Everts, Executive Director of the Southern California Watershed Alliance and facilitator of the Environmental Water Caucus. They attend innumerable water board meetings so that you and I don’t have to! Today’s focus is on some Metropolitan Water District board of directors’ maneuvering to oust the forward thinking general manager Adel Hagekhalil. Charming ad Conner connect the dots between this power struggle and the Newsom administration’s top priority – the $20+ billion Delta Tunnel project. Actually we learn it’s more like $38 billion, not counting the much anticipated cost over-runs.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Bill Beach, “Aqua De Beber,” Letting Go – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/EvelynEverts6-18-24.mp3

Meet Our New Board Member of Municipal Water District of Orange County

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Randall Crane talks in his capacity as the recently elected Director of Div. 5 at Municipal Water District of Orange County, about all the water issues that we can hit him up with, since folks the drought is NOT over. The next monthly So Cal Water Dialogues, presented by the Metropolitan Water District is tomorrow, 3-22, noon – 1:30, details are available at: https://www.socalwaterdialogue.org/.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa- album; Bill Beach, “Agua de Beber,” Letting Go – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/Crane3-21-23.mp3

Meet MWDOC Division 5 Candidate Randall Crane AND Meet Irvine Mayoral Candidate Branda Lin

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Today we crowd three plus hours worth of civics in under 1 hour! There won’t be a quiz after the show, but voters must complete all their ballots, which includes these two races. First, Randall Crane, Professor Emeritus at UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs and Irvine resident, is running in Division 5 of the Municipal Water District of Orange County. In the second segment (minute 35:13), Branda Lin, co-founder of Irvine Watchdog, this time dons her candidate hat, in her bid to run for Mayor of Irvine. She is one of 4 candidates challenging the incumbent mayor.

Music credits: Chimora, “African Americano,” Sounds of Africa- album; Bill Beach, “Aqua de Beber,” Letting Go – album; Magwinya, “Magwinya Mangola neWhite Liver,” Spaza – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/CraneLin09-20-22.mp3

Two Gems Shining in the Desert

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After Metropolitan Water District water pump mechanic Gina Chavez’ several appearances on this program, it’s her offsprings’ turn to take this the full hour to talk about growing up amidst her labor history and growing up in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Lucy Panuco, senior at Lake Havasu High School, and Milo Panuco, graduate of Parker High School; share their own experiences on their own terms. Their duet is chronicle of two identities, two high schools, and two career paths.

Music credits: Chimora, “African Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Radar State, “What’s a Rebel,” Strays – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/PanucoPod8-9-22.mp3

CA Water Options And Priorities in 2022

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Offering valued insight are two water warriors who’ve been paying attention over the decades: former Mayor of Huntington Beach and climate activist Debbie Cook will return with Conner Everts, Executive Director of the Southern California Watershed Alliance, and facilitator of the Environmental Water Caucus. They both bring a thorough discussion of water policy in California: desalination technology, water governing entities, and the latest California water initiative; to hone our critical thinking skills before statewide sleights of hand sweep the body politic heating up toward the midterm elections this fall. Resources for following up – http://www.socalwaterdialogue.org/, or viewing the most recent meeting -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGIF7Tfah843TO3-rBtkKRg

Music credits: Chimora, “African Americano,” Sounds of Africa- album; Margo Cilker, “Tehachapi.”

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/CookEverts1-25-22.mp3

More on Women and Water and management Woes at MWD

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As the story continues to develop since the 3/16/21 show on the Metropolitan Water District, we resume coverage of workplace culture oversight with: Ellen Mackey, Senior Ecologist and MWD’s AFSCME union women’s caucus; and Gina Chavez, MWD water pump plant mechanic. We add organizational cronyism to your vocabulary and a whole lot of grit in this update. Investigative pieces by Adam Elmahrek warrants a look-over: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-02-12/mwd-accused-sexual-harassment-abuse-against-women,
Music credits: Greg Foat, “Symphonie Pacifique;” Muito Kaballa, “Tin Tin,” Everything is Broke – album

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/MackeyChavezPod5-18-21.mp3

It’s Chinatown, Jeff

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Returning to the show is Ellen Mackey, Senior Ecologist with the Metropolitan Water District, with the developing story of the Met executives’ response to claims of unhealthy work culture conditions. Watch for additional breaking news from Adam Elmahrek of the Los Angeles Times.

Music credits: Greg Foat, “Symphonie Pacifique;” Jerry Goldsmith “Chinatown,” film’s opening theme.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/MackeyPod3-16-21.mp3

MWD: Safe Water, Toxic Workplace

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For this, extended version, over one hour, are: Ellen Mackey, Senior Ecologist with the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of Southern California and the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council; and Gina Chavez, MWD water pump plant mechanic. The Los Angeles Times investigative piece by Adam Elmahrek, broke this story last week but it’s been developing for many years. Ellen in her capacity as the union’s women’s caucus and Gina as an aggrieved employee now on administrative leave, fill us in on the toxic work culture that tradeswomen have been enduring for many years. Water ratepayers, including you Orange County, interested in monitoring the MWD Board of Directors’ actions can follow with this link: http://www.mwdh2o.com/WhoWeAre/Board/Pages/default.aspx.
Music credits: Greg Foat, “Symphonie Pacifique;” The Warning “We’re Not Going to Take It”

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/MackeyChavezPOD2-23-21.mp3