WS Chronicle

Democrats acknowledge Black Women’s Equal Pay Day

To the Editor:

On Tuesday, Aug. 7, “Black women across the country stand together in solidarity to call attention to the injustice that is pay inequality. Black Women’s Equal Pay Day is the final day a Black woman has to work in a year to earn what a white man made by Dec. 31 of the previous year. It is shameful that this year, that day did not fall until Aug. 7, as Black women only make 63 cents to every one dollar our white male counterparts make.

Black women are not just the backbone of the Democratic Party, they are also the lifeblood of the American workforce. Today, women make up nearly half of our country’s workforce, but since [President Donald] Trump took office, he has rolled back policies aimed at narrowing the gender pay gap. His damaging policies, like the revocation of President Obama’s Fair Pay and Safe Workplace executive order, are proof positive that he and his administration don’t care about an issue that affects families across the country.

The Democratic Party is proud to stand in solidarity with Black women in the workplace, and proud to fight for a level playing field for all. Democrats believe that women’s economic strength is American economic strength, and that’s why closing the gender pay gap is an issue we should all be fighting for. Black women are the core of our party, and we will not rest until all Black women and all working families receive fair and equal pay, so we can create a stronger America for all.

DNC Women’s Caucus Chair Lottie Shackelford, DNC Black Caucus Chair Virgie M. Rollins, Washington, DC

Greensboro water concerns don’t affect W-S, Forsyth County

To the Editor:

The City-County Utilities Division affirmed on Aug. 2 that the treated water produced at the division’s three water-treatment plants is safe to consume following reports last week that water in Greensboro may be contaminated with a chemical that can cause cancer. Utilities officials issued the following statement:

“Many customers may have seen recent reports regarding findings of the perfluorinated compounds PFOS and PFOA above the EPA’s Health Advisory level of 70 parts per trillion. Although Greensboro’s system is located geographically adjacent to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities system, our water supply is not impacted by these compounds, and we have not detected these compounds in water leaving our facilities nor in our raw water sources of the Yadkin River and Salem Lake. Winston-Salem’s water supply watershed currently does not have industries or entities that use perfluorinated compounds in their manufacturing or operational process.”

Bill Brewer, Utilities’ water superintendent, said that the division voluntarily implemented quarterly testing for 39 different types of perfluorinated compounds this year after observing that utilities in the Cape Fear River basin were reporting contamination. The first quarterly test was completed in April and showed no detectible levels of any of the 39 compounds tested, Brewer said. Results for the second quarterly test are expected to be available next week.

Brewer also noted that Utilities had previous tested for perfluorinated compounds during each quarter in 2014 as required under the EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule for that year. No contaminants were detected.

“The Utilities Division is committed to providing high quality water to our citizens,” Brewer said. “Customers who have questions regarding our water quality or water-treatment process can call me at 336-946-2138, ext. 204, for additional information.”

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities Division