Imagine this: you shut off 31% of your customers for non-payment and the United Nations shows up at your door. This is a true story and Darcy and Darcy were very curious to see how this played out. Join them as they welcome Matt Phillips, who leads the City of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department’s Customer Service Division as well as serves as the Department’s Chief of Staff. Matt shares how he was tasked with finding a way to collect the over $200 million (you read the right!) in outstanding receivables, making water and waste-water services affordable to Detroit’s residents, with more than 50% living below the national poverty level, and all while NOT turning off services. Curious how he is doing it? Darcy and Darcy were! Tune in to learn what Detroit is doing and what we can all learn.

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We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

This week Dan Nelson retired Executive Director of the San Luis-Delta Mendota Water Authority (Authority) joins Darcy and Darcy. Dan shares the history of the Authority’s predecessor organization, the events that led to the Authority’s creation, key operation and water management milestones, and the best lesson he learned. The coolest part of the interview from Darcy B’s perspective was that Dan worked with Darcy V.’s grandfather, the water legend himself, C.W. “Bill” Jones Sr. who is known for bringing water deliveries to agriculture and for whom the Jones Pumping Plant is named. Dan shares what Bill Sr. was like, what type of leader he was, and key insights that Darcy V. surely will take to heart. Curious as to what the key takeaway from today’s episode might be? Dan Nelson is a leader whose experience and lessons are just as applicable today, as they were when the Authority started. And that leadership transcends water and agriculture. Take a moment and listen in

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We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Darcy V is harvesting tomatoes so that means, Darcy B. is leading this discussion, and what a discussion it is! Darcy welcomes Geoffrey Vanden Heuvel, the Director of Regulatory and Economic Affairs for the Milk Producers Council, a California dairy farmer trade association. Geoff is currently the Vice-Chairman of the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley Board. Geoff joins Darcy B in the studio where they discuss the urgent Fall X 2 Action.

The Fall X2 Action (Technically it addresses salinity intrusion in the Bay Delta), as currently mandated, results in significant water supply reductions that provide water for the San Joaquin Valley’s agricultural industry, rural communities, including disadvantaged communities, Southern California cities, families, industry, and economies, as well as critical habitat in both federal and private wildlife refuges. This regulation has flexibility, if the APPOINTED decision-makers agree, the 350,000 AF of stored water (enough for 1,050,000 Southern California Families) we can keep this water in storage. We can save for the next dry period. Saving for Sunny Days!

Recent scientific studies done by the National Fish and Wildlife Agency and others indicate this effort will not, and does not, help the Delta Smelt, as originally intended. In other words, sound science is NOT driving this decision. You can help. Click on the links below and email these appointed decision-makers. Let them know, that saving California water for our communities, our food supply, and all of California is our top priority:

· California Natural Resources Agency Secretary, Wade Crowfoot, Wade.Crowfoot@resources.ca.gov

· California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director, Charlton (Chuck) Bonham, chuck.bonham@wildlife.ca.gov

· California Department of Water Resources Director, Karla Nemeth, Karla.Nemeth@water.ca.gov

· US Bureau of Reclamation Director, Karl Stock, KStock@usbr.gov

· Governor Gavin Newsom, (have to use contact form) https://www.gov.ca.gov/contact/

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We Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.