By Megan Carter

A group of about 50 residents met to show their displeasure with being left with the bill for cleanup that they acknowledge belongs to Black & Decker, Goodrich and the federal government. In an effort to encourage Black & Decker to start paying for the clean up of their perchlorate, they have been given the Polluter of the Month Award and kicked off a national boycott of the company. The award came complete with a trophy and a certificate.

The Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice with residents believe that Black & Decker intentionally delayed and prolonged the process to cleanup the rocket fuel in the drinking water in the Rialto/Colton areas.

Sylvia Amezquita and Isabella, 5, Carlos, 2. She is upset that she is paying $13-15 a month for perchlorate cleanup of water caused by Black and Decker and Goodrich companies.

It has been 10 years that Rialto has been waiting to clean up the wells. The city has said in the past once a polluted well has been detected in Rialto it is shut down and no residents receive perchlorate filled water.

"It's their mess, they polluted our drinking water and they should clean it up, not us rate payers," said Susana Negrete. Negrete wants Black & Decker to take responsibility for their mess, restore the quality of water and reimburse the citizens of cost already incurred for the Perchlorate cleanup.

Black Voice was unable to reach a company representative at press time.

The next community meeting will take place on April 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Dollahan Elementary School, 1060 West Etiwanda Ave. For information call (909) 381-8883.