The city of Stanton hosted a Stanton Neighborhood Meeting” at Quaker Gardens, 12151 Dale St., Thursday, Sept. 11 (renamed "Rowntree Gardens).
The Stanton City Council and city staff members attended the meeting to disseminate information about the city and how it works, and to answer any questions residents might have.
Some older residents might have difficulty attending council meetings and so having council members hit the town to keep residents up-to-date on what's going on at City Hall.
The city of Stanton hosted a Stanton Neighborhood Meeting” at Quaker Gardens, 12151 Dale St., Thursday, Sept. 11 (renamed "Rowntree Gardens).
The Stanton City Council and city staff members attended the meeting to disseminate information about the city and how it works, and to answer any questions residents might have.
Some older residents might have difficulty attending council meetings and so having council members hit the town to keep residents up-to-date on what's going on at City Hall.
On the agenda included an update on city happenings, meeting the City Council members, an introduction of the city manager, Stanton’s Neighborhood Watch program, an update on city departments, meeting the fire chief and chief of police and talking about Stanton’s Neighborhood Enhancement Task Force.
Quaker Gardens has 225 registered voters, some of whom attended the meeting, some who asked questions and others who just listened.
"Thank you for opening your home to us," said Mayor Rigoberto "Rigo" Ramirez. "In July of last year, we started a 'Meet and Greet' program because within the city of Stanton we have a lot of different types of neighborhoods. We are here for you. If you have questions, please ask."
"It's a clear theme — we want to hear from you — and it's practically impossible to serve all of you here, from behind a desk."
Councilman David Shawver told residents that he has served on the City Council for 25 years, sharing that his own mother had been a resident at Quaker Gardens.
"This is one of the best facilities in Orange County; the city is proud of this facility and it was like a second home to me when my mother was here," he said.
Shawver, along with each official, passed out business cards and other helpful information to the residents after the meeting.
Mayor Pro tem Al Ethans explained to those in attendance that each council member has his or her own specialty area while serving on the council.
"I'm involved in recreation and there's free transportation from Quaker Gardens to City Hall for our planned activities," said Ethans. "Saturday, Oct. 25, we have a Halloween event planned and Tuesday, Nov. 11, we have our annual Veterans Day program, along with our Christmas Tree Lighting Thursday, Dec. 4, at 5 p.m. in front of City Hall."
Ethans further explained that the city holds a monthly food distribution for low-income seniors on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at City Hall and talked about a snack program and cooking class for children.
Explaining that he is with the Vector Control Board of Orange County, Ethans asked everyone who has standing water in their yards to empty those containers "post haste" because of the current severity of West Nile Virus. Mosquitoes need water to complete their life cycle and they can do that in just seven days.
"We are listening to what you're saying," said Councilman Brian Donahue, "And that is like a report card; this is an opportunity for us to listen to you, to make your life more comfortable and safe, so please share with us."
State Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva pointed out her own "Let's Talk" pamphlet and applauded the city for its "visionaries."
Public Works Director/City Engineer Allan Rigg said he noticed the lifted sidewalk in front of Quaker Gardens and said that would be taken care of. Rigg noted that his job involves city streets, garbage and trimming of trees, to mention a few items.
"A new project is at Village Drive and Beach Boulevard," said Rigg. "We're going to fix that to make traffic flow better."
He also said the city will extend the wall by the Mobile Home Park near Quaker Gardens, so young people won't be hopping it as easily, and the city will install a slurry top-coat at Katella and Knott avenues to make that surface smoother.
One woman thanked the city for filling the potholes on the Stanton side of Dale Street (the other side belongs to Garden Grove).
"I talked to the mayor about filling the potholes and now they're filled," she said.
Another issue residents had, was graffiti. Residents were told that the city takes graffiti seriously and that within 24-hours of being notified, they take care of it.
"We have one person who goes out every day and covers graffiti," several said.
City Manager Jim Box said the city prides itself on transparency.
"All aspects of the city," he said.
Box explained Measure GG that's on the November ballot, saying that for nearly eight years, Stanton, because the state has taken money from it, has struggled to stay afloat and so the 1-cent sales tax increase, that the state cannot take will solve the city's financial problems.
"The State took $18 million of our local tax dollars and we also lose $4 million each year to the state, which forced Stanton to cut public safety, and cut city staff, which amounted to $9 million dollars in cutbacks," Box said. "We have a $1.8 million structural deficit, which is 15-percent of the total budget."
Measure GG will be on the November ballot for a vote.
"Balanced budget or a structural deficit — we have taken a firm stance — we have been pulling from savings to balance our checkbook," Ramirez said.
"With the city's structural deficit, for more than seven years ongoing, we're not keeping up with our expenses," said Administrative Services Director Stephen Parker. "With the state always taking money, we cut more than 30 percent of our staff in 2011, with management positions cut too."
Parker said city health insurance costs have been frozen and pension reform put at a lower tier than the previous ones and health benefits for retirees were eliminated.
Parker said substantial cuts were made in public safety, which is nearly 75 percent of the city's budget.
"Five of the 25 deputies were eliminated and we removed one ladder truck. that's a cut of 38 percent and it's as far as we can cut. Without Measure GG, we would have to make more cuts."
Community Development Director Omar Dadabhoy and Chief of Police with the Orange County Sheriff's Department Lt. Noel Dela Llana addressed the crowd, along with Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Grey McKeown and Community Services Director Julie Roman, talking about gangs, graffiti and natural disasters,.
Ramirez said he believes that, "What gets measured, gets done," noting that 72,000 cars pass along Beach Boulevard every day, and that those cars and people who stop and eat or gas their cars, will help pay for the 1-cent sales tax increase that Measure GG calls for.
