By Brooklynn Wong
With Memorial Day just days away, signs of summer’s imminent approach were apparent for the City of Buena Park at the meeting of the City Council on May 22. There was talk of City pools about to open, the kickoff of Summer Concerts in the Park and a summer health challenge was issued to the community. Not all was light-hearted though, as a local raised concerns during oral communication about the Buena Park Police Department with regards to the recent “Mentos incident.”
The Independent wishes a very happy belated birthday to Councilwoman and former Mayor Beth Swift, who was honored at the kick-off of the meeting with a singing of happy birthday and a mango mousse cake from local favorite Porto’s.
Police Chief Corey Sianez led the chamber in the pledge of allegiance before presentations began.
Memorial Day will be celebrated heartily in Buena Park with a pancake breakfast, a service and a picnic (see page 2 for details), and City Manager Jim Vanderpool announced that with the holiday will come the opening of City pools.
An invitation to the City’s 2018 Summer Concerts in the Park was given, as was a challenge to make healthy beverage choices this summer.
Rethink your Drink
A group of women from organizations such as the American Heart Association gave a proclamation for the “Rethink Your Drink—Sugar Sweetened Beverage Free Summer” initiative. They cited several statistics, including that those who drink excessive amounts of sugary beverages have a much higher risk of developing diabetes and heart problems. They issued a challenge for those interested to keep their sugar intake per day this summer to an amount that is lower than the amount contained in one can of soda.
OCTA will study Beach Boulevard
During oral communications, a short presentation was given by Tim Shaw, Vice Chairman of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and Mayor of La Habra. He gave an update on the work OCTA has been doing, including a study called OC Bus 360, which found that bus ridership tends to follow employment cycles. When employment is high, more people ride buses, and vice versa. Shaw cited the example of Santa Ana College, where the students voted to slightly raise their tuition to be given the service of being able to ride buses with their student ID’s. OCTA hopes to attempt this at other area colleges.
One other item OCTA will be working on is an 18-month study of the Beach Boulevard Corridor beginning this fall, looking for ideas to improve the flow of traffic.
‘Mentos incident’ still on minds
An individual who called himself “The Cameraman,” a “community activist” and “constitutionalist,” raised the controversial incident that occurred on March 16, where an off-duty Buena Park Police Officer was in a gas station, and saw what he thought was a man stealing a pack of Mentos. The officer drew a gun, but did not point it directly at the man, who has since been identified as Jose Arreola. Arreola had in fact already paid for the Mentos. The officer was apologetic after getting confirmation from the cashier that the Mentos had been paid for.
Chief Sianez has been forthcoming about seeing the video of the incident as “disturbing.” As of now an investigation is underway.
“The Cameraman” expressed disdain at the officer’s actions, decrying that his first reaction was to go for his gun. He acknowledged the chief’s response to the incident, and hoped that more would be done to ensure that actions as such do not become the norm.
The Council will next meet on June 12 at 5 p.m.
