Stanton Officials and Residents Respond to Chemical Evacuation

Donald Torres, a Stanton City Councilmember, experienced an evacuation along with over 50,000 Orange County residents due to a chemical threat. Forced to evacuate with his father, girlfriend, pets, and belongings, Torres navigated multiple temporary shelters while addressing concerns from his constituents.

Returning to find his home in disarray, Torres immediately joined protests outside the Garden Grove City Council chambers. He advocated against further expansion of GKN Aerospace, which had caused the evacuation. Despite Stanton being largely affected by the chemical crisis, the media focused on the larger city of Garden Grove. Stanton, home to about 40,000 residents, was mostly evacuated, highlighting the town’s vulnerability.

Torres took to a podium in Garden Grove, urging for respect for his often-overlooked hometown. He called for resources to aid affected residents, citing the hardship expressed by many in Stanton. After the evacuation, Torres met with Carlos Perea, a local activist, to discuss the county’s neglect of Latino communities, which form a significant part of Stanton’s population.

Efforts are underway to secure aid such as food and hotel vouchers. Torres acknowledged the uncertainty of recovery, knowing it would take considerable time.

Stanton, established post-World War II, has battled stereotypes and socio-economic challenges. Although some neighboring cities lent support during the crisis, Stanton’s working-class reputation continues to affect its perception. Mayor David Shawver, having long served on the City Council, hopes for ongoing cooperation from surrounding communities.

Store owners in Stanton are grappling with business disruptions from the evacuation. Adalberto Barreda Valencia, owner of Carniceria El Novillo, faced significant losses from spoiled food. Rising hotel costs further strained residents seeking temporary housing.

Esperanza Cancharí, from Panaderia El Cortez, described how the evacuation emptied the neighborhood, causing fresh goods to go stale. Similarly, Carlos Gomez of Hair Colab noted a drop in clientele due to safety concerns. Dalbir Singh of Island Liquor expressed understanding of the evacuation despite business losses.

Maria Ngo from Cerritos Nutrition spent time disposing of unsellable goods. Torres assured her of his support and explained measures taken to address the chemical threat, which had been mostly neutralized.

As Stanton residents continue to recover, the focus remains on ensuring such a situation does not reoccur, highlighting the community’s resilience amidst the challenges faced.