Opinion

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Press release

This story is part of the Voice of OC Collegiate News Service, a partnership with Chapman University that trains student journalists to cover public policy across Orange County. Have a student project or a response to this work? Email admin@voiceofoc.org.

New allegations are surfacing against Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken from her chief of staff – including claims there’s a pattern of the mayor drinking at a host of city functions like council meetings and conferences.

Her chief of staff, Berenice Ballinas, accused the mayor of calling her a “dirty Mexican” and using homophobic comments against her – claims Aitken has previously denied. 

A growing number of Aitken’s council colleagues have publicly called for an expedited investigation into her alleged remarks as one councilwoman is pushed for the public release of documents detailing the claims, which were released Thursday. 

While Aitken faces two political newcomers in her reelection campaign, the police union political action committee suspended its campaign endorsement of the mayor for the allegations against her. 

Anaheim City Council members are expected to meet in closed session at 9 a.m. today to address the claims. 

Meanwhile, a host of coastal towns are bracing for expected impacts from the incoming super El Niño as Seal Beach became the latest city to officially declare a local emergency over the issue so officials can replace sand and prepare for flooding. 

While Newport Beach’s sand replacement is fastracked through an agreement with the county, San Clemente is struggling to get sand as they pressure transportation officials to focus more on sand than riprap to address railway issues on the coast, which contributes to sand loss. 

Santa Ana City Council races are heating up as candidates have twice debated – sharing their stances on issues like the budget and growing public concerns about Flock cameras.

Voice of OC Publisher and Editor in Chief, Norberto Santana Jr., details how some Santa Ana City Council members, the mayor and top-level city officials have historically avoided answering questions from local press corps. 

OC Fire Authority firefighters are getting a nearly 25% raise over the next five years in a move that could put significant pressure on cash contract city budgets – some of which are already facing rocky financial outlooks. 

La Habra city officials aren’t telling the public much about exactly what caused a leak that produced a chemical plume last  month. A brush fire started not long after that is still under investigation.

Scores of cats and dogs are waiting to be adopted at the OC Animal Care shelter, including the cat, Annie Oakely.

Some power lines are slated to be buried in Laguna Beach in a move to reduce wildfire risk in certain areas. 

Officials at the County of Orange have paid out $128 million in taxpayer money on legal settlements over the past year, with a majority of that money going to pay for Airport Fire claims. 

All five seats for the Mission Viejo City Council will be on the ballot this November after years of controversies surrounding term limits, election methods and lawsuits. 

Officials in Stanton are looking to curb problematic businesses as they overhauled rules on business licenses as part of their continued push to address blight and drug use in the city.

Editor’s note: Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken’s father, Wylie Aitken, chairs Voice of OC’s board of directors.

Spencer Custodio is the civic editor. You can reach him at scustodio@voiceofoc.org. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerCustodio.