Stanton Community Faces Challenges Amidst Chemical Crisis and Recovery Efforts

Stanton City Councilmember Donald Torres appeared at a news conference wearing casual, mismatched clothing. This informal appearance represented the reality many faced. Over 50,000 residents in Orange County, including Torres, were evacuated due to a chemical tank overheating. Torres, with his family and pets, shifted between locations, dealing with anxious residents’ calls. Returning home, he found chaos. Once officials lifted evacuation orders, he joined activists to oppose GKN Aerospace’s expansion in Garden Grove and suggested closing the facility.

Torres, a 26-year-old first-term council member, urged respect for Stanton. Home to 40,000 residents, the city was neglected during the crisis, gaining little media attention compared to larger Garden Grove. Despite 85% evacuation, Stanton officials were absent from joint news briefings. Torres used the Garden Grove lectern to highlight Stanton’s struggles and demanded acknowledgment for his community.

After the conference, Torres interacted with Carlos Perea from the Harbor Institute, another organizer. Torres, who works as a social emotional mentor, lacked business cards, apologizing to those who asked. Perea emphasized the oversight of Latino communities in the area. Stanton’s population is largely Latino and Asian. Torres is in talks with lawmakers to secure vouchers and insurance aid for affected locals, knowing recovery will be challenging.

As part of Orange County’s post-WWII development, Stanton shares architectural elements with neighboring cities but lacks their prominence. Nearby towns criticize Stanton, known for its working-class roots and struggling motels. Yet Mayor David Shawver, a Stanton resident for 55 years, believes the city’s image is improving. Crime rates are down, and new developments are underway. During the evacuation, Shawver worked from home, emphasizing community support from neighboring cities.

“We’ve come a long way from that ignominy,” joked Shawver.

Torres later visited businesses to assess the local impact. Meeting at Western and Cerritos avenues, Torres witnessed the transition from Garden Grove’s tidy malls to Stanton’s more worn-down areas. The city’s largest park, Stanton Central Park, was mostly empty that day.

Telling people he was from Stanton often prompted confusion. However, Torres insists this stereotype boosts community pride. Meeting store owners, Torres heard from Adalberto Barrera Valencia who relayed hardships caused by the evacuation. He had to discard spoiled food from Carniceria El Novillo. Barrera Valencia mentioned the steep rise in hotel costs during displacement.

Other businesses shared similar stories. Panaderia El Cortez discarded stale goods, while Hair Colab faced appointment cancellations. Island Liquor, though busy post-evacuation, lost substantial revenue over Memorial Day. The owner, Dalbir Singh, understood the necessity of evacuation despite financial loss.

At Cerritos Nutrition, Maria Ngo discarded expired goods as a result of the shutdown. Torres offered his contact information, encouraging her to reach out for help. Many residents, like Ngo, asked if future incidents will be managed better. The ongoing investigation aims to address these concerns.