Anaheim mayor faces allegations in OC government roundup

Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken’s chief of staff accused her of making racist and homophobic comments, and Anaheim Councilwoman Natalie Meeks called for an investigation, according to a Sept. 25 Voice of OC roundup of major Orange County civic stories.

The allegations surfaced alongside other local government issues across Orange County, including sheriff spending, e-bike rules, license plate reader debates, mental health services, housing redevelopment and emergency preparedness, Voice of OC reported.

Voice of OC reported that the letter detailing the accusations against Aitken was first reported by the Los Angeles Times. Anaheim had not released the letter at the time of the Voice of OC article.

Aitken says her track record disputes the allegations, according to Voice of OC. Meeks called for an investigation into the accusations against the mayor, the outlet reported.

The same roundup said the Orange County Sheriff’s Department overspent its budget by nearly $30 million. Voice of OC also reported that Buena Park officials are reconsidering an e-bike sidewalk ban for people under 18 years old.

In Fullerton, residents raised privacy and civil liberty concerns about Flock automated license plate reader cameras, according to Voice of OC. San Juan Capistrano officials are considering car-mounted license plate reader cameras to enforce downtown parking restrictions.

Voice of OC reported that Garden Grove officials dropped Be Well mental health services for another provider. The article also said a judge ordered Newport Beach to put three ballot measures before voters in November, in an election city officials say could be illegal.

Other issues highlighted by Voice of OC included Anaheim’s program for tenants to report illegal rent hikes under state rent control law, the Fairview Development Center redevelopment in Costa Mesa and Irvine officials’ consideration of notices for residents living near hazardous materials after a Garden Grove chemical tank emergency that forced 50,000 residents to flee their homes earlier in the year.

The roundup shows how city halls across Orange County are facing overlapping questions about accountability, public safety, privacy and housing policy.