Barger Applauds Valladares on Chiquita Canyon Landfill Lawsuit
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger (R-Northern LA County including Palmdale, Lancaster, Santa Clarita, San Marino, Pasadena, La Cañada-Flintridge, portions of the San Gabriel Valley) yesterday expressed strong support for State Senator Suzette Valladares’ request urging California Attorney General Rob Bonta to join the County’s lawsuit against the owners and operators of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill.
Chiquita Canyon is a 639-acre landfill located in Castaic, California, on State Route 126 in the Santa Clarita Valley. While the landfill closed waste disposal operations this year, Los Angeles County’s lawsuit, filed in December 2024, seeks to address ongoing environmental and public health hazards caused by a persistent underground chemical reaction at the landfill, which has emitted noxious odors, hazardous gases, and toxic leachate into nearby communities for nearly two years.
“I commend Senator Valladares for her leadership and advocacy on behalf of the residents of Val Verde and Castaic, who have endured the harmful effects of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill for far too long,” said “Her call for the Attorney General to join Los Angeles County’s legal efforts helps underscore the urgency of this crisis and the need for coordinated action at all levels of government,” said Barger.
“We must hold the responsible parties accountable and continue doing everything possible to restore safe and healthy living conditions for our communities. Senator Valladares’ support and her willingness to collaborate with the County are a vital step toward efficiently securing relief and justice for those impacted,” the lawmaker added.
Valladares Bill increasing penalties for crimes during a state of emergency
State Sen. Suzette Valladares (R-Santa Clarita) this week saw her bill (SB 571) approved by the Senate Public Safety Committee, which would increase California’s criminal penalties for perpetrators seeking to take advantage of victims during a state of emergency.
The new measure will make it a felony to loot and enhance the penalty for impersonating first responders during a state of emergency. The bipartisan bill is also jointly authored by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) and Senator Jesse Arreguin (D-Berkeley).
“During the recent fires, we saw criminals preying on victims of the fires by looting and even impersonating first responders to gain access to impacted properties,” said Valladares. “This kind of criminal activity that further victimizes Californians at their most vulnerable must not be tolerated and these opportunistic criminals must be deterred and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The bill will next be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“It is government’s responsibility to protect our communities and most vulnerable residents. This new law will help protect victims from opportunistic criminals, and ensure that our emergency responders can do their work without interference,” concluded Valladares.
San Fernando City Council passes “Sanctuary City Lite” resolution
The San Fernando City Council unanimously passed a broad resolution this week aimed at protecting immigrants, according to the San Fernando City Sun.
The vote came two weeks after the council rejected (3-2) a “sanctuary city” designation and a motion to draft laws to clarify the city’s policy dealing with federal immigration enforcement.
Vice Mayor Mary Solorio originally proposed the discussion to designate the City of San Fernando a sanctuary city on February 18, but was met with pushback from Mayor Mary Mendoza and Councilmembers Joel Fajardo and Victoria Garcia, who stated that the designation would make the city a target for President Donald Trump’s administration.
At the previous council meeting on April 7, Solorio and Councilmember Patty Lopez relinquished the title “sanctuary city” and motioned to direct city staff to draft a resolution to limit the city’s involvement with federal immigration enforcement unless legally required to do so. The three opposing council members still rejected the motion, claiming there was no need to pass preventive laws.
At last Monday’s meeting, the council finally decided to collaborate. Solorio re-presented the resolution as “Safe San Fernando,” and Fajardo presented a resolution “regarding the protection of personal data, use of city facilities and related matters” that was co-signed by Lopez.
The passed resolution combines the two council members’ resolutions aimed at creating additional safeguards for immigrants.
