Cameras Stay Capped as Council, Constituents Chat About Issues

About 15 residents braved the elements to attend a town hall meeting Monday evening and discuss specific issues in a casual setting with city officials.

Some were drawn to the meeting because it was sans television cameras. It was held at the Community Center without the glare of lights, the distraction of microphones and with council members and city staff clustered close to their constituents.

“Without being on television, it’s less intimidating,” said Councilman Tim Keenan. “[The residents] don’t want their neighbors to see them on TV.”

He said the major issues discussed at the meeting include the problem of increased truck traffic along Valley View Street, speeding on city streets, a future skateboard park and concerns about the community policing program. The first meeting of this type, Keenan said, was held about three years ago by former Councilman Tom Carroll.

The town hall meetings are held several times a year. The last one addressed the anticipated Y2K problem that never materialized.

Keenan said one man at the meeting mentioned how he has never seen a police officer on his street. Tuesday, the “beat cop went over to his house and knocked on his door,” Keenan said.

Janet Spurgeon, a 34-year Cypress resident and police volunteer, watches every City Council meeting on the local community access channel but admits she does not ever want to attend a televised meeting and speak. But Monday, she got out her umbrella and made the trek over to the Community Center.

“Truthfully, the reason I went to this is because it’s not on television,” she said. “I would not feel comfortable going to a council meeting and would not want to call attention to myself.”

She said she wanted to address city officials about her concern for more sidewalk repair.

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Ana Beatriz Cholo can be reached at (714) 966-5890.