Latinos Want Church Back, Louder Voice at City Hall

Residents in the predominantly Latino east and west Old Towne neighborhoods say they have two problems with life in Los Alamitos: the loss of their church and the lack of a voice in city government.

The proposed answers to their problems: a five-member Community Development and Human Services Commission and a six-member Neighborhood Council.

The St. Isadore Community Development Council, organized by Seferino Solivar, completed a survey of 250 homes in the neighborhoods last month and has determined that the low-income and non-English-speaking residents of the city are not being reached. Thus, the St. Isadore council proposed the two groups to address that problem.

“We’re trying to empower the people of Los Alamitos,” Solivar said. “Most of the people are talking about a neighborhood council that reflects the needs of the people, to work with the city and have an influence in City Hall.”

Among the concerns of the people surveyed are affordable housing, communication with the city and a beautification plan for the neighborhood.

Among the concerns of the organization are a Latino presence on the City Council and commissions, and how federal Community Development Block Grants are spent.

But the chief concern is the preservation and possible reopening of St. Isadore Catholic Church.

“We are disappointed that our elderly parents cannot enjoy the peace and serenity provided by our neighborhood parish that was built by our grandparents and Mexican farm workers in the 1920s,” said Alfonso Aguilar, program director for the St. Isadore Council.

The church was closed last year by the Diocese of Orange after it was found that the building needs $300,000 in improvements to meet earthquake standards. Also, church officials say there is a shortage of Spanish-speaking priests in Orange County. They say that the community is better served by having a Spanish-speaking priest at St. Hedwig Catholic Church, which can accommodate more parishioners than the 150-seat St. Isadore.

The closing of the church was a lightning rod for community interest,” City Manager Robert Dominguez said.

But the likelihood of the city forming any new commissions or councils is small, Dominguez said. With the ability of Latinos to serve on the City Council or existing commissions and committees and to speak at public meetings, there are ample opportunities for residents in the Old Towne neighborhoods to get involved in city government, he said.

Dominguez has been directed by the City Council to meet with the St. Isadore Council and discuss its concerns, but there are no plans to consider a new commission and neighborhood council at future City Council meetings.

“Because of separation of church and state, [the city has] stayed away from the issue,” Dominguez said. “But what we would like to see is the building preserved, as it is one of the oldest in the city. If it’s a church or a social center, that’s fine. We just want to make sure the building stays the same.”

Chris Ceballos can be reached at (714) 966-7440.