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Residents urge stronger enforcement on teen vaping; speakers raise claims about fire department contracting and staffing
Summary
Public commenters urged the council to raise retailer compliance and enforcement against underage vaping and to investigate alleged conflicts and past personnel issues in the fire department; city manager said he would look into the allegations.
Multiple members of the public used the June 16 public-comment period to raise two separate concerns: underage vaping in the West Valley and allegations concerning the Avondale Fire Department’s contracting and personnel practices.
Jamie Aldama, executive director of regional nonprofit Sounds of Autism and a resident of Glendale, told the council that teenage vaping is “being swept around our community” and urged the city to consider raising the minimum purchase age for vape products to 21, increase enforcement against retailers that sell to minors and work with police on compliance checks. Aldama said a West Valley survey of 250 teenagers found about 50% reported purchasing vaping products from local retailers and warned of health risks and potential links to other substance use.
Two other speakers raised concerns about the fire department. Teresa DeSanti (as transcribed) asked about a late-April fire-department request for roughly $800,000 to cover salaries and vehicle maintenance and questioned the transparency and optics of a potential change in ambulance transport contractors; she also alleged a potential conflict of interest related to a Maricopa ambulance company. Linda Yeager recounted personnel issues involving a prior chief (Chief Adams) and a deputy chief that, she said, should prompt the city to review background information on hires.
Nut graf: City Manager Ron Corbin responded to the public comments, saying he would look into the matters raised and defending the integrity of the fire department and its staff; he said the department’s work and ethics are “above par” and that he would follow up on concerns raised.
Ending: City staff did not propose immediate policy changes during the meeting; the manager committed to looking into the salary request and the contracting questions raised during public comment.
