Latest news briefs in Citrus Heights include a local Veterans Day ceremony held at Sylvan Cemetery, an update on local elections and the plastic bag ban, and Metro Fire conducting training in smoke-filled classrooms at the old Sylvan Middle School.
Metro Fire conducts training at old Sylvan campus
Drivers passing by the old Sylvan Middle School campus this week may have seen smoke, fire engines, and fire crews on the roof or in classrooms. Although there was no emergency, Metro Fire confirmed its fire academy was conducting training on the vacant campus for 14 new recruits on Monday, which continued through Tuesday. Fire officials said the San Juan Unified School District allowed them to use the vacated facilities as long as they did not damage the property. A video posted on Metro Fire’s Facebook page shows firefighters entering a smoke-filled schoolroom at Sylvan, using smoke machines to help with training. (See video)
Veterans Day ceremony at Sylvan Cemetery honors those who served
A group of about 80 veterans, City leaders, and community members gathered for a Veterans Day ceremony and solemn march at Sylvan Cemetery on Friday, expressing appreciation for those who have served in America’s armed forces since the Revolutionary War. The hour-long event began with a 10:30 a.m. march around the cemetery’s “Avenue of Flags” and concluded with several short speeches from local leaders, including outgoing County Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan and the City’s new police chief, Ron Lawrence. The annual event featured interspersed patriotic tunes from the Folsom Harmony Express men’s choir and ended with a rifle salute and the playing of taps.
Sylvan Cemetery on Auburn Boulevard is home to two military-related events each year — one on Veterans Day to remember those who have served, and another on Memorial Day to remember those who never returned alive. The next Memorial Day ceremony will be held on May 29, 2017.
Councilman to local candidates who lost: ‘Get involved!’
Citrus Heights Councilman Steve Miller told The Sentinel this week that his message for the six candidates who unsuccessfully ran for city council this year is to “get involved!” Speaking from his own experience, Miller said he ran a failed campaign for city council over a decade ago, before being appointed to the council in 2005. He said he continued and expanded his involvement in the community after losing election and highlighted several boards and commissions in the city that are currently seeking applicants.
Seats are up for appointment on the City’s History and Arts Commission, the Planning Commission, and the Construction Board of Appeals. Miller said the construction-related board is notorious for having a lack of applicants and almost always has an opening.
Learn more: “Applicants sought to serve on Citrus Heights planning commission, boards”
Plastic bag ban now in force in Citrus Heights, across state
With Proposition 67 failing to overturn California’s plastic bag ban, the ban is now in effect in Citrus Heights and across the state. Although Sacramento County passed a bag ban that went into effect earlier this year, Citrus Heights was among several cities in the county that continued to allow plastic bags to be used. The statewide ban was initially passed by the legislature in 2014 and would have taken effect on Jan. 1, 2015, but a referendum effort was launched that kept the ban from going into effect until voters had a chance to decide at the voting booth. On Nov. 8, the ban was upheld by voters, with 52 percent support.
Shoppers at grocery stores, and some other stores, will now have to bring their own bags or pay at least 10 cents for a recycled paper bag or reusable plastic bag. (See latest vote count for each proposition)
Also published on The Sentinel this week:
