Irwindale declares Sriracha hot sauce factory a public nuisance
 

The San Gabriel Valley Tribune (http://www.sgvtribune.com)
Irwindale declares Sriracha hot sauce factory a public nuisance

By Sarah Favot, Pasadena Star-News

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

IRWINDALE >> The popular Sriracha hot sauce found itself in hot water
Wednesday night when the City Council unanimously declared the factory
that produces the sauce a public nuisance.

After giving Huy Fong Foods six weeks to work with the South Coast Air
Quality Management District to conduct testing at the factory, the City
Council determined the odor coming from the factory has created a
problem for residents. The council also determined the Sriracha factory
breached its contract with the city.

The Council is expected to give Huy Fong Foods 90 days to address the
odor problems before city officials enter the factory to fix the
problems themselves.

Stephen Onstot, an attorney for the city, said it would require another
City Council vote to enforce the public nuisance order.

The council heard testimony at a Feb. 26 public hearing from several
residents who complained about the strong chili odors coming from the
factory and more than a dozen factory employees who implored the council
to keep the factory open.

The public hearing continued Wednesday night with little fanfare.
Neither factory employees, who wore red T-shirts and protested the last
hearing, nor CEO David Tran attended the meeting.

“We’re disappointed,” said Huy Fong’s attorney, John Tate. “We had been
led to believe we were providing the city what it wanted.”

Tate disputed the council’s finding that there was enough evidence that
showed the odors created a public nuisance.

“They seemed to be in a hurry to find a violation, when the evidence
last time we were here showed about 12 people from the entire city
having a complaint. It seemed to be to be a bit heavy handed,” Tate said.

Councilman H. Manuel Ortiz abstained from the discussion and vote
because he lives near the factory.

“We worked hand-in-hand with Huy Fong Foods,” said Councilman Albert
Ambriz. “I still feel there’s enough verbal and documentary evidence to
constitute this as a public nuisance.”

New testimony came from two local politicians pledging support for Huy
Fong Foods.

“I ask that the City of Irwindale reject this inflammatory and
unnecessary public nuisance designation and work constructively with Huy
Fong Foods to resolve these issues,” a statement from state Sen. Ed
Hernandez, D-West Covina, said. “If not, I’m certain there are a number
of cities right here in the San Gabriel Valley who would be happy to
have a business like Huy Fong Foods in their community.”

Assemblyman Roger Hernandez, D-West Covina, said in a statement he was
concerned about the effect the factory’s closure would have on the San
Gabriel Valley economy and the entire state.

Before the vote, Tate told the council Huy Fong Foods would prepare a
timeline to mitigate the odors emanating from the factory within 10 days.

He said he believed the company would be able to fix the odor problem on
or before June 1. The chili grinding season, which residents say creates
the strongest odors, begins in late August.

An attorney for the city said the public nuisance order would not need
to be enforced if Huy Fong fixed the problem before June 1.

Mohsen Nazemi, AQMD deputy executive director, said AQMD inspectors have
taken air samples inside the plant in the last few weeks while factory
workers have been mixing the hot sauce. He said a carbon filtration
system should alleviate the odors.

Councilman Julian Miranda asked if that filtration system would work
during the grinding season.

“We think that a similar type of technology can be used,” said Nazemi.
“Because they are not doing any grinding, we didn’t have the opportunity
to measure what type of pollutants are coming off. We believe it might
be similar to mixing operation.”

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ordered Huy Fong Foods in
November to halt any operations that created the smell and immediately
make changes to mitigate the smell after the city filed a lawsuit
against the company. The chili grinding season was already completed by
the time the judge issued his order, according to Huy Fong’s attorney.

Huy Fong officials said it has installed filters on the roof of the
factory, but is working with AQMD to find long-term solutions.

City officials said the complaints continued. Data provided by AQMD
showed that the majority of complaints about a smell coming from the
Sriracha factory came from four households in the city of about 1,400
residents. The AQMD had a total of 61 complaints.

URL:
http://www.sgvtribune.com/environmen...ublic-nuisance

© 2014 The San Gabriel Valley Tribune (http://www.sgvtribune.com)

Irwindale declares Sriracha hot sauce factory a public nuisance
 

Did anybody think that wouldn't happen?


"Travis McGee" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> The San Gabriel Valley Tribune (http://www.sgvtribune.com)
> Irwindale declares Sriracha hot sauce factory a public nuisance
>
> By Sarah Favot, Pasadena Star-News
>
> Wednesday, April 9, 2014
>
> IRWINDALE >> The popular Sriracha hot sauce found itself in hot water
> Wednesday night when the City Council unanimously declared the factory
> that produces the sauce a public nuisance.
>
> After giving Huy Fong Foods six weeks to work with the South Coast Air
> Quality Management District to conduct testing at the factory, the City
> Council determined the odor coming from the factory has created a problem
> for residents. The council also determined the Sriracha factory breached
> its contract with the city.
>
> The Council is expected to give Huy Fong Foods 90 days to address the odor
> problems before city officials enter the factory to fix the problems
> themselves.
>
> Stephen Onstot, an attorney for the city, said it would require another
> City Council vote to enforce the public nuisance order.
>
> The council heard testimony at a Feb. 26 public hearing from several
> residents who complained about the strong chili odors coming from the
> factory and more than a dozen factory employees who implored the council
> to keep the factory open.
>
> The public hearing continued Wednesday night with little fanfare. Neither
> factory employees, who wore red T-shirts and protested the last hearing,
> nor CEO David Tran attended the meeting.
>
> “We’re disappointed,” said Huy Fong’s attorney, John Tate. “We had been
> led to believe we were providing the city what it wanted.”
>
> Tate disputed the council’s finding that there was enough evidence that
> showed the odors created a public nuisance.
>
> “They seemed to be in a hurry to find a violation, when the evidence last
> time we were here showed about 12 people from the entire city having a
> complaint. It seemed to be to be a bit heavy handed,” Tate said.
>
> Councilman H. Manuel Ortiz abstained from the discussion and vote because
> he lives near the factory.
>
> “We worked hand-in-hand with Huy Fong Foods,” said Councilman Albert
> Ambriz. “I still feel there’s enough verbal and documentary evidence to
> constitute this as a public nuisance.”
>
> New testimony came from two local politicians pledging support for Huy
> Fong Foods.
>
> “I ask that the City of Irwindale reject this inflammatory and unnecessary
> public nuisance designation and work constructively with Huy Fong Foods to
> resolve these issues,” a statement from state Sen. Ed Hernandez, D-West
> Covina, said. “If not, I’m certain there are a number of cities right here
> in the San Gabriel Valley who would be happy to have a business like Huy
> Fong Foods in their community.”
>
> Assemblyman Roger Hernandez, D-West Covina, said in a statement he was
> concerned about the effect the factory’s closure would have on the San
> Gabriel Valley economy and the entire state.
>
> Before the vote, Tate told the council Huy Fong Foods would prepare a
> timeline to mitigate the odors emanating from the factory within 10 days.
>
> He said he believed the company would be able to fix the odor problem on
> or before June 1. The chili grinding season, which residents say creates
> the strongest odors, begins in late August.
>
> An attorney for the city said the public nuisance order would not need to
> be enforced if Huy Fong fixed the problem before June 1.
>
> Mohsen Nazemi, AQMD deputy executive director, said AQMD inspectors have
> taken air samples inside the plant in the last few weeks while factory
> workers have been mixing the hot sauce. He said a carbon filtration system
> should alleviate the odors.
>
> Councilman Julian Miranda asked if that filtration system would work
> during the grinding season.
>
> “We think that a similar type of technology can be used,” said Nazemi.
> “Because they are not doing any grinding, we didn’t have the opportunity
> to measure what type of pollutants are coming off. We believe it might be
> similar to mixing operation.”
>
> A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ordered Huy Fong Foods in
> November to halt any operations that created the smell and immediately
> make changes to mitigate the smell after the city filed a lawsuit against
> the company. The chili grinding season was already completed by the time
> the judge issued his order, according to Huy Fong’s attorney.
>
> Huy Fong officials said it has installed filters on the roof of the
> factory, but is working with AQMD to find long-term solutions.
>
> City officials said the complaints continued. Data provided by AQMD showed
> that the majority of complaints about a smell coming from the Sriracha
> factory came from four households in the city of about 1,400 residents.
> The AQMD had a total of 61 complaints.
>
> URL:
> http://www.sgvtribune.com/environmen...ublic-nuisance
>
> © 2014 The San Gabriel Valley Tribune (http://www.sgvtribune.com)

Irwindale declares Sriracha hot sauce factory a public nuisance
 

On 4/10/2014 10:44 AM, Sqwertz wrote:
> On Thu, 10 Apr 2014 06:04:37 -0400, Travis McGee wrote:
>
>> The Council is expected to give Huy Fong Foods 90 days to address the
>> odor problems before city officials enter the factory to fix the
>> problems themselves.
>
(snip)
> I don't think anybody is convinced there *IS* an odor problem to be
> fixed. And that nothing that Huy Fong does will be good enough.
> Especially come chile grinding season.
>
I'd like to know how the one guy on the council who lives in the area
(and abstained from voting) feels about it.

> Huy Fong should announce, 3 weeks early, that is has begun grinding
> chiles for the season (when it really isn't) and see how many people
> complain.
>
> -sw
>
That would be funny.

Jill

Irwindale declares Sriracha hot sauce factory a public nuisance
 

This is looking more like harassment every day.

They aren't even in production mode now. And apparently the majority of
complaints comes from 4 people.


"Travis McGee" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> The San Gabriel Valley Tribune (http://www.sgvtribune.com)
> Irwindale declares Sriracha hot sauce factory a public nuisance
>
> By Sarah Favot, Pasadena Star-News
>
> Wednesday, April 9, 2014
>
> IRWINDALE >> The popular Sriracha hot sauce found itself in hot water
> Wednesday night when the City Council unanimously declared the factory
> that produces the sauce a public nuisance.
>
> After giving Huy Fong Foods six weeks to work with the South Coast Air
> Quality Management District to conduct testing at the factory, the City
> Council determined the odor coming from the factory has created a problem
> for residents. The council also determined the Sriracha factory breached
> its contract with the city.
>
> The Council is expected to give Huy Fong Foods 90 days to address the odor
> problems before city officials enter the factory to fix the problems
> themselves.
>
> Stephen Onstot, an attorney for the city, said it would require another
> City Council vote to enforce the public nuisance order.
>
> The council heard testimony at a Feb. 26 public hearing from several
> residents who complained about the strong chili odors coming from the
> factory and more than a dozen factory employees who implored the council
> to keep the factory open.
>
> The public hearing continued Wednesday night with little fanfare. Neither
> factory employees, who wore red T-shirts and protested the last hearing,
> nor CEO David Tran attended the meeting.
>
> “We’re disappointed,” said Huy Fong’s attorney, John Tate. “We had been
> led to believe we were providing the city what it wanted.”
>
> Tate disputed the council’s finding that there was enough evidence that
> showed the odors created a public nuisance.
>
> “They seemed to be in a hurry to find a violation, when the evidence last
> time we were here showed about 12 people from the entire city having a
> complaint. It seemed to be to be a bit heavy handed,” Tate said.
>
> Councilman H. Manuel Ortiz abstained from the discussion and vote because
> he lives near the factory.
>
> “We worked hand-in-hand with Huy Fong Foods,” said Councilman Albert
> Ambriz. “I still feel there’s enough verbal and documentary evidence to
> constitute this as a public nuisance.”
>
> New testimony came from two local politicians pledging support for Huy
> Fong Foods.
>
> “I ask that the City of Irwindale reject this inflammatory and unnecessary
> public nuisance designation and work constructively with Huy Fong Foods to
> resolve these issues,” a statement from state Sen. Ed Hernandez, D-West
> Covina, said. “If not, I’m certain there are a number of cities right here
> in the San Gabriel Valley who would be happy to have a business like Huy
> Fong Foods in their community.”
>
> Assemblyman Roger Hernandez, D-West Covina, said in a statement he was
> concerned about the effect the factory’s closure would have on the San
> Gabriel Valley economy and the entire state.
>
> Before the vote, Tate told the council Huy Fong Foods would prepare a
> timeline to mitigate the odors emanating from the factory within 10 days.
>
> He said he believed the company would be able to fix the odor problem on
> or before June 1. The chili grinding season, which residents say creates
> the strongest odors, begins in late August.
>
> An attorney for the city said the public nuisance order would not need to
> be enforced if Huy Fong fixed the problem before June 1.
>
> Mohsen Nazemi, AQMD deputy executive director, said AQMD inspectors have
> taken air samples inside the plant in the last few weeks while factory
> workers have been mixing the hot sauce. He said a carbon filtration system
> should alleviate the odors.
>
> Councilman Julian Miranda asked if that filtration system would work
> during the grinding season.
>
> “We think that a similar type of technology can be used,” said Nazemi.
> “Because they are not doing any grinding, we didn’t have the opportunity
> to measure what type of pollutants are coming off. We believe it might be
> similar to mixing operation.”
>
> A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ordered Huy Fong Foods in
> November to halt any operations that created the smell and immediately
> make changes to mitigate the smell after the city filed a lawsuit against
> the company. The chili grinding season was already completed by the time
> the judge issued his order, according to Huy Fong’s attorney.
>
> Huy Fong officials said it has installed filters on the roof of the
> factory, but is working with AQMD to find long-term solutions.
>
> City officials said the complaints continued. Data provided by AQMD showed
> that the majority of complaints about a smell coming from the Sriracha
> factory came from four households in the city of about 1,400 residents.
> The AQMD had a total of 61 complaints.
>
> URL:
> http://www.sgvtribune.com/environmen...ublic-nuisance
>
> © 2014 The San Gabriel Valley Tribune (http://www.sgvtribune.com)



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Irwindale declares Sriracha hot sauce factory a public nuisance
 

"Sqwertz" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 10 Apr 2014 06:04:37 -0400, Travis McGee wrote:
>
>> The Council is expected to give Huy Fong Foods 90 days to address the
>> odor problems before city officials enter the factory to fix the
>> problems themselves.
>
> WTF are "City Officials" going to do about it?

You'd be surprised what those "officials" can do, especially when it's "for
the children."

Cheri

Irwindale declares Sriracha hot sauce factory a public nuisance
 

I am convinced he's not paying off the city officials. Either that or they
keep coming after him for more.


"Cheri" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Sqwertz" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Thu, 10 Apr 2014 06:04:37 -0400, Travis McGee wrote:
>>
>>> The Council is expected to give Huy Fong Foods 90 days to address the
>>> odor problems before city officials enter the factory to fix the
>>> problems themselves.
>>
>> WTF are "City Officials" going to do about it?
>
> You'd be surprised what those "officials" can do, especially when it's
> "for the children."
>
> Cheri



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Irwindale declares Sriracha hot sauce factory a public nuisance
 

On Thu, 10 Apr 2014 06:04:37 -0400 in rec.food.cooking, Travis McGee
> wrote,
>IRWINDALE >> The popular Sriracha hot sauce found itself in hot water
>Wednesday night when the City Council unanimously declared the factory
>that produces the sauce a public nuisance.

I declare the Irwindale City Council a public nuisance.

Irwindale declares Sriracha hot sauce factory a public nuisance
 

"David Harmon" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 10 Apr 2014 06:04:37 -0400 in rec.food.cooking, Travis McGee
> > wrote,
>>IRWINDALE >> The popular Sriracha hot sauce found itself in hot water
>>Wednesday night when the City Council unanimously declared the factory
>>that produces the sauce a public nuisance.
>
> I declare the Irwindale City Council a public nuisance.

Most city councils are. Lots of lame brained ideas coming from them as a
rule.

Cheri