Blanca Pacheco takes oath as mayor

DOWNEY - Tuesday marked a historic night for Downey, as Blanca Pacheco was sworn in as the mayor for 2020.

Less that 24 hours from taking her oath into her new public office, Mayor Blanca Pacheco said that “it is starting to sink in.”

“I was excited last night just to be given the opportunity to be a mayor for the great city of Downey,” said Pacheco. “I’m excited for next year…of course, a little nervous. I know I have big shoes to fill. Rick [Rodriguez] did an amazing job; he was an amazing mayor. My hope is that I’m as good or better, even though I think that’s almost impossible because he gave it all of his heart.”

Pacheco says that she had a full council chambers to lean back on for support.

“I had a lot of friends there, a lot of people from the community,” said Pacheco. “My Kiwanis family was there…it was just nice to see everyone from the community come out.”

Having been elected in 2006, Pacheco enters the mayor’s seat having just completed her third year on council and facing her final year of her first term in office.

Mayor Blanca Pacheco and Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Frometa.

She says that throughout her tenure so far, she has learned more of “the logistics” of city business.

“It feels like the first year you’re just learning; you don’t go in being a pro,” said Pacheco. “The first year was a learning experience, getting to know staff, getting to know how the city is run, and budgeting. Just a new environment.”

After that year of learning and two years of application, Pacheco says that she feels she has been effective as a council member.

“I’ve helped numerous residents when they’ve reached out to me,” said Pacheco. “It’s been little things like helping them find out when their streets will be paved, making sure that their streets are safe…it’s been little things, but I believe it’s little things that make a big impact on the lives of residents.”

“Since day one, I want the residents to feel that they can reach out to me if they have any concerns, because that’s what I’m here for…being the mayor is the face of the city, and also people feel like you’re the person they should contact. I’m comfortable with that, because it doesn’t matter what district a person lives in; if I can help, I’ll help them.”

Pacheco already has some experience with the reigns of the city, having stepped in during former Mayor Rick Rodriguez’s medical absence. She says that this experience made her more comfortable when running meetings.

“In that regards, it prepared me,” said Pacheco. “It also prepared me on how to deal with speakers that sometimes may use colorful language. It definitely has prepared me.”

Pacheco’s first term as mayor is a doubly historic one for the city, being the first Latina mayor and a part of the first all-female mayor / pro-tem team alongside Councilwoman Claudia Frometa.

While she is excited about the prospect of the historical weight her next year holds, it is not her priority.

“It’s not that I want to be recognized or receive any special recognition,” said Pacheco. “I only mentioned it last night because I wanted to encourage our young females to pursue much more in life.”

“I do take it as something to be celebrated, something to be proud of, something to be proud of our city, but I don’t want it to be the focus.”

Having just been sworn in, Pacheco didn’t have any issues specifically in mind yet that she wished to address.

“We’re going to have a lot going on in our city,” said Pacheco. “We’re going to see a lot of grand re-openings – all four fire stations, our library, a lot of parks, the Downey Theatre, Ride and the Stride event – we’re going to have a lot of fun activities…”

“I’m more excited than anything. I’m excited to see the completed project, the faces of children who go into the new library or into the parks. The fire stations are going to be exciting for everyone, especially our firefighters…I’m very optimistic.”

However, residents can expect Pacheco to use her new role to work with the youth.

“One of the main things is going to be the youth, helping the youth, and creating programs to get them more involved and more engaged,” said Pacheco.

Pacheco also looks forward to working with Mayor Pro Tem Frometa and the rest of the council.

“The whole plan is to work together, to collaborate, to help each other out, to help each other succeed, and help the city succeed,” said Pacheco.