DOWNEY - Roger Brossmer, more than halfway through a term as Downey mayor that has seen the City Council balance its budget and approve the $170 million Tierra Luna Marketplace development at Downey Studios, will seek reelection in November. Brossmer officially kicked off his reelection campaign last Thursday with a party at the home of former mayor Kirk Cartozian.

"It's been a tough year as mayor," Brossmer said. "But in tough times we need leaders who are capable of making tough decisions."

Brossmer represents the northwest section of Downey known as District 3. He is eligible for a final 4-year term on the City Council. There are no other announced candidates for District 3.

"Hopefully I'll run unopposed," Brossmer laughed. "But we will be fundraising, walking the neighborhood. We will be in full campaign mode...Hoping doesn't help."

The last year has seen a boom in economic development in Downey led by the 77-acre Tierra Luna project, which is expected to create 3,300 jobs and $4.2 million in annual tax revenue.

There's also Downey Gateway, the food court at Firestone Boulevard and Downey Avenue expected to open before the end of the year; The View housing project downtown, construction of which could begin this winter; and Stay Gallery, a city-funded art house on Downey Avenue that celebrated a soft launch last week.

But Brossmer's term as mayor hasn't been without turmoil and controversy. Earlier this year the city laid off more than a dozen workers, and budget cuts forced the fire department to take a fire engine out of service, increasing firefighters' response times.

Two weeks ago, the City Council commissioned a study to consider contracting with L.A. County for fire protection services.

Such votes are at times unpopular but in the best interest of the city, Brossmer said.

"We're living in Seattle -- it's raining all the time now," Brossmer said. "But I've learned that just because you do the right thing, you can't ignore the consequences."

********** Published: August 02, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 16