DOWNEY - Council members had a busy two weeks, judging from comments made during Tuesday's City Council meeting.Councilman Luis Marquez said he attended a Contract Cities meeting at Indian Wells with Councilman Roger Brossmer and Mayor Mario Guerra. Marquez said he had a chance to meet with County Supervisor Don Knabe and discuss local issues, including Treasure Island Park. Marquez, Brossmer and Guerra also attended a conference of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), where they networked and met with potential developers. While contemplating adding an additional 400 square feet to his home, Marquez discovered that current zoning laws would require him to also install a two-car garage. Marquez asked that the code, particularly when applied to smaller homes, be revisited in the future. Brossmer Brossmer attended a Public Works breakfast and also helped recognize resident Cleo Latimer with an "Older American" award. He also attended a Downey Coordinating Council event, a Columbia Memorial Space Center and Discovery Sports Complex subcommittee meeting, and the Arc/Rotary Fishing Derby at Wilderness Park. Brossmer also reminded the audience of yesterday's Family Fun Night at Downey High School, thanked the local media for articles detailing the city's new banner program recognizing local veterans, announced the dates for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life (June 6-7), and invited the community to tomorrow's inaugural softball tournament at Downey Adult School with funds benefiting the TLC Center. Brossmer also called last month's Dine in Downey program successful, and reported that the Philly's Best restaurant collected more than 25 coupons, half of which came from new customers. Brossmer said he wanted the program to return next year. Finally, Brossmer asked for an update on lights for Treasure Island Park and recommended protecting the new park from the damage caused by pickup soccer games. Bayer Mayor Pro Tem Anne Bayer said she received a report from Robert Rubio, her appointee to the city's Green Task Force, and was impressed. She also asked that city staff find out how much paper is recycled at City Hall and the police department. Gafin Gafin also attended the Coordinating Council awards event, and helped flip pancakes at the Public Works breakfast. He reminded the audience that "42nd Street" opens this weekend, and the Greek Festial takes place June 6-7. Gafin also asked for an update on a traffic-calming initiative he helped spearhead last year. Guerra Guerra said he attended two neighborhood watch meetings (there are now 39 watch groups citywide). He spoke of meeting a World War I veteran at the Memorial Day ceremony that took place at Downey Cemetery. The vet, Ken Drake, was the oldest surviving veteran in attendance and has been married 71 years. Guerra thanked members of the Downey Fire Department who recently traveled to Zacatecas, Mexico to help train their fire personnel. He also reminded the community that the second meeting of the Green Task Force will be held next week at the Coca-Cola Bottling Plant. The entire City Council attended Monday's Memorial Day commemoration at the Downey Cemetery as well as the Coordinating Council awards event.

********** Published: May 29, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 6