Do the city council candidates support recalling Catherine Alvarez?
Mayor Pro Tem Catherine Alvarez in 2021. (City of Downey photo)
DOWNEY — With the Downey city council potentially headed towards a major shakeup over the course of the next six months, candidates were asked if they supported the recall of Mayor Pro Tem Catherine Alvarez.
Below are their responses.
District 4 candidates: Joaquin Beltran, Claudia Frometa, Juan Martinez
Joaquin Beltran characterized recalls as “tough things politically.”
“I think councilmember Alvarez will have to make the case to voters and lay out all the facts and the residents will either support the recall or support her to stay in office,” said Beltran. “For the councilmember, I think it's an opportunity to reintroduce herself to her district, share her story and the work she's done on the council, and have confidence in the electoral process that the voters will make the best choice in the end.”
Councilwoman Claudia M. Frometa said she was “embarrassed for our city,” adding that “Downey’s future stability hangs in the balance.”
“With 4,500 plus gathered signatures of registered voters in District 3, we can see residents feel strongly about electing individuals who represent their values. Councilwoman Alvarez’s history of lawsuits, lying under oath, stealing, and welfare fraud are indicative people in D-3 who signed the recall desire to have someone with character in office,” said Frometa. “We are seeing the democratic process take place, and the residents of this city holding their elected officials accountable and desiring ethical, transparent representation.”
Juan Martinez did not respond in time for publication.
District 2 candidates: Dr. Anthony Felix, Art Montoya, Hector Sosa
Art Montoya called the recall a “democratic tool that can be used by voters to remove an elected official from office if they feel that elected official’s positions or policies are not in line with the community.”
However, Montoya stayed neutral on the topic of Alvarez, for which he previously served as planning commissioner and currently represents on the Public Works Committee.
“If the recall effort gathers the necessary number of signatures and the signatures from the voters in District 3 are valid, then it is the will of the voters to initiate the process of removing Mayor Pro Tem Alvarez from office, and that is something we must respect from the voters,” he said.
Hector Sosa said that voters “have the right to know who they’re voting for; the good and the bad.”
“Ms. Alvarez should have disclosed her criminal history in 2020 when she decided to run for public office. Holding public office is a noble responsibility that needs to be taken very seriously,” said Sosa. “Nothing personal, but I wouldn't want someone with a long criminal record to represent me anywhere and I don't know anyone who would.
“Give her constituents a fair chance to vote again now knowing all the facts.”
Dr. Anthony Felix did not respond to requests for comment.
Alvarez is facing her second recall attempt in under a year, after a first attempt fell 35 signatures short. Proponents of the recall submitted their second set of signatures earlier this month and are anticipating results by mid-October. If successful, then a special election would be held, likely early next year.
Recall volunteers have said that their campaign is based on Alvarez’s failure to disclose her prior felony criminal charges of welfare fraud and lying under oath. Alvarez was also arrested for stealing from the Michaels store at the Downey Landing.