Downey's identity

Dear Editor:I am so sorry our City Council feels they have to pay an outsider $90,000 to tell us the essence of our wonderful city. That answer is very simple: Downey simply has its own. Its own fresh water with no added chemicals, its own school district, including our famous adult school, police department, fire department, symphony, theater, civic light opera with reasonably-priced and professional performances, Rose Parade float, Stonewood Center and Downey Landing shopping centers, historical society, art museum, senior center, two golf courses, Columbia Memorial Space Center, Wilderness Park, a skate park, tennis park, sports park and, soon, dog park, concerts in the park, a city swim team the Downey Dolphins and an Olympic-sized pool for summer swimming. We also have a Christmas parade, Kids Day, Street Fair, farmers market, Downey Studios, Rio Hondo Event Center, original McDonald's, original Harvey's and now Bob's Big Boy (which is how I found Downey - yes, I dated those car guys). And, of course, we have our own fantastic newspaper. That is still a newspaper size. Whew! And I know I've missed a lot, including our well-run, honest City Hall. Thank you, Mayor Anne Bayer, the City Council and City Manager Gerald Caton. We also have our own regional hospital and historical, haunted cemetery. And the famous Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center. So you see, some of us never have to leave Downey. Ask Marsha Moode. We really have it all and it's all top quality. I love our theme, "Future Unlimited," and I don't see a need to change it. Who knows what we will see in the next 50 years. But if it has to be changed, try to remember we have our own and you never have to leave town. I sure could have used the $90,000. -- Gracie Eshilian, Downey

********** Published: September 2, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 20