Guerra gets 4 more years

DOWNEY - After a dynamic first term as Downey's most candid and colorful council member, Councilman Mario Guerra, who ran with no opposition this election cycle, easily won reelection and reclaimed his District 2 (southwest) seat.Guerra, who pulled in nearly 4,000 votes on Tuesday, exuded an appreciative tone on Wednesday morning, thanking the community for its support over the last four years. "I am proud and honored that the residents of Downey have re-elected me to serve our fine city," Guerra said in a released statement. "This is a validation of the effort and hard work of the past four years and the direction our city is heading." Guerra, who presides over the Woodland Hills-based brokerage firm, Scanlon, Guerra and Burke, promised to continue working hard for the city in both word and deed. "I promise…to represent Downey with the principals of Character Counts as a guiding light for all my decisions and actions," said Guerra, who also serves as a deacon at St. Raymond's Catholic Church. "We are a special place and I will always remember that this is my home and a place we choose to raise our family." In his statement, Guerra also waded into the District 4 race, asserting that the campaign was tight between Alex Saab and Lee Ann Sears, leaving room for Fernando Vasquez to make gains. "In a very close race it seems that Alex Saab and Lee Ann Sears split the conservative vote. Fernando Vasquez won the election by 283 votes," Guerra wrote. "But our youth may be the biggest winners in the end. Mr. Vasquez joined Councilman Luis Marquez during the election in promising to donate their entire council stipends to youth charitable groups in Downey." "I look forward to meeting the kids who benefit from such generosity of fulfilled campaign promises by Mr. Marquez and Mr. Vasquez," he said. "I look forward to working with our City Council and fine city staff for the future of our great city." Guerra is currently active with several Downey organizations including Gangs Out Of Downey, Downey Rotary, Downey YMCA, TLC, DUSD Character Counts, the Aerospace Legacy Foundation, Downey Chamber of Commerce and the Downey Historical Society.

********** Published: November 4, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 29