Happy New Year from Mayor Rick Rodriguez
Rick Rodriguez speaks at Columbus High School graduation ceremonies. Photo courtesy City of Downey
Happy New Year, Downey!
I hope all of you had a wonderful time with your family during the holidays. 2019 promises to be great one for our city. There are many projects planned to better our city and quality of life.
One of my initiatives is to bring back the Downey Business Watch program. During my tenure as President of the Downey Chamber of Commerce, this program was in place and was very active in the community. Now as Mayor, I want our business community to once again work together with our Police Department and the Downey Chamber to help prevent and reduce crimes.
Through this collaboration, quarterly business watch seminars will be held in the City Council Chambers. Seminars are scheduled for January 10th, April 11th, July 11th and October 10th from 9-10 am.
I invite you to complete the Crime Prevention Survey available on the city’s website where you may share your input on which future topics you would like to see discussed at meetings. Please join us for our first meeting on January 10th to learn how to keep your business safe and how we can work together to prevent crimes.
One of my passions as a resident of Downey and as a father is to help people. Volunteering not only helps those in need but helps one feel a personal sense of accomplishment. It demonstrates one’s commitment to the community and a willingness to work for the betterment of others.
Luckily in our city we have numerous local organizations that help people every day with things like free meals, clothes and even free furniture. But we need your help. Many organizations are still in need of volunteers and supplies.
The second week of April is Volunteer Week. The City will be hosting a Volunteer Fair where local volunteer organizations will gather with information about how you can help. There will be food trucks as well as free children activities. More information will be available on our website and social media sites as we get closer to the final date.
Our city is filled with unsung heroes. People that do great deeds and never ask or receive recognition. This year I would like to change that. They are large reason of what makes our city great. They are Downey’s Finest.
I would like to hear your story of how someone helped you. You experience may have been with city staff, police officers, firemen, or just someone you may know who lives or works in Downey.
Unsung heroes are extraordinary everyday people who do the right thing and are committed to excellence in their work, all while being humble of their everyday contributions. It’s time we give our Downey’s Finest the recognition they deserve.
Please email me at rrodriguez@doweyca.org with your story so that we make recognize the individual at a city council meeting with a city certificate and city coin. I am very much looking forward to reading these stories and meeting our Downey’s Finest.
I invite you to attend our upcoming Clergy Council meeting on Monday, January 7. The Clergy Council is a collaboration of residents, clergy, law enforcement and service providers working together to better our community. Meetings take place inside the Cormack Room at the Downey City Library. This is a wonderful group of people who together are shaping our community. I hope to see you there.
This year is going to be amazing! Thank you for allowing me to serve you and our city.
Rick Rodriguez
Mayor
562-904-7274
rrodriguez@downeyca.org
facebook.com/MayorRickRodriguez
instagram.com/mayorrickrodriguez
twitter.com/MayorRRodriguez
#AlwaysForward