Letter to the Editor: Councilman responds to former planning commissioner's comments

Dear Editor: 

Recent comments by former Planning Commissioner Jim Rodriguez against my character and against the staff of the City of Downey are very disappointing.  As I explained to Jim Rodriguez, no elected official or Planning Commissioner owns the seat in which he or she was entrusted to sit. 

When elected, I vowed to always do what is best for the citizens of Downey and will continue to do so at any costs, even if it means being attacked unfairly. I personally told him on numerous occasions, in no unequivocal terms, that my exact reason for asking him to step down after 6 years was simply to allow another good citizen of Downey to have the opportunity to serve our fine city. This is not uncommon and is, in fact, healthy to avoid nepotism and complacency. 

Unfortunately, in response, Jim Rodriguez has chosen to attack my credibility and character by disparaging me and allowing others around him to do so. I will not stoop to the level of attacking an individual in response because the citizens of Downey deserve better and it does not set a good example for my three young children and those in our community. Rather, I will follow the advice recently said which is “when they go low, we go high.” 

I would like to thank Mr. Jim Rodriguez for serving on the Planning Commission. I would also like to thank all the other Commissioners, as well as our City Hall staff, who work hard for our residents. The evidence speaks for itself; Downey has seen unprecedented growth with a balanced budget five years in a row, a healthy reserve with a new policy to ensure future safeguards, a robust local economy, an increase from a strong “A” rating to an excellent “AA” bond rating and we have received the prestigious GFOA Budget Award for four consecutive years for our transparency and efficiency in local government. 

Are we perfect? We are not. However, pouting and demeaning others, when clearly we are all collectively making efforts to improve our City, is counterproductive and contrary to our commitment to being a “Character Counts” community.

If, as Jim Rodriguez says, I am too “nice” and respectful of others, then I am guilty as charged.  I will continue to treat others with respect and work diligently for our residents as we move our City forward.  
 
Alex Saab
Downey City Council Member