Letter to the Editor: Issues with Downey planning commissioner

Dear Editor:

I would like to congratulate Downey City Planning Commissioner Steven Dominguez for his spectacularly condescending and bias performance at the recent December and January planning commission meetings.

I’m willing to concede that many of the contended issues brought forth in planning commission meetings within the last few months are complicated—some with no clear-cut solutions. However, Commissioner Dominguez’ questions to business owners offered no sympathy to those struggling to understand the city commission decisions. 

Commissioner Dominguez solely utilizes his opportunity to bully and ask condescending questions at business owners standing tall before the commission, taking advantage of those who may not have had the same opportunities to complete his level of education. His tone has been absurdly confrontational, offensive, and wholly unbecoming of a public official.

From unrealistic hypothetical questions to blatant and deliberately slung accusations of intentionally putting the community in harm’s way, honest people trying to earn a living who may not be as politically connected as those owners most recently paying liquor licensing fees to the city are forced to bear the burden of his egregious misuse of power.  Most of all, the voices of Downey residents appear to significantly fall on his deaf ears.

I question the self-righteousness Dominguez brings to the commission.  I question his desire to promote small businesses in the city. I question the ethics of appointed officials who enter the council chambers always having already made a decision prior to the actual hearing.

I believe that informed decision-making and free, fair, and frequent elections are the cornerstones of a proper liberal democracy. This misuse of power must be corrected before others pass themselves off as judge, jury, and executioner, without listening to the voting public. Accountability is required.

Manuel J. Rodriguez
Downey