Mayor Pro Tem Alvarez served recall papers for second time

Mayor Pro Tem Catherine Alvarez may face a second recall attempt in less than a year. Photo by Alex Dominguez

DOWNEY - Mayor Pro Tem Catherine Alvarez was once again served papers of intent to recall on Tuesday.

This is the second time in less than a year that residents have taken legal moves to oust the council member.

A first attempt made it to the signature-verification stage, however came up just 35 votes short of the over 3,454 needed to take the recall effort to ballot.

Proponents have maintained that their reasoning for seeking the recall stems from Alvarez’s failure to disclose her criminal past during the 2020 election. 

In a statement sent to the Downey Patriot, representatives of the recall also voiced their displeasure in Alvarez’s recent appointment to Mayor Pro Tem, pinning much of the blame on Mayor Blanca Pacheco.

“Our residents deserve better. That is one reason we have served Catherine Alvarez with recall papers again. We were barely short last time from having a successful recall vote (35 signatures out of over 4000 submitted). Based on the outpouring of dissent from our residents we will move forward to recall her. Based on her criminal record and deception to the voters in Downey our community overwhelmingly supported her recall.

“We were also shocked, disturbed and disappointed when 3 members of our city council voted to appoint her as Mayor Pro Tem a few weeks ago. The city council obviously did not heed the wishes and interests of our residents when they voted to have the first convicted criminal (welfare fraud, shoplifting and two warrants for her arrest) serve in the largely ceremonial position of Mayor Pro Tem.

“We were especially surprised when Mayor Pacheco cast the deciding vote. It was shocking that she did so even after knowing how many Downey residents had signed the recall petition, just in one district, let alone the entire city. The proof is there that we do not want her and lack of ethics representing us and yet the mayor ignored the pleas of our city. Every day that she is in office is another stain on our community.”

Alvarez had previously faced charges of welfare fraud and shoplifting from the Michael’s Craft Store at the Downey Landing.