Hello Downey,

This week marked a significant milestone for our community as we reopened our City Council Chambers to full capacity after 15 months of closure. Before our reopening, I wanted to take a moment to remember the lives lost in our city, a total of 301. 

The tragic loss of these lives and the impact on their families, friends, and loved ones will be felt for years to come. We held a brief ceremony outside of City Hall before our city council meeting to remember each life taken. As we celebrate the reopening of our state and our community and the return to all the activities we missed, let us pause and continue to pray for those that suffered a loss to Covid-19.

I am encouraged by the latest figures released by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (update from 6/18). The vaccination rate for Downey residents 16 years of age and older is now 66.2%. For adults 65 years of age and older, it is 87.8%. Thus, Downey is surpassing L.A. County vaccination rates in both categories.

This is significant, and we must continue to be diligent and consider vaccination. Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a concerning rise in infections due to the Delta variant (this variant was first discovered in India). L.A. County is already seeing cases related to this new variant. There is a concern throughout the healthcare community and experts that the rise in variants and the resurgence of the spread of Covid-19 will continue as long as people remain unvaccinated. I hope you will consider vaccination.

Our goal in Downey is to surpass 75% before the end of summer and the return to fall and flu season. The return to normalcy will only happen by increasing our vaccination rate, thus allowing us to reach herd immunity. Please call the Department of Public Health Vaccine Center at 833-540-0473. The call center is open daily from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm. Information is available in multiple languages by calling 2-1-1, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. For more information, please visit VaccinateLACounty.com

Downey’s 65th Anniversary

On another note, this year, the City of Downey is celebrating 65 years since it became an incorporated city in 1956. To mark this anniversary, I invited former Mayors for a special commemorative photograph. 

Over the past 65 years, strong, ethical leadership provided a clear vision for Downey. Strong cities don’t just happen. It was the commitment of these outstanding leaders to reinvent Downey from an aerospace community to a biomedical hub with a thriving business sector that led to what Downey is today, an aspirational city.

Downey continues to be a leader in Southeast L.A. County, a financially solvent, stable, safe community whose residents are active and engaged. The key to Downey’s success past and present is and will continue to be its leadership and the vision we provide for our community. Our city has the highest number of churches per square mile, close to 32 non-profit clubs and organizations, and 267 neighborhood watch groups. The residents of this city are committed to a strong Downey.

I will continue to share historical nuggets about Downey in future columns. For now, I want to share with you this iconic photograph that includes Mayors going back 36 years. Unfortunately, at the time of this photograph, former Mayors Rick Rodriguez and the late Meredith Perkins were unable to join us due to health issues. We thank them and appreciate their leadership, as we also remember the late former Mayor David Gafin.

Concerts in the Park are back this summer at Furman

The City’s Parks and Recreation office unveiled the lineup for the Twilight Summer Concert Series. The first concert will take place on Wednesday, July 7th, at 7:00 pm with a patriotic tribute by the First Marine Division Band. I look forward to seeing you there.

Fourth of July celebrations and illegal fireworks

As we approach the 4th of July, I want to remind our residents there will be strict enforcement and crackdown of illegal fireworks. There are steep fines for possession of these. Please contact our Downey Police Dispatch at 562-861-0770 to report illegal firework activity. I would also urge our residents to bring their pets indoors if possible or provide them with calming tablets. These are available at the local pet store or online. Our Downey Fire Department will be fully staffed leading up to and during the holiday to respond to any potential threats. Please help us celebrate responsibly, keep yourself and your family members and neighbors safe. Every year, second-and third-degree burns and hospitalizations associated with mishandling fireworks increase. 

Regarding Public Events in Downey

As we welcome summer events and activities, please remember there is a process in Downey to host or hold a public event in any of our parks, especially if vendors are involved, even if this gathering is of religious nature. City permits MUST be acquired, and the event must go through an approval process. To prevent any future event from being canceled and the organizers fined, please visit City Hall to ask about the event permit process.

Ongoing

Downey’s anti-litter campaign #BINIT:

Let’s continue to do our part by putting all trash in its place. To report illegally dumped items to the City of Downey, please call 562-904-1161. If you would like bulky items removed, please call CalMet at 562-259-1239 (option 3) and save these numbers on your phone. Better yet, I’d like to encourage all our Downey residents to download the Downey App on your mobile device. Through this App, you will be able to immediately report illegally dumped items, street repairs, trash, graffiti removal, neighborhood light repairs, etc. 

Still Available, Rental Assistance: 

There have been nearly 1,500 applications distributed for the city’s rental assistance program. This program has a budget of $950,000. Close to 1,400 door hangers have been distributed door-to-door to rental properties in the city to ensure the information gets to our renters. New applicants that qualify and go through the process will automatically receive three month’s rental assistance. Those that received one month of assistance previously, please contact our Community Development at 562.299.6706 or visit our website at www.downeyca.org/rentalassistance 

Speed Enforcement:

Our Downey Police Department Street Racing detail will continue to patrol segments throughout our city prone to speed and street racing. If there is street racing in your neighborhood, please report it to Downey PD. If you must report a non-emergency issue, please contact the Downey Police Dispatch at 562-861-0770

Thank you, Downey, for allowing me to serve you as Mayor this year. It is a privilege and an honor. Please stay safe, healthy, and be well. Do not hesitate to contact my office with any questions or concerns at 562-904-7274 or email me at CFrometa@Downeyca.org I also welcome appointments for in-person visits. You can also follow my Facebook page for regular updates at Claudia M. Frometa Mayor, City of Downey, along with our City’s Facebook page, City of Downey Government Agency, for regular updates.

#DowneyStrong, #EngagedCommunitiesAreStrongCommunities, #ThisIsDowney, #UnitingForce, #MayorFrometa