Right choice for sister city?

Dear Editor:I read in our very useful newspaper The Downey Patriot that we have a new sister city, Fresnillo, Zacatecas, Mexico, which is about 2,500 miles away. I could not quench these thoughts. Why aren't Downey's neighboring cities sister cities? We contribute to each other's safety and mutual prosperity. An important example is the change of Clark Avenue to Columbia Way that was decided unilaterally by Downey. I imagine if our city officials met with their colleagues in Bellflower, Lakewood and Long Beach, they might have passed a motion for them to also change the name. This would have made it easier and faster to get the maps, navigations, 911 and other important systems to implement the name change to Columbia Way. This also would have decreased the inconvenience imposed on the businesses and residences located on Clark Avenue. I would like to visit the historical city of Fresnillo, Zacatecas but what do we in Downey have in common with them that would positively and mutually benefit each other? I hope we did not influence the coming election in Zacatecas state, which is neither in their democratic interest nor in our interest. - Dr. Shahira A-Malek, Downey

********** Published: December 4, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 32