Mayor's Corner: our future is looking great

Greetings Downey Family,I hope this finds you well and that you all had a wonderful summer. As always, I enjoy having the opportunity to reach out to you through my Mayor's corner and brief you on some of the exciting things happening in our City. Jobs are so important. And we know where they come from. Our City Council just passed a new ordinance creating a Downey Red Team (DRT). It is aimed at meeting with the City's largest employers and revenue generating businesses to ensure that their needs are being met by the City. DRT members include myself as the Mayor, Community Development Director, the City's business advocate, and a member from the Chamber of Commerce. It is an Economic Development ordinance to continue to enhance the 8,000 new jobs our City has created over the past 4 years. Our first meeting already created an avenue to help one of our large local businesses. We will also be meeting with local small business and employers in our community. We will continue to be pro active when it comes to jobs, attracting and keeping businesses in Downey. Using the latest technology, the Downey Police Department has launched a new community notification service designed to deliver important and timely information. Nixle is a secure service that allows the Police Department to disseminate public safety and community event notifications via web, e-mail, text message, and mobile application. The public can sign-up by simply sending a text message with "DOWNEYPD" to 888777 and you will be instantly registered to receive text messages from the Downey Police Department. I've signed up for it, it's easy and a great tool. The City also has an updated "My Downey App" that allows residents to report items such as graffiti and pot holes. Very convenient and easy to use. The app can be downloaded from any smart phone app store for free. It is a valuable resource and I encourage you all to use it! I use it everyday to make sure we continue to tackle the issue of graffiti in our City. And it is easy to report potholes. The Downey Civic Theatre recently announced its 2013-14 season. Log-on to www.downeytheatre.com for more info. Don't forget Taste of Downey Arts & Wine Festival is scheduled for Thursday, September 19th. This year we are moving the event to Downey Ave, between 2nd and 3rd Streets. This will be great for our downtown area and we once again expect a great turnout. Restaurants confirmed include Portos, Green Olive, Narai Thai, and Pacific Fish Grill and many others. Great event with great food, lively entertainment, local artists and beer and wine area. And thanks to our lively and active arts community for putting on some special items that evening. Come out and join us! We are pleased to now offer residents online registration for Parks & Recreation classes and activities, as well as the Columbia Memorial Space Center. Online registration is now available for Fall, so sign-up now at the City's website www.downeyca.org and click on classes and activities. You can view the Fall City News and Parks and Recreation Guide on the City's website as well. Next Thursday, September 12th, I will be installed as the new President for the Independent Cities Association (ICA) during a special installation dinner at the Columbia Memorial Space Center. ICA is an organization made up of full service cities (cities that provide their own police and/or fire services), all coming together to represent the best interests of our citizens. We represent 53 cities and 7 million people. I am proud and honored to help lead such a fine organization and look forward to seeing all of our local representatives from surrounding cities at the event, including a special guest, Honorable Mayor Tom Crosby from Roscommon, Ireland, birthplace of Gov. John Gately Downey and our newest Sister City. Mayor Crosby will be visiting our great City next week and it is a privilege to be able to show him what Downey is all about. Thanks again to all our Healthy Downey Partners for continuing to make our City healthier. We continue to educate and enhance the wellness of our City for our families and our youth. Last Saturday, Kaiser and Albertsons teamed up with our YMCA to offer "Shop With A Nutritionist." Learning about food is a big part of our journey to a long and healthier life. As of our last Council meeting weigh in, I have now lost 75 pounds since being sworn in as your Mayor. I feel great and I know my family is healthier. Come join me on Walking Wednesdays with the Mayor. Downey Family and Friends, our City is doing very well. Thanks to our awesome community and your help. Financially we are sound and our future looks great. Many great things coming. I hope this finds you well and feel free to contact me at anytime. My personal cell number is 562-706-4114 my email address is MGuerra@DowneyCa.org. All my best, God bless. Mario A. Guerra, Mayor of Downey

********** Published: Sept. 5, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 21