The 30-minute or so-long snatch of Downey history was originally a four-reeler taken and preserved by Arvin McCauley, a former Downey Historical Society board member who, according to longtime president John Vincent, died just two years ago. The four reels of film have since been transferred to video cassette.
It was in such a Rose Float scene that Vincent was moved to observe: "That crown Miss Downey is wearing is a 15-karat crown, with the big sapphire stone dangling. The girls were cute, too."
A later shot of Miss Guadalajara boarding an old four-engine DC-6 taking off for Mexico after the holidays reminded him of how he was witness circa 1967 of the first 747 coming in for a landing at LAX.
The next frame showed a women's choral group singing, in all their finery, during the fourth anniversary of the city in 1961, and noting the big tall cake gracing the occasion (the camera was partial to cakes), Vincent said: "You can take a sword to that cake."
In the celebration in the courtyard of the old City Hall, Vincent identified former Fire Chief R. Gain and former City Manager Oren King. Clearly visible were the words emblazoned across the cake's bottom, "Compliments of the Downey Chamber of Commerce."
For the general meeting Thursday, Feb. 28, Vincent says he plans to ask Dr. Sims and Elton Wallar to share in the narration duties of the scenes that will unfold before the members and guests. Hopefully, he says, some in the audience will be able to identify most if not all the people shown in the film.
Vincent's narration technique is reminiscent of old silent movies. But, whatever its benefits or limitations, really there's no better man to do it than Vincent who, blessed with total recall, has been at the Society's helm since 1986. And he's not through yet. At age 80, Vincent together with director Barbara Callarman, still delights in sorting through old journals, photographs, school programs, report cards, mortgage documents, anything they can lay their hands on really, about anything and everything, about Downey-which they view as valuable contributions to the Downey History Center. Their immediate utility may not be appreciated generally today, but generations hence are sure to rejoice at the "finds" they'd make then. This scenario has happened innumerable times before.
Next project of the Society is a trip to the Drum Barracks (with a stop at the Banning House if time permits) in Wilmington, where they will take in the Civil War Museum and the former U.S. Army headquarters for Southern California and the Arizona Territory from 1861-1871.
On Thursday, May 23, the meeting will listen to J. Arthur Morris, a local professional photographer, with offices on Firestone and Downey Avenue, who will make a presentation of Downey's early years to the present.
And so the work of the Downey Historical Society goes on, serving the research needs of scholars and others from near and far. The boon it will provide to future generations is a given. The institution deserves far more attention than it gets, for it, and John Vincent-WWII veteran and equal parts poet and raconteur-are themselves treasures.
The action was at Tuesday's regular Board meeting.
The maximum fee authorized was hiked by the State Allocation Board on Jan. 23 to $2.14 per square foot on new residential construction and 34-cents per square foot on new commercial and industrial construction.
The DUSD is a current participant in the School Facilities Program, and is thus required by the Education Code to collect the maximum legal fee limit. Failure to take such action would result in a reduction of funding through the program, said School Superintendent Edward Sussman.
* The DUSD has been experiencing enrollment growth since the early 1980s. In the most recent years, this growth still exceeds 400 students per year.
* The District has purchased numerous relocatable buildings and leased numerous trailers in recent years to house this swelling enrollment. Many secondary teachers utilize other teachers' classrooms during preparation periods, but elementary teachers must be provided a classroom. While set-up costs do vary, a typical relocatable classroom costs from $50,000 to $60,000 to be ready for classes. Trailer leases vary as well, but set-ups run from $10,000 to $12,000 per year and furniture costs at least $4,000 per building.
* The City of Downey is actively promoting new businesses to locate here. The City's acquisition of the NASA/Boeing land demonstrates this direction. As new businesses are attracted, and existing businesses grow there is an increased possibility that enrollments will grow as well.
* The Developer Fees, which have been collected over the years, fall far short of the actual costs of housing the students.
Assembly Bill (AB) 2926 of 1986 authorized school districts to collect Developer Fees on residential and commercial/industrial developments occurring within a school district's boundaries. The provisions of 2926 were amended by AB 1600 in 1987, AB 181 in 1989, and SB 50 in 1998.
Police said the incident began when they tried to stop the suspected DUI Gonzalo Martinez, 26, of Downey, who was driving in the downtown Downey area. He allegedly drove off at a high rate of speed, running stop signs and red lights and got on the southbound I-5 Freeway on the Lakewood onramp. He then entered the transition road of the southbound I-5 to the southbound 605 when he apparently lost control and ran off the transition road onto the freeway embankment. Police said he continued down the embankment and attempted to re-enter the freeway, but was prevented from doing so by a guardrail which he struck with his car.
Martinez then allegedly turned the vehicle on police who attempted to approach him on foot. The officers fired several rounds at him at this point. He continued however, getting back on the transition road and fleeing into a nearby residential neighborhood. A Downey officer, in an effort to end the chase, hit the rear of the suspect's vehicle at the corner of Newville and Farm Street, spinning it out. The suspect's car hit a parked car. A second officer placed his patrol car at the rear of the suspect car, to keep it from backing into officers.
He was treated by paramedics, then rushed to St. Francis Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators said they have obtained the video tape taken by an independent film crew, "On Scene Video," which has aired on several TV stations, as a help in the investigation. In addition, probers have the continuous running in-car video camera from one of the pursuing police units which police said provides a more complete view of the suspect's actions.
At least one witness said there was no gun seen on the suspect.
Residents said some bullets apparently fired by police penetrated the walls of a home, narrowly missing where a 13-year-old boy slept.
The suspect's battered maroon Buick Regal sat jammed against the curb for much of the morning while police continued their investigation at the scene.
Downey Police spokesman Lt. Jim McCullah said deadly force is acceptable when an officer fears for his life.
Neighbors said they heard six to eight shots.
A brief rally was held at Firestone Boulevard and Brookshire Avenue about 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, by persons demanding "Justice for Gonzo Martinez."
The patriotic songs, "When Johnny Comes Marching Home," and "Yankee Doodle," brought hearty applause from the Board. Superintendent Edward Sussman told the young singers, "You guys are tremendous!" The two songs were part of a larger program presented at the school Thursday.
The Board also accepted the presentation of a check from the Ellen and Clarence Peterson Foundation to fund eye examinations and eyeglasses for needy students.
And the Board also heard a presentation on the Fulbright Exchange Program at Downey High School, by two teachers and Principal Allen Layne.
During Board comments, William Gutierrez said he enjoyed a recent theater production at West Middle School.
Margo Hoffer added her voice to La Plante's argument. And she also thanked the private sector for its remarkable generosity in gifts to the School District since the last Board meeting.
Barbara Samperi said she attended the recent City/School Meeting, saying it was most productive.
And Superintendent Edward Sussman noted the upcoming Gangs Out Of Downey (GOOD) Luncheon at the Rio Hondo Country Club Wednesday, March 27, at 11:30 p.m. He also mentioned the Flag Celebration at Ward School at 9:30 a.m. today (Friday, Feb. 22).
In other action the School Board:
* Cast votes for candidates to the California School Boards Association Delegate Assembly (including La Plante).
* Ratified and approved expenses for conference and convention attendance.
* Ratified a General Agreement with the Behavior Education for Children with Autism for the 2001-02 fiscal year retroactive to Sept. 21, 2001 and ending June 30, 2002.
* Ratified payments for services for special education placement for the period of Oct. 1, 2001 through Nov. 30, 2001 not to exceed 41 days.
Ratified payments for services for special education placement for the period of Dec. 1, 2001 through May 15, 2002 not to exceed 98 days.
* Ratified payments for services for special education placement for the period of July 23, 2001 through June 30, 2002 not to exceed 195 days.
* Ratified payments for services for special education placement for the period of Sept. 10, 2001 through June 30, 2002 not to exceed 185 days.
* Ratified payments for services for special education placement for the period of Sept. 21, 2001 through June 30, 2002 not to exceed nine months.
* Ratified payments for services for special education placement for the period of July 1, 2001 through Sept. 5, 2002 not to exceed two months.
* Ratified payments for services for special education placement for the period of Oct. 2, 2001 through June 30, 2002 not to exceed two 169 days.
* Approved revisions to AR 2108 (Intra-District Open Enrollment) and AR 2110.1 (Inter-District Permits).
* Approved revisions to AR 2430 (Suspensions) and AR 2460 (Expulsions).
* Approved BP Compensation. Board members now make $420 a month in accordance with the Education Code.
* Approved the proposal for the 2002 Summer School.
* Ratified and approved purchase orders made by the Purchasing Department.
Ratified Payroll Orders for hourly, Overtime, Civic Center Work performed by classified personnel, Restricted Categorical Programs, Adult School, and Food Services for the month of December, 2001, covered by Payroll Orders issued through January, 2002.
* Ratified B Warrants issued for payment of authorized purchases from Jan. 1, 2002 and ending Jan. 31, 2002.
* Accepted as complete trade electrical work by Spike Electric of Whittier in the sum of $27,196 to be charged to the General Fund and/or Bond Fund.
* Accepted and awarded a bid for modernization work at Williams Elementary School to apparent low bidder Sea Pac Engineering of Reseda in the total amount of $1,570,523 to be funded through the Bond Fund.
* Approved the extension of General Fund Budget reflecting the increase in income of existing programs.
* Approved the purchase of equipment in accordance with established purchasing policy.
* Ratified routine personnel items until subsequent action is taken by the Board.
* Ratified the establishment of one new position corresponding to Senior Instructional Assistant-Behaviorally Challenged, 6 hours per day, 10 months per year, at range 115, effective Jan. 22, 2002.
* Ratified the establishment of two new positions corresponding to Senior Instructional Assistant, 5 1/2 hours per day, 10 months per year, at range 105, effective Feb. 1, 2002.
* Ratified the establishment of one new position corresponding to Intermediate Clerical Assistant (Bilingual), Limited Term, 6 hours per day, at range 115, effective Feb. 1, 2002 through April 1, 2002.
* Ratified the establishment of one new position corresponding to Intermediate Clerical Assistant Limited Term, three hours per day, at range 115, effective Feb. 4, 2002 through June 21, 2002.
* Approved the establishment of three new positions corresponding to Food Service Assistant, three hours per day, 10 months per year, at range 65, effective Feb. 19, 2002.
* Approved changes to the duties of Administrative Secretary effective Feb. 19.
* Reviewed proposed changes to AR 3129 Evaluation of Consolidated Programs.
* Authorized the issuance and sale of tax and revenue anticipation notes.
* Discussed the 2001 Base Academic Performance Index.
* Approved the Capital Facilities Plan relative to the collection and expenditure of Developer Fees.
The next public meeting of the DUSD Board of Education will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, at the Administration Office, 11627 Brookshire Ave.