The highlight of the Jan. 12 morning meeting was a talk by City Manager Gerald Caton who discussed the emergence of Downey as a Charter City and what it means in terms of city government.
He also noted the popularity of the city manager form of city government and some of the reasons for it.
And he noted that Downey existed for years as an unincorporated area until a tax situation made it meaningful to finally incorporate into a city.
Downey Unified Schools Superintendent Edward Sussman was in attendance.
A panel of students from Downey and Warren High Schools asked questions. Further questions were accepted from the audience.
Department heads scheduled to speak at the Feb. 2 forum include City Clerk Kathleen Midstokke; City Attorney Charles Vose; Public Works Director Desi Alvarez; and Mayor Meredith Perkins; Councilmen Richard Trejo, Bob Winningham, Keith McCarthy and Kirk Cartozian.
The meetings are co-sponsored by the Downey League of Women Voters and the City, as part of the celebration of the city's 45th birthday, and also feature free refreshments. For information, call 904-7286.
The patriotic display was at Tuesday's regular school board meeting.
Boardmember Margo Hoffer told the audience, "If the terrorists could only see this here tonight...they don't know what they've taken on!"
Boardmember Betty Ferraro told the children, "I want to thank all of you for coming here tonight."
During Board comments, Barbara Samperi said she enjoyed a recent event at Rancho Los Amigos. She also enjoyed a recent student play at West Middle School.
Mark Morris said he enjoyed the forum on City Government at the Community Center. Willie Gutierrez and Betty Ferraro said they too enjoyed the forum and were proud of the students who attended.
And Superintendent Edward Sussman said he was proud of the quality of conduct and level of questions from the students at the forum.
In other action the Board:
* Authorized payment of expenses and registration fees for convention and conferences.
* Ratified a general agreement with Gallagher Pediatric Therapy for the 2001-02 fiscal year retroactive to July 1, 2001 and ending on June 30, 2002.
* Ratified payments for services for special education placement for the period of Dec. 4, 2001 through Jan. 31, 2002.
* Approved revisions to BP and AR 1105, uniform complaint procedures.
* Approved revisions to AR 2460, expulsion procedure.
* Approved revisions to AR 5260, management positions.
* Approved management conservation policy.
* Approved purchasing orders made by the Purchasing Department.
* Ratified the issuance of payroll orders for hourly, overtime, Civic Center work performed by classified personnel, restricted categorical programs, Adult School, and Food Services through December 2001.
* Ratified B warrants issued for authorized purchases for the period from Dec. 1, 2001, and ending Dec. 31, 2001.
* Approved the addendum to the contract between the DUSD and Coast Plaza Doctors Hospital to meet accreditation requirements of the hospital.
* Authorized the advertising for bids for upgrade of the fueling system at Transportation Services in the estimated amount of $60,000 to be charged to the Transportation Fund.
* Accepted as complete various projects for paving and repairs with Terra Paving of Whittier in the amount of $53,996 to be charged to the General and/or Bond Funds.
* Accepted as complete roof repairs, replacement, and asbestos abatement of roofing materials at Rio Hondo Elementary School by FC & Sons Roofing of Bell Gardens in the sum of $44,286 to be charged to the Bond Fund.
* Accepted as complete fencing work by McCullah Fencing of Bell Gardens in the sum of $6,972, to be charged to the Bond and/or General Funds.
* Rescinded the award of a bid for the purchase of milk and dairy products for the Food Services Department from Rockview Dairy due to debarment, and cancel the existing contract effective Dec. 31, 2001. Awarded the remainder of the contract to Driftwood Dairy of El Monte through Aug. 1, 2002, in the estimated amount of $259,000.
* Accepted the use of the Chula Vista Elementary School District bid with Ecocrete of Chula Vista by the DUSD on as needed basis to fill orders for modular classroom buildings, with the same terms and conditions.
* Approved the extension of the 2001-02 General Fund Budget to reflect the increase in income for restricted and unrestricted programs.
* Approved the 2001-02 transfer of funds for Tobacco-Use Prevention Education, Governor's Performance Awards, school site block grant, instructional and administrative programs.
* Approved the transfer of 2001-02 Lottery funds in the amount of $106,500 from the General Fund to the Adult Education Fund.
* Approved the transfer of $3,887,758 from the Unrestricted General Fund to the Restricted General Fund (Special Education) for the 2001-02 special education ADA Contribution.
* Approved the transfer of $1,390,809 from specified funds to the Worker's Compensation Self-Insurance Fund.
* Approved listed purchases of equipment in accordance with established purchasing policies.
* Ratified routine personnel matters until subsequent board action.
* Authorized the service of a teacher, as submitted, assigned to an area not listed on her teaching credential for the 2001-02 school year pursuant to Title 5.
* Ratified the establishment of one new position similar to Senior Instructional Assistant, Limited Term, 5 1/2 hours a day at range 105, effective Dec. 12, 2001 through March 26, 2002.
* Ratified the establishment of one new position similar to Senior Instructional Assistant, 6 hours a day at range 105, effective Jan. 7, 2002, through Jan. 18, 2002.
* Ratified the establishment of one new position similar to Senior Instructional Assistant, 3 1/2 hours a day at range 105, effective Jan. 7, 2002.
* Approved the establishment of four new positions corresponding to Food Service Assistant, 2 1/2 hours a day, 10 months per year at range 65, effective Jan. 15, 2002.
* Approved changes in the duties of Senior Instructional Assistant- Behaviorally Challenged as shown in a listed statement, effective Jan. 15, 2002.
* Reviewed internal board operations, compensation.
* Adopted a resolution on a Health Care self-insurance trust account increase.
* Adopted a joint-resolution pertaining to mid-year budget reductions and needed action by the governor and legislature.
* Adopted the proposed 2002-03 Course of Study for the middle schools, high schools, and the Adult School.
* Reviewed the proposal for 2002 Summer School.
* Reviewed proposed revisions on Intra-District Open Enrollment, and Inter-District Permits.
* Reviewed proposed revisions on suspension and expulsion.
The next public meeting of the DUSD Board of Education will be at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 19, at the Administration Center, 11627 Brookshire Ave.
Despite his intense concert schedule, he still finds time to play serious tennis and raise dachshunds.
Walz is the principal cellist with the Los Angeles Music Center Opera, and is a member of the faculty at Idyllwild Arts Academy. He will join the Downey Symphony in a performance of the Schumann Cello Concerto, one of the outstanding romantic string works of the world catalogue.
Thomas Osborn, director and conductor with the Symphony, will appear in a free talk at 7:15 p.m., before the concert, with a discussion of the musical background and significance of each work.
Concert-goers who wish to dine next door at Gregory's Restaurant in the Embassy Suites, may show their theater tickets to receive a 15 percent discount on all entrees at the restaurant.
Symphony tickets are available at the Theater box office Wednesday, Jan. 23, from noon to 4 p.m., or on the concert night, Jan. 26, before the concert. For information, call 403-2944.
It plays again tomorrow (Saturday, Jan. 19) evening at 8 p.m. and the final, matinee performance is Sunday, Jan. 20 at 2 p.m.
The comedy farce, written by William Van Zandt and Jane Milmore, has a cast that includes Bob Belcher, Dave Gafin, Bob Goldstein, Kent Halbmaier, Pat Heineke, Laura Lueke, Mike Manicone, Hal Nelson, Dorothy Pemberton, Cheryl Sauter, and Marion Scichilone.
The play benefits the children of Downey in the form of scholarships, athletic sponsorships and leadership and community training.
The Chamber itself is celebrating 99 years of continuous service to the Downey business community.
Among longtime businesses honored will be Bank of America (60 years), Miller-Mies Mortuary (55 years), and two 45-year firms, Downey Savings and Downey Welding and Manufacturing.
The Chamber event is being sponsored by Kaiser Permanente.
Celebrating 40 years of membership are Downey Escrow, Net Electronics, Calsan Inc. and Olson & DeTilla Associates. Also for 35 years, Mitchell Personnel Services.
Other members of longtime duration to receive anniversary plaques at the luncheon include Citibank, Greenwood Auto Center, Lynn's Auto Air, Rivers Group, and Wendt Realty at 25 years; and Downey Rent-a-Tux, 30 years.
Twenty-year members to be honored include Dixon and Associates Insurance, Empire Motel, Mary Stauffer, M.D., and Marian Perumean.
Cost of the luncheon is $20 per person. For reservations, call the Chamber at 923-2191.
Since the Assistance League of Downey took possession of the building Feb. 1, 1980 there had only been only a few repairs to the property with no major construction work since it had been built. In 1999, this all changed when the City voiced a desire to refurbish Downey Avenue. The Assistance League heard about this and became interested since the property's last major construction had been done in the 1960s. The Assistance League thought it was time for a much needed upgrade on the property. "We thought this was an opportunity to upgrade our retail center. We also wanted to make Operation School Bell more visible and help with the facade improvement of Downey Avenue to make us a vital community," said Betty Ferraro, Assistance League of Downey, Second Tyme Around Shoppe, Facade Improvement Chairman.
The shop has a new look to it and has many improvements such as: filled- in depressions (channels) on the upper front facade, sandblasted and color coated front and rear facades, foam molding on side columns with stucco cover-over and accent color, permanently affixed foam cornices atop columns, two false "upstairs" window casings/treatments for decor only, large front south glass window replacement with clear glass, installation of front and rear awnings, window decals and a new shed.
"I wish the rest of the landlords would get with the facade improvement program," Ferraro added.
She is very appreciative of the many people who helped make the facade improvement a reality, including Downtown Downey Facade Improvement Coordinator Christina Vogel. "She was so understanding and kept us on track," Ferraro said. Many thanks go to Jason Mikaelian, assistant planner and City Planner Ron Yoshiki for all their assistance and support. Recognition must also go to Assistance League presidents Audrey Perkins (1999-2000), Beverly Mathis (2000-2001) and Johnnie d'Alessandro (2001-2002). Willie McFarland, Assistance League public relations person must also be thanked for donating the original design. Betty Ferraro provided, at no charge, blueprints, photos, copies and transparencies. Extra thanks go to the Downey Avenue Facade Improvement Committee which met several times to work on the project: Audrey Perkins, Beverly Mathis, Judy Berg, Florence Towers, Willie McFarland, Dr. Mary Stauffer, Christine Wichert, Adele Alexander, Mary Lynn Carter, Judy Faust, Mary Lou Schmidt, Ida Stallcup, Birdella Stock, Joan Frey, Sandy McClurg and Lavonne Holmes.
A rededication and ribbon cutting ceremony will be held by the Assistance League on Thursday, Feb. 7, at noon. Refreshments will be served by the League.
The Second Tyme Around Shoppe offers excellent condition recycled treasures such as books, clothing, furniture, jewelry, appliances and collectibles.
This tradition continues. At its next meeting Jan. 22 (it meets every 4th Tuesday of the month) the League has invited water colorist Penny Dermant. The league meets in Building 1 at Furman Park.
As is often the case with any group, the League's fortunes are incontrovertibly bound up with the leadership qualities of the one at the helm, along with the energies and enthusiasm of the membership. Ramon Ramirez, who is into the second year of his two-year term as president of the League, is as accomplished as they come. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, he began drawing at an early age and has experimented with various styles and techniques, receiving numerous awards for his work over the years. He admits to a special kinship with Diego Rivera and Cezanne.
Ramirez is also particularly proud of the fact that he was main illustrator for the book, "Encuentros," which has been adopted and recently been published by the California Department of Education. He has done work for advertising agencies and worked at Disneyland at one time.
Working from his house in Downey, where he has lived off and on since 1976 but continuously for four years now, he is very busy with portrait commissions and collaborating with business partner Jenaro Santillan in designing and marketing a line of products for the Latino market. He is partial to portraits, and, trained in various styles and techniques, has produced even an abstract piece that has been displayed at the Central Library in downtown Los Angeles.
"I want to buffer the situation," Ramirez says, "and not to support the mentality of the past of warily eyeing the other. Our group is interested in producing art. We're not discouraging the work of beginning students, hobbyists or children; but we do want to nurture up-and-coming artists as well as lifetime artists whose work is accredited, and the number of artists who are validated by their own activities through the Downey Art League, whose works are well-known in their communities as well as in the other art leagues."
Ramirez says the League is currently involved in negotiating with the Community Services Department, for example, in setting up a formal exhibition of its members' works in April, most probably in the Community/Senior Center. If one were to go to the magazine section of the Downey City Library, one would find seven League paintings on display.
Ramirez says a lot of young people in Downey have a lot of talent, and in visits to the Rio San Gabriel Parent Teachers Association and the school, he has made his views known to the principals and other parents about the contribution art can make to the whole culture.
Ramirez is his own best advocate for the revitalization of the League. In his Christmas message to the members, he had this to say: "For many of us, art constitutes the means by which we express emotions, capture beauty, or as simply a form of releasing stress." To which not many would disagree.
He goes on: "Experts in social behavior agree that art can detour much of the socially negative behavior in our youth. Children in particular are known to respond better in their academic work, when encouraged to express themselves through art."
He rues the fact that "common to many of us is the knowledge that we may not be doing enough to safeguard and encourage natural creativity." In this connection, he remembers how he was introduced to working with his hands in a carpentry shop when he was growing up, and to this day values the experience. The intrinsic and psychological value of working with one's hands can never be emphasized enough, he says.
He concludes thus: "We are in need of a sanctuary, if you will, where the average person young or old can feel safe from museum quality demands and the scary fine art 'critic.'"
One wishes him well.