Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016 Vol. 15 No. 31 NEWS NEWS OPINION HEALTH Crime Avenue Election Making sense Report Theatre sold reaction of Candida SEE PAGE 3 SEE PAGE 2 SEE PAGE 5 SEE PAGE 7 RICK RODRIGUEZ, BLANCA PACHECO WINNERS ALEX SAAB RE-ELECTED FridayWeekend86˚ at a Glance SaturdayFriday 6883˚⁰ Sunday 86˚ Saturday 70⁰ THINGS TO DO Los Angeles Beer Fest Saturday - Los Angeles Center Studios, 12-4 pm Over 150 beers, food trucks, DJ, live music and surprises. $45 MEASURE S TAX MEASURE Vegetarian Food Festival Sunday - Raleigh Studios in Los Angeles, 10 am to 5 pm Vegan eats, presentations, live music, APPROVED fitness activities, and more. Photo by John Zander DOWNEY – After what could be described as a strange and historic election Mayor Saab thanked the citizens of Downey for allowing him to serve the for the City of Downey, Blanca Pacheco, Rick Rodriguez, and Alex Saab have all community for another four years. been elected to City Council. “I’m humbled that we can all work together for four more years. Holding This year’s election saw nine candidates vying for three council seats that public office is one of the most sacred responsibilities that we can do as an will soon be vacated in the coming weeks. elected official – to serve our residents,” said Saab. “I’m just ecstatic that the Grove Christmas residents gave me an opportunity to serve them for four more years.” All three victors took early leads in the polls Tuesday, and maintained and Sunday - The Grove, 7 pm increased on their position throughout the night. The mayor also seemed pleased with the results from the other two elections. Seth McFarlane kicks off the holiday season with performances by Lea Pacheco, who will now sit in the District 1 seat once Luis Marquez leaves “I think Blanca and Rick, their track record and their dedication to the Michele and Rachel Platten. office, took 50.35% of the vote with 2,424 ballots cast. Pacheco defeated Alma community speaks volumes,” said Saab. “I have all the confidence that we’re Marquez (wife of current Council Member Marquez) and Downey Planning gonna be able to work well together with the common goal of achieving Commissioner Hector Lujan, who took 1,248 and 1,142 votes respectively. greatness in our city, to make sure that we continue to prioritize the public safety of our residents, to be fiscally responsible, and represent our residents Rodriguez will now preside over District 3 once current Council Member ethically and honorably. I couldn’t be happier with those results.” Roger Brossmer’s term expires. Rodriguez took 2,698 and 43.78% of the votes to secure his spot on the City Council. Pacheco said she was anxious to get to work. His opponents Frine Medrano, Louis Morales, and Art Montoya took 1,789, “I’m excited with working with the other council members. I’m excited that I 975, and 700 votes respectively. can do so much more for our community,” she said. “I’m ready to start and help Mana the residents overall here in all of Downey and here in District 1.” Saturday and Sunday - The Forum Mayor Saab, the single candidate looking for reelection, took a commanding Mexican pop band Mana performs live lead that seemed insurmountable early on. Saab took 81.88% and 17,247 of at the Forum. the votes for District 5, breaking the city record for most votes cast for one MEASURE S: Downey’s hotly-anticipated Measure S ballot item passed candidate; a feat Saab had accomplished already once before. Tuesday evening. FROM OUR Facebook Rick Rodriguez displayed an excitement and enthusiasm for the council’s The widely controversial ballot measure passed with a comfortable lead work to come in the next four years. against those opposed, taking 62.30% of the vote. The final vote tally came to Blanca Pacheco, “I’m very excited and honored that the voters of Downey District 3 would 15,100 over 9,137. Rick Rodriguez win seats select me out of the four candidates to be their City Council person,” said Downey will now see a half-cent sales tax increase, raising around $9 Maria Maciel: I personally Rodriguez. “I’m so fortunate that our city – they’re keenly aware of what certain million annually for the purpose of increasing and improving public safety, experienced first hand seeing agendas are and what certain things are. And they realize when someone comes how low Alma Marquez infrastructure, and public parks. will go to obtain votes with their heart in their hand about wanting to serve, they recognize that. tonight. Not only did she lie The increase is set to expire in 2037. The funds will be monitored by an about Blanca’s character “I’m excited about working with Mayor Saab, Mayor Pro Tem Fernando independent citizens’ oversight committee. throughout the campaign Vasquez, Blanca, and Sean [Ashton]. We have an outstanding City Council but Alma used her “bribing” team…I’m excited about what’s to come. I’m excited and honored all at the techniques walking people –Alex Dominguez into the voting precinct and same time.” setting up a table with drinks and doughnuts to convince undecided voters. John Zander: Good bye Frine Medrano! Downey just let you know your dirty politics are not welcome here. Reach us on Facebook at: Facebook.com/DowneyPatriot TWEET OF THE WEEK @AE_Media: Polls haven’t even been open 30 minutes and there is a long line outside the Barbara Riley Center #downeyvotes2016 Follow us! @DowneyPatriot 2 | The Downey Patriot Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016 California Results Downey reaches deal to sell historic Avenue Theatre Prop. 51: $9 Billion Bond for Prop. 52: Extends existing fee on Prop. 53: Requires statewide modernizing K-12, charter, hospitals to fund coverage for voter approval for bonds over vocational schools and Medi-Cal, uninsured patients, $2 billion ■ REDEVELOPMENT: Conceptual community colleges and children’s health DEFEATED plan is to redevelop the theater PASSED PASSED into two restaurants. By Eric Pierce Prop. 54: Stops the legislature Prop. 55: Extends income tax on Prop. 56: Increases taxes on Editor from passing any bill unless it’s earnings over $250,000 to fund tobacco and e-cigarettes to published on the internet for 72 schools and healthcare increase funding for health care hours PASSED for low-income Californians DOWNEY – The city of PASSED PASSED Downey has reached a deal to sell the historic but run-down Avenue Theatre to a group of investors who plan to redevelop Prop. 57: Allows parole Prop. 58: Allows schools to Prop. 59: Recommends California the former discount movie house consideration for nonviolent establish non English-only propose an amendment to into contemporary restaurants. felons and allows juvenile education programs overturn Citizens United court judges to decide whether PASSED decision, which removed some City Council members voted juveniles will be prosecuted as limits for corporate and union 4-0 Monday to authorize the sale adults campaign spending to Downey Restaurant Group PASSED PASSED at a price of $750,000. The city purchased the property for $1.2 The inside of the Avenue Theatre as photographed in 2007 by George million in 2008. Manzanilla Prop. 60: Requires adult film Prop. 61: Prohibits California Prop. 62: Repeals the death performers to use condoms from buying prescription drugs penalty and replaces it with life Downey Restaurant Group when filming, and other health at a higher price than paid by imprisonment without possibility is a partnership between former Schindler added. purchase the site in 2008. regulations the US Department of Veterans of parole mayor Kirk Cartozian and DEFEATED Affairs DEFEATED restaurateur Adrian Amosa. They Conceptual designs call for City council members praised DEFEATED own the recently-opened Gaucho a pizza parlor at the entrance the sale, calling redevelopment Grill restaurant at the Promenade facing Downey Avenue, with of the Avenue an expensive and in Downey along with eateries a second restaurant and pub complicated project that few Prop. 63: Requires background Prop. 64: Legalizes marijuana for Prop. 65: Requires plastic bag in Burbank, Brentwood and facing 3rd Street. wanted to take on. checks for purchasing use by adults 21 and over fees be directed toward specified downtown Long Beach. ammunition and prohibits PASSED environmental projects “Two new storefronts will “The fact is, unless someone possession of large capacity DEFEATED “The Downey Restaurant bring the building back to life,” stepped up to redevelop the magazines Group plans an adaptive reuse Schindler said. “The existing Avenue like this group did, it was PASSED of the same footprint of the marquee will be preserved and going to remain idle for years former Avenue Theatre building,” fully restored.” and years and years,” said Mayor community development Alex Saab. director Aldo Schindler wrote The project is contingent Prop. 66: Changes procedures Prop. 67: Bans single-use plastic Measure HHH: Homelessness on the site being structurally According to the Downey Arts governing state court challenges and paper bags Reduction and Prevention in a report to council members. “As such, it is their intent to sound and passing a property Coalition, the Avenue Theatre to death sentences PASSED Housing, and Facilities Bond appropriately restore the site and inspection. The city holds the opened in 1922 as a vaudeville PASSED Issue rename the future 10,000 square right of first refusal to buy stage and was renovated in 1949 PASSED foot operating facility complex the property back if plans fall as a movie theater. Its stage Alegria at the Avenue Theatre. through. also served as a dance studio for choreographer Doris Niles, Measure M: Los Angeles County Measure A: Parks and Open Downey Restaurant Group Traffic Improvement Plan Space Parcel Tax “This multi-functional a well-known concert and ballet complex will host a balanced mix also needs to obtain project dancer.