Letter to the Editor: Bob Brazelton's lasting legacy

Dear Editor:

I believe many people in Downey realize that Bob Brazelton was one of the city’s founding fathers, especially after the Jan. 25, 2024 article in the Downey Patriot. However, there were even two more significant actions Bob took that have lasting and very positive consequences for Downey.

It was completely Bob’s idea for our city to acquire the Boeing property from our U.S. government. Not only did he have this idea, but he was the leading person doing the work along with our congressman that allowed our city to obtain the property.

Because we now have the property, we have great retail centers. Maybe more importantly, we are benefiting from the income we receive every year from all the retail land leases.

Bob also literally saved our fire department. For years our fire department, rank and tide, were doing everything they could to get Downey to give the department to the Los Angeles County fire agency. This would include fire engines, etc., millions of dollars of equipment. If the employees could accomplish this, they could literally transfer to the county. Then they would be paid more, and in many cases, work closer to home.

To accomplish this, their union supported and walked for councilmen who would vote to give our fire department to the county. They were successful in getting some of their candidates elected. All they needed was to get three council members – one time – to vote for the county.

We would have lost our fire department forever. This is because it would then have been almost impossible to once again have our own fire department. We would have to spend millions of dollars to start a new department. Also, if the county of Los Angeles handled our fire protection, we would have fewer stations and less firefighters.

Bob, to eliminate this threat to the city, came up with the idea of putting this up to the voters. His ballot measure took this decision out of the hands of the council and into the hands of citizens. The measure passed overwhelmingly. Now the only way our fire department could be given to the county is through the vote of the people of Downey. Therefore, the fire department is now stable and there is no more agitation to give our fire department to L.A County.

In the words of our long term, excellent city manager Gerald Caton, Bob Brazelton was the best councilman he ever had.

Ron Kolar
Downey