Hospital sale revenue

Dear Editor:This letter is in response to the recent article in the Downey Patriot regarding the special City Council meeting held to decide whether to spend the nearly $10 million windfall the city received from the sale of the former Downey Community Hospital property or put the funds in reserves. ("City Council Puts Off Decision on $9.8M," 12/19/13) According to the article. Councilman Mario Guerra was eager to spend the money, while Councilman Roger Brossmer and Councilman Alex Saab wanted more time and a report from staff before making a decision. Former Councilman David Gafin, who is a CPA, and former Councilman Meredith Perkins urged the council to put the funds in reserves. Thank goodness Gafin and Perkins attended the special meeting (strategically set on a Thursday afternoon during the holiday season when few could attend) or the spenders on the council like Guerra, a supposed fiscal conservative running for State Senate as a Republican, may have prevailed. Rather than spending the money on council pet projects or putting it into reserve, I think the windfall should be returned to the citizens of Downey in a rebate of water, sewer, trash, paramedic, utility and other fees and taxes. We are taxed enough already! Brian Heyman Downey

********** Published: Jan. 9, 2014 - Volume 12 - Issue 39