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Hector Sosa Newsletter — March 17, 2026
📬 Councilmember Hector Sosa — District 2, Downey — March 16, 2026
Hello friends and neighbors of District 2,
You might not know this about me, but Downey raised me. I attended Griffiths Middle School and Warren High, where I met my wife Daisy. I've lived here for more than 37 years, raised my sons Lucas and Joshua here, and spent the better part of my adult life volunteering in this community — coaching Little League, serving with Gangs Out of Downey, and building relationships with the people who make this city what it is. I ran for City Council because I believe in Downey deeply, and because I believe good governance requires showing up — not just for the ribbon cuttings, but for the hard conversations too.
Starting this week, I'm launching this regular newsletter — a weekly, plain-language look at what's happening at City Hall and across District 2. My goal is simple: to make sure you have the information you need to stay engaged, ask questions, and hold your elected officials accountable. Including me. Let's get into it.
🚨 Public Safety
🔹 On Thursday, I was proud to attend the annual GOOD Luncheon — one of the highlights of my year every year. Gangs Out of Downey has been a part of my life for a long time, and seeing this organization continue to do vital work in our community means a great deal to me. This year's featured speaker was my childhood friend Mike Beltran, who brought 32 years of law enforcement experience to the table and tied it directly to GOOD's proactive approach: reaching young people with resources, mentorship, and alternatives before the streets do.
→ 💡 What GOOD does: Proactive gang prevention, youth intervention programs, and community collaboration between schools, law enforcement, local businesses, and civic groups — all volunteer-driven, all focused on keeping Downey a place where our young people can thrive. That model has worked for decades, and I'm committed to continuing to support it.
👉 Learn more about Gangs Out of Downey
🔹 A serious matter is on my radar this week. On March 6, the family of Reinaldo Lefonts — a longtime Downey resident who was fatally stabbed last September in the Civic Center parking lot near the Public Library — filed a $40 million government tort claim against the city. To the Lefonts family: I am deeply sorry for your loss. No family should endure what yours has. The city has 45 days under California law to respond to this claim. I will not comment on the legal specifics while the process is active, but I will say this clearly: the safety of our Civic Center; a place where families come to learn, seniors come to gather, and children come to read; is something I take seriously and personally. Public safety at our most visible, most-visited community spaces is not optional. It is essential.
→ 🎯 My commitment: Working with the Downey Police Department, city staff, and fellow council members to assess, address, and strengthen safety conditions in high-traffic public areas remains a top priority for me. This week's news reinforces the urgency of that work.
💼 Economic Development
🔹 Downey is officially on the world stage. Our city has been designated as an LA World Cup 26 Official Fan Zone for the 2026 FIFA World Cup - and on June 20, we'll host a live match-viewing event as part of a region-wide celebration that will bring soccer fans from across Southeast Los Angeles and beyond right to our doorstep. More programming details are still being finalized, but I wanted to make sure you heard it here first.
→ ⚡ Why this matters for Downey: Hosting an official Fan Zone puts our restaurants, shops, and local businesses in front of a regional audience at one of the most-watched sporting events in the world. This is the kind of opportunity that can put Downey on the map for people who have never visited and remind the rest of us why we love it here.
→ 💡 Downey was selected alongside a short list of sites across the LA region, including Union Station, Venice Beach, and Earvin "Magic" Johnson Park. We're in excellent company, and we will make the most of it.
👉 World Cup Fan Zone at City of Downey
📚 Schools & Community
🔹 I'll be honest; this one hit home. Three Downey Unified School District middle schools were named 2026 California Distinguished Schools this week: Doty Middle School, Griffiths Middle School, and Sussman Middle School. I walked the halls of Griffiths. Seeing it recognized among the top-performing middle school campuses in the state, alongside two other schools from our own district, is the kind of news that reminds me why I'm so proud of this community. Our schools don't just educate. They shape the people who will lead Downey through the next generation.
→ 💡 How schools earn this honor: The California Distinguished Schools Program, established in 1985, evaluates every public school in the state automatically based on academic outcomes, progress for historically underserved students, and school climate. No application. Just results. All three DUSD schools earned it on merit.
→ 🎯 Where I stand: One of my core initiatives has always been to deepen the city's partnership with Downey Unified because what happens in our schools shapes everything else. This recognition is a testament to DUSD's educators, staff, and families. They deserve the credit, and they have my full support.
👉 California Distinguished Schools Program
📅 Coming Up
🔹 City Council Meeting — Tuesday, March 24, 6:30 PM Council Chambers, Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. Note that the March 10 meeting was cancelled; March 24 is our next scheduled session. Agendas are posted in advance on the city website. I encourage you to review them, show up in person, or submit written public comment. Your voice belongs in that room.
👉 View agendas and city documents
📱 Stay Connected
Got a pothole to report, graffiti to flag, or a service request to submit? The Downey Connect App is the fastest, most direct path to getting things done. Available for both Apple and Android.
👉 Download the Downey Connect App
Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for more real-time updates, event highlights, and a look at what I'm working on between newsletters.
Downey has given my family so much. My whole life, this city has shown me what it looks like when a community actually works when neighbors show up for each other, when public institutions earn trust, and when local government keeps doing the unglamorous work of making things function. That's the standard I hold myself to, and I'm grateful for the chance to do this work alongside you.
Questions, concerns, or ideas? Hit reply. I read every message.
