pistols1 Trying to separate the glad from the mad, Downey city officials will set different dates for honoring the outgoing mayor and naming a new one. Councilman Roger Brossmer called for separating the days, noting that the outgoing mayor program is supposed to be a happy occasion with friends, family and guests on hand, as well as dignitaries from surrounding cities to honor the departing council head for his or her efforts the past year.

Under the current policy—which calls for choosing the new mayor on the same night— the “joyful celebration” has at times been dampened by contentious and sometimes angry disagreement on the selection of the new mayor.

Brossmer’s fear comes despite the new policy of mayoral succession approved last year in which the mayor pro tem automatically becomes the new mayor and the new mayor pro tem is selected based on council seniority.

Downey’s next mayor will now be selected at a special meeting the day after the outgoing official formally leaves the mayor’s chair.

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The council approved the plan Oct. 26 with Mayor Anne Bayer abstaining and Mayor Pro Tem Luis Marquez absent.

Councilman Mario Guerra was unopposed for re-election in District 2. Planning Commissioner Fernando Vasquez was elected Tuesday to replace Bayer, who is termed out in District 4.