tastedowneymadison DOWNEY—The third Taste of Downey community party at the city’s Civic Center last Thursday (Sept. 20) had a decidedly political flavor. Dozens of supporters of City Council candidate Alex Saab  showed up wearing promotional T-shirts and handing out stickers. Meanwhile, Councilmember Mario Guerra and Downey Firemen’s Association President Steve Davis debated heatedly over whether the City should dismantle its fire department and contract with Los Angeles County for its fire protection service.

I’ll go first-person on this one, because I was accidentally involved in the story.

I was talking to Guerra about food when Davis walked by. I’ve talked to Davis a couple times, and he’s a good guy. I said hello to him, and Guerra turned around and started to talk to Davis. Davis didn’t act too interested in speaking with Guerra and he didn’t offer his hand when Guerra went to give him a handshake. Guerra asked Davis why he didn’t want to shake hands, and Davis told Guerra that he didn’t like some of the things Guerra had written and said about the fire union.

It got heated. Fast.

(CONTINUE READING IN DOWNEYBEAT.COM)