Perk in all stages of his life

Meredith Perkins (known as Perk to friends, and self-named “The Little Guy”) was born in Bauxite, Arkansas, a small mining town 30 miles Southwest of Little Rock. In the late 1940s, Young Perk’s family decided to journey west and settled in Southern California. (This area just hasn’t been the same since). Adolescent Perk graduated from Lynwood High School in 1955 and thereafter attended Cal State Long Beach. He has continued his friendship with countless high school and college friends.

Fresh out of college, Young-Adult Perk started his own business in 1960. In 1962, Perk and his wife Irene settled in Downey, CA and raised three wonderful children (Peggy, Greg and Jeff). Unfortunately, they lived on the wrong side of town and sent their children to Warren High School. All three have become successful adults in their own right and, in fact, Dr. Greg Perkins is currently completing his medical residency in St. Louis, MO. Having had his son Greg attend USC Medical School, Father Perk became a very big Trojan Fan and has been known to hire the SC Band and Cheerleaders for special events.

Perk began a lengthy career in sales as the Regional Sales Manager for Eutectic Welding Alloys, where he sat atop in the national sales rankings for 15 years. He later joined Bowman Distribution (serving the West Coast of this Cleveland-headquartered company) and completed his stellar career after 27 years of service there at Bowman.

So, “what else should we know about Mayor Perk?” Well, being involved in the community is what Mayor Perk has always been. Whether it be coaching DJAA sports, serving on the YMCA Board, active involvement with the Optimist Club, joining his sons in Boy Scout Fellowship and even his daughter with the Girl Scouts, or even serving as the very prestigious Vice-President of the Warren High School Bear Bingo Group, Mayor Perk has always jumped at the opportunity to be involved in his local community.

Now you may be wondering, “just how did our Mayor get his political start?” Running political campaigns is nothing new to our Mayor. It began in middle school with a successful campaign for Class President, continued at Cal State Long Beach in the running for Student Body President, and culminated in two successive and successful campaigns on the Downey City Council. Our Mayor has never lost an election!

Mayor Perkins’ first involvement with the City of Downey was as a member of the General Plan Advisory Committee in 1990. In 1992, he was appointed by Mayor Barbara Riley to serve on the Planning Commission, where he diligently served for six years until 1998, when he made his successful bid to the Downey City Council. In 2002, Perk was re-elected to a second and final term and now is upon his final days (in office, that is).

Mayor Perk’s record of accomplishment is way too long to recount them all. He has well-served as a city liaison to the County of Los Angeles’ Sanitation District, Vector Control (pests and bugs capable of transmitting diseases) and SEAACA (Southeast Area Animal Control Authority) and numerous city council committees and subcommittees. To those most close with him, we know that he is most proud of delivering the following to the Downey Community:

■ The undergrounding of the Edison power lines along Imperial Highway

■ Roadway medians and improvements along Paramount Blvd

■ The delivery of the Downey Skate Park (even though it isn’t in his district)

■ Protection of the Rancho Los Amigos Hospital and its property

■ The Downey Landing Project and Kaiser Hospital

■ And, most notably, the successful sale (yes, the concept had to be sold to the public) and construction of the new and improved Rio Hondo Clubhouse.

Perk, I will miss the heart and soul you put into this position for the eight years that you served. I was lucky to work alongside you for the last six. The Downey High vs. Warren High banter made even stressful times enjoyable.

Perk will be missed by all on this council and in this community. We’ll forever remember his famous quote, “On to Victory!” And, yes Mr. Mayor, you have more victories ahead of you. You may call yourself “The Little Guy,” but you’ve always been “The Big Guy” to us.

We’ll miss you, Big Guy! Thank you.