Pomona : Councilman’s Recall Sought

Saying they are ashamed of the antagonism and combativeness that has rocked the Pomona City Council, about 25 members of a recently formed citizens group seeking to oust Councilman C. L. (Clay) Bryant served him with a notice of intention to recall during Monday’s council meeting.

Bryant said he welcomed the challenge because he was confident a recall election would fail. His leadership in the May 1 firing of former City Administrator A. J. Wilson sparked the formation of the Committee to Recall C. L. (Clay) Bryant.

His opponents were also outraged by elimination of three top administrative positions from the budget, an action taken by the council majority of Bryant, Nell Soto and Tomas Ursua.

“Like I say, it’s going to be fun for me,” Bryant said at the end of the meeting. “I’m not going to spend a dime on this. I’m sure of the outcome because I know the people of Pomona. I’ll sleep well tonight.”

But leaders of the committee said they were optimistic they will collect the necessary 8,304 signatures within 120 days. If they do, an election will be scheduled on whether Bryant, who was reelected to a four-year term in March, will remain on the council.

“We have extremely dedicated people, and more and more people are coming on board,” said Melody Peterson, the committee’s co-chair. “And we’re starting to get contributions.”

Bryant’s supporters, meanwhile, have formed Citizens Against Recall to keep him in office.