Bell Gardens : Group Begins Circulating Petitions Seeking to Recall 4

Members of a residents’ group opposed to a zoning plan to control population density through strict building limitations this week began circulating petitions seeking the recall of all City Council members but one.

The Bell Gardens No-Rezoning Committee wants the ouster of Mayor Robert Cunningham and council members Letha Viles, Allen Shelby and Douglas O’Leary. The committee said the four council members have deliberately ignored community concerns. Committee members said newly appointed Councilwoman Rosa Hernandez was excluded from the recall because state law requires that a council member serve more than 90 days before being targeted for recall.

The four targeted members have long expected the recall effort. Committee members have asked the council to throw out the zoning plan because they say it will drastically reduce affordable housing in the city. The committee also has accused the council of ignoring the needs of the city’s majority Latino population.

Nearly every City Council meeting for the last six months has been punctuated by warnings from members of the committee and the League of United Latin American Citizens. “You are out of here,” and “Your time is up,” have become common refrains at the meetings.

Beleaguered council members, who have denied all committee charges, have said little in response to the threats of a recall.

“I don’t have a problem with it. If they want a recall and they can make it work, more power to them,” Cunningham said.