Cypress Accepts Recall Petitions Against Mayor, Councilwoman

The City Council on Monday night certified two recall petitions targeting Mayor Cecilia L. Age and Councilwoman Gail H. Kerry, but decided to wait until the July 10 meeting to set a date for the recall election.

City Atty. John E. Cavanaugh said recent changes in state law have clouded the legal picture for recall special elections, adding that he needed to do additional research before setting an election date.

City Manager Darrell Essex told the council that the two petitions contain enough verified voter signatures to mandate a special recall election.

A third recall petition, which targets Councilman Walter K. Bowman, is scheduled to be turned in next month. If that petition also contains enough signatures, his name will be included in the same special election.

The issue arose after the three City Council members on Sept. 26 voted to allow a carpet warehouse to be built near Valley View Street and Orangewood Avenue. Residents said the warehouse would ruin the neighborhood environment.

Essex estimated that a special election will cost the city $70,000.

Age, in addition to criticizing the cost, said that it made little sense to have a recall against her and Kerry when both only have one more year remaining on the council.

She noted that although she is completing her second four-year term on the council, and normally would be barred by city laws from running for another term, a recall would interrupt her second term and thus allow her to run again.