Both Sides in Cypress Recall Hurl Criticisms : Elections: The last City Council meeting before Nov. 7 polling, in which three seats are at risk, serves as forum.

Residents and City Council members hurled charges and countercharges about the city’s impending recall election this week as the council held its last regular meeting prior to the city’s Nov. 7 balloting.

During the public comments portion of the meeting Tuesday night, both supporters and opponents of the recall went to the microphone to make fiery political speeches. After the public spoke, all five council members made emotionally charged speeches about the recall election.

The election targets three council members for possible ouster from office: Mayor Cecilia L. Age, Councilman Walter K. Bowman and Councilwoman Gail H. Kerry. The recall effort started after they voted more than a year ago in favor of a controversial carpet distribution warehouse. But recall supporters say the central issue is “lack of public accountability.”

“The one issue is accountability, and on Nov. 7 the voters of the city will hold you accountable,” Bob Pepper said in addressing the council. Pepper is president of the Cypress Recall Committee.

Council members replied that they had indeed been accountable and had listened to the complaints of those opposing the warehouse. “Yes, we listened, but we didn’t change our mind,” Kerry said.

Opponents of the 439,650-square-foot warehouse, now under construction near Valley View Street and Orangewood Avenue, contend it will greatly increase noise, traffic and air pollution. Supporters, including the three council members, maintain the warehouse will not badly affect the environment and will produce an estimated $800,000 a year in taxes to the city.

During Tuesday night’s meeting, Age announced that the union representing rank-and-file police officers in the city opposes the recall. Age read a letter from the union that charged: “The recall will send a message that the City of Cypress is against business.”

Regan Smith, a recall supporter and a candidate for Age’s seat, later asserted that the union’s announcement does not hurt the recall effort. “That same organization supported having a card club in Cypress in 1993, and it didn’t make a difference then,” Smith said, referring to the voters’ overwhelming defeat of a card-club referendum.

Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the two council members not facing recall publicly stated their positions regarding the election. Councilman Tom Carroll said he has essentially been neutral about the recall because he did not want to “increase the divisiveness.” Nonetheless, Carroll announced he is supporting the Nov. 7 candidacy of resident Tim Keenan, who is seeking Kerry’s seat. Both Carroll and Keenan were active in 1993 in opposing the proposed card club; Kerry supported having a card club.

Councilwoman Mary Ann Jones, speaking of the recall, said, “I do not want to divide the council. . . . I see legitimate concern raised on both sides.” She also said she believes “all of the candidates are highly qualified.” Later, however, she told a reporter she will not endorse anyone in the recall election.