City Clerk Says Backers of Recall Misled Voters

The city clerk accused supporters of a recall petition drive of misleading voters into believing the city supports the recall.

City Clerk Nina Banuelos said some petition circulators have told voters that the city endorses an effort to recall Councilman Bill Dewitt.

She said her office has certified the petition as valid, but the city cannot take a position on the recall effort.

Banuelos said her office has received several calls from voters who were told the city supports the recall.

“It has been my experience that during a political season, individuals or groups will try to mislead voters by claiming to represent the official position of the city of South Gate,” she said.

Proponents of the recall, who started circulating the petition Feb. 16, accuse DeWitt of wasting taxpayer funds and abusing his position--charges DeWitt vehemently rejects. The petitioners have until June 15 to collect the signatures of 4,508 registered voters.