CYPRESS : Recall Movement Leaders File Notice

Leaders of a movement to recall two City Council members said Tuesday that they have filed a notice with the city clerk, a required step under state law.

The newly formed Cypress Recall Committee is attempting to recall Mayor Cecilia L. Age and Councilwoman Gail H. Kerry, saying that the two should be removed from office because of their “arrogance” in handling a controversial warehouse decision.

On Sept. 26, Age and Kerry voted to approve a permit for a large warehouse near the intersection of Valley View and Orangewood streets. Nearby homeowners, including people active in the recall effort, have charged that the warehouse would ruin the residential areas.

Kerry has declined to comment on the recall action. Age last week defended her vote on the warehouse, saying the new facility could bring in up to $1.2 million a year in taxes for the city.

Last week, the committee took the first step in the recall process by sending notices of intent to recall to Age and Kerry by certified mail. Tony Smith, recall committee vice president, said the committee on Tuesday showed the city clerk’s office proof that certified letters had been mailed to the two council members. That action constituted the second step in the process, Smith said.

The next step is a formal response by Age and Kerry to the recall notice, Smith said. The petitioning phase of the recall action requires the citizens group to collect about 5,000 signatures of registered voters in Cypress in order for the issue to be put on the ballot.