Agoura Hills : Recall Group Takes Business Donations

Residents attempting to recall Agoura Hills City Councilwoman Fran Pavley said their organization has changed its donations policy and will accept contributions from 11 businesses embroiled in a lawsuit against the city.

Recall group leader Barbara Murphy said Friday she recently accepted a $200 contribution from one of the businesses, which she declined to identify. She conceded that the policy shift lends ammunition to the charge that the businesses, which last year sued over an ordinance prohibiting freeway signs, are secretly financing the recall. But Murphy said her group is quickly running out of money and must accept any donations that come in.

“The city is using taxpayer money, and they have deep pockets, and they could outlast us fiscally,” she said. “And we have worked too hard to let that happen.”

Pavley declined comment except to say she believes the recall group and local businesses have long had common interests.

Murphy said the recall was launched in response to the council’s decision to impose a 4% utility tax on residents. But some Pavley supporters say it is a right-wing movement led by business interests trying to weaken government control over their affairs.