Compton mayor issued with intent to recall notice
Emily Henry | 2-17-2010 | Comments |
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Just before the Compton council meeting was due to start Tuesday night, a notice of intention to circulate a recall petition was served to Mayor Eric J. Perrodin, Councilwoman Lillie Dobson and City Clerk Alita Godwin. "It is a beginning of what may be a change in the way Compton is headed," wrote Compton resident Robert Ray on the Hub City Livin' discussion forum. "A recall means that the citizens will have the last word and will decide if these three will stay or be replaced by new blood."
Disgruntled residents have, in the past, complained of the mayor's general conduct and disdain for the community, the lack of positive action in the city, wasted funds, and campaign kick-backs. The Committee to Recall the Compton City Council cites one main reasons for issuing the notice of intent to circulate a recall petition: the council's vote in July 2009 to spend $20 million bringing back the Compton Police Dept. The online petition states the reasoning against this action as follows:
This vote was in direct opposition to the will of the majority of the citizens of Compton. Members of the City Council have also violated the trust of the people who elected them. Therefore, the citizens of Compton are demanding the recall of Mayor Eric Perrodin, Councilwoman Barbara Calhoun, Copuncilwoman Lillie Dobson, Councilwoman Yvonne Arceneaux, and city clerk Alita Godwin. The Committee is also demanding the recall of Mesure "L".
Updated: Council meeting regular Joyce Kelly delivered the papers, but did not compose them.
Kelly was unsure of the exact reasons outlined for the recall petition. But regarding the mayor, Kelly said that it should have been due to his "self indulgence and rudeness" as well as his role as a "violator of civil rights." Kelly added that Mayor Perrodin is like a "dictator" in the city council meetings.
"He's pretending he's a judge because that's what he wants to be," said Kelly. "Heaven help us all."
Recently in Mission Viejo, the mayor was recalled for the similar reasons.
The recall process, however, is complicated. Once a notification of intent to recall is issued, elected officials are expected to respond. The intent to recall notice must be filed within seven days with the Secretary of State. A detailed explanation of the reasons for wanting to recall an elected official is required. The recall petition will then require 20 percent of the number of signatures cast in Compton in the last election. This means a total of more than 600 signatures to recall Mayor Perrodin, 550 to recall Councilwoman Dobson, and more than 650 to recall City Clerk Godwin. The petition can be circulated for up to 160 days. For more information about recalling city officials, visit the California Secretary of State's website.
Kelly says she is optimistic that the recall petition will succeed. "It should," said Kelly. "It's going to take people and signatures. If people are dedicated then we can get it done."
For a snap shot of the Compton City Council meetings, read "What's happening in Compton City Hall? An introduction to routine chaos"
Check back for updates on this story, coming as it breaks.
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