Second recall of Hawaiian Gardens Councilmember filed with City Clerk Residents accuse some on Council of organizing recall of Gomez

By Jerry Bernstein


The battle for control of Hawaiian Gardens broke into the open at the city council meeting this week when recall papers were served to Councilmember Barry Bruce.
Two weeks ago recall papers were filed on Councilmember Mike Gomez with the city clerk.
Gomez, along with Mayor Victor Farfan and Mayor Pro Tem Michiko Oyama-Canada make up a majority vote on the council. Bruce and Councilmember Reynaldo Rodriguez have accused the majority of ganging up on them when voting on city matters, although in recent weeks all five council members appeared to be working closer together on most issues. This detente has now been torn apart by the two recalls.
Bruce has been accused by Gomez supporters of being behind the Gomez recall. Bruce has denied being involved with the recall, as has Councilmember Reynaldo Rodriguez who was elected to the council with Bruce in the last city election.
Under state law, the signatures on a recall petition have to be submitted to the city clerk and then sent to the county for verification. Once verified by the county, the backers of the recall have 60 days to gather signatures of 25 percent of the registered voters in the city in order to place it on the ballot. In this case they have to gather 1,000 signatures.
Supporters of Gomez filled the council chambers, many who spoke on his behalf, questioning why a petition for his recall had been filed. All attested to his character and his work on behalf of the city in order to make it a better place to live.
Hawaiian Gardens’ resident Nidia Mabeos described him as representing the community. “He is the community. He has always told the truth to the community and works for the community.”
Daniel Roe said he regrets the move to recall Gomez. “He is an honorable man and a true public servant.” He said he hopes the people in the community will support him.
Turning to Councilmember Bruce he accused him of not speaking the truth and accused him of being corrupt. “A line in the sand has been drawn,” he asserted, “and you sir are on the wrong side.”
Tri City Regional Medical Center Community Relations Director Mary Lou Landes said she has work in Hawaiian Gardens and those who were watching the meeting know her. “This recall on Mike Gomez is wrong.” She said she works with him on the Southeast Collaborative. “He gets things done for the city and its children.” She said she has not spoken before the council in 12 years and this is only her second time. “Mr. Gomez is a man of integrity and a man of God. “ She said those backing his recall need to really look at their life and what you are doing to this city of Hawaiian Gardens.
Landes concluded by saying , “When the city had the gang injunctions it tore our little city apart. We all had to come together in different counseling modes with the children whose families had been taken away. It wasn’t us against them. We had to cure this city.”
She said Mike Gomez, who was Mayor at the time, led the city on a new path.
Varlerie Mason, Manager of the Hawaiian Gardens Apartments on Centralia Road praised Gomez for bringing the city residents together. She said don’t believe the hype attached to the recall. She then served Bruce with a copy of his recall papers and gave the original to the city clerk.
Involvement Denied
Responding to accusations that he and Councilman Bruce were involved in the Gomez recall, Councilmember Reynaldo Rodriguez empathically denied any involvement in it. “I can tell you I am not and I can tell you Councilman Bruce is not part of that recall,” he stated. “I don’t need to bow to anybody. I was elected by the people, 420 votes. What you need to do, he told the Gomez supporters present, is talk to the people who voted for him. What I’m saying is I am not part of this recall. You can believe me or not.”
Bruce also asserted he was not involved in the recall of Mike Gomez. He said Hawaiian Gardens was noted for its gossip, hearsay, and for people who spread rumors and lies. ‘’Even from this podium, at every council meeting, lies, lies and more lies.” He said if the people of Hawaiian Gardens would check the record they would discover there are liars on their cable television. He accused the liars of not telling the truth about the Ministry he has worked for over 29 years in Hawaiian Gardens, attacks on his morality and ethics and his character. He challenged the people to check the record for themselves.
Bruce accused the council majority of shutting down Rodriguez and himself on matters pertaining to fiscal responsibility and governmental ethics. He said he has tried to work with the majority on the council. He urged the people not to believe gossip and hearsay.
Mayor Pro Tem Oyama-Canada responded to Bruces’s accusation that the majority on the council had shut him and Mr. Rodriguez down saying, “We have the right to vote for what we feel is best for the city.”
Mayor Farfan said he has lived in Hawaiian Gardens his entire life. To him the recalls are just a distraction, something that won’t benefit the city. “We have made big strides during the past few years. We need to work through this and come together,” he said.
Turning to the question of fiscal responsibility, he said Mr. Gomez and himself were part of the 2008 council that decided to change the city election date to coincide with the School Board election, raising the amount put into the reserve from $500,000 to $950,000 annually because the council felt it was a more conservative move. “It wasn’t that we wanted to spend all the city’s money. Now we are being blamed for being fiscally irresponsible.