Jessamyn Dodd
CALIPATRIA, Calif. (KYMA) – Voters in Calipatria could soon decide the political futures of three city council members.
It began when a vote to fire Calipatria City Manager Laura Gutierrez took place.
It has now escalated into an effort to recall Mayor Michael Luellen and Council members Jesse Rivas and Fred Beltran.
The woman leading the charge, Beneranda Cooper, spoke to News 11 about the recall.
“When we found out that happened, a bunch of us from the community got together and said, you know what, they need to be recalled,” Cooper said. “Michael Luellen has yet to show anything accomplished in this time that he’s been our city council member, our mayor. He voted himself in twice as mayor already. So what has he shown for our community besides photo ops and Facebooks?”
Cooper has been hitting the pavement, trying to get signatures.
“I am going every day, door to door, talking to people. I have my proof of the recall, why I have the recall. I have the minutes.I have the paperwork,” she explained.
If the recall effort were to move forward, three spots in the city council would become available. So far, two people, Gracie Castaneda and Hector Cervantes, have picked up election packets.
“I encourage anyone who is interested in sitting, sitting in the city council board to please go get a packet from City Hall. And be a part of the community, be a part of the change,” Cooper stated.
Cooper said there are only weeks left to gather the necessary amount of signatures needed for this petition to go forward.
Calipatria Mayor Michael Luellen sent a message to our newsroom addressing the claims.
Read his statement here:
“I have remained silent long enough. Let’s be honest about what is happening. This recall effort is over. California Elections Code section 11007 prohibits the commencement of a recall within six months of the end of an elected official’s term. We have been within that window for months, meaning this recall cannot legally proceed.
Despite that, recall events have continued to be held and donations have continued to be solicited. The public deserves to know exactly how those donations have been collected, managed, and spent. If transparency is the standard being demanded of elected officials, it should also apply to those leading political campaigns.
After contacting the California Fair Political Practices Commission and the California Secretary of State’s Office, I was informed that I could not locate an FPPC committee ID associated with this recall effort. If that information is accurate, the public deserves an explanation of how donations were solicited and handled and whether all applicable campaign finance requirements were followed.
It is also a matter of public record that the leader of this recall effort, Beneranda Cooper, is the sister of Councilmember Javier Amezcua. Councilmember Amezcua is running for reelection against Mayor Pro Tem Fred Beltran and me. Voters are entitled to consider those facts for themselves when evaluating this recall effort and the political dynamics surrounding it.
I have also observed Ms. Cooper’s nonprofit providing water and support alongside recall petition events. Residents can draw their own conclusions, but I believe the public deserves complete transparency whenever nonprofit activity and political advocacy occur side by side.
Mayor Pro Tem Fred Beltran and I are both seeking reelection. I believe voters deserve a campaign focused on our records, our accomplishments, and our vision for Calipatria, not continuous political attacks.
I was elected to serve this community, and that is exactly what I will continue doing. I trust the people of Calipatria to make their decision at the ballot box based on the facts and my record of service. I look forward to continuing to serve the residents of Calipatria with integrity, transparency, and a steadfast commitment to moving our city forward.”
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