Walnut mayor sworn in amid controversy

Bethania Palma Markus, Staff Writer
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

Created: 02/14/2009 11:41:34 PM PST

Mary Su made history last week when she was sworn in as Walnut's first female Chinese-American mayor.

But tension was high as divisions in the city over a proposed NFL stadium in neighboring Industry dominated the ceremony.

More than 250 people crammed into the Walnut council chambers Wednesday and packed into the adjacent overflow room.

"I'm very proud because I'm also Chinese-American and she helps so many people in this community," said Jessica Lee, 17, of Walnut, this year's Miss Teen Taiwan World Queen. "She's the first Chinese-American woman to be mayor in Walnut, and I'm sure she inspires a lot of people in the community.

"The day before the swearing-in ceremony, members of the vocal community group Citizens Against the Stadium filed recall paperwork against Su and Councilwoman Nancy Tragarz.

The group said they did not feel the two showed enough opposition to the project.

Members of the group were also angry about views expressed by the city attorney on the likelihood a lawsuit could stop a project in a neighboring city.

The council was scheduled to "evaluate the performance" of City Attorney Mike Montgomery, with possible action. Some had speculated he would be terminated, but the council expressed overall satisfaction with his performance and no action was taken.

Michael West, who lost a bid for City Council in April's election, is spearheading the recall effort.

He said community members were angry the council voted in closed session to suspend a citizens' stadium task force.

"It really shows where you're coming from and what your intentions are," he said. "(Councilman) Joaquin Lim has shown a lot of leadership.

"Officials have said the task force, appointed by the council to research the project, was suspended because a special attorney was hired to begin legal consulting on the stadium issue.

Some wore white T-shirts that said "No Stadium," while others wore stickers that read "Yes Stadium, Yes Jobs.

"In a move some called unheard of in Walnut, Lim, who has led an anti-stadium movement, abstained from voting for Su. He strongly disagrees with her on the stadium, he said.

"The stadium has become the centerpiece of politics and Walnut today," he said. "We don't see eye-to-eye on the stadium.

"Walnut residents expressed a wide variety of sentiments Wednesday night. Some talked about the recall effort.

"I want to let you guys know we're behind you," Kenny Silverberg told Su and Tragarz. "(They) are trying to recall people that have tried to help our community.

"Others talked of the $800million stadium and entertainment complex proposed for Industry by billionaire developer Ed Roski Jr. and his Majestic Realty Co.

Resident Brigid Bjerke said she wanted the council to pull out all the stops to halt the stadium.

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