In a move that CA State Sen. Gloria Romero called a sign of democracy in action, citizens in Rosemead, CA have gathered signatures to demand the recall of the Mayor and a councilmember who voted to approve a Wal-Mart project in the community.

From the Pasadena Star News:

Wal-Mart opponents are expected to announce today that they have gathered more than enough signatures to start the recall of two Rosemead councilmen who voted for a project proposed by the retailer.

A news conference is being held at 10 a.m. at Rosemead City Hall, in which members of Save Our Community will hand over petitions containing 4,758 signatures to the Rosemead city clerk to begin the verification process.

The petitions demand the recall of Mayor Jay Imperial and Councilman Gary Taylor.

"The recall can't stop the Wal- Mart project, but since they have to do a revised environmental impact report, they might be facing a different council and a much better-informed public,' said the group's founder, Larry Bevington.

Imperial, who was elected in 1978, and Taylor, elected in 1974, could not be reached for comment.

The signatures will be counted and submitted to the Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office, which has 30 days to validate the signatures.

If the signatures are valid, the Rosemead City Council will be notified. Then, the city has two weeks to order a special election, which must be held no fewer than 88 days and no more than 125 days after the issuance of the order, Rosemead City Clerk Nancy Valderrama said.