A group of West Los Angeles residents and business owners filed initial paperwork Monday at Los Angeles City Hall to begin the process of attempting to recall City Councilman Mike Bonin, who they complained unfairly imposed traffic restrictions that affected their quality of life and livelihoods.
The "Recall Bonin" supporters presented a formal list of reasons for the recall that claimed, "Bonin has prioritized his political advancement and personal agenda over the well-being and quality of life of his constituents."
A spokesman for Bonin did not immediately respond to a request for comment, though Bonin has said he believed the recall effort was politically motivated and would be a waste of money.
The recall organizers said they'd raised nearly $100,000 and were ready to begin gathering the signatures required to cause a recall election as soon as the L.A. City Clerk approves the filing.
Central to the recall complaint is Bonin's support of traffic calming measures - including the sudden removal of vehicle lanes in Playa del Rey earlier this year - that the organizers said was done in a less-than-forthright manner.
"Bonin misled voters when he promised to decrease traffic," the recall filing said. "Immediately following the election, he unilateraly and without prior outreach implemented a misguided traffic scheme under the guise of safety."
The lane restrictions were largely reversed in the last months several months, though the recall group said it has been left out of further discussions with Bonin or his office.
"The fact that we can't get anybody to answer or talk to us is just crazy," said Mar Vista business owner Dimitrios Mavromichalis, who said he used to be a Bonin supporter. "What are we supposed to do?"