After recall, what’s next for Millbrae?

“Me, as an elected official, or any other elected official — we work for the people, we serve at the pleasure of the people. The law does not set whether it requires a criminal act to justify the recall,” he said. “To that extent, we always serve at the pleasure of the people who elected us.” 

Pending recall result certification, which will occur by Aug. 22, the City Council will meet and discuss its next steps, though it’s unlikely it will be able to meet the August deadline to begin the process to place District 2 and 4 elections on the November ballot. 

The City Council has options, including holding a special election or appointing interim councilmembers, Fung said, emphasizing the importance of having a fully operating council. 

“It is important to have a full, working, functional council as soon as possible,” he said. “These two councilmembers have regional responsibilities as well as being liaisons.” 

Councilmember Ann Schneider also said it would need to be discussed amongst the three remaining members, although she didn’t look particularly favorably at appointments. 

“I don’t like appointing people, especially to a partial term,” she said. “How we do that will be up for discussion.” 

She also said that the recall was a “dark day” for Millbrae, removing the first elected official — Cahalan — who lived in the historically underrepresented area east of El Camino Real. She laid the blame squarely on the Board of Supervisors for moving forward with the La Quinta Inn project without listening to the people of Millbrae, who were hurt and angry at the decision, she said.  

“Personally, I’m sad because Vice Mayor Goodman and Angelina Cahalan have been brand new,” she said. “The county did something that really set off the people of Millbrae and they are the two that paid the price for it.” 

Goodman and Cahalan were targets of a campaign to remove them from City Council seats after they didn’t oppose the La Quinta hotel project. 

Cahalan abstained and Goodman voted no on sending a September 2023 letter from the Millbrae City Council expressing concerns about the upcoming hotel purchase, which is currently in legal flux but would theoretically become home to previously-unhoused families and seniors. 

Recall supporters felt their decision not to sign the letter wasn’t representative of the community’s concerns around the purchase, including a loss of hotel revenue and public safety concerns. 

Those concerns translated successfully to a 70% yes vote on recalling Cahalan, who represents District 2, and 78% yes vote on recalling Goodman, who represents District 4. 

Goodman says he has no regrets whatsoever — and still believes building constructive relationships with colleagues throughout the county would have been more productive than a divisive demand letter. 

“As an elected official, political courage, empowerment … all those things are very important,” he said. “Either you stand for something or fall for anything. I’d rather stand for myself and stand on my beliefs.” 

The recall presents an opportunity for growth, both for him, the City Council — whom he encouraged to focus on the work, not “politics and rhetoric” — and Millbrae itself, Goodman said. But he did acknowledge the concerns of some that the recall sets an unfavorable precedent for removal based on policy disagreement. 

“I think this was frivolous, it was political in nature, I think it was something that definitely warrants some type of reform,” he said, positing a suggestion that individuals who are targets of unsuccessful recall campaigns receive an immediate new four-year term as a way of dissuading political attacks.

Cahalan said in a statement that she was honored to serve Millbrae for the past two years on issues like flooding, canal drain cleanup and community connections, but that she couldn't help but feel disappointed in the impetus for the recall.

"The origin of the recall stemmed from a proposed plan by San Mateo County to purchase the La Quinta hotel and turn it into temporary housing (not a homeless shelter) for families and seniors. This recall does not change the outcome of this project. Supporters of the recall spent time, effort and money to spread misinformation and hate these last few months: their actions have divided our city and created fear in our community," the statement read. 

The City Council is stronger when those of different beliefs and opinions can come together for the common good, she concluded in a statement. 

Postelection results will be released 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 26, and Wednesday, July 31. Additional updates will be provided as needed. Results are to be certified Aug. 22, according to the Elections Office.

Note to readers: This story has been updated to include Cahalan's comments on the recall. An earlier version of this online story incorrectly stated she did not respond to requests for comment.