Concerned Citizens of Capitola initiate recall effort against Councilman Peterson over ethical violations

The Capitola City Planning Regular Meeting on January 30, 2025, was marked by significant discussions surrounding the potential recall of Council Member Peterson. TJ Welch, representing a group of concerned citizens, announced that they had served a notice of intent to recall Peterson, citing four ethical violations as the basis for their actions.

Welch's accusations included the use of a false address for business purposes, misuse of public funds related to a community grant, an ongoing investigation by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) for conflict of interest, and a violation of the oath of office concerning city law. Welch emphasized that these issues, when considered together, warranted accountability and requested that Peterson be removed from the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) board and not be considered for the position of Vice Mayor.

In response, Council Member Peterson defended himself against the allegations, asserting that the claims were false and misrepresented his actions. He explained that the community grant awarded to his nonprofit, Blue Circle, was received prior to his election and that he had no involvement in the decision-making process. Peterson stated that Blue Circle had returned the grant funds to the city, negating any conflict of interest.

Regarding the accusation of using a false address, Peterson clarified that the issue stemmed from outdated information on a website he did not control. He claimed to have taken steps to rectify the situation once it was brought to his attention.

The meeting highlighted the tensions within the council and the community, as residents called for transparency and accountability from their elected officials. The outcome of the recall effort and the ongoing discussions about ethical governance in Capitola will likely continue to shape the political landscape in the city.