Millbrae voters to decide on recall of councilmembers

Millbrae residents have until July 23 to decide if they should recall Vice Mayor Maurice Goodman and Council Member Angelina Cahalan.

The recall effort was sparked by the contentious La Quinta Inn and Suites project. San Mateo County is attempting to purchase the hotel to house homeless families and seniors. This initiative has faced community pushback and prompted a legal battle between the city and the county.

In September last year, the Millbrae City Council voted to send a letter to the county opposing the county’s purchase of the property. Cahalan abstained from the vote, while Goodman voted against sending the letter.

Pro-recall residents cite the vote as why the two councilmembers should be recalled.

“Despite concerns raised and repeated appeals, councilmembers Maurice Goodman and Angelina Cahalan persisted in supporting the project against the wishes of their constituents and failed to respond to their valid concerns,” the pro-recall group said on their website. “Furthermore, they also asked to have their names withdrawn from the letter and fact sheet sent by the City of Millbrae to the County regarding La Quinta.”

The group called the officials’ position in favor of the La Quinta conversion “divisive” and alleged that it “helped to create the erroneous impression that a large number of residents were not opposed to the project – subsequently tipping the balance toward County approval in September.”

Millbrae is currently suing to halt the project, alleging the county’s planned $33 million purchase of the La Quinta Inn violates a 73-year-old amendment to the state constitution that requires local governments to get voter approval before developing, buying, building or funding “low-rent housing.”

The group reached the minimum number of signatures to put the recall on the ballot last March.

Goodman said in a phone interview that despite the possibility of losing his seat, he stands by his vote.

“All I did was do what I wish all elected officials would do: to speak up and have political courage to make sure that those that aren’t in the room have a voice,” Goodman said.

Goodman was first elected to the Millbrae City Council, representing District 4, in 2022 and became vice mayor last December. Cahalan was also elected to represent District 2 in 2022.

While many residents were vocal against transforming the La Quinta property into low-income housing, Goodman said that he and Cahalan represented community members who were in favor of it.

“I would do it all again because that’s who we are as a community… I believe Angie’s and my voice represented a portion of the community that didn’t have a voice. We gave them a voice and an opportunity to be heard,” Goodman said.

Cahalan did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Laura Smith, a pro-recall Millbrae resident, said the group believes the two councilmembers don’t represent the community’s voice.

“Based on what we feel is an unfair process and their very poor representation of the community, people felt that they should be recalled from office,” Smith said.

When asked why a recall was appropriate, rather than waiting until the 2026 election to vote new candidates in, Smith said the issue was urgent and a betrayal of public trust.

“I think the level of trust and betrayal that has happened that has kind of made an irreversible bond between the citizens, their constituents, and those two councilmembers that they can’t be trusted going forward,” Smith said.

Goodman is hopeful, however, his supporters will come through by election day.

“I think there’s a tremendous amount of supporters, the voters that actually voted me into office,” Goodman said. “So I’ll be on the right side of it regardless of outcome. Our community will get through this and be able to begin the process of healing and making sure we truly focus on making good decisions for all of our community, not just the loudest in the room.”