Hawaiian Gardens : Schultze Emerges From ‘Recall Mania’ as Mayor

Councilman Donald Schultze, who two months ago was threatened with a recall, has become mayor of Hawaiian Gardens. He was elected to succeed Kathleen Navejas at the City Council’s recent reorganization meeting. Councilwoman Rosalie Sher was elected mayor pro tem.

In February, Schultze became a target in a “recall mania” sweeping City Hall. Navejas, Sher and their ally on the council, Venn Furgeson, were served recall notices. So, Navejas and her supporters retaliated by serving recall notices on Schultze and Councilwoman H.M. (Lennie) Wagner.

Schultze opted for a peaceful settlement to the squabble. He issued a statement saying it was Wagner and not him who conspired with former council members to recall Navejas and her allies. Today, Wagner remains the only recall target; the drive against Navejas, Sher and Furgeson has fizzled.