photo credit: City of Petaluma
Petaluma District 1 city council member Janice Cader-Thompson.

A Petaluma resident's effort to recall a sitting Petaluma city council member was a contentious topic at this week's Petaluma city council meeting.

The effort to recall Janice Cader-Thompson is being led by longtime Petaluma political critic and former District 3 council candidate John Hanania.

Hanania voiced frustration with the council at the Monday night meeting.

"Do you have anything to show that she got reprimanded for all her bad behavior?" Hanania said.

Hanania is referring to a tense exchange between Cader-Thompson and fellow council member Alex DeCarli at an April meeting.

According to the Petaluma Argus Courier, Hanania has alleged Cader-Thompson has shown, "a pattern of dismissive conduct during public meetings."

A recall vote could be placed on an upcoming ballot if enough signatures are collected and the effort is certified in time, but Petaluma's city council as a whole isn't backing the effort.

Council member John Shribbs said he feels the recall would be an inefficient waste of city resources.

"Council woman Cader-Thompson is very passionate and very opinionated," Shribbs said. "Hey, that's great. That's what we need sometimes, and so, yes, did she step over the line once or twice? Yes...I think we can agree, yes, there has been a few steps across the line, but nothing to warrant what's happening with this recall."

Petaluma council members, minus the recused Cader-Thompson, approved a resolution with their view on the recall.

It maintains the council is "not aware of any misconduct by any council member that would warrant engaging in the recall process and disrupting the city’s work."

Residents like Janis Barker and Jodi Johnson said they agree with that view.

"For the record, we understand that residents have a right to bring forth a recall petition and potentially a recall election," Barker said. "And for the record, we acknowledge that some of the residents feel wronged by votes, words, or positions by our city council members. That has, and will continue to happen in every city council, and county, and every meeting by our held by our elected officials."

"...Our hope for our community is that we don't pursue recalls without violations, as a means to seek revenge," Johnson said.

The District 1 seat Cader-Thompson currently occupies is up for election in November 2026. The recall vote could go before local voters as early as the June 2026 election, and if successful, would remove Cader-Thompson for the remaining months of her term.