Vice Mayor Cheri Kelley Pulls Out of Norwalk Council Election, Sources Cite Massive Loss of Support

Vice Mayor Cheri Kelley will not run for Council in 2017.

By Brian Hews

Hews Media Group-Community News can confirm that long-time controversial Norwalk politician Cheri Kelley will not be running for City Council in March 2017.

The filing deadline is tomorrow, but sources told HMG-CN  Kelly will not run.

The same sources told HMG-CN that Vice-Mayor Kelley is pulling out because “she would have probably been embarrassed by coming in fourth or fifth place in March.”

Kelley was elected to Norwalk City Council in March 1997 and re-elected in March 2001, 2005, 2009 and 2013.

It was the 2013 election and her actions after the election that likely caused Kelley’s downward spiral and massive loss of popularity among her supporters.

HMG-CN exclusively reported that Kelley received a $17,000 from two real estate political action committees (PAC) just days before the election.

The PAC money was used for a direct mail postcard, with documents showing that the postcard and mailing house was based out of Virginia.

Norwalk Council Incumbent Cheri Kelley Receives $17,000 in Donations From Real Estate PAC’s

$9,500 came from the National Association of Realtors and the $7,500 from the California Real Estate PAC (CREPAC).

Later, another $5,500 was reported by Kelley, which brought the total to a staggering $22,500.

Even with the questionable huge contribution Kelley only won by 33 votes.

After her election win, Kelley proceeded to cast very controversial votes on simple funding projects.

Sources told HMG-CN at the time that it was political payback by Kelley, something she was very well-known for, against those that did not support her.

She voted against the massive and popular Front Street improvement, voted against helping a Norwalk little league organization run by Cecil Fielder, and cut funding to Little Lake Park.

And in what many saw as ignorance and bad leadership, during her tenure, Norwalk saw one of the highest murder rates in its history.

The final nail in her political coffin was likely hammered in after Kelley, along with her ally Councilman Leonard Shryock, voted against filling the vacant Council seat left by Marcel Rodarte’s departure. That was August of this year.

Norwalk Vice Mayor Kelley and Councilman Shryock Block Council Appointment Once Again, Set Up Possibility of Lawsuit

Current Mayor Mike Mendez and Councilman Luigi Vernola were incensed at the political maneuver designed by Kelley to hinder votes on certain projects.

The move has placed the City in gridlock ever since.

Vernola told HMG-CN, “It does not make any sense they (Kelley and Shryock) are not making an effort. We either have to appoint or hold a special election, or wait until March 2017. What do they want to do cost the city thousands of dollars? It would cost nothing to appoint a candidate and take the City out of gridlaock.”

One resident who did not want to be identified told HMG-CN, “I am very happy Kelley is not running. She never did anything for the city, and you only saw her when election time rolled around. Her major support was the seniors, but they saw what she did after her slim win in 2013 and the major players have pulled their support. Good riddance, let’s get some new blood on the Council.”

Academic Planner 2025-2026 For Women & Men, Monthly and Weekly Calendar Planner, Jul 2025 - Jun 2026, A5 (6.3" x 8.5"), Teacher Student Planning Book with Tabs, Ideal for Office School Supplies - Pink

(588)

$5.99 (as of May 8, 2025 17:25 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale with LCD Display, Batteries Included, Weighs up to 11 pounds, Black and Stainless Steel

(100707)

$10.49 (as of May 8, 2025 06:29 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Folding Washing Machine, 11L Mini Washing Machine with 3 Cleaning Modes, Suitable for Baby Clothes, Underwear, Socks, Portable Washing Machine Folding Design Suitable for Apartments, Camping & Travel

(3)

$29.99 (as of May 8, 2025 17:25 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Ring Battery Doorbell, Head-to-Toe Video, Live View with Two-Way Talk, and Motion Detection & Alerts (2024 release), Satin Nickel

(11915)

$99.99 (as of May 8, 2025 06:29 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Fierce Guardianship

(43)

$42.99 (as of May 8, 2025 06:29 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

PYAJUU Stray Kids Laser Photocard 50pcs Stray Kids Laser Card Kpop Stray Kids LOMO Cards Kpop Straykids 5-Strar Album Card Stray Kids Photo Cards 5-Star Postcard Gift for Fans Daugher

(210)

$9.29 (as of May 8, 2025 06:29 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

DUMOS Ice Maker Countertop Ice Machine Compact Size with Handle, 26lbs in 24Hrs, Black

(473)

$69.99 (as of May 8, 2025 17:25 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Midea 12,000 BTU U-Shaped Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner–Cools up to 550 Sq. Ft., Ultra Quiet with Open Window Flexibility, Compatible with Alexa/Google Assistant, 35% Energy Savings (Renewed)

$299.99 (as of May 8, 2025 17:25 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Apple iPad 11-inch: A16 chip, 11-inch Model, Liquid Retina Display, 128GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP Front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life — Pink

(1026)

$299.00 (as of May 8, 2025 17:25 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

All-new Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB) – Our fastest Kindle ever, with new 7" glare-free display and weeks of battery life – Black

(6067)

$159.99 (as of May 8, 2025 06:29 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)