Steel tries to calm waters

Jennifer Kho

COSTA MESA -- Councilman Chris Steel began his term Monday with an

attempt to quiet controversy about his campaign victory.

“Well, here I am,” said Steel, who got the most votes in the Nov. 7

election, “after 22 years in the making. . . . I am sorry [Costa Mesa

resident Michael Szkaradek] has taken issue with a political difference

we had back then and has held it against me, but he has that right. The

facts are going to come out, and there was no fraud or attempt at fraud

on my part or on the part of the [signers]. I wish people would be fair

and give me the benefit of the doubt. Yes, mistakes were made but nothing

intentional.”

Szkaradek, who ran against Steel in a 1986 City Council race, claimed

after Steel’s election that one of the signatures on Steel’s nominating

petition was forged.

The city attorney’s office, however, concluded after an investigation

that Steel should not be barred from taking office.

Supporters -- many of them wearing “Steel” buttons -- clapped after

his speech and again when he made his first vote to make reelected

Councilwoman Libby Cowan the city’s mayor.

But Steel steered into more controversy when he then surprised the

crowd by nominating newly elected Councilwoman Karen Robinson for the

vice mayor position.

Robinson declined, however, and the council voted unanimously for

Councilwoman Linda Dixon to take the vice mayor seat.

“This is awkward,” Robinson said. “I don’t have any doubts about my

ability to be vice mayor, but I think I will defer to people with more

experience.”

But while some residents doled out words and cheers in Steel’s favor,

other residents were equally vocal in their opposition.

Nearly a month after the election, some residents are still

challenging Steel’s right to take office, saying Steel should not be

exempt from disqualification just because the alleged forgery was

discovered after the election.

“Steel should not have been on the ballot,” said resident William

Kuhn. “If Mr. Steel takes office, he will follow a program of deceit.

There is no better time or place than now to ask for a recall of Mr.

Steel. God save Costa Mesa.”

Supporters maintain Steel won fair and square.

“The vote count is complete, and Mr. Steel received more votes for

City Council than any other candidate,” said Rich Studerick, who lives in

the city. “It is a clear expression of the will of the people. Refusing

to swear Steel in based on a dubious allegation would be thwarting the

will of the people.”

More than 10 people spoke for or against Steel at the meeting.