Monahan won’t seek reelection

COSTA MESA -- Councilman Gary Monahan says he won’t seek another term

on the City Council, ensuring at least one new face in City Hall after

next year’s elections.

“Right now, I have absolutely no desire to run again,” Monahan said.

The councilman cited a change in the political atmosphere and the

divisiveness of some members of the public as reasons for not running

again. Monahan said he enjoyed his time as an elected official, but it is

“just not fun anymore.”

Monahan, who served as mayor from 1998 to 2000, was first elected in

1994. The city’s term limits don’t apply to him, which would have allowed

him to seek a third and final term.

Combine the amount of effort involved with the late night meetings and

the increasingly hostile public comments and Monahan said he would rather

be doing other things.

His time would be better spent with his family or at his bar, Skosh

Monahan’s, Monahan said.

Monahan’s announcement to not run again leaves at least one seat up

for grabs. Candidates also could still battle to knock off incumbent

Councilwoman Linda Dixon.

Dixon said she will more than likely run again.

“On the good days I am, and on the bad days I think maybe there’s

another way of life,” Dixon said.

Dixon does not view her incumbency as a necessary advantage. She said

running for public office is always a challenge.

“I’m not the kind of person that counts my chickens before they hatch.

Everything requires work and attention, and I would never just assume I

had another term,” Dixon said.

Already expressing an interest in filling one of those seats are Joel

Faris and Planning Commissioner Bill Perkins. Both men ran in the

previous election.

Faris said he is 75% sure he will try again to gain a City Council

seat.

The schoolteacher did well in a crowded 2000 election, finishing fifth

-- just behind incumbent Heather Somers, who was narrowly beaten by

current Councilwoman Karen Robinson.

And Faris said he may have fared even better had he started his

campaign more than 10 weeks before the elections.

“If I start earlier and reached more people with how I would vote on

city issues, I am confident I would do well again,” Faris said.

Perkins, who came in last in that election, now has the name

recognition that comes from his post on the Planning Commission. Perkins

said he must first discuss the possibility of running with his wife, who

will make the final decision.

“My wife and I need to sit down and talk about where we will be two

years from now as far as living situation and our school careers,”

Perkins said.

If he won a spot on the council, Perkins would be required to resign

from the Planning Commission, leaving an open seat there.

Mesa Verde resident Robin Leffler and former council members Sandy

Genis and Jay Humphrey are all rumored to run as well.

Both Leffler and Genis laughed at the notion -- at first.

Leffler said she has no plans to run “but you never know,” she said.

“I’ve already served my sentence,” Genis joked.

Humphrey could not be reached for comment.