New Westside candidate plans run

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- An outspoken critic of the Job Center and two-time City

Council candidate said Monday he will make another run for a seat at the

dais.

And if James Fisler doesn’t win, he says he wants to at least make it

interesting.

Fisler, 50, said he plans to shed light on various city issues --

including what he calls the “third-worlding” of Costa Mesa -- during

candidate debates. If he can’t win based on his own ideas, Fisler hopes

to clarify where other council hopefuls stand on some of the city’s most

controversial issues, including the Job Center, charities and illegal

immigration.

His campaign will lack a few frills, such as expensive literature and

advertisements -- maybe even the $900 ballot statement -- but it will be

rich with debate and information, he said.

“The degree in which I’m competitive is largely limited by finances,”

he said. “But at least I can run for free.”

Fisler ran in 1996 and 1998. Both campaigns, neither of which were

heavily funded, produced dismal results.

“I finished last, but I got a lot of encouragement from different

people in the community. I’m a seasoned veteran now,” he said.

Although Fisler lives in Mesa Verde, he has gained the support of a

faction of Westside activists who believe the Job Center, illegal

immigration and the presence of charities are driving the quality of life

down in their neighborhood.

Councilman Chris Steel said he is anxious to get someone such as

Fisler on the dais with him.

“He’s conservative like me,” Steel said. “If I can’t get the council

to show some leadership on some of these issues, the residents are going

to have to look for two reliable, conservative, credible candidates for

the seats available.”

Mayor Linda Dixon and Councilman Gary Monahan are both up for

reelection, and while Dixon said she will fight to keep her seat, Monahan

has decided to bow out of politics.

And Councilwoman Karen Robinson has launched a write-in campaign to

unseat Orange County Superior Court Judge Ronald C. Kline. Robinson said

she will remain on the City Council during the campaign but would resign

if she wins.

While Steel is looking for like-minded candidates to help him win

majority votes, he could be removed from the council if convicted of two

felony charges for alleged forging of signatures during the last two City

Council elections. Steel has pleaded not guilty to both.Fisler is the

most recent City Council hopeful to make improving the Westside central

to his candidacy. Others include Allan Mansoor and Joel Faris, but

neither have formally announced a candidacy.

The increasing number of candidates focused on the Westside could end

up hurting their collective cause, Steel said, if they end up splitting

votes.

“I’m worried there might be too many running,” Steel said.

Other probable contenders are Planning Commissioners Katrina Foley and

Bill Perkins and former council members Heather Somers and Jay Humphrey.