Robinson pick stuns council watchers

Lolita Harper

Councilwoman Karen Robinson was unanimously chosen to lead the

City Council Monday after a surprising political move that bucked

customary council hierarchy and designated the city’s first

African-American mayor.

Council members expressed confidence in Robinson, saying they look

forward to her leadership.

“I think it really shows what an open community we have that we

embrace diversity so well,” Councilwoman Libby Cowan said. “Diversity

in thought, as well as characteristic, in our council members.”

Robinson said she was confident in her skills as a leader and was

pleased that her council colleagues felt the same.

“I am happy that the city and its leaders can select people based

on their qualifications, which is what I think happened here,”

Robinson said.

Councilman Chris Steel nominated Robinson, and Cowan eagerly

supported the motion, making it quite clear Robinson had the

necessary votes to ascend to the one-year position, which is mostly

ceremonial. Her duties include running the council meetings and

representing the city.

Councilman Gary Monahan, who was considered the favorite to lead

the new council, was visibly stunned to learn his council colleagues

disagreed.

Monahan served as mayor pro tem, a position that is traditionally

a stepping stone to the peak position. He is also the councilman with

the most experience, having served as the city’s mayor once before

and beginning his third term on the council.

Just before newcomer Councilman Allan Mansoor locked in his yea

vote, he asked his colleagues if they were violating procedure by not

electing the current mayor pro tem. They answered him quickly, and

his vote made Robinson’s title official.

A hush enveloped the crowd, which was immediately followed by loud

whispers with curious tones.

“This is a complete overturning of city tradition,” one man told

his neighbor.

Cowan said her reason for supporting Robinson was easy: She asked.

“Karen called me over the Thanksgiving weekend and asked if I

would support her bid for mayor,” Cowan said during a phone interview

Tuesday. “She was the only one who had asked me, and I said yes.”

Cowan further surprised the audience when she nominated Steel for

mayor pro tem; he was subsequently voted into the secondary rank. As

mayor pro tem, Steel will step in if Robinson becomes busy or is

unable to represent the city.

The new mayor called for a 10-minute break and was immediately

surrounded by well-wishers. Monahan stormed off the dais and refused

comment during the break.

In their haste to elect Robinson, council members neglected to

take public comment on the elections and had to reopen the issue

after the break.

Already sitting in her ceremonial position, Robinson had to

respond to handful of residents, who boldly questioned her commitment

to the position and asked the council to seriously reconsider its

designation.

Resident John Feeney said the city is at a critical juncture and

must have an experienced leader. His wife, Ernie, echoed his

concerns, saying she questioned the time that Robinson would have to

devote to her mayoral role.

“It appears that you don’t even have time to read the staff

reports,” Ernie Feeney said.

“You are in way over your head,” resident Wayne Morris said.

But many of Robinson’s supporters defended her commitment to the

position and had unwavering confidence in the new mayor.

“This is obviously a surprise, but it is a very pleasant and

welcome surprise to many of us here,” resident Robin Leffler said.

“Just her graciousness in how she has received these comments shows

how capable she is.”

Robinson is the first to admit she has a busy schedule outside of

City Hall, but said Tuesday she is no different from her council

colleagues, who also work full time.

“I think it is natural for people to wonder whether any of us have

enough time to commit to a mayor-ship,” Robinson said in a phone

interview Tuesday afternoon.

The mayor said she will work with her employer and put some of her

extra curricular activities on hold to devote the necessary time to

her new title.

Cindy Brenneman, Robinson’s close friend and former campaign

manager, said Robinson would not have accepted the nomination if she

felt she didn’t have the time. Brenneman said Monday she was more

concerned with Steel’s commitment to his secondary role.

“I hope that you will make a stronger commitment, because you will

have to support Karen,” Brenneman said to Steel.

If the council follows convention, Steel, who shocked council

watchers two years ago by winning a seat in his ninth attempt for

council, is next in line for mayor. Cowan said it is too early to see

if that will be the case, but told Steel she would support his bid

next year if he improved upon a few things.

“I really believe that everybody should have the opportunity to

serve as mayor if they want to,” Cowan said. “There is no power in

the mayor-ship that none of us don’t already have.”

Steel had expressed interest in the top position this time around,

but agreed to wait. He said he was pleased with the votes and was

very well aware of the buzz it caused.

“Were you surprised?” Steel asked. “I like to surprise people.”

After hearing from the public, the council ultimately voted to

reaffirm Robinson’s previous designation.

“Congratulations on being elected,” Monahan later told Robinson.

“I am completely behind you and will do anything to help you.”

Reached by phone Tuesday, however, Monahan said he had no comment

about the events of the night before.

* LOLITA HARPER covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at lolita.harper@latimes.com.