‘Skosh’ owner running

Former Costa Mesa Mayor Gary Monahan said Wednesday that he would seek another term on the City Council’s dais, despite saying he was “leaning against” mounting such a campaign earlier this year.

“Like anything, life is busy, and sometimes you go through things,” he said. “Initially, I felt very strongly that I wanted to run again, then I started hesitating, and finally came back around. I feel this is how I can best serve the community.”

Monahan, the owner of the Skosh Monahan’s Steakhouse and Irish Pub in Costa Mesa, said he would continue to work on issues closest to his heart — lowering crime, improving city streets, increasing the number of parks in the city and working with families and citizens on an individual basis.

“I feel very strongly about serving the community,” he said. “I think I do better being involved than being on the outside.”

He added that he thought the city’s partisan divide — between the “Improvers” and “Return to Reason” camps — was “not healthy”, and said he’d appeal to voters on both sides of the aisle.

He did not foresee running any “slate” or joint campaigns with other candidates, but acknowledged that anything could happen still.

“I don’t try to fit into any particular category — I’ve gotten support from Improvers and Return to Reason types,” he said. “Debate is healthy, but when it turns into name calling, it’s not.”

While Monahan took a break from city politics when term limits prompted his departure in 2006, he has been a member of a number of other boards, including the Costa Mesa Sanitary District, the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and the Orange County Transportation Authority.

Mayor Eric Bever, author and hair stylist Chris Bunyan and James Fisler have also filed 410 forms, stating their intent to organize and raise money for city council campaigns.

CHRIS CAESAR may be reached at (714) 966-4626 or at [email protected].