Monahan is still mayor in this town

Deirdre Newman

The post-Thanksgiving mayoral shuffle resulted in a repeat

performance and a new act and only ruffled a few feathers in the

process.

Mayor Gary Monahan will remain at the center of the dais as mayor

for a third term.

Councilman Allan Mansoor is now second in command as mayor pro

tem.

And former Mayor Pro Tem Chris Steel was shut out.

On resigning himself to being passed over as mayor, Steel

graciously voted for Monahan to ensure a unanimous vote, although he

had expressed reservations.

“I have a problem with [Monahan] being mayor again,” Steel said.

“This will be his third term. I think the city needs new direction.”

Right before the vote, he offered himself as the only prospect for

change.

“I’m offering [myself] for any concerned, sensible councilmen who

want to change direction,” Steel said. “If you want to continue with

the status quo, I’m not your man.”

Monahan expressed gratitude for the council’s continued support.

“I’m just honored to be appointed again and want to keep things

moving as swiftly and proactively as [they have in] the last few

months,” Monahan said.

He said he looked forward to working with Mansoor.

“I feel safe sitting next to a sheriff,” Monahan joked.

Mansoor also expressed thanks for his colleagues’ support.

“I’m just honored and appreciative of the support from my fellow

councilmen,” he said.

Monahan’s last term began midway through the mayoral cycle, after

former Mayor Karen Robinson left to become an Orange County Superior

Court judge.

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers Costa Mesa and may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at [email protected].