Third in a series
Re “Malsin’s Backers Speak Out”
If briefly-former City Councilman Scott Malsin has been a lightning rod during his six years in office, hearing more criticism than his colleagues, there also is a sunny upside to his profile that many find irresistible.
Voters appreciate his cerebral side.
At the Malsin fundraiser last Saturday night at the Elks Lodge, one guest after another, speaking privately, cited his braininess as a persuasive reason for supporting him.
Joy Jacobs of the Culver City Historical Society said it, and a few minutes later, Madeline Ehrlich, former School Board member (1991-’95), said it flatly: “Scott is very smart.”
Ms. Ehrlich agreed with former Councilman Paul Jacobs, who served in the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, that Culver City is more complex and perhaps more perplexing to govern than when they were leading the community.
“Education is more complex than when I was on the Board, and governing has become more difficult.”
Kathy Paspalis, in her third year as a School Board member, said that before the Redevelopment Agency was legislated out of existence on Feb. 1, “Scott was smart about what redevelopment projects got approved and how they were approved. He has done great things for West Culver, which needed attention.
“Scott is a smart guy, and we need smart people in these almost volunteer elected positions.”
Finally, there was the Smart Man himself.
End of a Lengthy Day
At 8 o’clock, 75 percent of the way through the evening, Mr. Malsin still looked fresh in his traditional black suit, white shirt and fashionable necktie.
But before the fundraiser, Mr. Malsin had spent the day campaigning, knocking on doors in the Vets Park neighborhood.
Does he talk or does he listen when he visits?
“It depends,” he said. “If somebody wants to talk, to tell me what they are concerned about, or if they have questions, of course I will listen. That is why I am there.
“But what I find is that people are really pleased with the direction Culver City is going. That is a nice thing for me to hear.
“I tell them, ‘If you like what is happening, I hope you will vote for me on April 10 to keep the progress happening.’
“I must say, walking through neighborhoods and talking to voters is the best part of the campaign. With other matters, there are deadlines.
“But it is absolutely lovely to walk.”
