The Most Talked About Man in Culver City is riding a crest this afternoon.
But who can tell from the hurricane-strength crosswinds bandying Scott Malsin about whether this is a positive or discouraging sign?
Will he finish first or sixth or in between in Tuesday’s City Council election?
He said this afternoon he will not make a guess. “It is nice to see so many lawn signs up,” he said, “but that is an imperfect barometer, of course. If you went by that, certainly seem to be doing very well.”
In the 95-year history of Culver City, there surely has not been a politician whose reputation has been fiercely pitched forth and back from the He’s Our Guy side to the Why Doesn’t He Transfer to the Moon? team.
Newspapers have been inundated with letters about the putative returning City Councilman that threaten to skewer a six-way race for four seats that already is scrambled.
In his third run for office, the undefeated Mr. Malsin sounded the way winds do when they suddenly have been stilled by unseen forces.
“We have been asking friends of mine, supporters, residents of Culver City, if they would be so kind to send in letters of support,” Mr. Malsin said.
“It has been so wonderful to read them. So many people took the time to do so. I appreciate so much reading these different letters.
“I hear the voices of each of these folks. I understand what it is they are talking about. We have worked on things together. We have enjoyed experiences and events together. I have been able to help them out. It is so nice to read the heartfelt appreciation they are expressing.
“I have worked very hard on the City Council. It is awfully nice to feel that coming back.”
This May Be a Silly Question
Mr. Malsin was asked if he reads the negative letters.
He laughed and said, “Of course I do.”
What is he thinking as he reads them?
“They seem very repetitive to me. I am not sure why the most important issue in the world to these folks is that I stepped down from the Council last December so I could take care of my family.
“Obviously I am a candidate for election, so I would say this – but the election ought to be about Culver City and its future.
Looking Back
“I have been as open as possible about my family situation. I feel I have acted with integrity. It is fine if somebody doesn’t agree with me. That is just fine. Everybody is entitled to an opinion.
“But it seems transparent for this to be such an important bone of contention for people.”
Then Mr. Malsin unloaded what was intended to be a knockout punch.
“I suspect it is something that is largely manufactured,” he said.
“My record is a good one. As I have said before, I wanted nothing more than to retain what we had qualified for and to serve out my (four-year) term (instead of departing after two years).
“But because the Council adopted a policy that I disagreed with as it applied to our employees, its impact up on my family and me was something I had to consider.
“There certainly is no material gain for me in serving another term on the Council. I am offering to continue working hard.
“I hope that is what everybody will look at when they vote.
“They will not find a harder working candidate than I am. It is just wonderful to be out there campaigning with a record of real accomplishment, initiating things that have made and will continue to make Culver City better – things that are generating revenue, building community, preserving our character.”
