The hardy several persons who stayed around for the Late Show at last night’s dust-dry City Council meeting suddenly were sumptuously rewarded with a naked, unscripted power play near the end.
Tabbing the winner depends on your perspective. The dramatic denouement, according to some, was deemed worth waiting for.
The no-prisoners dialogue between the two, who were not feeling very keen toward each other, was sharp enough to slash a giant cavity in the Wall of China.
The Duel Begins
For 15 raw, icily contested minutes, Vice Mayor Mehaul O’Leary jousted with member Scott Malsin, and it almost was hide-the-women-and-children time.
At stake: Which one was more deserving of the lead role on one of the few prestigious assignments among the Council’s 44 subcommittees?
For the past two years, Mr. Malsin, owner of a well-advertised supreme confidence in his skills, has commanded the two-person Culver City delegation on the Expo light rail Construction Authority.
In the view of some, this is the most desirable of all subcommittees, perhaps the only one with a modicum of perceived prestige.
Mr. O’Leary has been No. 2 by a mile for the last two years, the so-called alternate delegate. No equality here.
He said Mr. Malsin has left no doubt who was in charge and who was the water boy.
Tired of serving as a lustreless backstop, as intimately familiar with the subject of light rail as Mr. Malsin, and feeling freshly energized by his selection last week as Vice Mayor, Mr. O’Leary said that after serving a lowly apprenticeship he had earned a promotion to lead delegate.
The instant theatrics were enhanced by two Council members — Andy Weissman and Mayor Chris Armenta — who played referee and, unmistakably, lent their support to Mr. O’Leary.
Their loyalty gestures may have ultimately turned out to be meaningless for last night, but they were clear statements of where their sentiments rested, with Mr. O’Leary. The endorsements also amounted to firm rebukes of Mr. Malsin for stubbornly insisting on retaining the No. 1 position.
Settle Down, Boys
Mr. Weissman reprised the role of Solomonic peacemaker that he has effectively carried out during his first two years on the Council. After stressing the even distribution of contributions by both men, the former Mayor moved on to the “tut-tut” or “boys, boys” stage.
“I greatly appreciate the amount of time both Mehaul and Scott have equally put into representation on Expo,” Mr. Weissman said.
“My personal feeling is none of us has a proprietary interest in any of these seats. To the extent that change is good, I would not be inclined to retain the same representation merely because we have done it for the last two years.
“Any institutional knowledge Scott may have, he is capable of sharing with Mehaul. I would be inclined to accede to Mehaul’s request that he step up because I think he has earned the lead position because he has served his apprenticeship. I am perfectly fine with Mehaul being the delegate if that is what he truly wants.”
Then it was Mr. O’Leary’s turn. He sounded a conciliatory note, which distinguished him from his stern rival:
“I want Scott there, obviously,” said the Irishman. “I didn’t expect this to be an issue.”
Mayor Armenta inserted himself assertively. Shifting his chair and gaze in the Vice Mayor’s direction, Mr. Armenta said:
“I am happy to support you (for the lead position) and keep Mr. Malsin as the alternate.”
Majority Favored O’Leary
For bean counters, that meant Mr. O’Leary had clinched his coveted position with a majority of members backing him, had he chosen to poll them, which he did not.
In his maiden voyage as a Councilman, Jeff Cooper mainly sat back and observed.
Following Mayor Armenta’s endorsement of the Vice Mayor, the neutral Mr. Cooper interjected: “If you guys can’t settle this, I can jump in.”
No takers.
Mr. Malsin repeatedly returned to his core theme:
While he, ostensibly, does not bring unique skills to the Expo light rail negotiations, he acknowledged, he is a difference-maker who is uniquely qualified.
Mr. Malsin insinuated more than once that Mr. O’Leary, fine chap that he is, is not ready for prime time, although his conclusions were framed slightly more delicately.
“We are standing on a broader stage,” said Mr. Malsin. “I think I have earned a lot of credibility for the city. I also have relationships that extend for a number of years now with the other (Construction Authority) members. I think those have gone a long way toward helping the Authority itself, toward resolving some of its issues and toward seeing that Culver City’s needs are taken into account.
“I know Mehaul would do a good job. But, from the city’s standpoint, having me continue to serve would be beneficial. I would be happy to elaborate a little more. But I think you understand that is the way these things work. I am a familiar player who has represented the city well. I don’t think it will serve us well to have a shift.
“Not because of anybody’s ability. It is because of continuity. It is not a matter of continuity here in Culver City. It is a matter of continuity on the Board.
Who Will Do the Better Job?
“We have been represented well. I am not saying that because I think so much of myself. I think we should keep the group in place.”
As he sat and absorbed long minutes of implied criticism of his performances the past two years, Mr. O’Leary maintained his equilibrium, never hinting at the least pique.
In the latter stages of their informal debate, Mr. O’Leary asked Mr. Malsin to enlarge on his suggestion that Mr. O’Leary was less aware of of the inner workings of the Construction Authority. “Have discussions gone on that I have not been privy to?” Mr. O’Leary asked.
For a rejoinder, Mr. Malsin returned to himself.
“The only thing is that we have been dealing with a lot of Culver City issues I have been able to help them out with.
Retaining his lead position, he said, was “more a matter of what the face of our city is for (the Expo board). Not that it is my face, but it is a matter of consistency. We have credibility.
“I would like to be able to see us through the next year, not because — frankly, this is one of the dullest assignments there is — but seeing us through this next year when we will have resolved the remaining issues related to Culver City’s aerial station.
“I say this because I think it is the right thing for the city. It will serve us better.”
Mr. O’Leary idly asked whether his elevation to Vice Mayor wouldn’t burnish the credentials of the Culver City delegation when the group meets in downtown Los Angeles.
“No,” said Mr. Malsin. “I don’t think anyone is interested in our titles because all five of us on the City Council) are equal.
“I think this is very serious business. I absolutely am not saying anything based on your ability.”
Sitting on the Expo is not petite potatoes, Mr. Malsin suggested.
“This is not a matter of each of the five of us deciding who gets to do something,” he said. “This is Culver City on a larger stage.”
Mr. O’Leary, assuming his gentlemanly option, interrupted Mr. Malsin for the final time.
He announced his capitulation, that he would step aside so that Mr. Malsin could have his way.
Not a cheer of any degree was heard or seen.
