Re “Mehaul Is Back Because He Misses Politics”

Getting more than a six-month jump on June’s primary election for the state Board of Equalization, Mehaul O’Leary said he is returning to politics “because I have missed being the thorn most.

“I mean that in a good way,” said the termed-out two-term former City Councilman.

“I know that I was sometimes controversial on regional boards where I served. I was sometimes outspoken.”

Mr. O’Leary was sidelined 19 months ago by the City Charter as a Councilman.

He said the distinction at City Hall was that “I was just Mehaul on the City Council. I was just representing what I believed was good for Culver City.

“As chair of the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission, I was sometimes confrontational with some public representatives. They were calling us names, accusing board members of nefarious things, including messing with money. I was very vocal as I was at times in Culver City when the public made outrageous claims against other Council members or staff.”

Mr. O’Leary said he was not bashful.

“I would stand up for staff if I believed I should,” he said. “Sometimes silence can seem like guilt.

“I have watched other public officials just let public comment go. I never liked that.”

(To be continued)