Siadek in Treatment : El Segundo Mayor Cites Alcoholism, Will Not Run

El Segundo Mayor Jack Siadek said he originally planned to cite “personal reasons” in his surprise announcement this week that he will not seek reelection.

But he said he changed his mind shortly before Tuesday’s City Council meeting. He told the council he had decided not to run in the April 2 election because of his continuing fight with “the disease of alcoholism.”

Siadek said in an interview Wednesday that he would have been a “miserable person” if he had not publicly discussed his struggle.

“I would have known in my heart that I hadn’t told the truth,” he said. “My new life is based on self-esteem, self-worth and honesty with myself.”

‘Insidious Disease’

The mayor said that he stopped drinking about a year ago, after five years in which alcoholism cost him his marriage and took a toll on his life as a businessman, politician, husband and father. He said he entered a treatment program about six months ago.

“It’s an insidious disease I suffer from,” Siadek said. “Its been difficult for me to separate my role as mayor from who I really am. I think I made the decision not to run about three or four weeks ago. I decided my priorities were screwed up. I need to concentrate on my personal recovery. Sobriety is more than the physical act of not drinking. It carries a lot of excess baggage. I did some personal inventory.”

The announcement surprised Siadek’s colleagues on the council and others active in El Segundo politics, several of whom said they had known of his problem for several years but did not believe it interfered with city business. Siadek said he had told only a few people outside his family about his alcoholism.

Siadek, 47, was elected to the council in 1980, reelected in 1984 and appointed mayor by the council in 1986. His tenure has included conflict with anti-growth activists and a controversy over his role in the city’s fight against MGM Grand Air operations at Los Angeles International Airport’s nearby Imperial Terminal.

Council members and community leaders last year criticized Siadek for telling airport commissioners that the council supported an MGM plan for use of the terminal, disputing his claim that he had the backing of the council.

Though Siadek conceded that the MGM issue and run-ins with anti-growth forces had eroded his support, he said he was confident that he would have won reelection.

“I have strong school, senior citizen and business community support,” said the mayor, who was in Sacramento on Wednesday lobbying the Legislature on a bill aimed at getting more property-tax money for the city.

Nestor Synadinos, a leader of Group United for Residential Rights, a community group, said he had “extreme sympathy” for Siadek. However, he disputed the mayor’s statements that he has widespread support, saying a recent poll by his group showed Siadek with a high disapproval rating.

Siadek said he devotes 30 to 50 hours a week to the mayor’s post and needs more time to focus on rebuilding his family life and career. He has been unemployed since January, 1987, when his restaurant concession at the Embassy Suites Hotel in El Segundo ended and he received a $72,000 settlement.

Siadek said his alcoholism had ruined his marriage of 22 years and put a great deal of stress on his three sons, who he said support his decision not to run for reelection.

“I did a real good job of covering it up,” he said. “I tried not to let it interfere with my job as mayor. But emotionally it had an impact. . . . There were times when I felt frustrated. (The MGM controversy) was like a circuit overload.”

Siadek said he is in job negotiations with the Personal Success Institute, a Santa Monica-based company that produces self-improvement television programs. Spokeswoman Lonnie Geary said Siadek is discussing a marketing position with the firm, which is owned by Financial Marketing Services.

Siadek said he is a friend of psychologist Dr. Jordan Paul, author of “Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved by You?” and said Paul has been instrumental in aiding his recovery. As part of an effort to get back in shape during the past two years, Siadek said he has lost 60 pounds and quit smoking. He said he runs five miles every other day.

“I’m excited about the future,” he said. “I think there are some very good things further down the road, some nice sunrises.”

While Siadek said he will not endorse any council candidates, he is determined to fight the “reasonable growth” ballot initiative sponsored by Synadinos’ group, a measure that would severely restrict commercial development east of Sepulveda Boulevard. He said he hopes to remain active in city affairs and retain membership in community and school organizations.

And he said he may return to politics.

“I love politics,” he said. “I think I’m good at it. . . . I think my purpose in life is to lead people, to help people. . . . There are some people who would be excellent leaders who don’t want to put up with what they perceive to be the hassle. It’s not as bad as it may seem to be. It’s a way to feel good about yourself, frankly.”