Mark Richard Daniels, a former member of the Cultural & Heritage Commission, with Mayor Ashleigh Aitken in November 2025.
By DUANE J. ROBERTS Editor & Publisher
A recent mailer sent to voters in West Anaheim by Mayor Ashleigh Aitken’s reelection campaign highlights as a key endorser a former city commissioner who was forced to step down after making a sexually demeaning remark about a woman with whom he disagreed.
The endorser, Mark Richard Daniels, served on Anaheim’s Cultural & Heritage Commission as an appointee of former Councilwoman Denise Barnes. He resigned in October 2020 after the comment became the subject of intense public scrutiny and controversy.
Daniels’ name highlighted in yellow.
The story about it first appeared in the Anaheim Independent, a right-wing blog run by Matthew Cunningham, a former consultant with the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce. The website has since been rebranded as the Anaheim Observer, although new content is rarely posted.
Despite its political perspective, the central facts of this controversy were never in dispute. The matter focused on Daniels’ own comments, which were documented on video and later acknowledged in the resignation letter he sent to city officials, including Barnes herself.
According to the Independent, Daniels was recorded during an Anaheim Police operation near Beach Boulevard and Ball Road while speaking with homeless advocate R. Joshua Collins. During the conversation, he made disparaging comments about Jodie Mosley, a homeowner.
The most controversial remark reported by the blog was Daniels’ statement that Mosley was “probably blowing every one of those cops.” The comment drew fierce criticism from West Anaheim residents and prompted calls that he be removed from the commission.
This ultimately led to action by Barnes, who was infuriated with her appointee. In a letter, the councilwoman wrote, “I am deeply offended by what Mr. Daniels said. I do not condone that sort of language, in any circumstances.” She further added he was asked to resign.
Barnes and Daniels in an undated photo.
Daniels subsequently quit and issued a written apology. “I would like to apologize to Jodie Mosley for the pain I have clearly caused her with my words, which have unfortunately been made public …,” he said. “Mrs. Mosley, I am genuinely sorry, and I humbly ask for your forgiveness.”
Last Friday, the Anaheim Investigator contacted Aitken’s campaign team seeking comment on Daniels’ inclusion as an endorser and whether they considered the circumstances surrounding his 2020 resignation when preparing the mailer. So far, we haven’t received any response back.
Councilwoman Norma Campos-Kurtz (in yellow) accepting a joint award on behalf of the city for its partnership with the Disneyland Resort in June 2025.
By DUANE J. ROBERTS Editor & Publisher
The Anaheim Investigator has uncovered evidence that Anaheim officials participated in a June 11, 2025 gala sponsored by the Association of California Cities–Orange County, where the City of Anaheim and Disneyland Resort were jointly honored with the group’s most prestigious award for their collaborative work on DisneylandForward, a multi‑billion‑dollar expansion of the theme park. Councilmembers and city staff didn’t just witness the presentation—they actively took part in it. Yet six days later, at the June 17th council meeting, no mention of it appeared in official proceedings.
The omission becomes more striking given the treatment of another award the city received at the same ACC‑OC gala: a staff honor presented to Sandra Lozeau, Deputy Director of Housing and Community Development, for her leadership role in tackling homelessness. Her recognition received prominent agenda placement, a detailed staff report, and enthusiastic public remarks during the June 17th meeting. By elevating Lozeau’s award while burying one tied to DisneylandForward, city leadership has raised questions about why information about the latter was withheld from residents.
Screenshot of video from the June 17, 2025 council meeting.
The accolade Anaheim kept off the agenda was the Legacy Award—ACC‑OC’s highest‑tier honor–typically reserved for projects this organization characterizes as structurally transformative and politically significant. Far from a routine commendation, this award spotlights initiatives that reshape how cities negotiate development, manage land‑use authority, and influence regional governance. Within their awards hierarchy, it stands as the strongest endorsement of work they believe will have a lasting imprint on public policy, economic growth, or community planning in Orange County.
Photographs confirm that four current councilmembers—Norma Campos‑Kurtz, Ryan Bailus, Carlos Leon, and Kristen Maahs—were present, along with Vanderpool. With the exception of Leon, all referenced the ceremony in their public calendars, though in notably vague and ambiguous terms. Vanderpool, usually meticulous about documenting attendees at events he was at, merely listed “City Staff” and “ACC OC members.” Maahs offered more details, but none disclosed which representative from the entertainment giant stepped up and accepted the award shared with Anaheim.
Carrie Nocella (in red) accepting the joint award with her team.
Campos-Kurtz and Nocella display award plaques.
The Investigator contacted Chief Communications Officer Mike Lyster and each of the four councilmembers who attended the ACC‑OC Leadership Summit on June 11, 2025 to find out the reason the Legacy Award—recognizing Anaheim’s partnership with the Disneyland Resort on DisneylandForward—was omitted from the June 17th council agenda. Our inquiry focused on why Lozeau’s honor received a full presentation and public acknowledgment at the meeting, while the Legacy Award was not mentioned at all, despite its relevance to one of the city’s most significant development efforts.
“We are proud of our city’s work on DisneylandForward, knowing it will bring years of added funding for public safety, libraries, community centers and other services directly benefiting our community,” Lyster told us via email. He added that “while appreciated, not every recognition we receive is mentioned at Council.” In contrast, he said “recognizing Sandra Lozeau was another matter entirely. We welcomed the opportunity to highlight a longtime employee for her incredible work on affordable housing, addressing homelessness and so many other important issues for Anaheim.”
From the ACC-OC 2025 Annual Report.
Only two councilmembers responded to our questions. Maahs said, “I generally keep my council comments focused on District 5 and events taking place there,” adding “there wasn’t any specific reason I didn’t mention the award.” Leon, for his part, expressed thanks “for all of the work Sandy has done” and stated the recognition she received at the gala was well‑deserved, though he couldn’t stay until the end. He noted his main focus on June 17th was addressing “the fear and uncertainty” caused by recent immigration raids and informing residents about the newly launched Anaheim Contigo initiative.
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