I am stunned by the ignorance of the City, first by proceeding with the closure of Civic Center Way and, secondly, by some comments made by City officials that I read in an article in your paper last week. City Maintenance Manager Richard Calvin states that he “…thinks it’s a great project” and “It seems to be working quite well.” No on both counts, Mr. Calvin. Further, Mr. Calvin states that, while the city has received “209 phone calls and 18 e-mails” about the closure, he hasn’t taken the time to evaluate the opinions of those who took the time to contact the city. I suggest Mr. Calvin take the time and he will learn what most people in Malibu are already too painfully aware of-that this closure doesn’t work and it is a poor plan.
We need Civic Center Way to be reopened to ease the added congestion its closure has caused. And, as to Planning Commissioner Deidre Roney’s statement that “People use Civic Center Way to speed around PCH” and that “It’s dangerous there,” I also disagree with her. What is she basing her opinion on? Does she have data to support her comments? I spoke with a representative of the Sheriff’s office who says that Civic Center Way is not a route where a lot of tickets are written for speeding. I had a conversation with a spokesperson for Malibu Towing and was told that, for at least the last year, they have not been called to any accidents on that stretch of Civic Center Way. So, I must question the motivation for a city official who also happens to be a Webster school parent (Ms. Roney) stating that the road is “dangerous.”
I tried putting a call in to Ken Kearsley to complain about the road closure, but was told he was out of town this week. That’s one way to avoid the gridlock. Leave town. Politics aside, and that’s what this boils down to, the City needs to do one thing about this road closure, Reopen the road and keep it open! I would also like to thank the people that have organized the e-mail address, reopencivicctr@aol.com, and the people who have circulated the petition to oppose this closure. In addition to your paper, these are both excellent ways to let the people of Malibu have a voice to oppose this road closure.
Melanie Breitman