Parade must

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not end

58 years ago, I, and the L.A. County lifeguards at Zuma, started the annual Christmas Eve parade throughout upper Malibu. Ray Ogie, owner of Trancas Restaurant at the time, graciously donated candy canes. It became an annual event which all looked forward to.

Others have taken up the annual ride and delighted all the youngsters of Malibu for years. The City of Malibu, under their charter, surely can cover the legal aspect of this joyous event. As for a Santa, there always will be a Santa who will step up for the children of Malibu if called upon to do so. I was Santa as we started this historical event.

Hopefully the people of Malibu will never let it fade way, as all too many beautiful things today seem to follow that path. Point Dume Christmas parade cancelled? Humbug!

(The parade was started by lifeguards Bob Burnside as Santa and Jack Campbell as his elf. Gary Troy had offered to run the Christmas parade in the mid ’70s because, as proprietor of a residential home for troubled teens in Point Dume at the time, he had plenty of volunteers on hand to assist in the organization.)

Bob Burnside