Stepping up to the plate

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    I’ve lived in Malibu for 38 years, fought for cityhood because I believed in local control and supported City Council candidates who espoused show-growth philosophies. Sadly, it has become apparent that having good intentions and strong convictions don’t ensure effective leadership. Instead, legitimate debate in Malibu has degenerated into venomous personal attacks and anonymous character assassination. Today, all one has to do is read the local papers to understand that the divisions in our community are deepening, senior citizens are being pitted against our youth, longtime residents against recent settlers, supporters of active recreation against those who simply want to contemplate nature. I feel sure that most would agree this is not what we had in mind when we fought so hard to become a city.

    It is time to stop the “us versus them” rhetoric that permeates our political discourse. It is time to understand that the needs of our fragile environment and the needs of our residents are not always mutually exclusive. It is time for our leaders to communicate with fellow council colleagues, outside agencies and the community at large in order to facilitate problem solving.

    I want to take this opportunity to thank all those who have encouraged me to run for Malibu City Council, expressed their confidence in my ability to lead and believed that I would debate issues, offer solutions and avoid personal attacks. Because of that encouragement, I have decided to announce my candidacy and pledge that I will try not to disappoint those who are eager for an issue-oriented campaign free of personal invective.

    Ken Kearsley,

    vice-chair

    Malibu Planning Commission