Two more possible for SMMUSD board race
Two additional people have pulled papers for a potential run in the election for four seats on the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education. They are Chris Bley, who had a failed run two years ago, and newcomer Murray Miller.
Those who pull papers have until Aug. 6 to obtain 100 signatures from registered voters to make their candidacy official.
The other potential candidates who already pulled papers are incumbents Oscar de la Torre, Ralph Mechur and Barry Snell, as well as challengers Laurie Lieberman, Nimish Patel, Patrick Cady and Jake Wachtel. Of these people, only Wachtel has not confirmed whether he will run in the race. Cady is the only one who is a Malibu resident.
Malibu residents will also be voting in the election for the Santa Monica College District’s Board of Trustees. That contest also has four seats up for grabs. Incumbents Louise Jaffe, David Finkel, Nancy Greenstein and Andrew Walzer have pulled papers. The others who have done this are Wachtel and Brian Hutchings
For both these races an endorsement by Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights, or SMRR, is extremely helpful. The SMRR endorsement convention will take place Sunday at 1:15 p.m. at John Adams Middle School.
Coastal to consider Malibu Lagoon restoration project
The California Coastal Commission at its meeting on Aug. 12 in San Luis Obispo will consider an application by the California Department of Parks and Recreation for a project “to restore and enhance” Malibu Lagoon.
The proposed project includes a habitat restoration plan to replant native species and remove non-native species, construction of a public access trail and interpretive public educational amenities as well as the implementation of a long-term monitoring plan.
A Coastal Commission spokesperson said the staff report for the application should be available for public review later this week.
The Malibu Times will have more coverage of the proposal in next week’s issue.
Contract awarded for Santa Monica Mountains visitor center
The National Park Service recently awarded a $6.8 million contract under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Big-D Construction and AJC Architects.
The two Salt Lake City companies will rehabilitate an existing building at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas, to serve as an interagency visitor center.
The project will be designed to achieve LEED platinum certification, and will be constructed to be a net-zero building. It will be the first visitor center in the National Park Service that will generate enough energy to completely offset its usage, according to the National Park Service.
“The visitor center will give Santa Monica Mountains visitors the opportunity to explore many educational and recreational offerings throughout the region in one centralized location,” said Lorenza Fong, acting park superintendent. “It will serve as a true gateway to discover this rare Mediterranean ecosystem and the many fun and meaningful outdoor experiences it has to offer.”
Bookfair to benefit local public schools
From Sunday through Aug. 7, Barnes & Noble bookstores will host a Bookfair in support of the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation’s Save Our Schools campaign. Customers should present the cashier at any Barnes & Noble store, or online at www.barnesandnoble.com, with the voucher code 10249506 so a percentage of the cost will go to SOS.
On Aug. 7, Malibu student performers and special celebrity guests will appear throughout the day at the Westlake Village Barnes & Noble. For more information about the SOS campaign, go to www.savesantamonicamalibuschools.org.
By Jonathan Friedman