The following letter was sent to Gov. Gray Davis.
As representatives of the property owners and residents of this stretch of 2.4 miles along the beach, we would like to add our voices to the ongoing-and growing-conflict between the residents of this community and the highly questionable goals, and authority, of the California Coastal Commission.
The Commission, as we’re sure you know, is an organization that started out with the idea of protecting our shoreline. Unfortunately, as so often happens with well-intentioned legislation, it has devolved into a decidedly undemocratic monstrosity whose immense power has been perverted by the personal attitudes and views of the people who control it.
As residents and property owners, we find it outrageous that this body can-among other things-dictate to us, and to other communities along the coast, what kind of cities and towns the Coastal Commission wants us to be. Its power, the constitutionality of which is doubtful at best, is currently being abused in a number of ways. From ill-mandated public access to beaches in established residential areas (with no lifeguard or toilet facilities or parking accommodation) to telling the essentially residential City of Malibu that it must become a “visitor serving” community, the anger and frustration of our residents are mounting.
Governor Davis, there is understandably a growing reluctance among our predominantly Liberal citizens to support officeholders who are willing to permit this distortion of “the public interest” to continue. We respectfully and urgently ask for your help in this matter.
Thomas B. Sawyer, president
Malibu Road Property Owners Association