I was very surprised to see Cathy Neiman’s article on the “Coastal Commission Tours Malibu.” She missed the point. We were not protesting the Commissioners. We were protesting the use of Malibu taxpayer money (to the tune of nearly $30,000 per month) spent without the residents’ approval by the Malibu City Council to hire hugely expensive lobbyists to push the Council’s own agenda. We were welcoming the Commissioners with open arms so that they could finally hear the other side of the LUP issue. We want the protections that the Coastal Act is providing. We do not want the Commissioners to be swayed by a handful of developers and property owners who want their land protected. The LUP will affect only a fraction of the population here in Malibu contrary to what the City Council and their best friends, the developers, are saying. We urge support of the draft LCP and strong protections for ESHA, water quality and public access to protect the State’s interest as mandated by the Coastal Act. Finally, Ms. Neiman referred to a “handful” of protesters. That would be five, Ms. Neiman. You need glasses. I counted nearly 50.
Susan Tellem