I just read your editorial, “Who’s against a Malibu central park?” Arnie York, in the tradition of Fox News and commentator Sean Hannity, has just turned the truth upside down. Arnold characterizes Ozzie Silna and the Malibu Coastal Conservancy as the, “not so loyal opposition” to the park.
People for Parks of Los Angeles, a non-profit urban park advocacy group that has raised approximately one billion dollars for parks and open space, recently honored Ozzie Silna as the 2005 Man of Year for Parks, for his vision, talent and financial assistance in helping Malibu develop a central wetlands park.
Ozzie is the most prominent and visible supporter for the central park. A few years ago, the city council voted 5-0 to support the Bay Company development agreement for the Civic Center. The agreement authorized 185,000 square feet of commercial development. Ozzie and his conversancy partners Steve Uhring and John Mazza organized and financed the opposition. Many would argue that they forced the council to put the agreement to a vote. Malibu voters rejected the development plan with a 60 percent vote. If my memory is correct, Arnold and the Times supported the plan.
Today, to the council’s credit, the city is working hard to raise the $25 million needed to purchase the land. If Arnold had asked, he would have learned that this week the Conservancy would give the campaign $500,000.
In the editorial, Arnold noted that state agencies will not provide $8 million in park grant money before the December deadline. It should be noted that the City of Malibu is a latecomer to the park movement. Since PfP successful initiatives, state voters have approved park initiatives 12, 13, 40 and 50. While the state was using the bonds to purchase parkland in Adamson Ranch, Topanga Beach, Baldwin Hills and the Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu was not in the game.
Today Malibu is in the game. The city council members are born-again park supporters. The staff is working hard. I hesitate to criticize grant application mistakes. Even The Malibu Times has a new look. Maybe it is not too late for even Arnold to reinvent himself.
Jack Foley, president
People for Parks