Being a “nice guy” and having lots of degrees and experience does not give a person the ability to fight to initiate change. John Sibert, as planning commissioner, voted “yes” for camping amidst the genuine fear of fire by residents. His excuse for this is that he “had to act within the laws that exist, not the ones I wish existed” and promises that, “as a city council member, I can begin to fix those laws.”
Laws are needed for those that won’t comply. However, laws need to be changed at times and updated. This takes vision and guts. Perhaps one may think a higher position can get those laws changed faster, but visionaries with guts don’t wait, they take immediate action. This is a true leader.
We don’t need followers or clones. We need people who are true independent thinkers, people who have the guts and intelligence to say “no” to camping and fight the Coastal Commission to make this happen. For real change, for the Malibu way of life, Jefferson Wagner and Susan Tellem are the visionaries for change. We need strong people who will listen and fight for the people of Malibu.
Sandra Rosenthal