The Point Dume Community Services District (PDCSD), founded almost 20 years ago, is an organization without a home.
Candidates running for a position on the district’s board of directors hope to change that. However, some of the solutions offered to provide a new home base for the district’s services are not agreeable to all.
The district rented space at Point Dume Elementary School when the school was closed in the 1980s and early ’90s. The district hosted community classes and activities for community during that time.
But now, the district is squeezed out of its space because the school is open.
The PDCSD still uses a small office at the school, which is provided free of charge. However, revenues have drastically decreased,, because profits from space it rented to outside entities is disappearing.
Now, the Point Dume community will elect three board members for the district on Nov. 6 (the election is closed to all other Malibu residents). Five candidates are running for the three available seats.
Beverly Hammond, publisher, has already served as president of the board of directors for the district during the last several years.
It was her idea to approach the Malibu Stage Co. to see if the district could manage the theater for the company in exchange for use of the facilities.
However, some Zuma Canyon residents oppose the idea of using the facility in their neighborhood for anything other than the theatrical productions. A conditional-use permit is currently before the Planning Commission on that matter.
Others do not view the decision to use the theater as simple.
“It’s a complex issue,” said Charleen Kabrin, a charter member of the district. “I don’t think the community is even aware of this option.” Traffic circulation is already problematic in Zuma Canyon and Kabrin said she understands that residents in that area are not happy. “I think we need to look in our own backyard first,” she said.
Two new candidates hope to bring new blood to the PDCSD.
“I am interested in running because I want to help find new facilities for the service district,” said John Mazza, a 29-year Malibu resident.
Mazza hopes to provide executive and financial knowledge to the organization. In an effort to provide a place where general clubs and organizations can meet and recreate, Mazza wants to begin with a community-wide survey to help find out what spaces are available and how they could be obtained.
Richard Garvey also wants the community to participate as the district re-visits its purpose.
The 20-year resident of Point Dume has been actively involved in local associations and said he wants to help direct the PDCSD in the right path. “The community should be made aware of what the district is, what it can do based on what the community wants,” he said.
Currently, the district is also looking at possibilities that may come up if the Malibu Bay Company development agreement goes through.
A primary accomplishment of the district is the establishment of the Cameron Community Park in Point Dume, but that, too, could be lost because Point Dume elementary has expressed concerns about sharing the park. The park sits on school property, but improvements were provided by the PDCSD. Dog waste and excess trash after weekends have been problematic. To help, the PDCSD applied for a grant from the city for a subsidy that could pay for park supervision and cleaning.
Karen Verham, a teacher, is also running for a position on the board. She was unavailable to comment for this story.