I was at a party on Saturday night with a group of local friends. It was a typical Malibu party. Most of the guests were parents, with kids ranging from infants to teens. There were great steaks being barbecued on the grill, big bowls of fresh greens, delicious broiled salmon, lots of good wine. The World Series was on the TV. The conversation was good all around the house. We talked about that day’s soccer games, whether or not Mystic River deserves the adulation it’s getting, the swell at Little Dume, Rush Limbaugh’s pill addiction, the new brick floor at Tops. We also talked about Measure M.
Interestingly, many of the folks there, myself included, continue to be baffled by M. We have all read accounts of the Measure in the local papers, we’ve read the letters to the editor, we’ve looked at the full page ads trying to explain why we should vote one way or the other. And yet we’re still confused.
Probably because M is being presented to us cloaked in the same political double-speak that most ballot measures of recent years have been disguised with. Both sides claim that they want to preserve our rural way of life. Both sides claim that they have our children’s best interest in mind. Both sides claim that this is the vote that will dictate the future of our city.
Measure M is being spun on both sides, and as a result, I don’t believe anyone anymore. And my frustration at all things political continues to grow. So I am putting forth my own suggestion, born out of ignorance perhaps, but fueled by a sentiment that I think I share with thousands of other Malibuites. I think it is fair to say that the overwhelming majority of citizens who live here would like to see Malibu remain as it is. Yes, it would be great to have more ball fields. Yes, a couple of beautifully landscaped parks would be wonderful. And, of course, a facility to clean the fouled water that is polluting our beaches is critical. But it seems to me it might be easier to move ahead on all those issues if the enormous obstacle that is the Malibu Bay Company Plan could somehow just go away. The time is now for someone to step up and make things right. And there is really only one person who has the power to do that.
To that end, I would like to ask Jerry Perenchio and his company to take an unprecedented step towards settling this divisive issue that has been looming over Malibu for years. A step that makes no logical sense and even less financial sense. A step that I’m reluctant to even suggest for its naiveté, but that I’ll suggest just the same. Donate your land, Mr. Perenchio. Become Malibu’s angel. Listen to the voices of the people who you live amongst, and put your business interests aside. Take a road higher than any of us really have the right to ask of you. Forego the substantial windfall you stand to make by developing your properties.
Decide instead to let there be Chili Cook-offs forever in the middle of town. Let there be parks and ball fields named after the generous benefactor who donated his land for the betterment of his community. Look at these particular real estate investments as financial losses, and move forward instead to become a man of unmatchable generosity, courage and foresight. The world needs a hero. Let it be you.
Eamon Harrington