The following was addressed to the California Coastal Commission.
Although I respect your original decision regarding our field lights, I ask you to take a walk in our shoes, or rather run a few yards in our cleats. I am a captain on the Malibu High School Varsity Cheerleading Team and serving my third term on the City of Malibu’s Youth Commission. Seeing as Malibu High is still a relatively new school it is quite impressive how far we have come. We started with no sports teams at all and now have all the sports teams you could want. “Friday Night Lights” has become such a huge part of American tradition and culture. Many other high schools in our area have field lights and use them almost every night.
Since only six to eight homes would be directly affected by these field lights, why should their needs be valued higher than the community of Malibu High School which consists of over 2,000 students, parents and alumni? The houses surrounding our football field were purchased by residents who knew they would be living next to a high school, and specifically by the high school’s track. Had it been such a disturbance to them one would think they would have searched elsewhere for a home. In this case I do believe the majority should win.
I do not understand how 16 of 365 nights of the year will have any negative impact whatsoever. I believe it would have a very positive impact on the Malibu community as a whole. It would be a vital component to increasing school spirit, and would provide a safe haven for the students, keeping them off the street and out of trouble.
I drive past Palisades Charter High School almost every night as late as 10 p.m. and know for a fact that it is quite strange if they do not have the lights on at both of their fields. Surrounding Pali’s campus are homes with equally beautiful views of the same ocean, that were bought for equally high prices, yet there seems to be no issue with them utilizing their permanent lights as often as they wish. Please also take into consideration that we have agreed to limit the number of nights we use our lights, so in reality we will still not be equal to most other high schools. Since only about seven households will be harmed, and so many of us will be so incredibly thrilled, it really makes sense for us to be allowed a few nights a year to make memories that will last a lifetime. Memories that I am sure each and every one of you is quite full of from your high school days.
Eden Concoff