I would like to correct a few glaring errors in John Mazza’s letter to the editor last week. First, he couches his letter as a consiliatory gesture of bringing factions together, then goes on to threaten and trash the City Council, which he accuses of being “progrowth.” In his walk down memory lane, Mazza states he “remembered the Malibu Freeway and the Coral Canyon nuclear power plant projects.” Since he did not live here during that fight, it might explain why he didn’t mention it was Mayor Ken Kearsley who helped found Citizens for Good Planning which was instrumental in defeating both those projects. Hardly a pro-growth position.
Mr. Mazza also criticizes the Coastal Commission, “which developed a plan that did not understand the uniqueness of Malibu.” Once again, he fails to point out that it was then Mayor Jeff Jennings who spent, and as a Councilman, continues to spend untold hours fighting the Coastal Commission’s attempt to usurp our local control. As Planning Commissioner Richard Carrigan said, no one could have done a better job of defending our constitutional rights than JeffJennings. Doesn’t sound pro-growth to me.
Then Mr. Mazza suggests we must never touch the General Plan. Perhaps he is ignorant of the fact that State Law requires cities to review their General Plan every 10 years. Further, he fails to mention that Mayor Pro Tem Sharon Barovsky spent hundreds of hours on the General Plan Task Force. He should thank her helping to craft the document he holds so dear. By the way, my research shows Mr. Mazza never once showed up at those public hearings. In fact, the only time Mr. Mazza speaks, it is to criticize and divide. Anyway, Barovsky doesn’t seem to fit his pro-growth image.
And finally, Mr. Mazza states “the City Council was in such a rush to run for reelection without Measure M on the ballot that they forgot to keep the best interest of the Malibu citizens in mind.” What does that mean? That allowing the citizens to vote was a bad thing? Remember, it was the City Council that voted to put Measure M before the voters. It was Mazza’s CAN group that opposed allowing the citizens to vote in November.
The community has spoken and the Council respects their voice, so why does Mr. Mazza continue to complain? It’s obvious. The council campaign is on. So if Mr. Mazza or his cohorts are going to run for City Council, why not just come out and say so. That way, we can judge the motives for writing such disingenuous letters.
Pam Shatsky