Permanent nighttime lighting would signal the end to a semi-rural Malibu. Not only would it drive away the night skies and wildlife that brought most of us here, it would bring the around-the-clock urbanization that we left the cities and suburbs to escape. We can all understand why proponents of permanent lighting would want it installed. However, they need to remember that when they moved here, they knew Malibu was the last remaining semi-rural enclave in Metro Los Angeles and they knew that Malibu had a countrified school without a nighttime stadium. Countless nearby communities could provide the stadium lighting, seating and all the bells and whistles that top notch suburban schools can provide. But Malibu became a city specifically to protect against such urban encroachments.
We need to hold our city council, mayor and Coastal Commission to account for that fact. Just in 1994, the School District said there was no need or plan for nighttime lighting. In 1999, the Coastal Commission ruled that there would be no permanent lighting in order to preserve Malibu Park’s scenic views, wildlife and native resources. Notwithstanding conclusions drawn by “consultants,” I, living a few blocks from the school, see and hear two to four owls in our yard almost every night followed by hawks at daybreak, and random coyotes and other wildlife moving through every night. Nothing has changed since the Coastal Commission conclusion of 1999, except Measure BB funds burning a hole in folks’ pockets to spend. Let’s wake up, people! We remember why we became a city, and recognize the unique gift and opportunity we have living in this special place surrounded by state and national parks and the deep blue sea!
Tom Molloy