This election year has been one of the most grueling ever, for many people and for many reasons. Writing on election eve, I imagine that the noise likely won’t die down right away, with thousands of lawyers ready to pounce on a myriad of real and perceived flaws in the voting system. Regardless of political orientation, you likely won’t have awakened on Wednesday with much sense of relief.
If indeed that has happened, I encourage you to channel your political malaise into something constructive, something that will have a real effect close to home. On Monday night, Nov. 8, the City Council is hearing an appeal of a large residential development in the wilderness area between Big Rock and Las Flores. If the Council upholds the earlier approval by the Planning Commission, more houses will soon follow.
The hearing has broader implications for Malibu’s future. No matter what your political outlook, the Council needs to hear what you think about this and other such projects. Otherwise, developments will continue being approved on a narrow, case-by-case basis, with not enough regard for their cumulative effect on the character of the City.
Please attend the hearing. Even if you don’t intend to speak, fill out a speaker slip when you arrive, because you may hear something to which you’d like to respond. For more info, please visit: home.earthlink.net/~kraig.
In other news, the final public comment period for the BHP Billiton floating gas facility is now open, and closes in December. The city needs your support to help convince the state not to let the feds have their way with our ocean “front yard.” For info, visit: ww.cabrilloport.ene.com.
Kraig Hill