The following letter is in response to a letter to a editor from last week, “Scrub the shrub idiocy,”by Anne Hoffman.
In response to your letter regarding State Parks plan for Malibu Bluffs:
We have never said that the 90-acre park must be 100% coastal sage scrub. It is inaccurate to say that we value plants more highly than our state’s children. And it is completely untrue that we view children as environmentally offensive. Furthermore, I believe that the Governor’s policies have been supportive of the state’s children.
For 20 years the California Department of Parks and Recreation has been a good neighbor and allowed for ball field use at the Bluffs, but has also been consistent in reminding all parties that this is a temporary use. At the same time we have worked long and hard to find solutions to resolve this issue. Last year our Director said we would work with the City of Malibu and the Crummer Family Trust to try to find an acceptable solution. Recently, the Trust presented a possible solution to the City, State Parks and Coastal Commission staff. The Trust is tentatively scheduled to make a similar presentation to the Malibu City Council on June 10.
This proposal would not give every party everything they want, but it would give every party something they can live with. In regard to your concerns it would provide for ball fields in the same general area at the Bluffs but out of the prime view shed.
It is easy to engage in personal attacks and to be divisive. It is harder to work at finding solutions. If you really value our children and their future then I would encourage you to support this positive solution, and work toward its implementation.
Russell G. Guiney
District Superintendent