I have no experience with city politics and had never attended a city council meeting until a few weeks ago when a hearing was held regarding vacating the easement over our street. This would have been a huge benefit to the city with no downside. Unfortunately, it was very clear to all of the neighbors who attended and spoke that the city council was determined right from the beginning to find a way to reject our request. It was obvious they had no interest in what we had to say. The council, led by Sharon Barovsky, groped throughout the hearing to find a way to turn us down. Finally, they “invented” a reason by convincing each other that all we really wanted was a gate even though we made it clear all evening and in our application that this was not the case. Overall, the experience was rather disheartening.
However, I decided not to say anything and wrote it off as politics as usual because it seemed that the city council had no problems looking foolish to everyone but themselves and happily ignoring all of the public support. But then I read the recent letters in this paper regarding two issues: the Malibu Bay Company and the General Plan. I quickly discovered that our street was not alone. The city council not only ignored the needs of the Malibu citizens but also openly misrepresented themselves about their respective roles on the General Plan Task Force. Once again, Ms. Barovsky took the lead and council members Jennings and House proudly joined in.
Malibu is a small and beautiful town with many volunteer citizens working hard at making it an even better place to live. The last thing we need is a city council that is only looking out for each other. When the council ignores the will of the people and resorts to openly making things up to serve their own needs, it may be time for the citizens to take a closer look at who represents them. Meanwhile, I suggest that Barovsky, House and Jennings re-read the story about the little boy who chopped down a cherry tree.
Dodd Darin