Why are we being asked to vote? I have lived in Malibu for more than 30 years. I remember the natural grasses and wetland vegetation of the Malibu Lagoon. At that time, Jerry Perenchio’s “golf course” was part of the Malibu Lagoon and covered with tall grasses and reeds, which spread across Pacific Coast Highway toward Malibu Canyon Road. The Chili Cook-Off site was a natural paradise, a haven for wildlife and migrating birds and on the brink of destruction. I felt greatly concerned and upset as things began to “develop.” I was brainwashed by our society’s attitude that “property rights” are the law of the land. Fortunately, in 1970, our U.S. Government began passing laws that recognize the human values of the environment to the welfare of the planet. I voted for Malibu to become a city because I felt the stewardship of Malibu was a privilege and responsibility. I voted against freeway development because it was easy to understand. I voted for a high school for Malibu because we needed our children to stay at home rather than travel to Santa Monica every day. I voted against sewers because wastewater is a major unsolved problem.
I do not understand Measure “M,” the Malibu Bay Company Development agreement. I want to know … why we are being asked to vote on this huge and crucial agreement when we don’t understand its implications?
Malibu has about 3,500 voters. Elections can be determined by a few votes. Are we to vote without knowing the answers to these questions? What is the value of the Malibu Bay Company property which we are voting to purchase? Why should Malibu homeowners pay for a sewer/wastewater treatment plant that benefits only commercial development? How do we solve the pollution of the Malibu Lagoon and Surfrider Beach? What happens after the vote?
Dawn Navarro