I’m very excited about current efforts to get the “Your Malibu, Your Decision” voter initiative on the November ballot, which will limit the number of new chain stores in town and mandate that large commercial developments requiring discretionary approval (as opposed to those which can legally be built “by right”), get direct approval from the citizens, instead of a few people at City Hall. This initiative will hugely benefit the future character (and traffic) of Malibu. It is also the best opportunity in many years for residents to reassert that we own the city.
Malibu was founded primarily to create laws (to the extent that state and federal law allow) to preserve the rural character and natural beauty here. Some of the land use laws allow those in City Hall to make discretionary decisions, such as granting “variances.” Local politicians sometimes use their discretion to compromise the founding principles of Malibu, rationalizing that the people of Malibu now have other priorities.
After studying the local process for years, I’m convinced we need large numbers of residents perpetually giving input about priorities. This gives good-intentioned elected folks in-depth community input and the backing they deserve when we want them to make bold decisions. It also calls the bluff of opportunistic politicians who pretend they are doing what they believe the citizens want, while using their position to make powerful personal connections for their future career or their ego, or simply to implement their personal agenda.
Those citizens who are involved notice how few people actually participate in the process; and many attribute this to apathy. I don’t actually believe that people can be apathetic about how someone else spends their money or makes decisions that shape the environment in which they will be living. Of course they care. The reason I used to not participate wasn’t apathy, but that, deep down, I expected participating to be futile. But here is a chance where a small effort can make a big difference.
If you want to help, sign the current petition at one of the markets, and vote for “Your Malibu, Your Decision” in November.
Lynn Norton