The sister city proposal between Malibu and Chablis, France has been quickly discussed late Monday night and with regret the City Council has decided not to go further for lack of information over details and substance.
Another point of concern was that the city was understaffed at this time to undergo discoveries of what may be involved in such endeavor.
I think the proposal has not been discussed properly because the City Council was not enough prepared and another chance should be given to develop awareness and group support if necessary among residents in the Malibu community, perhaps by covering the issue in a feature article in your publication this week.
I am not a resident of Malibu, I am not an attorney, I do not represent private interests, I do not represent the City of Chablis, but I know of these two towns very dearly for I frequently visit them very often during the year.
I’ve lived in California for over 30 years and I share residence in Chablis, France, as well, since 1996, where I decided to undertake a restoration project of a 12th century building called “La Synagogue.”
Although the French government has recognized this building as an architectural landmark for it is listed in the Monuments of France, it has been abandoned for many years and is in state of disrepair. In the future, the restoration and the renovation of this structure will give birth to a cultural space or even a museum.
As you can see, I am a lover of Architecture, Art and History but I am also a nature and beach lover who appreciates good wines, great cuisine and who enjoys traveling between Burgundy, France and California. I like to share my interests with people and places I love.
My idea of linking Malibu and Chablis came because I feel that these two cities are complementary to each other although their lifestyle is so different.
Even though they are very small in size, they are world renowned and constantly under natural and physical pressures. They share similar concerns about protecting their environment for a better quality of life and the beauty of their surroundings.
They both long for survival in the big world to retain their identity as a lasting heritage for the future generation to come.
Being sensible to these issues, I came to recognize the beauty and the fragility of these two little towns and I thought it would be nice to make them Sister Cities.
The two of them are awaiting to embark in an exciting adventure and fascinating discovery, all we have to do is take effort to match them . . .
Nicole de Merteuil