Sadly, the Trancas Park saga continues for a small group of people. Although a twice-revised plan has been approved that grants every single request placed upon the City Council to change the park, these people are still not satisfied. Now they want a different park all together.
Perhaps the city was overly generous with these people, spoiling them by giving them everything they wanted each time they threw a tantrum. Now they want the city to ignore their vote and the rest of the community and change over to a $2,500 arbitrary park plan that was created in one week with the input of three to four residents.
Although I’m reluctant to respond to the recent attacks on myself and the park, I’d like to make a few things clear to the reasonable folks of Malibu who are following this project: The “Goldman Plan” is nice, but it’s not inclusive. It was designed by a very few select group of park opponents, most of whom do not have children or dogs or who jumped in on this last minute. It’s too small and doesn’t meet the needs of all of our community. It also needs a lot of work.
In the end it’s possible the two parks will cost the same. Financially the city is very capable of spending money on this park and the longer it takes, the more it’s going to cost. Thirty meetings and workshops have been held. “What’s the rush?” the opponents ask. A decade has gone by! I have collected hundreds of signatures over the years. A petition recently resubmitted serves as a reminder of the many people who support a park based on input from the community. It is a legitimate document available for viewing at City Hall. It is unfortunate some people have decided to use this petition in an attempt to defame me and question the people I represent. I guess they have nothing better to do with their time.
Meanwhile, the Friends of Trancas and I are getting back to our lives, enjoying our children and this beautiful place we call home. It’s so nice not to have to attend any more late night council meetings. I wish the opponents well, and hope that they can soon find peace.
Justine Petretti