Ozzie Silna has been my dear friend for 11 years, ever since he moved into Serra Retreat. During that time, I have spoken to him almost every day. I believe I know Ozzie as well as anyone in Malibu and I have been shocked and saddened by the awful statements made about him in the newspaper and in the courts, because the man they are describing is not Ozzie.
Ozzie’s philanthropy is legendary among the few of us who know about it. It is often done anonymously and it covers every aspect of life in our community. Even more remarkable, I have never heard Ozzie say a negative or derogatory word against anyone and he is as honest and forthright a person as I have ever known. While he does have a strong vision of what our community could be, he respects other people’s opinions and simply supports those whose goals match his own. His stand on Measure M was an example of this.
It is not a crime to oppose the Malibu Bay Company’s development plan. The majority of citizens in Malibu opposed it as well. And why can’t Ozzie give his money to support his vision and preserve what is best about Malibu? The Malibu Bay Company spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on public relations for Measure M and they’ve spent millions over the years to the same end. Having a differing political agenda from the existing City Council and the MBC is legal and protected by our constitution. Malibu is a community, not a bunch of lines drawn on a map and I cannot understand those who question Ozzie’s residency in Malibu.
No one has benefited this town more than Ozzie Silna. His help and generosity has touched everyone in this community, whether they realize it or not and has made Malibu the wonderful city it is. I believe the people of Malibu are smarter than the few who would try to silence Ozzie for their own personal and political gain.
Michelle Van Dyke