I attended the Soboroff/ Reiner Measure R Debate on Sunday. It was an entertaining but weird experience. Reiner was clear, articulate and straightforward about what is, essentially, a very simple initiative that gives residents more control over future large commercial development in Malibu. He came across as honest about his motives and the background of the initiative and rationale of why Measure R is needed. Soboroff, on the other hand, was evasive about his motives (did not want to be referred to as a developer), throwing out all sorts of baseless accusations about “backroom deals” and how Measure R will lead to more — not less — commercial development, and spent the whole time talking about things that were, essentially, nonsense. It was bizarre. Reiner was honest and straightforward and Soboroff continued from his well-worn playbook of trying to spread fear, uncertainty and doubt to confuse and scare everyone. If you haven’t seen the debate, you have to watch it.
But aside from the actual content of the debate — which was well worth watching —the setup of the debate told you all you need to know:
An out-of-town developer of large-scale commercial projects led the “no” group. On his side of the audience were other developers and real estate professionals who have a financial interest in the continued development of Malibu.
The “yes” group was led by a longtime local homeowner from the entertainment industry. On his side of the audience were local residents, small shop owners (Zuma Jay, PC Greens, Pinnacle, etc.) with zero financial interest in the outcome of Measure R.
That pretty much gives you the lay of the land for the motives of each group.
Here is the creepiest part: the four City Councilmembers who were present were all on the “no” side, with the out-of-town developer and the real estate folks.
And there is the reason we need Measure R.
Rick Mullen