Educator, author, journalist
By Vicky Newman/Staff Writer
New City Councilwoman Sharon Barovsky (appointed Monday to fill the vacancy created by the recent death of her husband, Harry) comes from a background of teaching and writing.
She grew up in Michigan, beginning her studies in English at Michigan State University and finishing at UCLA. She was awarded her Master’s Degree from Cal State LA.
While raising four children in the early ’60s, Barovsky taught English at Roosevelt High School in Boyle Heights and later at El Camino High School in Woodland Hills, where she was chair of the English Department. She also taught part-time at Cal State L.A. while earning her Master’s Degree.
She later wrote features for Associated Press and magazines.
Barovsky married Harry, in 1971, after a five-year courtship.
Continuing her writing, Barovsky partnered with Planning Commission chair Ed Lipnick on several scripts with what she describes as “modest success.” They sold scripts but nothing was produced, she said.
In 1988, Barovsky wrote a novel, “The Perfect Family,” under the nom de plume Sharon Daley. She acknowledges a number of Malibu locals such as Lipnick, Paul Mantee and Alice Powell in the courtroom/family drama published by E.P. Dutton.
She is currently writing a historical novel about 19th century America.
Asked how she got into politics, Barovsky replies, “Cityhood happened.”
She was appointed to the General Plan Task Force by Joan House and served on the force for two years.
Barovsky’s next foray into politics was her 18-month stint on the Civic Center Specific Plan Advisory Committee, which she said “went nowhere.”
Because of negative Civic Center plan experience and Harry’s goals, Barovsky says she wants a more “inclusive” city.
She intends to work on more recreation facilities for kids and seniors, “the two groups that can’t hop in cars to go somewhere to have a good time.”
Barovsky would also like to work for “some sort of comprehensive master plan for commercial development.” She says that now there is a “hodgepodge” free-for-all, where only the first applicant to the Planning Commission gets what he wants.
She looks forward to working with the council, which she says seems to be able to disagree without rancor.