Council Member Jefferson Wagner’s proposal to allow non-City of Malibu residents to sit on Malibu commissions sits poorly with this Malibu voter. I can understand non-resident property owner voting rights, but allowing a non-resident, (probably non-property owner) to vote on a Malibu commission that will affect Malibu residents and property owners is mind-boggling. Talk about taxation without representation.
Do residents and property owners in the unincorporated areas of Malibu pay the city’s taxes that support Malibu’s growing services? Are their properties, homes or taxes directly affected by the city’s zoning laws, variances and ordinances?
The answer is a resounding no.
The unincorporated areas, such as Sunset Mesa and PCH north of Trancas Canyon Rd., have more different concerns than ones that resonate with Malibu voters where it affects our wallets. Malibu, at just over ten years old, is still very much a new city, with many decisions still to be made for its future and legacy. Do the City Council members truly want to start a new, provocative, far-reaching precedent that may affect Malibu residents and property owners for far longer years than these proposed non-City of Malibu commissioners might sit on their Malibu committees? I sincerely hope not.
Sonia Ottusch