When Joan House stepped down from City Council last Monday, an era ended. She was the definition of “public servant.” A few people remember that she was a leader in the fight for Malibu cityhood, and when that battle was won, she served on the General Plan Task Force, which fashioned the document that served as our city constitution. Few people know that she co-authored the city’s mission statement, that her critics are so fond of quoting, or that she served in the Peace Corps in Malawi, married, was widowed and went on to serve on the Navajo reservation.
House served on our city council for four terms — always with civility, thoughtfulness and dignity even in the face of attacks by those who had none of those qualities.
We served with House on city council, and watched her vote with her conscience, and not her political interests. She had her core values and she stuck to them. And while we didn’t always agree, our respect for her never wavered.
We want to thank House for her commitment to Malibu, and for challenging those who follow to match her dedicated service and emulate her leadership qualities.
Sharon Barovsky & Ken Kearsley
Former Mayors & Malibu City Council Members