I personally urged the City Council to be circumspect about their rush to push Measure M through to an election. So did many others. After suffering the stinging loss of this measure I had hoped that our city fathers would have gained some wisdom, perhaps some humility and a broadening of understanding what Malibu citizens desire. But now we are witness to the grotesque firing of two of the most dedicated public servants I have ever met. Add to this Richard Carrigan’s resignation in protest over this issue and you have a crisis of public confidence. Remember Archibald Cox and the “Saturday Night Massacre” of the Nixon administration?
Don’t you find it odd that both Sharon Barosky and Andy Stern, the “trigger men” doing the firing of this very group, that voted 5-0 against the advancement of Measure M, are not up for office next April? Of course the three other members of the council certainly are. Strange isn’t it? It is pitiful that this City Council has manufactured such a transparent way to purge the Planning Commission of this town of exemplary citizens. What in God’s name is happening when dissent is treated like treason? This is infantile behavior and pure vengeance. I, and I hope you, will remember this vindictive ruse in next April’s election. Clearly, despite all the talk of coming together, this City Council could not resist a mean spirited and clumsy strike at their perceived enemy. Once again, this council has attempted to pull the wool over this community but it is they who are laid naked and it is a terribly ugly sight.
Bob Carmichael