I’m an old-timer who started here in the 1960s. I remember The Cottage, The Malibu Inn, the Colony Coffee shop, the battles to stop the nuclear plant and the placement of the 101 freeway — stopping them from destroying our Malibu. I voted for cityhood, hoping we could also stop the development and degradation of this special place.
Here we are in another election with more promises, more special interests and more B.S.
There is still a chance to save what we have so loved, to stop the building, the brutal traffic and the pollution of our land, our water and our spirit.
They call Rick Mullen “the new guy.” Well, for years, this “new guy” has quietly, efficiently and has honorably been doing what so many others just talk about — basically, saving our butts by putting his on the line. I can’t recall all of the fires I have experienced over the years, but on Feb. 25 of this year at 3 a.m. on Mulholland, less than a mile from us, we had a big fire. I quickly drove up to the scene and smiled when I saw that Captain Mullen was the incident commander — totally in charge, confident, reassuring and unflappable. He knows fire, wind and topography. He knew what to do and how to do it. A few hours later, the fire was out and no homes were lost.
No one who knows Mullen was surprised. Those of us who know him know what he will bring to the City of Malibu: cool headedness, a patient willingness to listen (to all sides), and a loyalty to stopping the commercialization and destruction of our community. His agenda is simply to maintain the safety, health, vision and integrity of what Malibu has been and can still be.
Running with Jefferson Wagner and Skylar Peak was a great idea, because they share his vision. We can trust Mullen to tell us the truth and to courageously act on his word.
So much for the “new guy!” Lucky us.
Jeremy Joe and Lynne Kronsberg