Letter: Keeping Malibu Rural

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Letter to the Editor

Measure R holds the possibility for a change of tide in our local politics, to stand up for local independent businesses and our quality of life, and uphold Malibu’s Vision and Mission Statement, to “avoid” the “commercialization” of Malibu, “sacrifice urban … conveniences,” and preserve its “rural characteristics.” 

When Malibu becomes a shopping destination, we overburden our roads. 

As we follow our vision statement, I hold that land values will continue to increase, and the more we restore our ecological balance, the greater the increase in value. 

This act opens the conversation for “conscious” consumerism. We start here — in our backyards — with strong local relationships. Quality of life means quality relationships, and as we strengthen local relationships, we strengthen local economy by keeping dollars local and spending our dollars at local, independent businesses that employ local residents and sell local products. Whether it is a green juice from locally grown kale at Sunlife Organics, restaurants serving fresh local produce or even some of the options at our new Vintage Grocers, we support local independent business. Our dollars circulate within the community eight to 15 times, improving the value of the purchase. On the flip side, dollars spent with large corporations leave the community almost immediately. With Measure R, chain stores with 10 or more stores are limited to 30% of a shopping center. Necessity becomes the mother of invention. 

This is an epic opportunity for our community of residents to come together and stand for a more conscious consumerism here in Malibu — a more sustainable footprint. 

As we look toward more sustainable real estate, we protect our rural character, natural beauty and ecological balance. People spend their fortunes to move here because they can go for a standup paddle and see prolific thriving marine life, instead of a shopping destination. 

Ojai, Carmel and many other California cities have put in place even stronger restrictions than what Measure R offers in order to maintain vibrant and diverse commercial districts. 

Any way you slice it, the unregulated proliferation of formula retail will lessen Malibu’s rural character, what drew us all here in the first place. 

June Louks